Skate Fashion.
Past - Present - Future
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you always got extra laces with skate shoes too. Now, companies like Altamont are releasing patterned single shoes laces, specifically designed to be wore as a belt.”
Rolling Sleeves: Jack wearing skater brand tee Altamont
Skate Trends: Shoe laces used as belts to prevent pain
Cheap Garms: Primark sweaters are in with students
Skater clothing isn’t about
Conformity
Whilst it’s hard to say if skateboarding influences fashion more than fashion influ-
ences skateboarding, one thing’s for sure, skateboarding in general has had a profound effect on the clothes designs people wear - especially students. Skate fashion, despite the sport itself being over 30 years old, is a relatively new thing amongst youth culture. As well as this, music seems to influence the fashion more than the sport itself. Skate fashion started to establish itself in the early- to-mid 90s. It followed the then-recent wave of grunge rock music, which had taken the western world by storm. This new music was different than anything the youths had ever heard. It mixed in elements of punk, metal and rock and blended them together in the form of bands such as Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, and most notably Nirvana. This new wave of music led youth culture in a different direction away from past radical fashions such as punk and the early hip-hop scene. Along with it came a new breed of fashion. I interviewed student, skater and fashion conscious Jack Brewin, questioning his take on the trends and popularity surrounding the scene… How do you think skate fashion has changed over recent years? “When I first started skating in the late 90’s, I was all about heavy music and rebelling from my parents. Baggy jeans, chunky shoes and Slipknot t-shirts. From early to mid 2000s, skating fashion started to change more towards a hip hop trend. New Era caps were
the rage. I think it was due to America’s influence on the sport. What with the X-Games and Gravity Games being televised globally. Recently, skater fashion’s taken a more nostalgic shift, incorporating classic 70’s model vans with 5 panel caps, chinos and shirts. The rise of Supreme made five panels massive, of which many other competitor companies latched
on to. Things have gone from being a practicality to being a fashion accessory. When me and my mates first started watching skateboarding videos, we saw skater Lizard King use a shoe lace as a belt to stop a belt buckle digging into your stomach. So practical and simple aint it? It made sense because
So what brands do skaters tend to wear as a whole? “I wear whoever’s making the most fresh garms (laughs). Nah, I usually tend to wear what clothes my favourite skaters wear. Only recently, the major skate brands have gone from being mass corporations to being skater run independent brands. I like Emerica shoes to skate in best. They just feel comfy. Everyone raves about vans eras but they last about 5 minutes. Kr3w make sick jeans. I like Shake Junt, Baker, Chocolate, Stereo. Nike and Adidas are killing it these days too. Vans have fully taken off recently, but they’ve long been leaders in the skate shoe market. They have rubber soles which go hand and hand with skating, a good grip. But they’re affordable, comfy and look sick. What more could you need?”
they cleverly gave their items of clothing a limited feel by not allowing internet orders or shipping. This exclusivity made it a cult like figure throughout skater culture. Recently, people like Tyler The Creator and the Odd Future lot have given the company even more exposure from product placement in videos and that. Since that, Supreme’s opened it’s own shop in London. This has made your average Dalston hipster pissed off as now everyone is privileged enough to own the coveted Supreme 5-Panel Cap.”
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ple are gonna follow it. it’s as simple as that. Streetwear is in at the moment, and skate wear comes part and parcel with that. Students want to stand out by the way they dress. I honestly think it’s only the beginning of this trend. Look at Obey clothing, it’s slowly turning in to the new G Star RAW.“
So, what does the future hold for skater fashion/design? “It’s hard to say to be fair. Loads of skateboard clothing companies continue to appear, and sadly some decline. But a few have grown such as EleHow do you think blogs have ment clothing, which has been promoted skater fashion? been bought by surfer brand Bil“Everyone’s on Tumblr labong - which is massive! On a and shit these days. Can’t say design perspective, I’d say it is I am, but everyone else seems still skate clothing, but it shows to be. Blogs have turned into a a softer edge in comparison to big deal, swaying trends mas- that of like surfwear. Compasively. They’ve turned from nies like CTRL and Ucon clothsome pretentious guy in his ing have grown in both size and bedroom whining about not a experience as well, they’ll conlot, to companies generating tinue to influence the clothing mass income from advertising. scene and probably push the Whether you like them or not, boundaries of garment technolthey’re gonna be around for a ogy. Skater clothing is perhaps long time, telling people what’s one of the most widespread cool and in at the moment.” fashions of street wear and it’s because it isn’t about conformHow has Supreme as a brand grown from a local skate Do you think this is partly ity. And that’s why people wanshop, to an international de- why students have picked up na wear it.” on the trend? sign company? “Definitely. Why wouldn’t it “Supreme have always been known for making sick be? Students read blogs. What5 panel caps. As a company ever’s trending on blogs, peo- Q & A by Amy James Skate Sneaks: Addidas Dennis Busenitz pro-model
Setting Trends: Students in Leeds share their style and skills
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Jumper, Urban Outfitters Original £50 Ebay £28 Boots, Doc Martens Original £75 Charity shop £15
Denim Shirt, GAP Original £24.99 2nd Hand Shop
T shirt, Welcome Skate Shop Leeds Original £28 Boyfriend’s £0
Shirt, Fred Perry Original £75 Vintage shop £22
Denim Shirt, GAP Original £24.99 2nd Hand Shop £8 Hat, Topshop Original £15 Ebay £2.50