Skater style (also known as SkateCore) is an aesthetic centred around skater culture created in the ‘60s and ‘70s and that has evolved throughout the decades.
What is the Skater Style?
Skateboarding first boomed in the ‘60s and ‘70s and with it, the skater style began to develop. However, it wasn’t until the ‘90s that skating transformed from a niche sport into a global phenomenon. It was then that wide-spread adoption of the skate culture and fashion took place. Practical and comfortable, the skater style was all about loose and functional clothing that was appropriate for the sport and provided some protection. Its aesthetic was casual and carefree with an anti-establishment touch. Today, the look is on-trend once again with major designers, brands, and influencers all-embracing the skater style.
The skate style has recently become fashionable due to the popularization of street culture. Street wear is a trend that has touched everyone. Whether it’s sneakers or a cap in everyday clothes, many use the convenience of skate clothes in everyday life.
How do skaters dress?
The skaters themselves do not follow the fashion too much, since the skater style is rather just a necessity for convenience in daily riding on the board. It includes: sneakers, pants, hoodie or sweatshirt, cap or hat, backpack or waist bag.
- Sneakers must have a flat sole – this helps to control the board more underfoot, and a special pattern on the sole provides better grip of the board surface with shoes.
- Pants should just be comfortable (not restricting movement). There are also certain trends in this: if 20 years ago they rode mainly in baggy pants, 10 years ago in tight jeans, 5 years ago professional skaters could be seen in sweatpants, now basically everyone rides in wide trousers with turn-ups.
- Hoodies or sweatshirts are not particularly different from ordinary mass-produced goods. Usually, the more laconic, the better. Calm tones, high-quality materials.
- Skaters’ caps and caps are a frequent element of the skaters’ outfit
Skaters in general may wear baggy pants or long sleeves under short sleeves to cover any padding that they are wearing (knee pads, elbow pads) and to protect exposed skin. However, they can also be seen wearing shorts and tank tops.
- Baggy/cargo pants
- Loose jeans (straight-leg, mom etc.)
- Flat-bottomed shoes
- Baggy shirts
- Layering long sleeves and over-sized shirts
Some Skater Girls tend to wear dark colours such as brown, green, black, and other colours. Of course, a skater girl should feel free to wear what ever colours and outfits they want.
Soft Skater Girl
Soft skater girl takes skater and Soft girl elements and turns them into one aesthetic. It incorporates more feminine silhouettes and brighter colors rather than the traditional muted colors. More cutesy themes are often associated with this style, including visuals like bright stickers and cute-feminine characters. This can incorporate more natural looks, as well.
Skater girl Fashion
- Skater and tennis skirts
- Jean shorts
- Loose jeans
- Tank tops or t-shirts
- Crop tops
- Tall socks
- Cute backpacks/bum bags
- Converse
- Protective gear
- Cute stickers
Accessories
Skate style may be more about function than fashion, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock a few great accessories. For an iconic skate look, be sure to pick up a classic wallet chain. These chains were designed to keep wallets secure during ollies and 360s but also worked to reinforce a rebellious style. Today, they’ve seen a small resurgence but certainly take confidence to pull off. For something easier to wear, try picking up a pair of tube socks along with a backpack and logo cap. Or, really embrace the ’90s with a bucket hat and bum bag worn casually across your chest.
Summing up: How to Get the Skater Style
- Choose loose styles that are comfortable and practical.
- Rock graphic T-shirts and hoodies on top.
- Down the bottom, wear cargo or chino pants or shorts.
- Keep your footwear classic with traditional skate shoes like Vans or Converse.
- Add accessories like tube socks, a logo cap, and a backpack.
