It’s an understatement to say that fashion has transformed over the past decade. What was once niche—streetwear, sneakers, etc.—is now mass. And the items that were widely worn, or highly influential, over the last 10 years represent that evolution.
At first glance, it might seem like each new phase is disjointed from the years prior, but a closer look shows more of a connection than you might think. Seeds were being planted for the marriage of the luxury and streetwear worlds as far back as 2009, thanks to Kanye West and his Louis Vuitton sneaker partnership. West’s sneakers remain grails to this day, but they are more than just some luxury shoes that resell for as much as $10,000. They set the tone for a decade that saw luxury fashion embrace the world of hip-hop and streetwear like it never had before. A$AP Rocky became the face of Dior’s ad campaigns, Migos became one of the most anticipated arrivals at the Met Gala, and Virgil Abloh was named the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men's in 2018—a victory of sorts that symbolized streetwear’s influence finally being legitimized to an entirely new demographic.
Many trends have come and gone without much lasting impact. But amid all of the hubbub, from 2010 to 2019, each year produced items that act as symbols of the progression that men’s style has experienced.
From the A.P.C. Petit Standard denim to to Thrasher T-shirts and beyond, these are our picks for the 10 items that defined the decade of fashion.