The Late 2010s Hypebeast Era: A Look Back at the Fashion Trend We Love to Hate

The late 2010s were a strange time for fashion. While the decade as a whole is often criticized for its lack of originality, the 2016-2019 hypebeast era stands out as particularly insufferable for many. Characterized by overpriced streetwear, logos slapped on everything, and a culture of flexing for social media, this trend was impossible to ignore—especially if you were a teenager at the time.

The Definition of Hypebeast Fashion

The hypebeast aesthetic was defined by its obsession with exclusivity and high price tags. Supreme, Off-White, Balenciaga, and Gucci became the holy grails of streetwear, with resale culture pushing prices to absurd levels. It wasn’t just about the clothing—it was about owning the “right” brands and proving you could afford them.

One Redditor summed it up perfectly:

“It’s basically early 2010s YOLO swag fashion but ridiculously expensive. Supreme was basically the replacement for Obey.”

This comparison makes sense. The early 2010s had its own swag phase, with snapbacks, bright colors, and oversized everything. But while that style was accessible to all, hypebeast fashion required deep pockets to participate.

The Key Pieces of Hypebeast Style

• Supreme Everything – The red box logo became the ultimate status symbol. Supreme hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories were a must-have.
• Chunky Sneakers – Think Yeezys, Balenciaga Triple S, and Nike Off-White collabs.
• Distressed Denim – Ripped jeans, often paired with oversized hoodies.
• Graphic-heavy Hoodies and Tees – Brands like Thrasher and Champion also had their moment.
• Tiny Accessories with Big Price Tags – From Supreme brick-shaped accessories to luxury brand crossbody bags.

One commenter reflected:

“Honestly, hypebeast fashion feels like 2010-2016 being taken way too far. What was supposed to be hipster has gone in the wrong direction.”

The Rise of Flex Culture

Hypebeast fashion wasn’t just about looking good—it was about proving you had money. Social media, particularly Instagram and YouTube, became flooded with influencers flexing their latest Supreme haul or unboxing the newest limited-edition sneakers.

As one Redditor pointed out:

“The difference between swag and hypebeast is that swag was a specific type of style, but it could be as cheap or as expensive as you made it. Hypebeast also had a specific look, but to be a hypebeast, you had to have the expensive brands.”

This exclusivity was both the appeal and the problem. It created an environment where fashion was less about personal style and more about proving you could afford whatever item was trending that week.

The “Xandemic” Connection

One of the more unexpected discussions surrounding the hypebeast era was its connection to what some call the “Xandemic”—a period from 2015 to 2018 when Xanax abuse was rampant among teenagers and SoundCloud rap was at its peak.

A Redditor explained:

“It was like everyone wanted to be a SoundCloud rapper, everyone loved Lil Peep, and the vaporwave aesthetic was huuuuuuge. I was 16 in 2016, so it was really a time to be alive.”

The overlap between hypebeast fashion and the SoundCloud rap era is undeniable. Artists like Lil Pump, XXXTentacion, and Playboi Carti embodied this aesthetic, mixing high-fashion brands with punk and goth influences.

The Downfall of the Hypebeast Era

By the early 2020s, hypebeast fashion had largely faded. Several factors contributed to its decline:

• Over-commercialization – When every influencer was wearing the same Supreme hoodie, the trend lost its exclusivity.
• Changing Fashion Tastes – The rise of minimalist, vintage, and gender-fluid fashion trends made the flashy hypebeast aesthetic feel outdated.
• Economic Shifts – The pandemic and growing awareness of sustainability led many to reconsider their spending habits on fast fashion and overpriced streetwear.

A commenter summed it up:

“I agree when people say 2010s fashion was awful, at least the second half of the decade. It was like an even more hideous version of ‘80s fashion with super tight pants.”

A Fashion Era to Remember (or Forget?)

Despite its many critics, the hypebeast era left a lasting impact on fashion. Sneaker culture, streetwear brands, and resale markets are still thriving today, even if the “flex at all costs” mentality has faded. For those who lived through it, hypebeast fashion will always be a nostalgic (if slightly cringe-worthy) memory.

As one person put it:

“I forgot about Supreme being so popular at that time.”

And perhaps that’s the best way to sum it up—forgettable in hindsight, but impossible to ignore while it lasted.

Source: Reddit

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