About Skateboarding Clothes
Anyone can wear an old white T-Shirt and a pair of Levis or Dickies and call it skateboard fashion. However, skateboarding clothes take the sport and style to a whole other level. Skateboarders are always in public places, be they parks, streets or competitions, so looking the part is a matter of pride. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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The essential skateboarding clothes are shirts and jeans or slacks, as well as a pair of sneakers. But most skateboarders would not be caught without a favorite hoodie. The almighty hoodie has almost become more vital than a T-shirt, not just in terms of style but because the long sleeves protect elbows and the hood is waiting when rain starts to fall or wind begins to blow. A thick, well-designed hoodie with a logo can run a skateboarder almost $100. It will feature double-stitching, a decorated lining, top quality cotton and, if it has a zipper, a cool zipper pull. Many a skateboarder also totes a backpack to stow essentials.
Brands
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Professional and rookie skateboarders have certain brands to which they migrate. Vans, for shoes as well as clothes, have always been the grandaddy of skateboard fashion. Vans is also the sponsor of skate parks in California and Florida and the name behind the Warped Tour. Other biggies are Zoo York, DC Shoes (sponsored by pro boarder Mitchie Brusco) and Element, which also makes boards.
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Gear
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Safety gear is another element of skateboarding clothes, although it is rare to see a skateboarder on the streets sporting a helmet, much less knee pads, gloves, a mouth guard and an athletic cup. Most skateboarders who are safety-conscious will be sure to wear long pants that do not billow. A closer fit ensures better maneuverability while riding.
Styles
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Skateboarders tend to migrate toward one of four looks. There is the reggae or rasta look, sporting organic fabrics, cottons, hemp, dreadlocks and an environmental consciousness. There is the heavy metal and punk rock look, characterized by black clothing, skull images, piercings, tattoos, patches of band logos and the ubiquitous skinny jeans which, for skateboarders, include Spandex for that essential bit of stretch. The hip hop skateboarders are about baggy saggy jeans and band T-shirts. The clean cut or straight edge punk look featured stretch slacks and cotton button down shirts.
Misconceptions
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With so many skateboarders wearing Vans and Converse, many people assume skateboarding shoes are nothing special. However, an article in "Skateboarding" magazine (see Resources below) points out that quality skateboarding shoes improve performance. Their soles are flat and extra wide, improving grip on the board. They may have padding on the tongue and the sides to cushion the foot during technical stunts. The article singles out Etnies as an example of a popular brand that is the result of much research and experimentation. Etnies rock vulcanized rubber soles, heels with air pockets, foam, shoelace protectors, lace loops for tucking in stray shoelaces, asymmetric stabilizers and silicon rubber for longevity.
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