28 Brands Like Needles for Unique Streetwear Fashion

Love Needles? Discover brands offering unique streetwear that fuses vintage Americana, military surplus, and avant-garde design for standout style.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

If you're a fan of Japanese streetwear, you probably already have Needles on your radar. The brand is a masterclass in blending vintage Americana, military surplus, and avant-garde design into pieces that feel both familiar and refreshingly rebellious. Their iconic tracksuits and deconstructed flannels have a unique energy that's hard to replicate.

But part of the fun is discovering new labels that share that same creative spirit. For those who love the craftsmanship and eclectic style of Needles, we've put together a list of other forward-thinking brands that push the boundaries of streetwear. Here are 28 similar brands worth exploring.

1. A Bathing Ape (BAPE)

A true legend in Japanese streetwear, BAPE is famous for its bold camo prints and iconic ape logo that you've definitely seen everywhere. You'll find a massive range of graphic-heavy hoodies, instantly recognizable sneakers, and playful accessories.

While Needles leans into a layered, vintage-inspired aesthetic, BAPE is much louder and more logo-centric, making it a go-to for hypebeasts who love limited drops and statement graphics. If you want to trade Needles' eclectic subtlety for something more in-your-face, BAPE is the move.

Shop now at bape.com

2. Cactus Plant Flea Market

Cactus Plant Flea Market operates on another level, blending streetwear with a quirky, high-concept artistic vibe. Known for its playful, puff-print hoodies and cartoonish graphics, CPFM is all about sparking joy with its irreverent designs that never take themselves too seriously.

With massive collabs with Nike and Travis Scott under their belt, they’ve solidified their place in the streetwear world. Compared to the curated, retro Americana feel of Needles, CPFM is more spontaneous, whimsical, and purely creative chaos.

Shop now at cactusplantfleamarket.com

3. Visvim

Visvim is a luxury Japanese label that prioritizes impeccable craftsmanship and timeless, heritage-inspired designs. The brand is renowned for its incredible denim, premium leather goods, and artisanal production techniques that feel both modern and steeped in tradition.

Think of Visvim as the more refined, understated counterpart to Needles' experimental style. While Needles remixes vintage finds with an avant-garde twist, Visvim elevates classic Western silhouettes with premium materials and unparalleled attention to detail.

Shop now at visvim.tv

4. Alyx

Bringing high fashion to streetwear, Alyx is defined by its industrial-inspired hardware and clean, modern silhouettes. Its signature rollercoaster buckle has become a symbol of a new kind of luxury that feels both innovative and rebellious.

The brand's technical jackets, statement belts, and minimalist pieces add a sharp, futuristic edge to any wardrobe. While Needles draws from the past, Alyx's aesthetic is firmly planted in a sleek, forward-thinking future, but both brands share a definite anti-establishment spirit.

Shop now at alyxstudio.com

5. Heron Preston

Heron Preston mixes utility, sustainability, and high-energy graphics into a distinctive streetwear formula. You'll find workwear-inspired outerwear, bold graphic tees featuring the brand's signature orange accents, and pieces made with eco-friendly consciousness.

Compared to the eclectic, textured looks of Needles, Heron Preston offers a more minimalist, urban aesthetic with a sleek and modern feel. Both brands champion individuality, but Preston’s approach is rooted in contemporary city life and a strong social mission.

Shop now at heronpreston.com

6. Engineered Garments

If you're all about the Americana and military influences in Needles, then Engineered Garments is your perfect match. Helmed by Daiki Suzuki, this label specializes in impeccably detailed clothing inspired by classic American workwear, a style also seen across NEPENTHES family of brands. Suzuki is also the director for Nepenthes America - so there's an aesthetic and heritage overlap since NEPENTHES is the parent company of both brands, ensuring a shared sensibility across their collections.

Expect finds like layered button-down shirts, rugged outerwear, and trousers with thoughtful tailoring. Where Needles often deconstructs or adds a bohemian flair, Engineered Garments commits to a more structured and utilitarian aesthetic for fans of functional, durable streetwear.

Shop now at engineeredgarments.com

7. Undercover

Japanese label Undercover perfectly fuses streetwear with high-fashion rebellion. Known for its avant-garde silhouettes, moody prints, and punk rock inspirations, the brand creates pieces that feel like conceptual works of art.

The collections often feature expertly layered looks, experimental fabrics, and provocative graphic motifs. If Needles represents a free-spirited, eclectic vibe, Undercover explores a much darker, edgier, and more polished side of Japanese streetwear style.

Shop now at undercoverism.com

8. Boris Bidjan Saberi

Berlin-based Boris Bidjan Saberi is known for his dark, avant-garde designs and incredible work with textiles. His collections are sculptural and atmospheric, often built around a monochrome palette and featuring deconstructed, layered silhouettes.

This brand is for a different kind of fashion lover. Where Needles pulls from laid-back vintage Americana, Saberi channels a minimalist, urban warrior aesthetic with a focus on dramatic forms and textures.

Shop now at borisbidjansaberi.com

9. Yoon Ahn’s Ambush

Co-founded by Yoon Ahn, Ambush started as a jewelry line before expanding into a full-fledged fashion house that is equal parts streetwear cool and futuristic luxury. The brand is known for its bold accessories and sleek, sculptural ready-to-wear.

Ambush provides a unique counterpoint to Needles’ layered, distressed look. Instead of eclectic textures, Ambush focuses on high-impact, minimalist pieces and statement accessories that instantly elevate a simple fit.

Shop now at ambushdesign.com

10. Kiko Kostadinov

Kiko Kostadinov is celebrated for modern, architectural garments that bring technical fabrics and minimalist design together. His work feels both functional and futuristic, with innovative silhouettes seen in cargo pants, structured jackets, and popular footwear collaborations.

Kostadinov’s aesthetic is clean, streamlined, and utilitarian, offering a sharp contrast to Needles’ looser, vintage-bohemian vibe. It’s the perfect brand for anyone seeking refined, forward-thinking looks that don't shout.

Shop now at kikostadinov.com

11. 1017 ALYX 9SM

Founded by Matthew Williams, 1017 ALYX 9SM beautifully merges raw, utilitarian streetwear with a distinct luxury vision. The collection is full of technical fabrics, hardware-heavy outerwear, and refined silhouettes that feel both edgy and polished.

Think of it as the sleeker, more industrial cousin to Needles' bohemian style. Instead of vintage patterns and patchwork, ALYX prioritizes clean lines, monochrome colorways, and high-tech detailing that define tomorrow’s cool.

Shop now at alyxstudio.com

12. Rhude

L.A.-based brand Rhude blends streetwear sensibilities with luxury materials to create polished yet casual pieces. Look out for graphic tees with a cool finish, impeccably tailored joggers, and standout vintage-inspired outerwear.

Rhude shares Needles' appreciation for retro Americana motifs but reinterprets them with a slick, high-end twist. It’s a perfect option if you love vintage-inspired graphics but want them executed in a more sophisticated and luxe final product.

Shop now at rh-ude.com

13. Phipps

Phipps offers an elevated and conscious approach to streetwear, emphasizing craftsmanship and subtle, beautiful details. You'll find thoughtfully designed pieces like relaxed trousers, perfectly oversized shirts, and functional utility jackets, often in earthy, muted tones.

The brand is much more understated than the eclectic and pattern-heavy designs of Needles. Phipps focuses on versatile, enduring pieces with a refined sensibility for everyday wear.

Shop now at phipps.co.uk

14. Craig Green

British designer Craig Green is famous for his highly conceptual and sculptural takes on streetwear essentials. His work often features quilted layers, complex strapping, and experimental materials that make his runways a must-see.

The aesthetic is edgy, artistic, and definitely avant-garde. While both Green and Needles love layering, Green’s approach is about creating innovative structural forms, resulting in garments that are more like wearable art.

Shop now at craig-green.com

15. NIGO’s Human Made

Founded by Streetwear OG NIGO (of BAPE fame), Human Made is all about nostalgic, vintage-inspired streetwear with a charming, colorful twist. Graphic tees, varsity jackets, and retro-style workwear dominate the collections.

Much like Needles, Human Made pulls heavily from vintage Americana. The main difference? Human Made’s references are much more cheerful and playful, leaning into pop-culture and upbeat, quirky designs.

Shop now at humanmade.jp

16. Acronym

When you think of techwear, you think of Acronym. This brand is the poster child for futuristic, hyper-functional apparel, famous for its innovative waterproof jackets, modular systems, and endless utility pockets.

It's on the opposite end of the streetwear spectrum from Needles’ vintage-inspired and relaxed vibe. Acronym serves a community hungry for cutting-edge, performance-driven fashion that prepares them for anything.

Shop now at acronym.com

17. Bedwin & The Heartbreakers

Bedwin is a Tokyo-based label that combines global travel inspiration with classic, timeless silhouettes. The resulting aesthetic masterfully blends Americana, smart tailoring, and streetwear with meticulous attention to tailoring and high-quality fabrics.

Bedwin & The Heartbreakers share Needles' love for vintage influences but deliver them in a way that feels cleaner and more polished. Think essentials for the "worldly gentleman," but with a modern, relaxed twist.

Shop now at bedwin.jp/english/

18. Y-3

The legendary collaboration between adidas and designer Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 champions a vision of high-end athletic streetwear that is both minimalist and futuristic. You'll find sleek, experimental silhouettes, innovative fabrics, and largely monochrome designs.

Y-3’s focus on performance athletic-wear fused with an avant-garde runway sensibility serves as a strong contrast to the colorful, eclectic styling of Needles. It's for those who appreciate design from a more stripped-back and architectural angle.

Shop now at y-3.com

19. Off-White

Founded by the late Virgil Abloh, Off-White became one of the definitive luxury streetwear brands of a generation. It’s instantly recognizable for its bold fonts in quotation marks, industrial design motifs, and high-concept spin on everyday items.

From graphic hoodies to sought-after sneakers, Off-White dominates the hype conversation in a way Needles never aimed to. While Needles channels a thrifted, layered aesthetic, Off-White is all about sharp, logo-driven streetwear.

Shop now at off---white.com

20. Sankuanz

Coming out of China, Sankuanz is known for its experimental, boundary-pushing designs and a fresh, futuristic approach to street style. Expect bold graphics colliding with deconstructed elements and artful, avant-garde silhouettes.

Like Needles, Sankuanz isn’t afraid to be different, presenting fresh ideas about masculinity and modern fashion. But its focus on edgy tech-influenced aesthetics and innovative fabrications sets its vibe apart.

Shop now at sankuanz.com

21. C.P. Company

C.P. Company is king when it comes to functional, military-inspired outerwear. It’s famed for its signature garment-dyeing process that gives fabrics a rich, lived-in feel, and for its iconic watchviewer and Goggle hoods integrated into jackets and hats.

While Needles dabbles in military concepts within its eclectic range, C.P. Company built its whole identity around it. This is straightforward, timeless, and ultra-durable gear with utility at its core.

Shop now at cpcompany.com

22. Maharishi

Based in the UK, Maharishi brilliantly mixes military aesthetics with streetwear while grounding everything in a pacifist, eco-conscious ethos by focusing on organic and earth-friendly fabrics. Their signature is intricate, artistic embroidery and camo-esque patterns inspired by nature.

Maharishi makes functional gear that also carries a strong message. Where Needles plays with the softer, stylistic side of vintage Americana, Maharishi digs deep into the utilitarian and symbolic side of military apparel.

Shop now at maharishistore.com

23. Kappa

An Italian sportswear OG, Kappa is beloved for its retro-inspired gear that embodies a cool, casual streetwear vibe. Its iconic "Omini" logo taping on track jackets and pants has become a staple of nostalgic street fashion.

It’s a perfect pick for those who appreciate the relaxed, sporty side of Needles but want something more straightforward and athletically inclined. Kappa delivers on classic, easy-to-wear pieces with just the right hit of vintage feel.

Shop now at kappa.com

24. Nike ACG (All Conditions Gear)

ACG is Nike's dedicated line for rugged, outdoor adventure gear that doesn't compromise on style. Here you'll find technical jackets, durable cargo pants, and trail-ready footwear made for both nature trails and city streets.

While it taps into a similar Gorpcore energy that overlaps with some of Needle's outdoor-inspired moments, Nike ACG is primarily performance-driven. Its aesthetic is a perfect blend of modern utility and sporty functionality for any urban explorer.

Shop now at nike.com/acg

25. Stone Island

A legend in innovative outerwear, Stone Island is celebrated for its fabric research and cutting-edge garment dyeing techniques. That iconic compass patch logo has become a symbol of premium streetwear obsessed with technical performance and sleek design.

Stone Island's focus on high-tech materials and modern, uniform-like styling offers a clear contrast to Needles' bohemian, vintage-focused creations. It's the go-to for someone who prefers futuristic fabrics over retro patterns.

Shop now at stoneisland.com

26. Y/Project

Y/Project is a high-concept Parisian label that loves to play with deconstruction and proportion. Known for its hugely influential, experimental silhouettes and twisted tailoring, the designs are consistently artistic and provocative.

This brand is for fashion lovers who adore rule-breaking. Needles deconstructs garments to create a certain laid-back vibe, whereas Y/Project pushes boundaries to create new, dynamic-looking sculptural forms entirely.

Shop now at yproject.fr

27. Martine Rose

Martine Rose perfectly fuses underground London subcultures with elevated tailoring and modern streetwear. Known for playing with proportions (think oversized shirts and relaxed trousers) and an effortlessly rebellious spirit, her collections feel both comfortable and sharp.

Rose captures a certain distinctive, effortless cool that can be seen in some Needles styling. However, her aesthetic is more grounded in nostalgic British rave and sportswear culture, creating a relaxed yet impactful look.

Shop now at martine-rose.com

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