BroCal Style: The Rise of Metal Mulisha and the Rest of the Gang




Southern California-centric style and clothing has changed dramatically. From surfing to skateboarding and now to motocross and off-road; the culture associated with Southern California has changed dramatically. The changes not only in the youth but in the mentality of contemporary culture in Southern California. All of this has shaped and developed what the “Bro” culture is. From driving lifted trucks and partying every night to getting tattoos and piercings; All of this has shaped the “Bro” culture. Helping to build and develop a clothing and lifestyle niche.

Southern California itself has always been considered both the place to be and the place to spot emerging fashion trends. However, the multiple regions of Southern California have generated different trends and styles. The style that has emerged most predominantly in recent times has been known as the “Bro” style. With an emphasis on the flashy lifestyle of Hollywood celebrities while keeping the roots of extreme sports enthusiasts strong. The rise of this movement was fueled by the resurgence and popularity of punk and rock music. With incipient mainstream acceptance and a driving force behind it, such as Blink 182’s Travis Barker, who is the creator of the “Bro” brand Famous Stars and Straps, as well as SRH’s infamous So Cal Kotton Mouth Kings artists; culture has grown by leaps and bounds.

With widespread acceptance by the youth of Southern California, the style quickly began to evolve and grow. Further perpetuating this evolution was the growing popularity of the X Games and its focus on motocross and freestyle motocross. With new brands emerging such as SRH, Famous Stars and Straps, Hart & Huntington, and Metal Mulisha, as well as Hustler. The common thread between all these brands is their roots in extreme sports, in particular motocross and freestyle motocross. Many of these brands flaunt an extreme lifestyle, but also exude a flashy, almost flashy excess. The driving mindset behind this move was and still is to work hard, play hard. Many of the pioneers of this clothing movement have come out of nowhere and have been based on hard work. People like Brian Deegan, who runs Metal Mulisha, or Carey Hart, owner and designer of Hart & Huntington, are the driving force behind some of these brands. Both men come from a difficult childhood to build not only careers in extreme sports, but also to build and develop careers in the garment industry.

The driving brands that have built this “Bro” style come from different corners of California. From the south near San Diego, to Orange County, even to the Inland Empire; there are brands that have shaped this genre. From down to San Diego, brands like SRH Productions and Silver Star have shaped the lifestyle of this culture. Brands emerging from the Inland Empire like Fatal, Hostility, and more have perpetuated themselves and given a boost to this culture and its niche. Even looking inward to Orange County, which is home to brands like Metal Mulisha, Outlaw Threadz, and even Tapout, shows just how much this culture has taken Southern California by storm. Even other brands like So Cal, No Fear, Fearless, Skin, and Sullen have made a name for themselves in these industries.

With all of this, the culture and lifestyle of what is popular in Southern California has grown and evolved beyond what anyone could have thought. That is what this culture and lifestyle consists of. Hard driving clothing designed by hardworking people. These brands represent and show the mentality of those who are part of this culture. Characterized generally by skulls, surreal art, and much bolder graphics; clothing in this niche tends to display the harsher nature of the culture. Fighting and horseback riding, all the way to jail: the niche encompasses this and the clothing reflects it. With more and more represented by different other brands emerging among other more established brands.

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