The skating aesthetic came into its own in the 90s when this sport - considered relatively niche until then, crossed from a fringe subculture to a global phenomenon. Cue the infiltration of the skater aesthetic into mainstream fashion - flat-soled shoes and baggy, functional garments were in high demand.
With a focus on practicality, clothing for skaters is designed to provide comfort to the wearer and space to perform manoeuvres on their skateboards. The look is casual and rebellious, owing in part to the punk music that pervaded the skate parks - the merging of this genre with pop brought on by bands such as Blink 182 solidified the union between skaters and anti-establishment culture. And fashion followed suit.
Now with the 90s and y2k fashion booming in popularity, the skater aesthetic is one many are trying to emulate - even those who have never stepped foot in a skate park. Here are some elements that you should incorporate into your wardrobe if you’re one of them.
Baggy, graphic t-shirts
In common with streetwear fashion, there is an emphasis on baggy clothing for skaters. Often these t-shirts sport some kind of graphic design element to them, giving the wearer a bold look.
Our top picks:
FADED T-SHIRT - SAGE / OFFWHITE
Shorts
Shorts are a common skater garment. Khaki, denim or cargo - the material doesn’t matter as long as they’re…yeah you guessed it - loose fitting. These kinds of shorts give skaters the manoeuvrability they need to perform impressive stunts. Just think- if you could do a 360 flip in them - they’re skater worthy.
Our top picks:
Tall socks
Coverage is important when skating, so if you’re out on your board on a hot day in a pair of baggy shorts, covering your shins with a pair of tall socks is a must. The tall sock look is really in at the moment, so you’ll be protected from both injury and in keeping with current trends.
Our top pick:
Flat bottomed shoes
Skate shoes don’t only have to make you look good on your board. They need to be able to help you do some cool moves off them. Grip is an important factor to think of, which is why the ideal skate shoe has a rubber sole and flat bottom. This not only helps you stay in control of your board but helps them last longer in the face of potential wear and tear.
Our top pick:
Check out our full streetwear range for more clothing for skaters.
