Let’s face it, keeping up with the latest fashion trends and newest releases can be a hassle. But if you want to stay one step ahead of the game, take a look at some of these sites. This is my list of the top 10 must read streetwear sites.

1. www.hypebeast.com

A conglomeration for all your everyday needs. While there is a strong focus on clothing and sneakers, you will find a nice mixture of arts, culture, music, and technology for all your other needs as well.

2. www.complex.com

Provides the latest news in clothing, sneakers, girls, movies, music, and practically everything else you can imagine for your daily dose of lifestyle news.

3. http://denimology.co.uk/

A blog dedicated to denim aficionados. Whether you’re into raw denim or a vintage distressed pair of jeans, I’m sure you’ll find something here that perks your curiosity. They tend to have photos of celebrities and they let you know where to cop the particular pair of jeans they’re rocking.

4. http://tokyofashion.com/

A very interesting site that separates itself from the rest of the pack. While it provides the latest feature in Japanese fashion, my favourite aspect of the site is the Street Snaps section. There you will find random people on the streets of Tokyo and a description of all the latest fashion items they are sporting.

5. http://www.superfuture.com/

Provides maps for various cities around the world. Extremely helpful if you’re planning a trip aboard and want to know where are the best places for dining and shopping. There is also a message board filled with a strong community of individuals who are fashion conscious.

6. http://www.osakanines.com

Provides apparel advice from top to bottom and all the accessories you’ll need. A different approach to your traditional blogs who tend to feed you the same needs. Instead you’ll find a wide array of articles written by the blogger which ranges from raw denim progression to interesting tidbits from across the globe. For more information on raw denim, you can check out Jing Liu’s encounter with Naked & Famous founder.

7. http://bbcicecream.com/blog/

Billionaire Boys Club’s Official Blog. A great escape from reality where you’ll find the latest in technological wonders, architectural marvels, art, music and of course all news related to Pharrell.

8. http://www.upscaleswagger.com/

Upscale Swagger, is a lifestyle of higher living. Upscale Swagger features items on Fashion, Music, Movies, Celebrities, Cars, Real Estate, and other Luxuries.

9. http://stylecrave.com/

Focused more on the luxury lifestyle and clothing, provides a refreshing outlook on the fashion world from a different perspective.

10. http://a-man-fashion.blogspot.com/

A fashion focused on the writing styles of articles for those seeking that polished and refined look. A great place to spot all the latest fashion trends.

If the graphic tee is the central element of streetwear, the sneaker is a close second. However, unlike the graphic tee where a definite preference for smaller companies exists, the sneaker game is dominated by huge multinational corporations such as Nike and Adidas. So much so that the Air Jordan is the lone shoe that bestows instant street cred upon its wearer.

The fact that streetwear enthusiasts will wear a Nike AF1 while shunning tees from companies that are “too commercial” appears to create a huge contradiction within the streetwear ethos. There are many possibilities as to why this could be. The accessibility factor could perhaps play the biggest role for anyone and their mama can start a t-shirt line, but it takes some serious capital to begin making footwear. Moreover, these huge companies have responded well to the market by making available a seemingly infinite number of colour combinations of popular models such as the AF1 and SB Dunk. In addition, they have done their homework well by creating “limited edition” runs. By doing this the big brands have generated the air of exclusivity so sought after by streetwear enthusiasts (although the actual rareness of these shoes is debatable considering they are available in nearly every Footlocker in North America – but if they say it’s so, it must be so, right?).

Despite market dominance by the likes of Nike, a few competitors have emerged to bring the independent spirit to the sneaker game. These include Feit and JB Classics, as well as those apparel companies who have grown to create their own sneaker lines, such as Alife’s RTFT. Additionally collaborations occur between large sneaker companies and the smaller streetwear companies to drop an actual limited edition line. These events help both as the small company gets a little extra press and the large company is able maintain its brand presence in the mind of the consumer.

Outside of the limited brand options and marketing savvy of the multinationals, another reason for the acceptance of these products is that sneaker culture predates the streetwear phenomenon and, by consequence, the more recent startups. In this context the traditional sneaker brands have been engrained into the culture. This is evidenced in books such as Sneaker Freaker and Sneakers: The Complete Collectors Guide, which document the hottest sneaks of decades past, and kept alive by online magazines such as www.sneakerfreaker.com which keep their readers up to date on the latest drops in the sneaker world. Given the pre-existing desire for rare or unique kicks, sneaker culture has naturally evolved to become and integral part of streetwear and urban fashion.