The 100 Best Style Trends Of The Complex Decade

Image via Complex Original

100. Baggy Jeans

The early part of the decade saw hip-hop at its most ignorant, and jeans at their baggiest. If buying your pants 6 sizes too big didn't do it for you, then sagging them halfway down your ass probably did.

99. Big-Face Watches

Sure Breitling, Panerai, and Bell & Ross have been covering the wrists of dudes with large hands, and even Jay-Z has admitted to owning more than a few. In the early 2000s, bling was king and these oversized faces were made for flossing. Of course, now a more subtle look is preferred, but man, when these suckers were iced out, they shined hard.

98. Keffiyeh Scarves

This controversial accessory has its origins as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity and pride, but soon became representative of hipster appropriation and posturing. Still, in its heyday, it did look fly. With regular co-signs from Kanye West, and trendy youth in Tokyo who would rock with BAPE items and camo, the exotic accessory had an exotic, mysterious global appeal that predated all the controversy. Perhaps the final nail in the coffin for this trend was when celebrity chef Rachael Ray wore one in a a Dunkin' Donuts commercial.

97. All-Black Everything

Whether influenced by Johnny Cash or Jay-Z, the murdered-out look achieved prominence late in the first decade of the 2000s. Beyond clothes, watches, cars, and other accessories went stealth. It was a boon for the colorblind, as everything in your wardrobe suddenly matched, but we imagine most style-minded guys needed a bit of color injected into their wardrobe.

96. Tall Tees

Super baggy and saggy jeans meant you had to compromise for proportions. Your whole outfit looked off if you were rocking huge jeans and a little t-shirt. The company Galaxy lead the way in ridiculously long tees that completed any grimy outfit, usually bought at the mall and worn in the skreets.

95. Premium Denim

Brands like Diesel, True Religion, and 7 For All Mankind ran the game as the first brands that got people to drop their whole minimum wage paychecks on a pair of jeans. Before quality was a factor in purchasing denim, back pocket embellishments, fits, and washes were key, and these brands were charging people out the ass for all three. Other popular premium denim brands included Paperdenim & Cloth, Antik Denim, and Sealkay, before Nudie Jeans would usher in the age of raw denim.

94. Organic Clothing

Brands like Ever, Loomstate, and Edun touted that their products were made from organic cotton, sparking a mini-trend that appealed to the "I buy all my groceries from Whole Foods" set, as well as environmentally-friendly celebs. The result was a bunch of T-shirts, hoodies, and jeans that were super comfortable, mad expensive, and usually adorned with green, Earth-friendly imagery. It made being a hippie accessible.

93. Drawstring Backpack

Not everyone could afford to drop cake on a legit backpack when there were so many other more important style necessities. The drawstring backpack was light, cheap as hell, and street. It worked well for hitting the gym or balling on the blacktop. Plus everyone seemed to just find them around the house, instead of having to go cop one.

92. High-Top Sneakers

You really can't knock classics like the Dunk Hi and Chuck Taylor Hi, and when Supras first came out, everybody and their mom copped a pair of the metallic high-tops. Hell, for a while pop stars like Justin Bieber and rappers like Vado couldn't be seen out of a pair of Supras.

91. Skulls

Anything with skulls is pretty played out now, but it really had its peak in the early 2000s. Brands like Supreme, Maiden Noir, and Mishka used it effectively until it just got so generic that nobody could utilize it anymore. These days brands like Obey have brought it back, or at least are trying to.

90. Bow Ties

Before this accessory was reserved for super fancy settings, but Fonzworth Bentley taught us differently. Dude brought the bow tie to the casual front, while a preppy trend also helped popularize the then-uncommon neckwear. Bow ties soon became donned by dudes at the club and at the mall, becoming so prevalent as a style crutch that plenty of guys got tired of them.

89. Trucker Hats

The white trash uncle of the snapback, trucker hats got super popular around 2003. Besides Ashton Kutcher's collection and pretty much everyone in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the douchebags in your high school probably had one from Von Dutch.

88. "Livestrong" Rubber Bracelets

When Nike and Lance Armstrong decided to try fundraising by selling these, they set their goal at $25 million. They ended up surpassing that number in just months, starting a global phenomenon that had everyone you knew rocking silly, yellow rubber bracelets. At least it was good for good cause, right?

87. Colored-Frame Sunglasses

After years of having to choose between black and tortoiseshell, hipsters of the world finally got the freedom to express themselves on their shades thanks to an array of different colored frames. White frames were probably the most prominent, but you could definitely buy every color under the sun.

86. Popped Collars

If you weren't popping your collars in the early 2000s, you probably weren't swag. Then people started wearing multiple polos and popping all the collars at once. That's when the trend OD'd.

85. Messenger Bags

Bless the first dudes who decided they needed a bag to carry their shit, because the man bag definitely took a little while to catch on. Once it did though, students, professors, professionals, and all other sorts of fashionable people begun the man purse revolution.

84. Studded Belts

Everyone aspires to look like their favorite rock star. That's why everyone had one of these to show how much of a badass they were. Joey Ramone just cried a lone tear.

83. Coated Denim

The solution to wearing leather pants without sweating your balls off or getting too much shit from your boys is wearing coated jeans. Brands like Marc Jacobs and J Brand have made their own versions of coated jeans that look like leather, but function like regular jeans. Now you can party like a rock star, but look like a trap star.

82. Track Jackets

A prominent piece of outerwear in the "Casual" subculture of British soccer fans, track jackets from brands like Adidas and Umbro were also big among kids in the indie set. A precursor to the slim-fit hoodie trend, these track-and-field inspired jackets were rocked to death by swoopy-haired tattooed guys in girl jeans and Chuck Taylors.

81. Air Maxes

Everybody coveted their pair of Air Maxes in the 2000s. The 1s, 90s, 95s, and 97s all had a little different flair to appeal to different crowds. The Game loved his pair so much, he claimed he'd kill you if you tried him for his Air Max 95s. Yeah, it's serious.

80. Side-Part Hairstyle

Once reserved for "Leave It To Beaver" and Dennis The Menace, you no longer have to live in the '60s to rock a side part. Hit the downtown area of any major city and you'll see guys in sneakers and wingtips alike rocking this retro haircut. It adds a classic, clean element to your everyday look, chicks dig it, and it'll make you look respectable to parents everywhere... win-win.

79. Pink

It takes a certain type of man to wear pink and pull it off. Around '03 though, pink made a smooth transition from the country club to the G's, and then to everyone else. We probably have Cam'ron to thank for the trend, since he decided pink would be a cool color for literally everything he owned. Everything. Since then, Nicki Minaj has rightfully reclaimed pink for the ladies.

78. Board Shorts

Surf's up brah. These replaced the ugly, poofy swimming trunks guys used to wear and the only thing that's changed is the fit. Classic styles from companies like Lightning Bolt and Birdwell's never fell off, while cool guys got hip to newer brands like Saturdays Surf and Orlebar Brown. The current favored hem is just right above the knee, with a trim fit that leaves just enough room at the thigh.

77. Backpacks

Back in the early days of his career, Kanye West's go-to rig was a striped rugby shirt and a Louis Vuitton backpack. The backpack was also associated with fans of underground, conscious rap, but never went away as a hip-hop accessory. These days, rappers like Soulja Boy and Wale are often spotted rocking luxury backpacks by designers like Louis Stewart and MCM, made from premium fabrics like suede and textured leather.

76. Crepe-Soled Shoes

No longer relegated to just Wallabees and desert boots, now even Nike and shoe cobblers like Tricker's are up on the crepe sole game. Crepe soles are durable and crazy comfortable, no wonder they've been on everyone's feet for the past ten years.

75. Going Sockless

When it became fashionable to cuff your pants, or get your trousers hemmed without a break — so ankles were clearly visible, socks started disappearing from the tops of shoes everywhere. Ushered in by designer Thom Browne, whose slim, cropped silhouettes favored sockless looks, it became quite popular in the world of menswear, and you would spot many guys wearing really nice loafers, wingtips, and oxfords barefoot. Of course, some only committed halfway, and opted for no-show socks.

74. Bracelets

Colorful bracelets started adorning the wrists of style-minded guys mostly thanks to the advent of tumblr and the growing popularity of menswear blogs. Makers like Miansai offered expensive cord bracelets while Burkman Brothers' versions gained overnight popularity thanks to a Kanye West co-sign at the Coachella music festival. The trend was to stack as many as you could on your wrist, which made many guys go overboard on this trend. It's still around, but thankfully, in a much more subtle manner.

73. Military Watches

Military watches had a big moment in the earlier part of the decade and made their way back into the game last last year with Timex and Burberry doing modern versions. For the style-advanced gents, you might have been searching high and low for a vintage tactical Rolex, the ultimate in military watch swag.

72. Technical Outerwear

Technical outerwear has seen a boom in popularity once cool guys learned to appreciate high quality and awesome material over fast trends made of polyester. Other jackets seem to pale in comparison now that brands like Arc'Teryx, Marmot, White Mountaineering, and Outlier combine cutting-edge fabrics with modern silhouettes.

71. Independent Sneaker Designers

Either as a reaction to the big sneaker companies, or a way to cash in on the sneakerhead craze, the Complex era saw the rise of young, independent sneaker designers. Companies like Creative Recreation and Clae won over legions of fans for their clean designs and affordable price point. Meanwhile, Common Projects established itself in the luxury market with their Italian-made sneakers, premium prices, and upscale market placement.

70. Cargo Pants

When we say cargos, we don't mean UFO rave pants. We mean the kind that were dope in in the early 2000s from brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, and have recently evolved into more tailored versions from Mark McNairy and GANT by Michael Bastian. Cargo pants are here to stay, but make sure if you are rocking this trend, make sure that they fit well, and don't use the side pockets for actually storing anything. And the kids from Superbad were right about cargo shorts: "Nobody has gotten a hand job in cargo shorts since 'nam!"

69. Zip Wallets

Just about three years ago, guys started paying close attention to the way they dressed, and during that time, they also got the memo about velcro-closure wallets. Enter the zip wallet, the most popular of which is made by Comme des Garcons. They come in thousands of sizes, varieties, and colors, basically there is something for everyone.

68. Floral Print

While these prints used to be reserved for tacky button ups and Hawaiian shirts, the colorful, upbeat nature of the look brought it into the mainstream streetwear world. Designs from brands like Supreme, Engineered Garments, Mark McNairy New Amsterdam, and Gitman Bros Vintage made them relevant in the world of menswear, and the trend currently shows no signs of stopping.

67. Jorts

Jeans and shorts have always been fashion staples. So why not jorts? People rocked these for a minute, until they got longer and longer and started looking like jeans again. Finally, the hipster crowd brought back the male cutoff, and rappers like Pharrell and Big Sean rocked them slightly above the knee. The best part about this trend is how easy it was to do it yourself.

66. Tank Tops

Part-bike messenger, and part-AC Slater, tank tops became a summer staple on club kids and cool guys alike. Rappers like Big Sean and Lil Wayne are no stranger to rocking them either. What better way to look buff than to put on a tank top and flex?

65. Sweatsuits

When sweatsuits got popular, people started rocking matching sets all the time. Some of them were even velvet. It was a failed attempt at looking fly and impressive while still maintaining comfort. Thankfully, this trend died out right around the time Nelly dropped "Sweat/Suit." However, true ballers aren't afraid to rock them on a private jet — and we can't fault them for that.

64. Coin Purses

Being a close cousin of the fanny pack didn't stop this waist storage system from popping off. An extension of the Gucci/LV craze of these past few years, celebrities have been seen all over letting these hang from their belt-loops. Curren$y famously told us, "I keep my trees in my Louis pouch."

63. Dior Jeans

When Hedi Slimane was at the helm of Dior Homme it revolutionized the way designers approached menswear. With his extremely slim cut jackets, and ultra-skinny jeans guys decided to adopt the look into their every day wardobe. Dior jeans became a covetable item, sold out everywhere, going for four times the retail price on the aftermarket, and even inspiring a song by Kanye West, where Kid Cudi proclaims his love for the cut.

62. 5-Panel Caps

When the snapback started really blowing up, it was far too soon to go back to the fitted. Enter the 5-panel. Now people like Tyler, the Creator rock the 5-panel exclusively, and its become a real staple in streetwear fashion.

61. Casual Tailoring

As the lines between streetwear and menswear continued to blur, one of the more popular trends to come about was merging the two by dressing down items like sportcoats and trousers. We began to see guys like Kanye West rock snapbacks with tuxedo jackets, and Theophilus London wear Jordans with a suit. Unlike the '90s, the tailoring on the gear was on-point. It didn't hang off the body and definitely wasn't baggy. Yasiin Bey is among the rappers that have mastered the style. This aesthetic was marketed to guys via brands like J. Crew and Club Monaco, and guys everywhere tried to walk that line between dressed-up and dressed-down ever since.

60. Waxed Cotton

As our economy completely dropped off the map, functionality in clothes became more and more important. Stylish because of its classic look, practical because of its waterproof abilities, warm because of great insulation, and interesting because of its crazy feel, waxed cotton jackets simply made a lot of sense. And had quite a few people looking extra fly in the rain.

59. Rider Jackets

First invented by Schott in 1928, the double rider Perfecto Jacket has long been a symbol of biker rebellion and punk attitude, thanks to co-signs by Marlon Brando in The Wild One and bands like The Ramones. The familiar silhouette has been reinterpreted by luxury brands like 3.1 Phillip Lim and MCM, and has found itself on the backs of rappers like Pusha T, Waka Flocka Flame, and Kanye West, to young pop stars like Justin Bieber and celebs like Jonah Hill. Rocking this badass jacket instantly channels your inner badass.

58. Down Vests

Also known as a puffer, you can never go wrong with rocking a down vest. It's like having all of the warmth of a puffy coat, but it keeps your arms free from the constriction. Puffy vests are great for layering, although we don't recommend wearing them "rapper-style" with a t-shirt, because that just defeats the purpose. In what part of the world do you need a down vest and short sleeves? If there is a such place, it's probably full of douchebags.

57. Grills

You know you're from the 2000s if you decided to rob a jewelry store, took no money, but demanded they make you a grill. This trend might've been the height of rap ignorance, but who didn't love it? Word to Paul Wall. Grills haven't totally gone away either, just got less outrageous. The iced-out diamonds turned into stealthily wealthy rose gold slugs, which are often rocked by A$AP Rocky.

55. Animal Print

Animal print was something once reserved for the ladies, until Supreme released a camo-colored leopard M-65 jacket for their Spring/Summer 2010 collection. It sold out in minutes, making way for other brands to take their hand at experimenting with animal print. Brands from every part of the world are working with animal print; let's see if it becomes the new camo in the next decade.

55. Parkas

This outerwear trumps other jackets because of its obvious warmth, but more because of that fur lining the hood. This '90s staple never fell off, the fit was just updated and it got more prominent in the fashion world. Collaborations like Canada Goose for Drake's October Very Own clothing line also got expensive: the leather down jacket with genuine gold details retailed for $5,000.

54. Crewneck Sweatshirts

The crewneck fell out of relevance in the late '90s with the snapback. It came back around the same time the Americana movement really hit its stride, in both the menswear and streetwear worlds. It was a cleaner alternative to a hoodie, and not as stuffy as a sweater.

53. Colored Denim

Blue, black, and gray denim still remain classics, but risk takers welcome candy-colored denim to stand out from the crowd. With color blocking becoming a huge trend the past few seasons, we're not surprised by more and more guys embracing bright pants.

52. Vans

Besides Jeff Spicoli prominently rocking checkerboard slip-ons in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, the Complex era saw a huge resurgence in old-school Vans. Whether it was The Pack's one good song talking about how they proudly rocked the kicks, Lil Wayne proudly proclaiming that he wears them with skinny pants, or Tyler, The Creator pretty much always being spotted in a pair of waffle-soled sneakers, Vans' presence in our world simply can't be denied.

51. Heritage Brands

About two years ago, there was a big push in menswear where everything was about heritage brands. Companies like Carhartt, Schott, L.L. Bean, and Levi's had their archives raided, while companies like Filson and Red Wing started making tons of money by doing the same thing they had been doing for years. Things went overboard when you started to see guys running around looking like farmers, rail workers, or prohibition supporters all over major cities.

50. Good Wood NYC 

As a response to the gaudy, in-your-face, ice storm of the bling-bling era, Good Wood NYC came out with an alternative. The brand's line-up of subtle, but creative wooden medallions that keep money in your pocket and a chain on your neck became a huge trend with cool guys and hypebeasts everywhere. You can even create custom pieces.

49. Duck Boots

When the Americana trend went full force, duck boots became the go-to shoe for implement weather. Invented by L.L. Bean, the Maine-based company saw an increased demand for their flagship product. Soon other companies followed suit to mimic the traditional silhouette, resulting in sneaker hybrid duck boots, and expensive designer versions from brands like Common Projects and designers like Junya Watanabe.

48. Toggle Coats

This coat was originally worn by the British Navy, but became adopted by style connoisseurs who rebelled against our button and zipper dominated world.

47. V-Neck T-Shirts

The white V-neck is a wardrobe staple. As a slightly more stylish alternative to the crewneck tee, these tees were paired with premium denim on every celeb around 2007. But things got out of hand once the V started dropping down to the sternum area. No good. The only deep V we want is not in a shirt.

46. Throwback Jerseys

It wasn't long ago that rap videos looked more like an NBA All-Star game from the '70s. Fabolous made it big, hip-hop fans embraced the trend, then it died all too suddenly. But just last year, Wale brought the throwback back. Another example of trends coming and going, then coming right back with the quickness?

45. Quilted Jackets

Quilted jackets channel a classy, British vibe while generating warmth thanks to the air pockets created by the quilting in the jacket. Traditionally made by English companies like Belstaff and Barbour, designers like Gucci and Alexander Wang translated the manufacturing method into luxe fabrics and modern fits, drawing the attention of NBA players, rappers, and cool guys alike.

44. American Apparel

Sometime in the early 2000s, unbranding became the new branding. Gone were the days of big ponies and graphic T-shirts: this was the dawn of the solid tee. American Apparel, with its premium price-point, racy advertising, and slim fit clothing, quickly created a market niche for logoless, comfortable basics. At one point in time, it was damn near impossible to walk outside of the house and not see someone wearing one of their California fleece hoodies, 50/50 shirts, or rather revealing deep V-neck T-shirts.

43. Unstructured Sportcoats

As dudes started to dress up more, comfort and class met halfway. The unstructured sportcoat took the familiar silhouette of the blazer, and removed padding at areas like the chest and shoulder, resulting in a versatile garment that looked as good dressed up with a proper pair of trousers and sensible shoes, but also enhanced a solid T-shirt, jeans, and your favorite pair of sneakers. Go-to brands included obscure European labels like L.B.M. 1911 and Boglioli, and blogged-about favorites like Engineered Garments and Our Legacy.

42. Artisan Lace-Up Shoes

Brand loyalty is strong amongst sneakerheads, so when many of them started buying proper dress shoes, quality and heritage took precedence. In the same way that Nike had been making sneakers for years, companies like Alden and Tricker's had been manufacturing high-quality footwear for even longer. Of course, the prices for one pair of these artisan, bench-made shoes cost more than a few pairs of Jordans, but many guys saw it as a purchase worth investing in — and the demand for shoes from companies like Quoddy and Alden can be seen in larger stores and smaller boutiques alike.

41. Duffel Bags

Duffel bags made it possible to carry around a few outfits without having to use a bulky suitcase. Then Kanye and Pharrell made these bags aspirational by carrying ones made by Louis Vuitton. As more companies began to give these travel bags some unique flair, more men became duffel bag boys.

40. Statement Socks

You know a trend has hit its peak when you are reading articles in the New York Times about tech heads rocking vibrant colored and crazy pattern socks to the work place in Silicon Valley. Statement socks hit every area of men's style from the boardroom, to being a main focal point in street style photos. That's the definition of a transcendent trend.

39. Gray Denim

Sometimes classic indigo and black jeans clashed with darker outfits. The answer to our problems was the influx of gray denim. Once designers and premium brands started making cool gray jeans, a new must-have item was born. It was dark enough to dress up, light enough to dress down. Though not as popular today, shit was hot in 2006.

38. Flannels

The flannel might be the most American article of clothing, ever. Despite its associations with '90s grunge and raging lesbians, the flannel has reclaimed its spot as a rugged All-American shirt. Rappers like Kid Cudi and Kanye West have recently taken to tying a flannel around their waist, bringing the '90s trend full circle.

37. M-65 Jackets

Military clothing has always influenced modern style, and the M-65 has become a classic piece in every man's wardrobe. The 2000s saw this combat-style jacket morph into many other colors, styles, and fits, but the badass vibe this jacket's had since '65 means it will continue to look cool in 2065.

36. Beards

From Major League Baseball players to Rick Ross, bearded guys have won over the hearts of many fans. Moustaches are creepy, goatees are gross, but beards will have people staring and whispering about how interesting you look forever. Just ask Freeway.

35. '80s Retro

Who doesn't look back at John Hughes films, Kid 'n Play's haircuts, and Fresh Prince songs with a wistful tear in their eye? The '80s were some culturally fun years, and the trend of bringing the decade back by wearing head-to-toe day-glo gear with hi-top fades hit it big in downtown New York streets during the late 2000s.

34. Hiking Boots

From the mountains to the streets, manufacturers like Danner and Diemme started to surface on the feet of stylish guys shortly after Vibram-soled moccasin boots gained popularity with the masses. With their round toes and d-ring laces, they were a welcome alternative to fans of workwear who wanted to separate themselves from the rest of the rugged pack.

33. Aviator Sunglasses

These weren't exclusive to any style or group of people. Everybody could share in the aviator madness.

32. Nautical Style

Beyond peacoats and watch caps, style said "ahoy!" when Breton stripe shirts and anchor imagery started permeating streetwear and menswear. Vintage goods from Mister Freedom alongside heritage brands like Saint James found themselves in the limelight, and guys started to dress like they had either spent their weekends yachting or off the coast of France. It was a natural progression, given the popularity of boat shoes.

31. Nerd Glasses

Thick-framed eyewear has long been the uniform of ironic hipsters and emo kids, but they certainly started getting cool once shows like Mad Men hit the airwaves, refueling the desire for '60s nostalgia. With men like Malcolm X rocking them well in the past, it's no surprise that we soon saw ballers like Lebron James adopting the look. Even better, brands like Warby Parker helped make getting a pair of nerdy frames all the more accessible thanks to lower price points.

30. Moc-Toe Boots

When the Americana movement gained prominence in the middle of the 2000s, sneakers became replaced with boots. Red Wing boots to be exact. Their moccasin-toe construction and thick, wedge sole made them instantly recognizable when stomping the streets, and soon spawned a grip of cheaper, internationally-produced knockoffs. Diehard Americana enthusiasts knew that quality had its price though, and besides, the genuine items were built to last, and also capable of being repaired at the factory after years of abuse.

29. Cardigans

The hoodie's classier cousin, cardigans started seeping in with Kanye West, who rocked them to channel his "College Dropout" steez. Then more dudes started wearing them slimmer with button-downs, while the varsity versions emblazoned with letters and patches gained popularity with the hip-hop set.

28. Gold Watches

A gold watch is a classic success symbol. It's the first accessory guys purchase after a big milestone, be it the Fossil they saved up for after their first summer job or the Rolex they copped after their first platinum record.

27. Skinny Ties

The skinny tie came back with a vengeance, partly due to fashion designers like Hedi Slimane, who introduced razor-sharp silhouettes in his Dior Homme collections, and also when the show Mad Men hit the airwaves, spurring many men to start dressing themselves like gentlemen in well-cut suits with good proportions, instead of the oversized sacks they used to go to work in. That was probably the point where the skinny tie shifted from hipster staple to the status quo. Now, wider ties are considered a bit avant-garde, if not totally lame.

26. Bubble Jackets

Worn by the likes of Nas and Wu-Tang in the '90s, bubble jackets were a must-have in the streets well into the 2000s. Cool guys like Kanye, A$AP Rocky, and Drake have rocked the puffy coat recently thanks to modern and stylish versions from brands like The North Face and Moncler.

25. Chambray Shirts

A rugged answer to the preppy button down oxford shirt, the definitive chambray shirt couldn't be more different from your standard button down. With two front pockets, a throat latch, and a reinforced placket, brands like J. Crew helped reinforce the idea that these work shirts were the new wardrobe staple. Meanwhile, companies like Engineered Garments and RRL produced higher-end versions for guys who had that extra scrilla.

24. Boat Shoes

Formerly associated with preppy douchebags with names like Chip, Tripp, or Prescott, these yacht-ready kicks were soon seen on the feet of producers like Pharrell Williams. As they gained more street-cred, collaborations from folks like Ronnie Fieg for Sebago and Band of Outsiders for Sperry Topsider made them desirable to both hypebeasts and the fashion-obsessed. Our personal highlight of this trend? When Complex Editor Damien Scott went toe-to-toe with J. Cole on the basketball court... while rocking boat shoes.

23. Slim Suits

Open up any men's magazine, or any style site worth its weight in cotton-twill, and you'll notice that suits no longer have that Dick Tracy era, Steve Harvey suit look anymore. Suits have officially slimmed up, and the fits are more body-conscious than ever, which is great for the ladies because they already like guys in suits, but now they can see exactly what they are getting themselves into, so get your weight up.

22. G-Shock Watches

While they've been around since the '80s, Casio's G-Shock series of watches didn't go mainstream until Kanye West rocked them with shutter shades in the music video for his smash hit "Stronger." True streetwear heads had long since co-signed the digital timepieces, thanks to collaborations with then-cult brands like A Bathing Ape and Stussy. Now, every other person who's ever claimed to be a sneakerhead or hypebeast has at least one of these watches on ice, or on their wrist.

21. Cuffed Pants

Cuffed pants started when the premium denim trend first blew up on the scene. Since it was more economical to just make jeans one length, and have the customer get them hemmed, many jeans makers opted for default inseams as long as 36 inches. The reasoning behind this was that due to raw denim's nature, the true length of the pants wouldn't be known until after the first wash, when the jeans would inevitably shrink. In addition, many of these jeans were given an authentic chainstitch hem, which requires a machine most tailors simply don't have. So a lot of cool guys just resorted to cuffing their pants. This trend carried over to when dudes started rocking slim chinos, and cuffing season hasn't stopped since.

20. Bling

For the first 8 years of the millennium, rappers made it a hobby to spend absurd amounts of money on diamond-encrusted platinum and gold chains. Bling—the onomatopoetic word for the sparkle of precious stones—is now an unforgettable part of pop culture. Bling is such a big part of 2000's hip-hop that we had Ben Baller break down the greatest chains of all time.

19. Full-Zip Hoodie

These didn't provide much as far as practical usage, but they were good for fucking with people and concealing your identity. The most popular ones were versions by BAPE and LRG, who are infamous for their "Dead Serious" hoodie.

18. Wayfarer Sunglasses

The classic-cool movement of the latter part of the decade would not be complete with out a pair of wayfarer sunglasses. The staple pair that comes to mind is from the good people at Ray-Ban, but brands like Grey Ant and Super have also done their spin on the wayfarer, and the celebs can't keep them off their faces.

17. Designer Sneakers

Sure, Jordans are dope, but designer kicks from the likes of Rick Owens, Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela, Louboutin, and Raf Simons gained cred both with Internet style nerds and celebrities like Usher and Swizz Beatz. The high-end sneakers had price tags that would make the average guy balk, but they became a new way of flaunting your wealth on your feet. Relative newcomer A$AP Rocky knocked fashionable rap fans back when he dropped the infamous line "Raf Simons, Rick Owens, usually what I'm dressed in" line on "Peso," following it up with appearances in the luxury sneakers.

16. Denim Jackets

These were big in the '80s and '90s as a casual alternative to regular jackets or sweatshirts. Being durable and fashionable, a plethora of different people rocked these throughout the decades. Careful rocking them doubled up with denim pants, but it can definitely be done.

15. Chinos

Who would've thought that as soon as wearing jeans became acceptable in workplaces and clubs all over the U.S., that chinos would come back in a major way? When you think of chinos you might think of Banana Republic, but recently brands like Dockers, J. Crew, and Unis have taken the reigns of the chino game. It started with basic colors like navy and khaki, but these days you can even cop them in all sorts of bright hues.

14. Snapbacks

It was incredibly frustrating when you'd cop a fitted in your 7 1/2 size, only to find out the new 7 1/2 you just copped doesn't fit. Ugh. A love for everything retro and a practical need for a one-size-fits-all hat brought the snapback back. Extra points if you found an old starter cap.

13. Slim-Fit Jeans

As gangsta rap made way for a more laid-back style for the second time in two decades, we said goodbye to oversized jeans and said hello shink-to-fit Levi's and trim cuts from the likes of Dior, A.P.C., and Nudie. While hipsters favored super-tight skinny jeans, average guys and hip-hop heads leaned towards a slim-straight leg, with some room to breathe while providing a clean silhouette.

12. Neo-Prep

Something happened when the indie band du jour changed from The Strokes to Vampire Weekend. The tight leather jackets and white v-necks started disappearing from rock clubs and tailored khakis, boat shoes, and oxford shirts took their place. Blue blazers got slimmer and striped ties and bow ties became more prominent. Scott Sternberg's Band of Outsiders label became sought after, and he even landed a collaboration with boat shoe originator Sperry Top Sider. The Neo-Prep had arrived, and with it he brought with him all of the pastel colors and critter pants of the old money lifestyle, but left behind an air of exclusivity and horrible, baggy fits.

11. Beanies

A more common name for the naval-inspired watch cap, beanies have always been a popular winter staple. Although the standard, unembellished tuque will never go out of style, we've recently seen the pom beanie come back into style, as well as knit caps woven into Nordic and Native American-inspired patterns. Their affordability and the fact that they're so easy to lose over the course of the winter is just one of the reasons they're such a timeless item.

10. Collaborations

This one is simple. Who doesn't dream of their two favorite brands colliding? Stussy has been doing it from their inception, often enlisting the expertise of brands like Dr. Martens and Levi's to make things they otherwise couldn't include as part of their collection. Of course, BAPE and Supreme have also done it with recent success with brands like Comme des Garcons PLAY and G-Shock.

9. Selvedge

The telltale red lines on a pair of cuffed jeans became an indicator of whether or not you were a cool guy. Sure, you might have hopped on the raw denim game when Nudie jeans first hit the scene, but now the pair you were breaking in had to be selvedge. Made on old-school shuttle looms, resulting in the "self edge" on the denim, jeans manufactured this way are noted for their durability and resistance to fraying.

8. Varsity Jackets

Given hip-hop's long affair with sports, it's a no-brainer that rappers like J. Cole and Wale would rock varsity jackets on the regular. Once we started seeing interpretations from designers like Balenciaga on the backs of celebs like Chris Brown, it was the beginning of a trend. Kid Cudi was often spotted wearing GANT Rugger's Homerun jacket, and Drake even made his own version for his October's Very Own clothing line.

7. Nike SBs

Nike runs the sneaker game, so when they decided to branch out into skating, they knew they had to do it right. WIth sought-after designs, limited drops, and technology actually meant for grinding, skaters everywhere dropped their old skate shoes and copped some new Nikes. Hypebeasts soon followed suit just to say they had certain pairs, and the sneakerhead scene hit a new zenith. Each new model was bestowed with an unofficial nickname, and sneaker blogs began to blow up as both skaters and collectors needed every single update about upcoming releases.

6. Workwear

Hip-hop's obsession with workwear goes way back, we're talking the days of Dickies and Timbs. As 2007 approached and silhouettes got slimmer, we started to see brands like Engineered Garments and Levi's Vintage Clothing reinterpret the sort of gear normally found on train conductors and miners into wardrobe-ready staples any dude could wear. Sadly, carpenter jeans stayed wack during this resurgence, but we did see chambray shirts and denim chore jackets come back in a big way.

5. All-Over Prints

When streetwear really hit the scene in the early 2000s, walking through the mall almost hurt your eyes. Everybody and their brother had an allover print hoodie, but we're glad style has gotten a little less hectic. From classic prints like BAPE's "Beepers and Butts" hoodie, to the knockoffs you'd eventually find at Urban Outfitters and Uniqlo, the all-over print hoodie was symbolic of the early era of luxury streetwear.

4. Fitted Caps

As the '90s faded out, snapbacks slowly exited the scene and New Era 59/50s became the new norm. A sports team fitted was a big part of the hip-hop uniform, and no guy was caught dead without one. At its height, leaving the authentic stickers on the brim was a must, too.

3. Graphic T-Shirts

With roots in the mid-'80s surf and skate scenes, graphic T-shirts became the de facto staple item of the burgeoning streetwear movement. From originals like Stash, Shawn Stussy, and Vernon Courtlandt Johnson, to modern icons like The Hundreds' Adam Bomb and Supreme's box logo, the graphic tee may have lessened in popularity as the streetwear movement lost steam, but it never completely went away. That's why we continue to bring you the best new awesome tees we see each week.

2. Retro Jordans

I think it's safe to say that retro Jordans are the standout shoe of the past decade. You can look on the feet of any celebrity, chart their style, and at come point they will be rocking some edition of a retro Jordan. There's something so timeless and effortless about rocking J's. Whether it's sneakerheads like Jim Jones or just random hotties in Jordans, they give any outfit a finishing touch that says, "yeah I'm cool, deal with it." 

1. Camo

October 2004 saw the release of Maharishi's Disruptive Pattern Material. DPM was a literal bible on anything and everything camouflage. The pattern has been a longtime streetwear staple, with brands like BAPE and The Hundreds even creating their own camo patterns. Recently, the pattern has seen a surge in the world of tailored menswear, thanks to Nigo's Mr. Bathing Ape line and designers like Mark McNairy. Meanwhile, brands like Diamond Supply and Stussy continue to include it in pieces from their collections. The pattern's become so accessible that Dockers even recently released a pair chinos decked out in it. Camo has arrived for a while now, and it seems like it's here to stay.