Skatewear brands
Skatewear is a functional, casual aesthetic rooted in skateboarding culture, prioritizing durable, comfortable clothing that withstands the demands of skating while signaling subcultural belonging. It favors loose, relaxed silhouettes, graphic-heavy apparel, and cushioned skate shoes. It appeals to skaters and those drawn to an authentic, unpretentious streetwear-adjacent look.
$–$$$Price range
36+Brands
1970s →Era
3Tiers
History & origins
Skatewear developed alongside skateboarding in 1970s and 1980s California, where skaters adopted durable, practical clothing suited to falls, board grip, and constant movement. Early skate style borrowed from surf and punk cultures, with brands like Vans supplying grippy, flat-soled shoes and companies such as Powell-Peralta pushing graphic-driven apparel and boards.
Through the 1990s the aesthetic consolidated around baggy jeans, oversized tees, and technical skate shoes, driven by companies like DC Shoes, Etnies, Osiris, Element, and Girl Skateboards. In the 2000s and 2010s, brands such as Huf, Alien Workshop, and later Dime MTL, Pass~Port, Hockey Skateboards, and Call Me 917 refreshed the look, while skate video crews like GX1000 kept it tied to authentic street skating.
Key sub-genres
Skatewear spans several overlapping strains. The classic street-skate look centers on baggy denim, team tees, and cushioned shoes from Lakai, DC, or Etnies. A more design-forward, contemporary strain—led by Dime MTL, Pass~Port, and Call Me 917—leans into playful graphics, retro references, and elevated fabrications that cross into streetwear.
There are also regional and shop-driven scenes, where independent skate shops such as APB, No-Comply, Ben-G, Kate Skateshop, and Alive & Well release limited apparel that documents local skate identity. Vintage-leaning skaters revisit 1990s and Y2K-era baggy silhouettes and chunky shoes, while punk- and grunge-influenced skaters bring in distressed layers and darker palettes.
Brands in this style
The same aesthetic shows up at very different price points and postures. Here's how it breaks down.
Price
Style
36 brands
EstablishedProven & widely stocked
EmergingNewer & niche, worth watching
How to wear it
Start with relaxed proportions: loose-fit or baggy jeans, chinos, or cargo pants that allow full range of motion, paired with a graphic tee or a boxy hoodie. Footwear is central—opt for flat, cushioned skate shoes from Vans, DC Shoes, Lakai, Etnies, or Osiris, and expect visible wear as part of the look.
Layering is casual and utilitarian: flannel shirts, work jackets, or coach jackets over tees, finished with a five-panel cap, beanie, or crew socks pulled high. The style rewards authenticity over polish, so brand logos from skate labels and shops, plus honest signs of use, read as more genuine than pristine styling.
Essential pieces
Key garments include loose or baggy jeans and cargo pants, oversized graphic tees, pullover and zip hoodies, and durable jackets like coach or work styles. A flannel shirt and a five-panel cap or beanie round out the layering options.
Footwear is the anchor: flat, grippy skate shoes such as Vans, DC Shoes, Lakai, Etnies, Emerica, or Globe, chosen for board feel and cushioning. Accessories tend toward function and identity—skate socks, canvas belts, and pins or patches from skate brands and local shops.
Where to buy
The most authentic source is a local skate shop, which stocks decks, shoes, and apparel from core brands—examples include APB Skateshop, No-Comply, Ben-G, Kate Skateshop, Alive & Well, 35th North, Overload, and Alife. These shops also produce their own branded goods and support the surrounding scene.
For brand-direct buying, footwear labels like Vans, DC Shoes, Etnies, Lakai, and Globe sell online, as do apparel-forward names such as Huf, Dime MTL, Pass~Port, Baker, Girl, Hockey Skateboards, and Call Me 917. Broader skate retailers and marketplaces carry these labels, while secondhand platforms are useful for discontinued graphics and vintage Y2K-era pieces.
Ranked comparisons
Brands like HufBrands like ThrasherBrands like SupraBrands like ElementBrands like Call Me 917Brands like VolcomBrands like GlobeBrands like EtniesBrands like Lakai
Related styles
Common questions
What is skatewear?
Skatewear is a clothing style derived from skateboarding culture, built around durable, comfortable garments like loose jeans, graphic tees, hoodies, and flat-soled skate shoes. It balances practical function for skating with subcultural identity.
What brands are skatewear?
Core skate brands include Baker, Alien Workshop, Girl, Hockey, Call Me 917, Pass~Port, Dime MTL, and Huf, alongside skate footwear makers like Vans, DC Shoes, Etnies, Lakai, and Osiris. Independent skate shops such as APB, No-Comply, and Allive & Well also produce their own lines.
How do you dress skatewear?
Pair loose or baggy jeans or cargo pants with a graphic tee or hoodie and cushioned skate shoes, adding a five-panel cap or beanie. The look prioritizes comfort, movement, and relaxed proportions over tailoring.
Is skatewear the same as streetwear?
They overlap heavily, but skatewear is specifically tied to skateboarding function and culture, while streetwear is a broader commercial category that grew partly out of skate and hip-hop scenes.