Dubai might be known for its skyscrapers and supercars, but Vivaan Shenoy takes a little closer look in the shadow of the city’s towering luxury lies a different kind of flex. One that’s less about labels and more about culture. Say hello to the city’s growing streetwear underground, where Gen Z creatives are trading hype for identity and heat for hustle.
From pop-up thrift markets in Al Quoz to midnight sneaker drops in Satwa, a movement is bubbling, and it’s got as much attitude as it has authenticity.
Not Just Fashion: It’s Culture
For many young locals and expats, streetwear in Dubai is no longer just about mimicking Western trends. It’s become a platform for self-expression, rebellion, and regional storytelling. It’s about remixing that with our own roots, desert culture, calligraphy, old Dubai textures and remix they do. Brands like Amongst Few, The Giving Movement, and indie newcomers like Drop DXB and Foreign Legacy are weaving Gulf identity into global silhouettes, oversized tees, keffiyeh prints, and abaya-inspired outerwear meet skatewear structure.
Thrifting in a Luxury City
Ironically, in one of the most luxury-obsessed cities in the world, Gen Z is leaning hard into secondhand and slow fashion. Underground thrift events, garage drops, and curated streetwear swaps are now common in areas like Karama and Jumeirah.
The Global + Local Balance
Unlike older generations, Gen Z in Dubai is hyper-global and deeply local at the same time. They’re watching anime, skating on Marina Walk, sipping karak, and designing fits that blend all of it into something completely their own.
And while the temperatures rise, so does the hype, not just around what they wear, but what they represent.
Final Word
Dubai’s streetwear underground isn’t just a trend, it’s a movement stitched with identity, heatproof resilience, and unfiltered vision. And in a city built to impress, it’s the raw, DIY, self-made aesthetic that’s starting to stand out the most.