ストリート系

• Reading: ストリートけい
• Romaji: sutorīto kei
• Kanji breakdown: ストリート (from English 'street') + 系 (type/system/style) → street-style fashion
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.to.ɾiː.to keː/

Meaning

Street fashion style; urban casual influenced by skateboarding, hip-hop, and youth subculture.

ストリート系 encompasses a broad range of urban fashion influenced by skateboarding, hip-hop, sneaker culture, and Japanese street style. It includes brands like Supreme, Stüssy, BAPE, and Neighborhood, as well as more affordable streetwear. Japan has been a global leader in street fashion since the 1990s, with Harajuku and Ura-Harajuku as epicentres. The 系 (kei) suffix means 'type' or 'style' and is used across Japanese fashion to categorise aesthetics.

Examples

1. ストリート系のファッションが一番自分らしいと思う。 I think street fashion is the most 'me' style.
2. 彼氏がストリート系だからペアで合わせやすい。 My boyfriend is into street fashion so it's easy to coordinate outfits together.
3. ストリート系のブランドに詳しい人って一目置かれるよね。 People who know a lot about streetwear brands really earn respect.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, youth culture, sneaker culture, Harajuku

Tone: cool, subcultural

Do Say

• ストリート系に憧れてスケボーブランドの服集めてる。 (I admire street style so I'm collecting skate brand clothes.)
• ストリート系ってスニーカーが命だよね。 (In street fashion, sneakers are everything.)

Don't Say

• 「ストリート系って不良っぽくない？」は偏見 (Saying 'doesn't street fashion look delinquent?' is prejudiced — it's a legitimate fashion culture)

Common Mistakes

• Equating ストリート系 with just wearing hoodies and sneakers — Japanese street fashion has highly specific brand awareness and cultural codes

Origin & History

From English 'street' + 系 (type/style). Japanese street fashion culture emerged in the 1990s in Harajuku and has been globally influential. Brands like A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and Neighborhood originated from this scene.

Cultural Context

Era: 1990s Harajuku origin, continuously evolving

Generation: Teens to 30s, primarily

Social background: Youth culture, fashion enthusiasts

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Harajuku, Ura-Harajuku, and Shibuya are the spiritual homes. Japan is globally recognized as a street fashion capital.