A style guide and capsule wardrobe for the STREET / URBAN style personality

A style that’s as hard to pin down as you are! Street or urban style develops on the streets of the world’s major cities.

It is constantly evolving, but there are elements of urban or street style which remain pretty constant.

Just like the Eurochic style personality, it is hard to define, but you will recognize urban style when you see it.

So what is urban style?

Urban or street style tends to be a mix of casual and hip, and it picks up on what is happening in the world at any given time.

It is about sub-culture rather than major trends and also has its roots in sports and music movements such as skateboarding, hip hop and rap. Many big-name designer brands are consistently inspired by an urban look.

This is a style which is often more prevalent among younger generations, but there are always exceptions, and a 40+ women can rock urban style just as well (or better) than her younger counterparts. Just ask Gwen Stefani!

If you aren’t sure what street style is, some examples (both current and from years gone by) include punk, goth, grunge, mod and hip hop.

How to tell if you have an urban style personality

If you are a non-conformist then there are probably at least some elements of urban style in your closet.

However, most women don’t just have one style they are drawn to. They also pick and choose from other styles. That’s what makes everyone’s style unique.

If you aren’t sure what your style is, you can take our fun style personality quiz to find out.

Here are just some of the ways to tell if you have an urban style personality…

You don’t like to conform

While you definitely have your finger on the pulse when it comes to trends, your style tends to be about being subversive rather than conforming to all of the trends seen on the fashion show runways.

Mel @bagandaberet above (read her style interview here) always looks fabulous. Here, she evokes a punk era while bringing her look bang up-to-date.

Steal her look with this similar tee, blazer, plaid skirt and lace-up high sneakers.

You won’t compromise on comfort

Feeling comfortable in your clothes is important to you. You won’t wear anything that digs, pinches or otherwise constricts you.

Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun above (read her style interview here)

Recreate her outfit with this similar top (another option here), pants, sandals, handbag and earrings.

I probably won’t see you in pastels

If I were to open your closet, I probably won’t see a lot of color, particularly rich jewel shades or pastel hues.

You gravitate towards black, khaki and dark neutrals.

You like to mix it up

Even if you are attending a formal event, you like to mix formal with casual.

You might wear a khaki jacket over your ballgown or choose pants instead of a dress.

Abi @stealmystyle40 above gives her outfit an urban feel by opting for an oversized look and adding a cap.

Check out this similar hoodie, coat, leggings, sneakers (another option here), tote (another option here) and cap.

You wear your heart on your sleeve

Or, on your t-shirt at least.

While you may not necessarily love a lot of color, you do like a good logo, slogan, moto or print. Just so long as it’s either meaningful or it’s from your favorite band or brand.

Celebrities with an urban fashion personality

Gwen Stefani is, arguably, the most famous 40+ woman with a very recognizable urban style.

Fellow singer Pink also loves urban fashion (although she adds more than a touch of rock chick).

There are also plenty of times when we’ve seen Amal Clooney (whose style tends to be Eurochic) don an urban look such as ripped jeans, leather jackets or khaki jumpsuits.

So, you can add elements of this style to your own outfits for a current look.

It might only be wearing your sneakers with your dress, or adding a beanie hat to your jeans and blazer outfit, but it could give you a more youthful vibe.

Urban T-shirts and tops

When it comes to your tops, you like slouchy styles that aren’t too fitted. You find printed tees and asymmetry attractive, but you might also add some subtle glamour by opting for a one-shoulder style.

Your closet will usually also feature a white shirt because this is such a versatile piece you can wear with jeans, under dungarees or a jumpsuit, or over a dress.

Natori Draped Asymmetric Shirt – COS Oversized Zebra Print Silk Shirt – Capsule 121 Bell Ruched Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Cotton T-Shirt

rag & bone Elle Tweed Single-Breasted Blazer –Natori Draped Asymmetric Shirt – Hudson Jeans Faye Distressed Boot-Cut Jeans – Dolce Vita Zina Sneaker – AllSaints Shore Recycled Quilted Tote Bag – J.Crew Metallic Ribbon Necklace – accsa Newsboy Cap

Jackets and coats for the urban style personality

Your coats tend to be shorter jackets rather than long ones, but that’s not to say you can’t rock a full-length coat with your Dr. Martens or sneakers.

You will be drawn to moto, bomber and denim styles, as well as prints which have a nod to the punk era rather than being too classic.

You’re also a big fan of a slouchy sweater. You prefer an oversized knit or hoodie rather than anything too tight.

rag & bone Elle Tweed Single-Breasted Blazer – COS Oversized Cropped Denim Overshirt – Milly Riviera Faux Fur Coat – Donna Karan New York Leopard-Print Faux Fur Coat

Milly Riviera Faux Fur Coat – Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Cotton T-Shirt – rag & bone Marianne Wool Wide-Leg Trousers – SCHUTZ Yala Block Sandals – AllSaints Half Moon Metallic Leather Crossbody Bag – Madewell Modular Carabiner Hoop Earrings

Urban jeans and pants

Jeans are a very important wardrobe staple and you are likely to have several pairs in your closet.

You are drawn to distressed jeans as well as gray denim, but also like comfy cargo pants. A pair of black skinny jeans or leggings will also go with most items in your wardrobe.

Hudson Jeans Faye Distressed Boot-Cut Jeans – rag & bone Featherweight Cailyn Cotton-Blend Cargo Pants – Re/done 70s High-Rise Two-Tone Stretch Bootcut Jeans – rag & bone Marianne Wool Wide-Leg Trousers

Adaline @sdmomstyles above adds cargo-style jeans and sneakers to her classic black tank top.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top, jeans, sneakers, shoulder bag and necklace.

Dresses, jumpuits and skirts for the urban style personality

While jeans tend to be your go-to closet staple, you also like to mix up your outfits by wearing jumpsuits, dresses or skirts.

You are unlikely to opt for anything too “girly”. Or, if you do, you will offset that with more casual shoes or accessories such as chunky boots or sneakers.

AllSaints Gia Metallic Long Sleeve Dress – A.L.C. Gia Metallic Long Sleeve Dress – Good American Fit For Success Stretch Denim Jumpsuit – Milly Shenandoah Asymmetric Pleated Lamé Skirt

Donna Karan New York Leopard-Print Faux Fur Coat – AllSaints Gia Metallic Long Sleeve Dress – AllSaints Hallie Leather Boots – AllSaints Half Moon Metallic Leather Crossbody Bag – J.Crew Metallic Ribbon Necklace – J.Crew Beaded Hoop Earrings

Shoes to wear with your urban wear

Two classic shoes which will never go out of style for an urban style personalty are a pair of Dr. Martens and a pair of converse high tops.

But, you could also try booties or over-the-knee boots with your dresses and jeans. Cage-style sandals will give your outfit an edge.

SCHUTZ Yala Block Sandals – Dolce Vita Zina Sneaker – Taos Winner High Top Sneakers – AllSaints Hallie Leather Boots

Capsule 121 Bell Ruched Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – rag & bone Featherweight Cailyn Cotton-Blend Cargo Pants – Taos Winner High Top Sneakers – AllSaints Shore Recycled Quilted Tote Bag – Madewell Modular Carabiner Hoop Earrings – AllSaints Rae Logo Scarf

Accessories to go with your urban clothes

The most iconic street style accessory has to be the beanie hat.

This gives everything from jeans to dresses an air of haven’t-tried-too-hard nonchalance.

But, you could always add a pair of sunglasses and some bright red lipstick, like Gwen Stefani, to add a little touch of glamour. Gwen likes to wear Revlon’s Love that Red.

For bags, you prefer a hands-free approach rather than a tote or a satchel, so you could choose a backpack or a crossbody bag.

AllSaints Shore Recycled Quilted Tote Bag – AllSaints Edbury Studded Leather Shoulder Bag – AllSaints Half Moon Metallic Leather Crossbody Bag – J.Crew Metallic Ribbon Necklace – J.Crew Beaded Hoop Earrings – Madewell Modular Carabiner Hoop Earrings – AllSaints Rae Logo Scarf – C.C Cable Knit Beanie – accsa Newsboy Cap – Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte On The Go Lipstick

Natalia @odin.stylish.me above wears an on-trend long denim skirt.

Get her look with this similar tee (another option here), skirt (another option here), mules, bag and necklace.

A capsule wardrobe of 9 streetwear outfits for the urban style personality

There are so many different ways you could put the pieces from above together to create countless outfits.

But, here are a few ideas to get you started…

More urban style inspiration

The capsule below is past season, but still looks current, showing that an urban style can be modern and timeless at the same time.

Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

Streetwear brands for the urban style personality

Where do you like to shop if you have an urban style personality?

As well as shopping in regular stores, you also love independent shops as well as looking in vintage stores for unique pieces.

When it comes to the high street, and designer pieces, these are my favorites for the urban style personality. Let me know where you like to shop.

• All Saints
• Vivienne Westwood
• Moschino
• Topshop
• Converse
• Dr. Martens
• Ganni
• Off-White
• Zadig & Voltaire

Continue reading:

1. Want To Discover Your Style Personality? Take This Fun Quiz!
2. Understanding The Different Styles
3. A Capsule Wardrobe And Style Guide For The NATURAL Style Personality

What do you think? Can you relate to this streetwear-inspired style?

Like this post on the urban style personality? Share it on Pinterest!

Feature image by Adaline @sdmomstyles

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