Skateboarding is steadily becoming a mainstream sport in the city, catalysed by the opening of new skate parks (H.A.N.D.S Roller Sports Ground on the roof of a Tuen Mun mall) and the newly refurbished government parks (Lai Chi Kok Skate Park) over the last few years.
It’s not surprising that as the sport’s popularity has grown, so has its creative side, with local brands such as Victoria, Gahyau Clothing and 8Five2 now a staple in the skateboarding community.
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Add to that the fact that luxury brands are coming up with their own skate-style-inspired lines, and there’s an endless array of pieces available for getting the look.
The basics aren’t a million miles from those incorporated in modern streetwear looks, but to pull off true skater style – better known as “skatecore” – can mean throwing in a vintage touch with collared shirts and sweater vests, or by layering oversized graphic T-shirts with outerwear like denim jackets.
How to get the skater-style look
So what exactly do you need to embody skatecore? The relaxed nature of the skater aesthetic comes from baggy, oversized tops and bottoms. While this is mostly for practical reasons – the looser the fit, the more mobility you have – it’s undeniably comfy too.
There’s a loose-fitting top for every season, of course. Depending on the weather, you could go for an oversized graphic vintage T-shirt, a sweatshirt or even a sweater vest. There’s no reason not to layer them during cooler months too for an effortlessly cool look. For bottoms, choose from an array of loose-fitting trousers – from wide-legged jeans to corduroys and long shorts.
Remember that going bigger doesn’t mean you need to drown yourself in bigger sizes: it simply needs to be a loose fit that rests perfectly on your silhouette and allows you to feel comfortable without dragging you down.
Which celebrities wear skatecore fashion?
Actress Louise Wong swaps out her usually glamorous looks for relaxed ‘fits during her down time, layering a Grocery x Aim Higher Club sweatshirt over a long-sleeved white T-shirt, paired with baggy grey trousers for a totally effortless monochrome skatecore look.
Meanwhile, Yatho Wong adds a retro vibe to the usual baggy skater style, layering a patterned cardigan and a collared shirt and tie, and pairing them with washed-out Acne Studios jeans.
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Key pieces
Basic Stüssy pigment-dyed T-shirt: US$30
Heron Preston gradient CNVS carpenter pants: US$400
A Bathing Ape denim jacket: US$890
Off-White Laundry crew neck: US$450
Skate shoes or plain ol’ trainers?
Footwear is essential to the skatercore aesthetic, and functionality is the key criterion for skateboarders choosing between specifically designed skate shoes or a casual pair of trainers.
To cover skate shoe basics, look to the experts: Vans and Converse. Professionals often opt for shoes with flat rubber soles that are durable and can withstand damage from being in constant contact with the sandpaper-like surface of a skateboard. Well-loved classics like Vans’ Skate Classics Old Skool or Converse’s One Star Pro are a great starting point for the ultimate authentic skater style look.
But there are some great-looking (if less practical) high-fashion luxury alternatives around now too, as fashion houses from Dior to Louis Vuitton begin to explore the popularity of skatecore.Key pieces
Vans Skate Classics Old Skool: US$85
Converse One Star Pro: US$75
Dior by ERL B9S skater sneaker: US$1,725
Louis Vuitton skate sneaker: US$1,390
Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!
No outfit is complete without accessories, and the two major categories to consider as part of skatercore look are bags and headwear. While skateboarders, again, prefer practical and functional accessories, these pieces are also streetwear fashion statements in their own right.
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Key pieces
Golden Goose Star Damien beanie: US$110
Off-White Bookish Ow Laund baseball cap: US$230
Stüssy Stock bucket hat: US$65
Carhartt WIP essentials bag: US$50
The classic Carhartt essentials bag is a must-have for staying hands free when skating around town … but backpacks are the most obvious choice.
Vans realm backpack: US$50
One of the joys of skatecore is that the look is almost completely unisex, offering more choices and customisation options. So whether you’re getting into skateboarding for real or just experimenting with the look, rest assured it’s easy to adapt it to your own personal style.
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