When we think of urban sports, we immediately imagine skateboards, scooters and BMX-style bikes invading cities to hijack the use of street furniture. Long marginalized, they are now widely popularized. So much so that the brands once reserved for these extreme sportsmen and women now find themselves mixed in with much wiser wardrobes!
For several years now, the fashion trend has been streetwear, and more particularly that which highlights urban sports such as scootering, biking and, of course, skateboarding. Major fashion houses and advertisers are now drawing on this distinctive culture to design their collections. The 2017 collab between Louis Vuitton and Supreme, a key figure in skate culture, was one of the most important events to mark a turning point in the acceptance of this universe. While luxury and popular culture had previously seemed incompatible, they have since found common interests. A godsend for the urban sports scene, which has been able to extend its aura far beyond its borders. Today, young and old alike wear brands once reserved for skateboarders. As for the brands themselves, they have not hesitated to revise the looks of their collections, making them less bulky. Sneakers have become more minimalist, and pants more sober, to adapt to this new clientele more attracted by fashion than by sport.
For a more inclusive society
Skateboarding and other urban sports are much more than just sports: they're a lifestyle, with their own codes and language. This vector of expression and identity, which has enabled people to associate themselves with a group, has influenced many areas of society, including art, music, literature and, of course, fashion. In order to practice their sports and figures freely, these athletes needed loose, comfortable yet ultra-stylish outfits. So they turned to streetwear outfits which, until the 1980s, were worn by gangsters in the red-light districts of New York and Los Angeles. Before it was popularized, this urban style, a standard of freedom, was the symbol of a counter-culture that wanted to revolutionize the thinking of the time, notably by making society more inclusive. Today, streetwear is worn by every segment of the population. Sneakers, hoodies, oversized T-shirts, caps... who doesn't have at least one of these pieces in their wardrobe?
Shared values
Skateboarding has never been as popular as in recent years. So much so that skate parks and other facilities, victims of their own success, are struggling to accommodate new enthusiasts. As for fashion enthusiasts, whether they're on a board or not, they're falling for offbeat pieces they can play with and break away from pre-established fashions. It's hardly surprising that Project X Paris has naturally established itself in this world. Our values, in tune with the street sports scene, quickly won over enthusiasts. That's why, during a photoshoot, we wanted to showcase pieces that perfectly matched their style.
The cap: A must-have accessory on the urban scene since the '80s. In addition to its functional qualities, it's an easy way to change style. The signature cap is available in 25 different colors (amazing!) to match the rest of the outfit!
Visit tank top Ultra-stylish, it can be worn close to the body with wide-leg pants or oversized over regular jeans.
Sneakers: As in all sports, you need to be well-shod! Sneakers are a must-have item, both stylish and comfortable. Visit sneakers PXP trainer have all these qualities!
While urban fashion and street sports have long been associated with men, women, who appreciate these casual looks, also want a piece of the action. PXP hasn't forgotten them, offering them dedicated and even unisex collections. Hoodies, caps, oversized T-shirts, crop-tops and baggy jeans can be perfectly paired with ultra-stylish sneakers for gliding along on your board or long-board!
Streetwear: Glory to street art
Streetwear isn't just about dressing up. It has influenced many other forms of street art, such as graffiti, rap and hip-hop battles, slam poetry and, of course, all the other urban sports often perceived as spectacular or even extreme. While these sports were once seen as a separate trend, they are now widely democratized. In France, events such as the Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE) have been a fixture since 1997, bringing these sports to the attention of the general public. 15 years on, urban sports are more widely represented than ever, and have even made a highly visible appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games!
Full of promise, the worlds of streetwear and urban sports continue to feed off each other. We're betting they'll reinvent themselves to surprise us for years to come!