SP21 Trends
Working with the needs of modern day skateboarders, SP21 encourages easy-going, layerable styling options within fundamental wardrobe basics. From t-shirts and hoodies, to skate-appropriate cargo trousers and heavyweight denim jeans, seasonally relevant updates are furthered by personalised decoration and references to archival favourites for a fresh take on core basics from leading brands.
As we transition through spring, layering is key and for this shirt jackets, knitted sweatshirts and revised tracksuits offer the perfect solution. Remaining true to their own established character, Nike SB continues to look to their archive for collegiate-style inspiration, which is particularly notable across their Nike SB March Radness capsule, focused towards preppy throwbacks of the ‘90s. On a similar note, minimalist branding and plaid jacket styling from Converse offers a steady sense of nostalgia as a continuation from the previous season. Whether you opt for more comfort driven styles or are ready to refine your collection with subtle tailored details, brands such as adidas, Patagonia, Stussy and Carhartt WIP have employed plush, cosy corduroy and fleece fabrics as a canvas to express their own individual characters.
The oversized, baggy fit of the already established Polar Skate Co. Big Boy Jeans set the tone for wider trouser silhouettes of the season, which coincide with a standardised demand in casual comfort, achieved by elasticated waistbands and integrated climbing-style belts becoming more common. In contrast to this, straight cut lightweight cargo pants from Bronze 56K and Pop Trading Company represent outdoor influences with practical elements remaining paramount to achieve skate-appropriate finishes. Particularly noticeable on more casual sportswear labels, a greater focus on quality and refined finishes indicate each brand taking responsibility for creating for-life pieces with longevity and classic appeal.
As a reflection of these key takeaways for the new season, we have assembled a variety of the best skate clothing and shoes for SP21 which capture the spirit of the warmer months ahead.
Pop Trading Company Logo Hoodie | adidas Bouclette Pants | Quartersnacks Coin Counter Cap | Parlez Block 2 Tone Socks | Converse Louie Lopez Pro Ox
Chosen by Pantone as their two official colours of the year, grey and yellow tones this season are symbolic of enduring strength and uplifting hopefulness. Sure to brighten up your outfit selection, the bright pepper salmon tone of the Pop Trading Company Logo Hoodie has a cheerful effect against the practical medium grey heather adidas Boucelette Pants, which are made from a recycled polyester blend in support of environmentally conscious production methods. Providing you with a fresh burst of comfort, the duo make reference to traditional sportswear pieces through signature touches and personalised detailing that can be matched with almost any t-shirt for casual comfort. To build upon the references to old school styling further, a pair of crisp cotton socks featuring tube-style stripes are recommended - we find the Parlez variations particularly comfortable - especially when paired with the crisp white Converse Louie Lopez Pro Ox.
adidas Solid Rugby Shirt | Carhartt American Script Sweatpants | Skateboard Cafe Unity Embroidered 6 Panel | adidas Matchbreak Super
Prominent references to sports heritage have stepped up for SP21 from leading skate brands, such as adidas, who have included their own takes on collegiate inspired styling, alongside more obvious reworks of football jerseys and sports kits. Staying true to their three-stripe heritage, adidas have incorporated a noticeably refined finish across their designs in comparison to previous collections, demonstrated on the adidas Solid Rugby Shirt with taped shoulder seams and a concealed collar fastening. To achieve effortless lockdown comfort, pair the adidas rugby shirt with these wax-toned Carhartt American Script Sweatpants. Whilst accompanying skate shoes such as the adidas Matchbreak Super act as a further ode to their heritage and also portray an increased focus on quality moving forward.
Butter Goods Sun Knitted Sweatshirt | Levi's® 501® Original Fit Jeans | Garden Zip Pocket Tote Bag | Nike SB Blazer Low Pro GT
Taking the upper hand when it comes to easy-going layering for spring, knitted sweatshirts have been favoured with statement artwork and all over prints. As a nod to the warmer weather ahead and brands consciously choosing natural fibres over synthetic blends in support of more sustainable production, styles such as the 100% cotton Butter Goods Sun Knitted Sweatshirt take centre stage this season with sun inspired artwork incorporated using a jacquard-knit technique. With its bold look, we suggest pairing any stand out knitwear with classic denim; and you can’t get any more classic than the Levi's® 501® Original Fit Jeans with an on-trend light stonewash effect. Necessary for those essential shopping trips, Edinburgh-based Garden have provided us with one of the most practical tote bag designs of the season with an inner zip secured compartment suitable for storing your wallet, mask and keys.
Pop Trading Company Safari Vest | Hockey Allens Inferno Long Sleeve T-Shirt | Carhartt Elmwood Pants | Stussy Outdoor Panel Bucket Hat | adidas Forum 84 Low ADV
Promoting function over fashion, references to practical cargo and utility designs remain paramount within new collections as climbing-belt waistbands and multiple pockets are used to add a distinctive adventure-ready character to essential styles. As a hybrid of ‘90s and in-nature styling, bucket hats continue to be reinterpreted to create variations like this one from Stussy, with lightweight fabric options and embroidered artwork, in addition to versatile vests and trousers with similar aesthetics. Following a neutral colour scheme, our picks for spring in connection with utilitarian trends sees the Pop Trading Company Safari Vest paired with the Carhartt Elmwood Pants as two pieces that will offer a vast amount of compact storage against cuts chosen with movement in mind. Bringing a modern edge to the outfit, the adidas Forum 84 Low ADV carries a similar focus of function but brings the look away from the great outdoors with a chunky silhouette that has been adapted from an archival basketball classic and re-engineered for skateboarding.
Converse Utility Printed Shirt Jacket | Tired x Thrasher Cover Logo T-Shirt | Butter Goods Overdye Denim Work Pants | Parlez Charlton Beanie | Last Resort AB Eyes Socks | New Balance Numeric 306 Jamie Foy
Presenting a familiar look for go-to interchangeable skate styling but with an alternative contemporary spin, the Converse Utility Printed Shirt Jacket expands upon typical plaid shacket styles with a unique, integrated tartan pattern across its 100% cotton body and sleeves. Pairing skate-focused designs, the Tired x Thrasher Cover Logo T-Shirt pays homage to two great names within skateboarding, whilst the hardwearing Butter Goods Overdye Denim Work Pants offer a combination of a relaxed baggy fit that is both popular for skateboarders and in tune with current trends. Easy to tuck into your pocket when the temperature rises, knitted beanies such as the Parlez Charlton Beanie remain a true staple as we transition into summer, alongside skate shoes equipped with durable, performance led finishes - demonstrating this perfectly, the low-key finish of the New Balance Numeric 306 includes elements at its core selected by Jamie Foy himself.
Levi's® Red Tab™ Mason Minimalist Jacket | The Quiet Life Script Hoodie | Gramicci Corduroy Gramicci Pants | Nike SB Multiplier Socks | Stepney Workers Club Dellow Cordura
Until winter is fully behind us, hard-wearing corduroy textures, cosy sherpa fleece and weather-resistant performance fabrics will have their place across everyday silhouettes to allow for extended everyday wear both on and off your board. Bringing attention to either brand’s reputation for achieving longevity and timeless styling options, the Levi's® Red Tab™ Mason Minimalist Jacket and Gramicci Corduroy Gramicci Pants utilise insulating polyester fleece and resilient cotton corduroy for hardy updates on staple, archive inspired cuts that provide the much needed balance of durability and warmth as we transition into spring. As an extension of this same focus, London based Stepney Workers Club has taken note from classic British workwear to develop a more rugged edition of their signature ‘Dellow’ model by using a performance Cordura material, renowned for its ability to stand up against abrasions, tears and scuffs.
Taking into consideration the transition into summer, the focal point of skate and streetwear for SP21 remains true to familiar relaxed styling but with noticeably considered and quality-focused updates across essential designs. Demonstrating how both large and smaller independent labels are working hard to present their ideas in consideration to the environment and consumer demands, without jeopardizing their established style or associated reputation, this year is set to be a progression upon the realisations and self expressions of 2020.
