STREETWEAR MARKET SEGMENTS
Understanding the different segments of the streetwear market is critical to developing a strong brand identity plan & marketing strategy.
In this article we will break down 4 core market tiers, for you to gain a better understanding of where your brand will fit within the market.
MASS MARKET
Description : Mass market includes trending, widely accessible, and affordable streetwear.
Brands in this category prioritize trending designs, often inspired by higher-end labels but produced at large scale for mainstream consumption.
Quality is often lacking, with the focus being to deliver popular & trending styles to a the masses for a low price.
This is by far the hardest market to attempt to compete, as it requires massive capital to meet large scale order quantities.
Characteristics :
Affordable Pricing
Often Lower Quality
Widely Available
Trend-Driven
Fast Fashion
Examples : H&M, Zara, Pacsun, etc.
MID-TIER
Description : The mid-tier market segment sits on the line between mass market & premium, featuring brands that maintain a balance between decent quality, unique design, and cultural authenticity.
These labels often collaborate with other streetwear or sportswear giants and have a strong community presence.
Characteristics :
Decent quality
Limited releases & collaborations
Strong ties to skate, hip hop & youth
Reasonable price point
Examples : Stüssy, The Hundreds, Pleasures, etc.
PREMIUM
Description : The premium tier begins to blur the line between streetwear and luxury fashion.
Brands in this category emphasize superior craftsmanship, limited distribution, and cultural cachet, while still attempting to maintain friendly pricing for the quality offering.
Collections are often dropped in exclusive capsules, premium core collections, and collaborations with luxury houses are common.
Characteristics :
High quality materials & craftsmanship
Limited editions & exclusive capsule collections
Influencer & small celebrity endorsements
Global appeal
Reasonable price for quality offering
Examples : Supreme, BAPE, Palace, FOG Essentials.
LUXURY
Description : In the luxury market segment, is the marriage between streetwear & high fashion.
These brands are known for their luxury craftsmanship, high quality materials, creative design & global prestige.
The designs reflect street culture while maintaining an elite, aspirational status of luxury.
This is our personal pick for market segment, as it prioritizes high quality materials, craftsmanship & creativity, while implementing excellent marketing. There are no details overlooked in this market.
Characteristics :
High quality materials
High quality craftsmanship
Creative & unique design
Exceptional marketing
Higher price point
Attention to detail
Examples : Represent, Givenchy, Off-White, Heron Preston, etc.
Disclaimer : this is not business advice, only reiteration of our research & experience working with brands. Use information at your own discretion.
