UK Garage

UK Garage
UK Garage fashion was characterized by flashy designer fashion, often from Italian labels.
Other names	UKG, 2-step
Decade of origin	1990s
Location of origin	London, United Kingdom
Key motifs	Italian designer labels, all-over prints, champagne, Reebok Classics, pirate radio
Key colours	Varies, often bold and flashy prints with gold and silver accents
Key values	Aspiration, glamour, hedonism, multiculturalism, smoothness
Related aesthetics	Britpop Casuals Rave Y2K Futurism
Related brands	Moschino, Versace, Iceberg History, Dolce & Gabbana, Avirex, Patrick Cox, Gucci

UK Garage (UKG) is a genre of electronic music and a subculture that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1990s. Evolving from American garage house, the UKG sound is defined by its syncopated, shuffled rhythms (known as 2-step), soulful R&B vocal samples, and heavy, manipulated basslines.

The subculture that grew around the music was as much about fashion as it was about sound. It was a glamorous, aspirational, and multicultural scene defined by its "dress to impress" ethos, an obsession with expensive Italian designer labels, and hedonistic, champagne-fueled club nights.

History

The UK Garage scene emerged from the after-party "Sunday Scene" of the early 1990s, when DJs at smaller London venues began playing sped-up, bass-heavy versions of US garage house tracks to keep ravers dancing after the main clubs closed. This faster, 4x4 beat style was dubbed "speed garage." By 1997, producers began experimenting with a "broken beat" rhythm, removing two of the four kicks from the drum pattern to create the syncopated sound of 2-step. This became the signature sound of UKG.

The genre exploded into the mainstream between 1999 and 2002, with numerous tracks entering the UK top 10. The scene was supported by a robust network of pirate radio stations and club nights like Twice as Nice, which was considered the "Studio 54" of the era for its glitz and glamour. By the early 2000s, a darker, more MC-led sound began to emerge from UKG, which would eventually evolve into the distinct genre of Grime.

Fashion

Fashion was a central and tribal component of UK Garage culture, acting as a visual signifier that you were part of the scene. Unlike the functional streetwear of related genres like jungle or grime, the UKG look was unapologetically glamorous, expensive, and aspirational. The style was driven by a desire to look "pure, hard cash," with participants spending heavily on the latest designer pieces.

Menswear

A distinctive feature of the scene was that the men were often the "peacocks," wearing the most ostentatious and expensive clothing. The look was dominated by Italian luxury brands, with Moschino, Versace, and Iceberg History forming a holy trinity. Key items included:

• Loud, all-over print shirts from Moschino or Versace were a staple. Iconic prints included pound notes, clouds, and classical art motifs.
• Baggy designer jeans from brands like Moschino, Versace, or Dolce & Gabbana.
• Decorated leather Avirex jackets, which were highly sought after.
• Designer loafers, particularly from Gucci or Patrick Cox, were essential. For a more casual look, fresh white Reebok Classic trainers were the go-to.

Womenswear

While men's fashion focused on high-end designer labels, the "Garage Girl" look was typically more rooted in glamorous high-street brands. The hub for this style was the store Morgan de Toi. The look was preened, feminine, and dressed-up for the club. It consisted of strappy dresses, all-over print logo tops, skimpy vest tops, and miniskirts, always paired with high heels.

Music

Artists

• Artful Dodger
• Craig David
• DJ EZ
• Dreem Teem
• Grant Nelson (N'n'G)
• Matt Jam Lamont (Tuff Jam)
• MC Creed
• Mis-Teeq
• MJ Cole
• Ms. Dynamite
• So Solid Crew
• Todd Edwards
• Wookie

Songs

• Artful Dodger ft. Craig David - "Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)"
• Daniel Bedingfield - "Gotta Get Thru This"
• DJ Luck & MC Neat - "A Little Bit of Luck"
• Mis-Teeq - "All I Want"
• Oxide & Neutrino - "Bound 4 Da Reload (Casualty)"
• Roy Davis Jr. ft. Peven Everett - "Gabriel"
• Shanks & Bigfoot - "Sweet Like Chocolate"
• So Solid Crew - "21 Seconds"
• Sweet Female Attitude - "Flowers"
• Tina Moore - "Never Gonna Let You Go (Kelly G Remix)"

Resources

• UK Garage (Rate Your Music)

Gallery

Navigation

Rave Subculture

Core Aesthetics

Rave ☺ Acid House ☺ Gabber ☺ Kandi Raver ☺ Berlin Techno Fashion ☺ Krocha ☺ Madchester ☺ New Beat ☺ Ruta Destroy ☺ Tecktonik ☺ UK Garage ☺ Wixa

Fusion Aesthetics

Acid Design ☺ Cyberdelia ☺ Cybergoth ☺ New Rave