12 Fashion Brands Everyone Wore to Impress Their Friends
From mall gods to streetwear legends, these fashion brands once ruled the halls, flexed in friend groups, and turned everyday outfits into social power plays.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Fashion has long been a quiet competition, and these legendary brands were the game’s ultimate prizes in the realm of social influence. From Abercrombie’s cologne-drenched corridors to Supreme’s street-smart buzz, every label announced the world exactly what you were—or what you aspired to be. This rundown explores the brands that not only dressed a generation but defined one.
1. Abercrombie & Fitch
Image from CEO Water Mandate
During the early 2000s, no one shouted “popular” as loudly as a moose face hiding under a popped collar. Abercrombie stores were dark, noisy, and scented like teen fantasy, making shopping a spectacle. Their branding was like you were becoming part of a secret, sun-tanned clique of beach gods and high school kings and queens.
2. Supreme
Image from Wikipedia
From humble beginnings as an NYC skate shop, Supreme became a global streetwear behemoth, with people waiting around city blocks. Its limited releases and crazy collaborations—from Louis Vuitton to Oreo cookies—fed crazy hype. To own Supreme wasn’t fashion; it was cultural capital.
3. Hollister
Image from Wikipedia
Hollister was Abercrombie’s relaxed, California-chic brother, so teens felt like they were a hoodie away from beach living. The dark lighting, waves crashing, and loud cologne made the mall feel experiential. Board shorts and logo tees were the go-to uniform for surf gods in training, many miles from any true coast.
4. Ed Hardy
Image from JD Sports
If you weren’t sporting a rhinestone-encrusted tiger or a burning skull across your shirt in the early 2000s, were you even trying? Ed Hardy, with its tattoo-themed paintings and obnoxious prints, was a red carpet darling. The brand was gaudy, boastful, and designed for flaunting (or embarrassing your friends).
5. Nike
Image from About Nike
From Air Force 1s to Tech Fleece sets, Nike has long been a staple for anyone wanting to flex style and athletic clout. Jordans alone are a cultural phenomenon, with each release treated like a red carpet event. Rocking Nike was (and still is) a way to signal that you’re part of the global elite of streetwear and sports lovers.
6. Tommy Hilfiger
Image from LinkedIn
During the ’90s and early 2000s, Tommy’s red, white, and blue logo was a fashion power move. It was worn by rappers, athletes, and suburban youth alike, existing as the middle ground between prep and street. The logo sweatshirts and baggy jeans were as much about appearance as they were about being noticed.
7. Gucci
Image from Simple Wikipedia
Whether it was the green-red-green stripes or the G’s overlapping on one another, Gucci was always a showstopper. Rap verses, runway takeover, and celebrity endorsements made Gucci one of the gold standards of high-end flexing. Wearing even a single Gucci item could get you the envy of your squad.
8. Von Dutch
Image from Wikipedia
Von Dutch trucker hats were the centerpiece of early-2000s attention-seekers. Paris Hilton, Ashton Kutcher, and Britney Spears wore them as badges of messy, cool rebellion. They were a little trashy, a little raw, and just the right amount of what made them so intensely appealing to attention-seekers.
9. Ralph Lauren Polo
Image from Farfetch
That little polo player on your chest used to mean big things. Whether it was a classic polo shirt or a varsity-style jacket, Ralph Lauren stood for moneyed sophistication. In schools and on the streets, wearing Polo was an unofficial way of saying, “I’ve got class—and cash.”
10. Balenciaga
Image from 1000 Logos
From oversized hoodies to Triple S sneakers, Balenciaga made “ugly” the new luxury. It ruled the 2010s by being fearless and spilling over social media feeds. You weren’t merely stylish if you had Balenciaga—you were perilously cutting-edge.
11. The North Face
Image from Wikipedia
Not only for climbers, but The North Face became necessary city gear. The puffer jackets and Denali fleeces were as common to spot in schoolyards as on icy trails. Wearing the logo emblazoned on your shoulder was a symbol of both purpose and adaptability.
12. Lacoste
Image from Farfetch
Prior to streetwear dominance, the crocodile on a polo shirt was the epitome of high-brow cool. Lacoste was sporty, neat, and provided you with a country club feel-good, despite your “club” being a buddy’s backyard. It was subtlety-based confidence in the form of a shirt.