Suppose you’re a skater who grew up in the 80s and 90s, happily spending time on your board in the park wearing baggy pants, graphic tees and skating shoes. In that case, you might have kept your love for the skater style but needed to accommodate during the years because of the different clothing conventions adulthood brings.
Whether you still skate or haven’t set foot on the board but have always loved the aesthetic, you’d be thrilled to learn that the creativity, comfort, and freedom of skater clothes made them take over the fashion scene in the last several years; they’re even making their way into high-fashion circles. Here’s how you can enjoy the skater aesthetics as a grown-up man for your next trip to the park, a weekend in nature, or a creative and open-minded office.
Choose Trustworthy Brands
For this generation, shopping has drastically changed as a concept. As millennials, when we hear the word brand, we’re not only interested in the name, wearing its logo (even though we were guilty of this in the 2000s) and the appeal of its products. We want to know the whole story to decide whether it resonates with us and, most importantly, the brand’s sustainability.
So, are there any brands that can bring us all that but also help us enjoy the skater’s outdoorsy aesthetics? There aren’t many brands as outstanding as Patagonia, regarding its products, mission and environmental impact.
What is so special about Patagonia clothing? Established in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard as a mountain climbing equipment brand, Patagonia today is an outdoor brand selling everything from apparel for different activities, such as hiking, climbing, skating and surfing, to accessories such as bags and camping gear.
Beautifully made products of premium materials built to last using positive environmental practices and innovation are some of the reasons to invest in statement-making Patagonia clothes and explain why many love this brand. Take their flannel shirt for example. Made of 100% organic cotton, the Fjord Flannel is a traditional long-sleeved, button-front collared shirt with a straight hem that goes with almost every situation, from hanging with friends to working overtime.
You can find it in many hues, from undyed natural and lagoon blue to plaid designs in multiple colours. For colder days, you can pair it with the Patagonia reversible bivy down vest, the Atom sling bag and an everyday beanie, and you’re good to go wherever you’re headed. “Use the Business to Protect Nature” is one of Patagonia’s core values, saying much about its drive to be as sustainable as possible. In 2017, the brand introduced the “Worn Wear” concept to operate more ecologically.
With this idea, buyers can return some Patagonia products that are in excellent shape and receive credit towards new gear. Besides using recycled materials, Patagonia has contributed to many environmental and political activist campaigns, donating 1% of its total revenue and 100% of Black Friday sales ($10 million) to environmental organisations. That’s a big reason to stick to Patagonia clothes when creating your skater-boy wardrobe.
Pick Pieces with Minimalistic Lines
It’s no surprise that minimalism is the first thing to come to people’s minds when they think of millennials; it’s the ultimate vibe and aesthetic of Gen Y, and clothing isn’t an exception. Although creating a capsule wardrobe isn’t a new concept, we’re the first generation to use it so considerably. We’ll readily invest in a few premium pieces at premium prices and rotate our outfits rather than buy many cheap pieces we’ll wear occasionally.
If you’re a guy with a capsule wardrobe or you like the concept and want to try creating one, picking versatile skating clothing pieces with minimalistic lines will help you infuse skater style in your closet no matter your current style. Think graphic tee, such as the Patagonia P-6 logo t-shirt in black, blue, navy or white. It’s simple enough to wear on any occasion yet the graphics bring that skater-boy style.
Opt for Practicality over Style
Although skating isn’t the first athletic hobby to influence fashion, it’s certainly much different from soccer, polo or lacrosse. It’s improvisational, with a low barrier to entry, as you don’t need a gear-full closet or a team – only a board and an open road. That’s why the skater style leans more toward practicality rather than looks. Whether still skating or not, many 30 or 40-year-olds love functional wardrobe pieces that still allow for self-expression and style, such as puff and wind shell Patagonia jackets that look stylish yet protect them from the elements wherever they are.
There’s Nothing Wrong with Colour
We’re guilty of being the grey, beige and monochrome generation everyone accuses us of. We love our neutrals (even if it’s hard to admit it). However, there’s nothing wrong with a pop of colour in our outfits. Skater style frankly rests upon colour. Embrace your younger self by allowing yourself that pop of colour. It doesn’t have to be much – a snap T-pullover in vessel blue, geo salamander and pufferfish gold can is enough. Sport this statement piece for your next visit to the skate park and not only will it keep you warm, but also help brighten someone’s day – potentially yours.