When tallying the general population for the most fashionable decade ever, the 1970s finishes near the top for most popular answer. Discos, afros, fringe jackets, headbands, bell-bottoms and everyone’s favorite style icons, Hippies, have some traces and origins in the time frame. Even if people don’t actually love all of this, they love talking about it. I definitely respect the seemingly endless cascade of noteworthy items and buzzwords and tip my hat to men in polyester suits, but my admiration for the decade stems from shirtless dudes rocketing out of swimming pools on small wooden boards. Although skateboarders now seem to be the poster boys for “cool, hip, young, rebellious fashion icons”, things got seriously lost in translation stylistically over 40 years. Board shapes and in-vogue tricks change - totally understandable. But, Nike SBs, baggy Dickies and Supreme shirts just don’t give off the same feeling. (Just to be clear, I would much rather be wearing these items when jumping down staircases.) When I was 14 I was completely enthralled/borderline obsessed with the ethereal Z-Boys and all the eventual Dogtown affiliates. Being Lebron or Kobe seemed great, but switching places with Jay Adams or Tony Alva was infinitely more appealing. Essentially inventing a globally-accepted sport and the burgeoning industry/culture that accompanied it with 1970s California serving as the backdrop sounds more like a 2005 movie plot (Obviously, Lords of Dogtown was a childhood favorite.) than a historical event. Regardless, it was something I wished I was a part of. They could surf, skate, had super long hair AND a problem with authority figures - I saw absolutely no downside. Besides the setting and notoriously innovative skills, the decade’s list of legendary skaters fostered an enviable style that lives on through photographs, films, movie remakes, and the occasional Halloween costume. The 70s notorious fashion choices are well documented and admired, but Vans, tube socks and shorts - scared of any skin remotely near the knee - are directly linked to the era’s skateboarding stars. In this case, I assume form followed function, and the outfit is a result of the decade’s logical choices and available items. Vans are an unapologetically California-based label with a waffle sole appropriate for skateboards. In that same vein, it’s the West Coast, why would you wear anything besides shorts (Corduroy was an extremely popular fabric at the time, and these photos prove even shorts fell victim.) and a t-shirt? If it’s hot, lose the shirt and look even slicker. I’m sure there are some stylistic roots in surf culture crossing over, but wetsuits will never look cool, and they can’t be worn in the streets. I also definitely consider disco a 70s sport, but platform heels and polyester suits don’t translate into proper athletic attire. As skating grew up and money poured in, the inevitable flood of sponsors and companies arrived. Bare chests quickly got replaced with Logan, G&S and eventually Alva logos. (None quite as cool as the original navy Zephyr Competition Team shirts.) I’m sure it’s considered a sad moment by many, but I’m a fiend for some well-branded commercialization, and none of the vintage team merch disappoints.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMax Theriot Archives
November 2019
Categories |