GRAFFITI STREETWEAR IN THE UK: COOL CLOTHES INSPIRED BY ART

May 22 , 2025

Kris Perko

GRAFFITI STREETWEAR IN THE UK: COOL CLOTHES INSPIRED BY ART

Graffiti Streetwear in the UK: Cool Clothes Inspired by Art

Key Takeaways

  • Graffiti streetwear is clothing with designs inspired by street art, like bold letters and colorful murals.
  • It started with artists putting their graffiti tags on t-shirts and hoodies to share their style.
  • UK brands like Arteo  create awesome graffiti-inspired clothes.
  • You can make your own style by mixing bold colors, big logos, and unique patterns.
  • Streetwear is a way to show who you are and connect with art and culture.

Have you ever seen a wall covered in bright, colorful graffiti and thought, “Wow, that looks cool!”? In the UK, that same art you see on city walls is now on clothes like t-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers. This is called graffiti streetwear, and it’s a fun way to wear art! In this article, you’ll learn what graffiti streetwear is, how it became popular in the UK, and how you can create your own style. As someone who’s loved street art for years, I’ll share stories and tips to help you understand this awesome fashion trend.

What Is Graffiti Streetwear?

Graffiti streetwear is when clothes are designed with ideas from street art. Think of big, bold letters, bright colors, and cool patterns you might see on a wall in London or Bristol. These designs often tell a story or share a message, just like graffiti does.

  • Bold Letters: Many clothes have big, stylized words, like an artist’s graffiti tag.
  • Colorful Designs: Bright colors like red, yellow, and blue make the clothes stand out.
  • Art Vibes: The designs feel like they could be on a city wall, full of energy and creativity.

When I was a kid, I saw a graffiti artist painting a huge mural in Shoreditch, London. The colors and shapes were so exciting that I wanted to wear them! That’s what graffiti streetwear does—it brings that street art energy to your wardrobe.

Graffiti-inspired t-shirt with bold London skyline design

How Did Graffiti Streetwear Start in the UK?

Graffiti streetwear began when artists started putting their art on clothes. In the 1970s and 1980s, kids in cities like New York and London wrote their names, or “tags,” on walls. Soon, they started putting those tags on t-shirts and jackets to show their style. In the UK, cities like Bristol and London became big spots for this trend.

Time Period What Happened
1970s Graffiti artists like Inkie in Bristol started tagging walls and trains.
1980s Brands like Arteo began making clothes with graffiti-style logos.
1990s Banksy made street art famous, inspiring more graffiti clothes.
Today UK brands like Arteo create bold, artsy streetwear.

I remember visiting Bristol’s Upfest, a huge street art festival, where artists painted walls and sold t-shirts with their designs. It showed me how graffiti and fashion became best friends!

Top UK Brands Making Graffiti Streetwear

The UK has some amazing brands that turn graffiti into wearable art. Here are a few favorites:

  • Arteo: This brand makes t-shirts with bold, graffiti-inspired designs, like the