One of the most well-known pop culture clothing looks has to be skateboarding style. This kind of style refers to outfits that have been worn by skaters for decades, and it has now become a signature brand aesthetic. This is because skateboarding is a subculture and, thus, fashion has had an influence on establishing its visual identity.
Skater style is all about combining cool streetwear with function. Your outfit should be at the peak levels of comfort and flexibility while expressing your own personal taste.
Even at novice level, there are suitable clothes for you to participate in this lifestyle that also garner respect from your peers.
Here’s a guide to how you can achieve the skater style.
Shirts
A skateboarder’s shirt can be regarded as the staple item of the outfit. It may form part of your signature look and identity as a skater. As such, you can choose any shirt that’s comfortable and based on your personal taste. You have endless choices when it comes to deciding on what kind of shirt you want.
To make your style truly unique, you can order custom t shirts with a design of your choosing and stand out from the crowd. Some popular shirt choices you can think about are vintage band t-shirts and tie-dye shirts for a ‘90s-inspired look. There are also grunge statement tees with graphic prints or slogans on them.
For a more understated look, a plain cotton short-sleeve shirt in a neutral or single tone color will suffice. If you’re a skater girl, you can wear a flowy pullover or an oversized t-shirt for style purposes. Even a tank top can be worn for maximum arm moveability.
Pants Or Shorts
The pants section of your skater outfit is an important functional consideration. This is because skateboarding requires flexible movements of your legs to pull off those epic stunts. Hence, your pants selection should be practical and should not restrict movement. You don’t have to wear pants made with stretch fabrics, like other sportswear, as skateboarding is considered to have a low impact exercise intensity.
The type of pants that can work for you range from cargo pants to cycle shorts for girls. The ever-popular dickies refuse to go out of style and are still a must-have item in skateboarding culture to this day. They’re loved for durability, comfort, and flexibility.
Be cautious of wearing baggy pants, though, such as sweatpants and jeans. Although they might be comfortable to wear, their fit can affect your skating performance. However, you can still try them out and see if you can make them work for you.
Shoes
Skater shoes are another part of your outfit where comfort and function meet style. For practicality, shoes should give your feet enough support to perform tricks and avoid skateboarding injuries. This means you need shoes to help protect your ankles and feet as a whole.
When shopping for skater shoes, it’s always a good idea to opt for high-quality sneakers or those from trusted brands. This is to ensure they last long and can withstand the daily wear and tear of skating. Sneakers, such as Chucks, are classic old favorites of skateboarders that you can get for yourself.
One approach you can consider is the top sizes. For instance, high tops will give your ankle maximum support but might not offer as much movement. Low tops are better at providing ankle pivoting but won’t offer as much injury protection. In this case, weigh your options and try out different shoes to see which ones offer you the most value.
Accessories
The additions to your skateboarding outfit are optional and, yet again, a means to show your personality. But safety gear, such as helmets and elbow and knee pads, are necessary add-ons that you should think of getting. These are important accessories you’ll need for an extra layer of protection.
Common skateboarding accessories include backpacks, gloves, beanies, ball caps, and backwards snapbacks. The caps can be functional to keep your hair out of your face. You can also wear tinted sunglasses or the usual black shades to keep the sun out of your eyes. For an extra cool factor, wear silver dog tag chain necklaces or hook punk chains onto your pants.
Conclusion
Skater fashion is a mix of self-expression and functionality. It’s all about selecting garment pieces that reflect your personal style while still paying homage to skateboard clothing tradition. A key takeaway to use as your buying guide is to prioritize comfort. If any garment item looks cool but can’t give you freedom of movement, it’s best to look for something else. You want your outfit to help show your skateboarding talents.