FRATPACKER WORLD.

It’s 2025 and the fever of patriotism has filled the South African air and the youth are breathing it in more than they are vapes.  We’ve seen the growth in wanting to buy, support, attend and promote everything African and especially South African. We see it in the way we celebrate our music, film, tv and visual arts but nothing has the youth flying the flag of patriotism higher than the South African streetwear market. In the last 8 years we’ve seen a growth in both brands and demand for more local streetwear clothing and I decide to create my own rubric and criteria to rate the top 10 South African Streetwear Brands as we go into the spring/summer season.

To start off let me breakdown the rubric for the scoring and rating. In total I looked at around 30+ South African streetwear brands. I do have to mention that some brands were ineligible just because they were on the high-end scale of streetwear and this was more for the authentic sense and feel of streetwear. I used 7 different categories, all with a rating out of ten and rounded to the first decimal point, to score and rate the brands. The categories were; longevity, cultural impact, relevancy, collection, branding, style and price. After rating each category, the scores were added up and divided by 7 to give a final score rating out of 10 and that’s how the rankings were formed. As I rank each brand I’ll give their final score, and give a brief description behind my thought process and rating. Now that we’ve gone through the process and you trust it. well, I hope you trust it after this but let’s get into it.

TOP 10 SOUTH AFRICAN STREETWEAR BRANDS

10. MERCHA

At the ten spot is Mercha. They are still infants to the streetwear game but the fact that they’ve become a home for local artists, before mainstream and emerging, to create and sell their own merchandise has helped break barriers for most artists and the foundation to building household names.

9. THESIS

Coming in at number nine is Thesis. A brand that has survived through the years and become a staple in the community. They’ve been able to adjust and pivot with the times to still remain relevant and on top of the people’s mind but could do more to connect with the new youth of South Africa.

8. PUNYETE

At number eight rea faka Punyete. The clothing brand, that was built off an adlib, became a cultural impact story with their consist collection and capsule drops and hitting the pop-up features like crazy over the last two years. Most notably and recently they just did a pop-up store at the Mall of Africa. Showing that no matter how young the brand and brains behind it, you’re always able to compete with the big dogs as long as the dog in you is up to the challenge.

7. EMBEDDED

At number seven is Embedded. The Pretoria brand that has been around since 2015 is an amazing clothing brand that should be talked about more. They have an amazing collection filled with pieces like biker jackets, leggings, soccer jerseys and more. They have had cultural impact supplying clothes for artists such as DJ Sliqe & Emtee for their music videos. For some reason it just feels as though they haven’t managed to get over the hump of just being a hometown hero and touching more of the nation. I believe engaging more with fans in their different cities will be the first step their and creating more analogue experiences for them will help elevate them to a new level.

6. BROKE

At number six is Broke. Based in Cape Town the collective has been able to make a nationwide name for themselves with their young and energetic take on their marketing and building of their brand. From having the Broke Klubhouse where they sell their clothes but also host events at, to their boot sale tour that they go on road and visit several cities and province in the country to physical sell their clothes to their patrons, bringing the retro selling style back into fashion. Their prices are reasonable and not too hard on the pocket. Being a young independent collective, the challenges of manufacturing and distribution does limit the collection pieces they are able to produce but excited to see how the next 5 years turn out for the collective especially their under-garment pieces.

5. CULTISH

At number five is Cultish, another Cape Town based brand. The clothing brand that launched in 2020 brought in a new aesthetic and style to the South African streetwear scene. Where most brands are more colourful and cheerier, the Cultish brand came with an edge of grunge, street and a sort of dark melancholy vibe with it that really spoke to the rebels and the wild youth of the streets. Collaborating and dressing local music talent also helped them build this brand and deepen their connection with the streets, with them supporting and rooting for the underdogs, and the nonconforming. Only reason they don’t sit higher is that they are pricier than most brands featured with the cheapest t-shirt costing R750 on sale.

4. DEAD.

At number four is Dead. The streetwear brand that has been alive for 9 years now has had its ups and downs. When first arriving on the scene the hype and buzz around it was electrifying with people being drawn to the name and wondering why & what Dead. is. The ‘D.’ became iconic and you’d see it on shirts, shorts and socks around the city. They took a hiatus for some time but returned from the dead better and stronger than ever. Opening their store in Rosebank and releasing pieces like their crossbody bag, cardholder, underwear, sunglasses and most notably their timepieces. Their timepieces are beautiful and had such an impact when they released that most recently; they did a collaboration with, South African footwear brand, Dakotas, where the Dead. timepiece buckles are designed on the Dakotas moccasins. If not for those few years in the lab Dead. would be higher but life is long and they will live forever.

3. ARTCLUB

At number three is Artclub. The third clothing brand based in Cape Town to make it on the list. The clothing brand that was made by artist for artist and the community has accepted and held them with open arms. The quality and range of their collection is done beautiful and of amazing quality. When they say they are for artists, it wasn’t just to sound cool but they’ve embedded that in their clothing, creating pieces that fit the appeal of the working and corporate artist. You can see their intention in every piece they create and release. South African being a rich place of arts and birthing some of the greatest artists in the world, naturally gravitated towards this artistic approach and vision to clothing. Their popularity grew so much that it gained traction throughout the nation of South Africa and this led to them being able to go in partnership and collaboration with Mr.Price on a nationwide campaign that brought Artclub to the masses and allowing them to mass produce their products. This was an important moment for the creative industry showing that there is no such thing as niche just a lack of information and reach.

2. S.W.A.N.K

At number two is S.W.A.N.K. It might be sitting at number two but make no mistake S.W.A.N.K is huge. Having 11 years of experience in the streetwear the brand has always set themselves as trendsetters and trailblazers. Their growth came from the fact that they stitched themselves within the purity of street clothing looking to connect not just with the style and branding but actually being a representation of the South African street culture. They have managed to continuously release collections that are fresh, stylish and cause heads to turn and bloggers to type. Keeping relevant by mixing in street art into their marketing campaigns and clothing designs as well. They have been able to grow with their community and fanbase while still being able to attract new customers and still be a cultural right of passage for the youth. Can you truly say you’re a streetwear or South African fashion hypebeast if you have no S.W.A.N.K in your collection? I don’t think so. They have solidified themselves in the South African streetwear brand and have reached legendary and classic status.

1. GALXBOY

Now before we get into our number one, I just want to mention that the difference between one and two was decided by 0.1, with that said; our number one South African streetwear brand is GalxBoy. The Pretoria born clothing brand was started in 2008 under a different name before officially becoming GalxBoy in 2012. I want to try and explain the hype, craze, buzz and cultural impact of GalxBoy when it first launched onto the scene. I was fortunate enough to be doing my first year at University of Pretoria in 2012 when they opened their first store in Hatfield, right by the Fields. They had the streets in a chokehold with the bright colours and graphic t-shirts that represented the style of 2012 with the skinny jeans and animated fashion. To see their evolution of the last 13 years to where now they are manufacturing; dome bags, tote bags, cardholders & wallets, cross body bags, purses, necklaces, bracelets, sandals, sunglasses and more. They’ve made themselves to standout as a pillar of not just the streetwear culture but the culture of South African youth, especially in the hip-hop culture. This has led to them working and collaborating with brands such as; Rocking the Daisies, McDonalds and Scorpion Kings. From starting at humble begins in Mamelodi to now having 14 stores across the country in 8 of the 9 province of South Africa they are truly the streetwear brand of the South African people. What Thatiso Dube, founder of GalxBoy and more famously known as Vuittots, has been able to create, construct and carry-on building is truly a wonder, inspiration and should be written down in our history books for us to study, document and aspire to.

In conclusion, every has a different style, preference and pockets so this not the definitive list so please do not come for me and family but I doubt you would find a better one. If you think you could create a better top ten, we would love to hear from you, so leave a comment or send us an email. Thank you for reading and stay dripping because the sun is out and you need to stay hydrated.