Streetwear has a long history and can be difficult to define, now with a number of large luxury players trying to infiltrate the game, it comes down to the simplest of pieces - a combination of tees, hoodies, hats, and a fresh pair of kicks. The foundations of streetwear were built on being non-traditional, yet now the mixture of high-end streetwear and small independent brands have altered the streetwear ecosystem. A blend of sport, fashion, music, art, and technology, streetwear has evolved into an encompassing way of life.
Following our Top Ten Streetwear Shops in Canada, it only seems fair to follow up with the Top Ten in the U.S. of A. While there’s been a strong shift in the retail world to e-commerce, there are still many brick-and-mortar locations holding it down.
Whether you’re looking for the secret entrance to the iconic Bodega boutique in Boston, a dope boy popping tags at Walters, getting new kicks while hitting the cereal bar at KITH NYC or simply lost in the city of angels trying to find the freshest gear - HotNewHipHop is here to guide you. Looking at old and new establishments from the east coast to the west coast, here are the top 10 stores across the country, in no particular order, for all your streetwear needs.
Round Two (Richmond & LA)
202 W Broad St, Richmond, VA & 7320 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Round Two has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 2013, they’ve expanded into two brick and mortar locations in Los Angeles and one in Richmond, and a new location opening this summer in New York City. Aside from their niche market of vintage gear, streetwear, and sneakers, Round Two also buys their stock from their customers collecting a rarity of items you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Gently-used items fill the racks from Nike, Champion, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Jeans, Supreme and more - at prices your local plug can’t offer. Round Two now also has an appointment-only store called the Gallery that showcases only their most expensive pieces including the original “Banned” Air Jordan 1s.
If you're not lucky enough to live near a Round Two, you can keep up with their shenanigans on their widely popular YouTube channel.
RSVP Gallery (Chicago & LA)
1753 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL & 905 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA
Founded in 2009 by Marc Moran, Don C, and Virgil Abloh, the creative minds who helped mold Kanye West, RSVP Gallery is a must-see if you’re ever in the Windy City. Recently opening a new location in DTLA just last week, the store itself is designed to look like an actual gallery, with the racks filled with Givenchy, Off-White, Yeezy, as well as more affordable streetwear brands like Adidas, Babylon, and Nike. The gallery has also created one-of-a-kind collaborations with brands like BAPE, Anti-Social Social Club, and more.
With a legendary co-sign like Don and Abloh, the store has a steady rotation of appearances by the likes of Travis Scott, N.E.R.D., Kid Cudi, and dozen more hitmakers posing in front of RSVP’s signature Astro Boy statue.
KITH (NYC)
233 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, New York & 644 Broadway at Bleecker St., New York, NY & 64 Bleecker St., New York, NY
A shining jewel in the hustle and bustle of New York is Ronnie Feig’s KITH. Opening his first shop in 2011 in Brooklyn, KITH has expanded opening two more locations in Manhattan - one men’s location and as well as a separate one for the ladies, KITH Women.
Alongside KITH’s in-house line of men and women’s athleisure is a variety of names in clothing and footwear. Jordan’s, New Balance, and Nike fill the walls while Canada Goose, Helmut Lang to Acronym and Fear of God fill the racks.
Oh, also, the cereal bar, KITH Treats, at the Brooklyn flagship location may be the greatest thing ever.
Walters (Atlanta)
66 Decatur Street SE, Atlanta, GA
A legendary ATL institution, founded back in the day when Michael Jordan still had hair is Walters. What started as a mom and pop store over 60 years ago is now a staple in the sneaker community and a landmark in Atlanta. Walter’s collection of OG Nikes, Reeboks, Filas, Adidas, New Balance and more has attracted the likes of NBA ballers, musicians, and dope boys alike. Walter’s even got a shoutout on Future’s Poppin’ Tags “Dope boys shopping at Walter’s, I bought the whole store.” After just one visit, you’ll see why sneaker companies respect the OG’s.
Flight Club (NYC & LA)
812 Broadway, New York, NY & 503 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA
With shops in both New York and Los Angeles, Flight Club is the mecca for all sneakerheads. Known for some of the rarest and most coveted sneakers around the world, Flight Club’s decade of authority is well established in the sneaker community. While the shelves display Asics, Puma, and Reebok the hardcore-collectors come for the Nike Air Force Ones and Air Jordans. True heads are willing to pay if it means getting hold of the missing piece from their collection, Flight Club’s selection is unparalleled and has attracted the likes of YG, Jarvis Landry, and more.
Xhbition (Cleveland)
2068 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH
In the land of Lebron there is XHIBITION, about a mile away from the Quickens Loan Arena. A unique sensory experience, the future-fun-house showroom is Cleveland’s fashion hub. A combination of high-end fashion and athletic wear, XHIBITION hosts brands like Gucci, Heron Preston, Palm Angels to Stussy, Adidas, Champion, Vans, and more.
Alongside their assortment of unique brands are XHIBITIONs’ in-store events and gatherings. Whether celebrating the launch of a special collaboration or connecting creatives together, XHIBITION has welcomed John Elliot, Bobby Hundreds, Mark McNairy, and Don C.
UNION (NYC & LA)
110 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA
OG streetwear head and founder of Union LA Chris Gibbs knows his stuff. UNION first opened its doors in Spring of 1989 in Soho - it was a safe space for the city’s youth to showcase their music, art, and fashion. A few years later, Eddie Cruz, one of the original owners decided to move UNION out west and now it operates solely in LA. Under Gibb’s management, UNION has become one of the west coast’s best men’s and streetwear shops. The retailer has been pivotal in the streetwear scene, endorsing many burgeoning streetwear brands from around the globe. The racks are balanced with a mix of high and low-end streetwear, from 032c, Braindead, BornxRaised to Fear of God, Acne Studios, and Raf Simons.
Located in the Fairfax area, if you’re in LA you should definitely check out UNION.
Bodega (Boston)
6 Clearway St, Boston, MA
On the east coast, we have Bodega - what started as a small in Boston has involved into an iconic boutique who masterly blends streetwear. The very secretive location is missed by everyone, the speakeasy vibes ensue when you press the back of a tile on the floor and the Snapple machine slides away to reveal the beautiful boutique. While Bodega carries many high-end streetwear brands like Comme des Garcons, UNDERCOVER, and Y-3, they fill the rest of their racks with independent brands like Deluxe, Stray Rats, Pleasures and more.
If you can’t make it to Boston, Bodega’s online store may be just as good as the real thing.
Commonwealth (Washington D.C.)
1781 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC
Founded in 2007, Commonwealth is an expertly curated collection located in the nation's capital. The hot spot in Washington D.C., Commonwealth tagline reads “for the greater good.” Working tirelessly to fulfill the demand for street fashion, the store carries their APC, Stone Island, Play by CDG, Stussy Deluxe, alongside their own house brand. Their clientele boasts hip-hop legends like Bun B and Clipse, who they also did a collaboration with. From sneakers, t-shirts, jackets, and even candles for your crib, Commonwealths’ selection has something for your taste.
Unknwn (Miami)
19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL
Founded by former Miami Heat star LeBron James and five of his friends, UNKWN is located on the famous Biscayne Boulevard in the Aventura Mall. While the store gets significant amount of attention due to its attachment to LeBron, UNKWN mission is dedicated to graduating young boys into men. Hosting over a hundred vendors, their beautifully designed store is filled with 3.1 Phillip Lim, Hood by Air, Marcelo Burlon and all the sneakers you can possibly imagine. Rooted in a modern convergence of sport, fashion, and technology UNKWN is creating a new masculine fashion experience.