The Importance Of The Graphic Tee, A True Streetwear Staple

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Streetwear is an industry in a perpetual state of flux. Trends come and go, tastes evolve and change, and in the last few years the Internet has made what was once a subculture tucked away from the mainstream and only accessible to those “in the know”  available to anyone anywhere in the world with an internet connection and a thirst for knowledge.

However, one thing that’s never lost its place in streetwear is the graphic tee. It’s been integral to the culture since the very first day “streetwear” became a thing (there’s no true answer to when streetwear started – 10 people would likely tell you 10 different origin stories), and still reigns supreme (no pun intended) today. read more


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Killer B’s: Brendon Babenzien and Bee Line Are A Match Made In Heaven

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Brendon Babenzien, the new creative director of Billionaire Boys Club’s Bee Line

Billionaire Boys Club: one of the most well-known and storied brands in streetwear history. Since the brand’s inception in 2005, it’s managed to fuse Japanese and American street culture in an authentic manner that most brands could only dream of, due to Pharrell and Nigo (of Bathing Ape fame)’s unique space-inspired aesthetics.

Pharrell and Nigo wearing BBC and holding their “Diamond and Dollars” collaborative Reebok sneaker

The brand has released several legendary designs (who could forget the classic crest logo or the Diamonds and Dollars print?) and lived many lives since then, and even though it’s significantly more available (and less expensive) than it was when it was founded, BBC still stands strong in 2017 … and is now aiming to revive a mostly forgotten sub-label, their Bee Line. read more


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Kicks For Dummies: A Brief History Of 10 Classic Sneakers

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You’re not into kicks heavy. No judgement. It’s cool. Not everyone is into kicks in the way that you need to be if you want to be up on game in today’s sneaker landscape. Collecting kicks is more than just a hobby … it’s a way of life. Not everyone can stay up to date on the newest releases, enter multiple raffles in the hope of winning a coveted pair, refresh a website over and over again in the hopes of catching a limited drop, or deal with a never-ending release cycle that’s tiring on both their closet space, bank account, and mental state. read more


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I Feel Like We Got Cheated Out Of Fall Fit Season

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It’s cool outside. A little too cool for my tastes. Cooler than a polar bear’s toenails (word to 3 Stacks).

Early November in Minnesota is always chilly, but this year it’s a little different. The temperature has already dipped into the low 30’s, it snowed in October (granted, the snowfall didn’t have the magnitude of the 1991 blizzard, but it still happened), and fall is effectively over. The calendar may say that fall is not officially done until December 21st … but as far as dressing goes, fall is dead and buried six feet under. read more


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Tracksuit Mafia: Skepta Is A Roadman Style Icon

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Skepta: a name you’ve likely heard before. No matter if you know him from his recently-released Nike collaboration, his 2015 smash hit Shutdown, a track that brought grime stateside in a way that had never been done before, or his recent appearance on Drake’s “More Life”, the grime don’s name has certainly been floated in front of you for one reason or another over the past few years.

However, there’s more to the London-based MC than collabs with the biggest sneaker brand in the world and hit records. Skepta is a true style icon, one that marches to the beat of his own drum, and draws from his roots to dress in a way that’s somehow both trendy and unique. Grime music wasn’t the only thing Skepta brought stateside, as the “roadman” style that he helped popularize has set down firm roots around the world. The Tracksuit Mafia don’s style has likely inspired your favorite celebrity/personality/Instagram influencer more than you know. read more


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Dapper Dan And Gucci: A Truly Iconic Collaboration

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More than any other major industry in the world today, fashion moves in cycles. Styles and trends that are old become new once again with the passage of time, and what’s considered cool one year can be damned to languish in mall chain-store obscurity the very next year until it completely collapses in on itself, and then inexplicably storms back to the forefront of cool yet again, aided by a timely celebrity co-sign or a fierce wave of nostalgia.

It certainly is an interesting time to be following fashion. If “less is more” was a saying most abided by a few years ago when monochromatic, low-key outfits were all the rage in the streets and on the runway, “more is more” would be the perfect way to describe the popular style of the past year-plus. read more


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All Good Things Must Come To A … Break.

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The day I knew would come around sooner or later is finally here. I’d often thought about it, especially during the past few months, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’m still struggling with this, but you’ve gotta do what you gotta do.

Tomorrow will be the first day in almost 3 years that there won’t be a new article on KicksOneTwo at 8AM CST.

Fear not, the site’s not going anywhere. I’m just taking a break.

When I started KicksOneTwo, I did it because I love sneakers, and I love to write. Fast-forwards to now, and I still love both. A major goal of mine was to get paid for writing … and that was a goal I achieved last summer when I got a job at Piff, the best store in the whole fucking world. read more


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“Pride” Sneakers: Cultural Statement … Or Good Marketing?

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Sneaker companies love releasing themed collections nowadays. Christmas, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, you name it and there’s probably a sneaker (if not a few) that are released to commemorate the occasion.

One thing sneaker companies love to commemorate is LBGTQ pride. No matter if it’s pride day, weekend, or month, Nike, adidas, and more brands love to release colorful kicks to show their unity with the LBGTQ community. It’s lead to some interesting collabs and some colorful kicks … but we’ve gotta wonder just one thing: are these sneakers a real cultural statement and a show of support, or just some masterful marketing? read more


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The New DMP Pack Celebrates MJ’s Last Championship In Style

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There’s nothing quite like a Jordan DMP pack. Two great shoes in one set celebrating a dope part of Michael Jordan’s career? Yeah, they’re just as much of a winner as they sound like, and the newest DMP release continues that tradition.

It consists of a XIII and and XIV done up in a white/gold and a black/gold colorway to commemorate MJ’s last championship in 1998. Quick backstory for those of you who might not be familiar: Michael wore the XIII’s for the first five games, and then switched to the XIV’s (marking the first time they’d ever been seen by the general public) for the last two. read more


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