Skateboard Clothing: T-Shirts, Volcom, Element, Black Label And DC Shoes T Shirts

Surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding have the most loyal crowd of participating devotees. As any activity with such a select sect of acolytes, poseurs, hangers-on and lookalikes are an inevitable effect.

Regardless of how you are labeled within the skate community, dressing in skateboard clothing has always been popular, whether you skate or not.

Like surfwear, and with growing momentum snowwear, skatewear is popular outside of its respective subcultures for many reasons. For some, wearing skateboard clothing or skateboard t-shirts is an opportunity to support independent clothing labels; an expression of an anti-establishment ethos in the face of industry juggernauts like Nike, Reebok or Adidas. An opportunity to buck en masse fashion trends with small acts of derision. Still, for others, indie skateboard clothing labels represent something more.

Like independent surf apparel and board companies, skateboard clothing companies actively pursue goals outside of maintaining focus on their bottom-line and good relations with investors. Pet causes like conservation concerns and environmental issues are popularly addressed by skateboard clothing companies. Element skateboards, in addition to a fine line of skateboards and clothing, has also founded Elemental Awareness. Elemental Awareness's mission statement is to "reach out to youth through the avenues of skateboarding and nature skills, in order to develop self-esteem, awareness and the tools to lead successful lives."

Other skateboard clothing companies may embrace social or community issues. Volcom, primarily a skating and skateboard clothing company but with popular snow and surf divisions, has lead a grassroots campaign known as L.T.K.R.F. Known formally as "Let the Kids Ride Free," LTKRF is a local, regional and international effort to organize free surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding contests for kids.

Of course, like any clothing line, skateboard clothing enthusiasts will buy certain gear because of looks or endorsements. Black Label skateboards sports its popular flame logo on nearly all its t-shirts, decks, wheels, hoodies, hats and the like. But even more sought after are the decks sported by their skate team. Skater talents like Chet Childress, Kyle Leeper, Pat Rakestraw and Anthony Shultz are endorsed by the company.

DC Shoes t-shirts are also a favorite of skaters and non-skaters alike. Known primarily as a footwear company, they've gone on to have a well-respected line of snowboarding gear, as well as full lines of men's and women's apparel.

 

Team. 2006. Black Label Skateboards. 4 Dec 2006. www.blacklabelskates.com.

Products. 2006. Black Label Skateboards. 4 Dec 2006. www.blacklabelskates.com.

Apparel. 2006. DC Shoes, Inc. 4 Dec 2006. www.dcshoecousa.com

Home. 2006. Elemental Awareness. 4 Dec 2006. www.elementalawareness.org

L.T.K.R.F. 2006. Volcom. 4 Dec 2006. www.volcom.com