Many of the garments are derived from the clothing people wear during their leisure time, so tend to be drawn from the sports, gym and outdoor scenes, says UKL. "Therefore, almost every garment can be interpreted by an urban subculture as a part of its identity, whether it is a baseball cap, particular size and colour of sweatshirt, or a particular brand of workwear.

"The most obvious example that springs to mind would be the workwear brand Dickies - its garments have been popularised by celebrities such as Madonna, Xtina and Justin Timberlake."

Baseball caps have embedded themselves in the urban psyche.Whether the look is a trucker-inspired meshback, a standard 5 panel worn back to front or an army style in military, urban or desert camo, the cap is a predictable feature of urban style. Beechfield offers great urban styles in its B31 Half Mesh Camouflage Cap and B33 Camouflage Army Cap.

Result Headwear also has a great Urban Camo Cap, the RC59 and following a similar vein, there is the RC71 Urban Trooper Cap in washed denim.

Softshell is another product that has established itsself on the urban scene, says UKL, but originally derives from the outdoor scene. For the hot sharp colours of the NuRave generation then look at the Jerzees Colours range 140M/F and 141M/F.

The combat or cargo trouser, originally a workwear only style, has become a standard garment style since the early 1990s. Craghoppers CHJ100 Classic Kiwi trousers are as much in demand on the highstreet as the workplace.

ALO Sports is the ultimate urban brand designed to move seamlessly from the office to the gym or indeed the bar. The brand launched in the UK this year exclusively through UKL.

"ALO takes full advantage of the technical fabrics available to manufacture close fitting body sensitive products, whether using Bamboo for its natural hydrophilic and antibacterial qualities or matching technical weaves with antimicrobial treatments. The designs are strong enough to look good beneath a smart jacket before being put to work pounding the treadmill or streets," says UKL.

Russell Europe has also actively capitalised on the Urban Lifestyle market within its Jerzees Colours range. Last year saw the company introduce its softshell jackets in juicy shades along with a collection of Vintage enzyme washed T-shirts and sweats.

This year their range of urban inspired garments is expanded to include the ‘Original' range of collegiate styles. This takes a slight retro style and blends it with value added features like soft-to-touch fabrics and velvet trims to the inside of the neck. The range has been designed to allow garment decorators to work with features such as stripes but retain the integrity of a ‘retail' garment.

Web: http://www.uklonline.co.uk/

Tel: 0800 220 955

Web: http://www.uklxtra.co.uk/

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