Sprinkle in the fact that techwear is prohibitively expensive without much in the way of brand recognition to supply a social proof purchase motive, and you get the perfect conditions for a new edgy, counterculture trend.

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While it’s impossible to tell exactly what the future holds, one thing’s for certain: nothing is timeless.

In late December, I met a friend for coffee at the La Colombe on Lafayette Street, New York, New York - in the shadow of the New York Supreme store. He had just given away his collection of vintage Supreme tees, and sounded almost wistful as he described handing them over to friends who cared only about the label. After all, he had grown up going to Supreme – he knew the employees, lined up for clothes, and had even sold skateboards that the store carried over a decade ago.

As we sipped espresso, we watched a hundreds-deep line of children and their parents (tourists, judging by their accents) shuffle into the store. Group-by-group, they came – bored parents, pleading teenagers, each seemingly obligated to be there.

The kids, driven by their Instagram feeds and the trappings of hype culture, were on the #fashion equivalent of a hajj. The parents, driven by protectionary biologic cues, were there to make sure their young children didn’t end up Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Simply put: it wasn’t cool.

Yet, there we were. On the doorstep of the world’s hottest brand, my friend and I watched Beanie Babies craze pt. II unfold with no end in sight. The coffee was bitter, but I sat complacent. The December sun was setting over Lafayette St. Every dog has his day.

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What do you think? Is this really the end of "streetwear" as a cultural trend? Leave a comment below or on my Facebook page here to start the conversation. Also, if you enjoy insights like these, please consider signing up for my weekly newsletter here!