Rock Star Travis Barker Embraces the Skater Look
Travis Barker
While balance and technique are obviously essential attributes for any skater, the truth is that the sport is as much about looking the part as it is about ability.The fashion trends that have emerged around skating perfectly encapsulate the rebellious attitude of the top riders, which is why anyone who wants to skate like a pro will need to dress like one.
Having been pioneered by a group of adrenaline junkies looking to push the boundaries of sport back in the 1970s, skating has developed into a symbol of unconventionalism, and as a result has been adopted by many musicians, with several genres becoming associated with the care-free spirit of skating.
Hip-hop, punk and rock have all helped to shape the skate dress code, and whichever of these musical movements you feel most connected to will determine the style that you fit into.
For a run-through of how to get the perfect skater look, read on.
Hip-hop style
Hip-hop has its roots in urban jungles, so it's only fitting that the genre should be associated withstreet fashion. To really nail the hip-hop skater look you'll need to wear your jeans low around your waste, keeping them baggy to allow for maximum mobility when pulling off tricks. After all, skate style is all about minimising restrictions in order to be able to perform, so loose-fitting t-shirts are also a must.
In terms of shoes, flat soles with lots of grip are absolutely essential if you want to stay on your board, with brands such as DC tending to be favoured by hip-hop skaters. Baseball hats have also become a common accessory and perfectly complement this particular style.
Rock style
Skating has helped to create an entirely new sub-division of rock music, with bands like Green Day and Blink-182 emerging as two of the leading skate rock groups. This look is all about the grunge style, which can be created by emulating these bands.
Other notable grunge acts include Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and fans of the genre will be aware of how the music is perfectly reflected in the clothes worn by the musicians. Essentially it's all about rejecting the shackles of mainstream society, and as a result the t-shirts and trousers involved in this look are often baggy and ripped.
This style is also closely related to the surfer look, so brands like Quiksilver and Animal have begun producing clothes that fit in perfectly with the grunge scene.
Long hair is another common feature of this particular look, with beeny hats also popular.
Punk style
Punks tend to be slightly more aggressive in both their philosophy and their fashion sense, with many choosing to wear tight jeans that symbolise their somewhat prickly nature and total rejection of social conventions. Body art is also popular, with tattoos, piercings and brightly-colored hair becoming something of a trademark of punk skaters.
Fortunately, however, you don't have to get any ink or put holes in your face to fit in with this crowd, as aggressively-themed t-shirts, such as those that incorporate skulls into their design, can also provide the edginess that is so essential to the punk style.
Metallic, spikey belts are also common, with brands like Low Life producing a great range of punky skate accessories.
