Cover Graphic by Larsha Flowers
Houston is often linked to food, sports, culture and hot weather. However, a very underrated aspect of Houston is its fashion landscape, representative of the city’s diverse population.
Whether it’s luxury shopping in The Galleria or the River Oaks District or browsing in stylish boutiques and thrift stores in Montrose, Houston’s authentic fashion scene has it all.
Houston’s fashion lore is laid-back Texan style infused with European, Asian and Latino accents. Recently, this has manifested in the forms of streetwear and Southern-inspired styles with unconventional twists.
The streetwear pieces include comfortable oversized tees, sneakers and hoodies, with nods to the city’s heritage such as vintage Astros hats and Astrodome graphic tees.
On the Southern style side, boots remain a fashion staple in Houston, representing the city’s roots and heritage. Traditional cowboy boots, however, have recently been modernized with bold colors and designs, shifting away from the classic western look.
Beyond the cowboy aesthetic, Houston’s jewelry scene is one of the most notable niches within the city’s fashion landscape.
Prominent among athletes, celebrities and local Houstonians, the bling-bling culture is more than just fashion; it is a lifestyle, especially when it comes down to the grillz.
Houston’s very own Johnny Dang, known as the King of Bling, is known for his custom jewelry and grillz, which has made him an international household name.
People from all over the world come to Houston for Dang’s custom-made jewelry.
Dang founded Johnny Dang & Co. in 1998. Following his partnership with rapper Paul Wall, he
became increasingly popular in the hip hop industry and with other celebrity clientele.
Today, celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Post Malone, Quavo, Austin Rivers and Travis Scott, another Houston native, frequently request Dang’s custom grillz.
Dang, recognized for putting a glamorous twist on the iconic grillz, has also been featured in music videos such as Nelly’s “Grillz.”
Instead of creating the traditional gold-plated grillz, Dang created diamond-plated grillz.
Bling in Houston does not stop at Dang, though.
Houston has a strong luxury fashion presence and a thriving high-end market.
The go-to luxury fashion areas are The Galleria and River Oaks District. The mall features high-end brands including Burberry, Christian Dior, Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton, while the shopping district highlights brands such as Cartier, Hermes and Tom Ford.
This has resulted in Houston becoming a luxury fashion destination like Los Angeles, New York and Miami. The city’s luxury fashion sector encourages economic growth through increased sales, tourism and real estate development.
As much as Houston fashion is perceived as a luxury space nationally, thrifting culture in the city has seen a wave of popularity in recent years.
Since the pandemic, there has been an economic and cultural shift. The cost of living has increased, and people have been more conscientious of global warming and the environment.
This shift has resulted in a change of shopping habits. Houstonians now seek clothes that are sustainable and cost less, and thrift stores have been able to target this new desire.
This shift aids in the redirection away from fast fashion and towards sustainable fashion, reducing carbon footprints, waste and environmental pollution.
Houston Fashion Tips:
Fictional TV character and fashion icon Blair Waldorf once said, “Fashion is the most powerful art form there is. Its movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and what we’d like to be.”
Fashion is more than the clothes we wear; it connects people and tells a story. Houston’s fashion landscape does exactly this. One of the biggest misconceptions, however, is that being stylish means spending a lot. Spoiler: It doesn’t.
Here are some helpful styling habits to keep you fashionable in Houston this fall season.
- Being organized is essential in creating a stress-free closet. Tip: Organizing your closet can be as simple as removing things that you do not wear anymore or making sure all the pieces in your closet are ready to wear. Any clothing or shoes that are torn, missing buttons, etcetera or need ironing should be separated and fixed.
- The 3 Outfits Rule: Whenever shopping for a new piece, consider if you can use it in 3 different outfits. If you cannot, it might be a sign that it is not needed. It is better to buy something you can add to your closet instead of buying a problem piece that needs to be paired with additional pieces to form an outfit. In doing so, it will save you money and closet space.
- Stop waiting for the right time. So many times, people keep beautiful pieces of clothing in their closet, saving them for the right occasion to wear. By the time the “right occasion” comes around, they are usually no longer wearable. So, do not be afraid to show off your wardrobe! Dress up when running errands or having lunch with friends. Pro Tip: It will never be the right time, so make it the right time.
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