Enfants Riches Deprimes and Godspeed both sit in designer streetwear, yet they look nothing alike. ERD clothing is faded and frayed, made to look as if it has been worn for years. Godspeed is known for sharp, structured moto jackets. Together they show how wide the range of streetwear has become.
What Designer Streetwear Means
Streetwear grew out of skate and hip-hop scenes, where people dressed in casual clothes that signalled which group they belonged to. Tees, hoodies, caps, and jackets were the basics, and they still are.
Designer streetwear keeps those basics but treats them with more care. The cut is considered, the fabric is better, and the finish gets real attention. Releases are often small, and prices sit well above the mass market.
The category is broad. At one end you find clothing that looks deliberately damaged, which is where ERD sits. At the other end you find clean, structured pieces like the moto jackets from Godspeed.
Where Distressed Fashion Comes From
Wear and damage were once things people tried to avoid. That changed in the 1970s, when punk fans ripped their tees, pinned them back together, and turned damage into a statement. In the early 1990s, grunge brought a similar look into the mainstream with faded flannel and worn denim.
Today, distressing is done on purpose and in the factory. Fabric can be washed with stones or sanded by hand, and some pieces are cut or frayed one at a time. The aim is a finish that feels lived in from the first day.
That raises an obvious question about why anyone would pay a high price for clothing that looks old. The answer is that a convincing worn finish takes skill, and it suggests a past that new clothing cannot fake.
What ERD Clothing Looks Like
Enfants Riches Deprimes, usually shortened to ERD, was founded in Los Angeles in 2012 by Henri Alexander Levy. The name is French for “Depressed Rich Kids,” and the clothing follows that mood closely.
ERD clothing is best known for tees and hoodies with a washed, faded look and frayed edges. The shapes tend to be loose, and the surfaces look worn. The brand also works with leather, and its runway shows have included jackets and trousers in bold red.
Its website is organised by Homme and Femme, with an archive alongside, and it labels seasons in French, such as Automne/Hiver 26. Small details like these reinforce the label’s European-flavoured, art-school character.
Godspeed’s Cleaner Take on Streetwear
Godspeed is a New York label, reported to be based in Queens, and its specialty is the moto jacket. It also makes hoodies, tees, beanies, and other accessories.
The jackets are clean and structured, with bold colours alongside black. They are the opposite of the faded, frayed look. A Godspeed jacket is meant to look sharp from the start, and any wear comes later through use.
Its price sits above entry-level streetwear but below the luxury tier. That makes it a useful reference point for what premium streetwear can look like when it avoids the distressed look.
How Enfants Riches Deprimes and Godspeed Differ
The biggest difference is the finish. ERD builds age into the clothing before it reaches you. Godspeed hands you a new, crisp garment and leaves the ageing to you.
Structure is the second difference. ERD’s loose, soft shapes feel relaxed and slightly careless. Godspeed’s moto jackets are cut close and short, so they hold a clear outline on the body.
Mood separates them as well. ERD leans toward boredom and understatement. Godspeed leans toward energy and attention, especially in its brighter colours. A shopper might choose one for a quiet day and the other for a night out.
Both fit the broader idea of designer streetwear. They take casual clothing seriously and put real work into how it looks, just in opposite directions.
Buying Distressed Clothing With Care
Distressed pieces need a little extra attention when you buy them. Look at where the damage sits. Small tears near seams or pockets can grow with wear, so check that the edges look finished or reinforced.
Ask yourself whether the distressing looks even and intentional. Good distressing has a pattern that makes sense across the garment, while poor distressing can look random or cheap.
Fit matters as well. A loose, faded hoodie should still hang well on the shoulders, because oversized clothing looks best when the size is deliberate. If it simply looks too big, the style loses its point.
Looking After Faded and Frayed Clothes
Distressed clothing can last well if you wash it gently. Turn pieces inside out, use cool water, and choose a mild cycle. Hot water and strong detergent can strip colour and speed up fraying.
Skip the dryer when you can. Heat shrinks cotton and can pull at weak threads, so air drying is a safer choice. Lay knitwear flat so it keeps its shape.
Avoid picking at loose threads. Trim them with scissors instead, because pulling can open up a hole that was meant to stay small. For leather, a soft cloth and a proper leather conditioner are usually enough.
Final Thoughts
Enfants Riches Deprimes and Godspeed show that designer streetwear has room for very different tastes. ERD clothing suits people who like a worn, relaxed look from day one. Godspeed suits people who want a crisp jacket that earns its character over time.
If you are unsure where to begin, pick the finish you would enjoy living with. A faded hoodie and a sharp moto jacket both belong in streetwear, and the right choice depends on the kind of wear you want to see.
