Skater fashion has freewheeled its way from its niche beginnings into mainstream cool. We explore the allure of skater fashion and tell you how you can rock the look without having to do a kickflip or an ollie.
Skateboarding has always exuded a casual-cool vibe, thanks to the seemingly effortless ways that skaters perform tricks and the carefree spirit of the community.
Skaters favor functional clothing with an anti-establishment edge, including oversized graphic tees, loose hoodies, baggy jeans, bucket hats, caps, and sneakers.
Through their partnerships with skateboarding legends like Tony Alva, Steve Caballero, and Mark Gonzales, brands like Vans and Supreme remain synonymous with skateboarding.
Stussy, Palace and skateboarding magazine Thrasher continue to attract not only young skateboarders, but also fashion-savvy people who want to add a touch of skater cool to their street cred.
The sport of skateboarding emerged in the 1940s as a way for surfers in California to keep busy when the waves were flat. It developed a huge following in the 1960s and 1970s before entering mainstream culture in the 1990s.
The 90s and Noughties were filled with skateboarding themes and references such as Avril Lavigne’s 2002 single Sk8r Boi and skate-punk bands such as Green Day and Blink-182.
Taking skateboarding into homes and expanding its reach, Tony Hawk released his Pro Skater video game for PlayStation in 1999. As skateboarding continued to evolve to become a global phenomenon, it could no longer be passed off as some fun for skate punks but a sport that demanded intense athletic ability and skill, and eventually made its debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
As skater fashion gained popularity, it became more widely adopted as cool streetwear, moving from the fringes of popular culture to the mainstream. Many celebrities like Justin Bieber and Drake wear the style, whether it’s a Thrasher tee, Palace hoodie, or the full skater look.
As for Pharrell Williams, he has popularised the skater style with his Billionaire Boys Club line he started with Nigo, the creator of urban clothing line A Bathing Ape (Bape).
