Several years ago a new fashion ‘fad’ hit the lights and the term ‘street warriors’ became a catch all for those oversized army jackets, boots, camos and all sorts of tribal accessories. It caught on like wildfire but seemed to die out just about as quickly. Well, not so fast! A new generation in fashion sprang up from that trend and now there are street warriors on every street of every city throughout the US as well as abroad.

What sets this new generation apart is a softer sense of being a warrior, perhaps a weekend warrior would be a better term, but a warrior nonetheless. Ready to do battle with today’s uber sophisticated fashionistas? Then, get ready because you are about to become a New Generation Street Warrior with a few little tricks that anyone can employ.

Do Away with the Camo but Keep the Tribal

Most often the term ‘tribal’ refers to very specific ethnic pieces that range from jewelry to accessories to the clothing itself. When speaking of tribal jewelry, you are usually looking for bold statement pieces that immediately catch the eye. Look for bangles, wooden beads and amulets and large rings usually that are large enough to be eye-catching but not huge enough to be gaudy. A warrior ring from the tribal tradition would perhaps have the center stone set in jade or onyx but with lots of peripheral stones, usually diamonds.

When looking for tribal attire and accessories, you are looking for animal prints and woven fabrics that have a tribal pattern such as Native American or African safari type prints. The difference between the previous generation of street warriors and the new generation is in the amount of tribal attire being worn. Today’s street warrior is more subdued even though still dressed to be seen as on the fringes of society. Use tribal accessories and clothing sparingly because you are seeking to avoid that garish look.

Furs, Leathers and Natural Fabrics

The street warrior of today is trying to make a statement that they are from a time long past. Because of this they will avoid synthetic fabrics at all costs. Multi-colored furs, black leather and an assortment of organic fabrics like silk, bamboo and cotton are all the rage. While a street warrior may be wearing a huge fur coat with tribal jewelry and accessories, you will notice their clothing under the coat is somewhat laid back.

Yes, street warriors still wear jeans but these will not be your run-of-the-mill denims. They will often be faded out, torn in spots and sometimes adorned with studs or pseudo gems. As for tops and blouses, these are also more subdued than street warriors of the past. Many of today’s blouses are what were once called gypsy tops with an empire waste and belled three-quarter sleeves. Fabrics tend to run towards tribal prints.

Hoods, Hats and Caps

Hoods are actually quite popular with the New Generation of Street Warriors. Hooded sweaters, jackets and coats are quite the thing, but not the kind of hood you might be imagining. A street warrior hood is larger than average and it tends to slip forward and down, putting the head into the deep recesses of shadow. Hats and caps are also worn but these tend to be more stylish featuring slouch hats and berets.

Along with all the hoods and caps you will see an abundance of oversized scarves that literally wrap several times loosely around the neck, draping well past the waste. If you just glance at a warrior with a scarf and hood you might mistake them for a Muslim wearing a hijab. If you were to study the traditional hijab you would see that the head is hooded and there is an attached fabric that wraps around the neck like a Western scarf. Many a street warrior has been taken for a Muslim but actually, that fits the definition of tribal quite nicely! Tribal generally refers to any fashion of ethnic origin and what could be more ethnic than Muslim attire?

Today’s street warrior isn’t looking to come across as if they are ready to do battle on the front. Whereas the previous generation of warriors wore a more masculine attire, this new generation is looking to identify themselves as a ‘warrior’ but a warrior that is ready to do battle of a different kind. Keep some bold accent pieces but subdue the look with a softer wardrobe. A new generation of street warriors is on the rise but you just might miss them if you aren’t paying attention. Look closely and you’ll see who they are.