Thugged Out and Fluoro: Snowboardin Style Gone Mad?

[sinbad]

Evening Ladies,

I'd be interested to get a female opinion on this article that we've just posted on http://www.SnowSphere.com.

It's all about how snowboarding fashion seems to look a lot like ski fashion did a few years ago, and also looks at the rise of "Gansta Snowboarders" and Fluoro.

The article is somewhat contreversial and opinionated.

Let me know what you think...

Read Here: Snowboarding Fashion Gone Mad?

[tas]

A good read. The last couple of paragraphs sum it up perfectly for me. I find the attitudey kids (and some adults) with 'all the gear and no idea' amusing but then maybe thats cos I'm an old fart too!!

tas

[snojenn]

I read the article this morning and have been thinking about it this afternoon. Here's my two cents.

I'm def not up on the latest styles, my gear is older, and so am I when compared to the younger set. Yet I find his stance abit hypocritical. Really ,does it make you a better snowboarder if your gear is old? I don't think so. Just like (as he's pointed out, it doesn't necessarily make you a better snowboarder if you have new gear) I think snowboarding gear and style is like anything else in life. You make choices based on your personality. How is it really any different than having a wild hair colour or dressing a certain way because that's what appeals to you. Isn't the whole snowboard culture about being yourself? If neon green appeals to you, go for it. If it doesn't then don't buy it. There are more choices than ever for outer wear so why shouldn't people have fun with it. (esp if you are like us in Canada and wear your winter coat for practically 8 months of the year!)

As for his statement about those people that have all the gear and no clue, well I understand because I've met some of them before and seen them on the hills but again I think you are going to have those people in any sport or any profession. That's just life. I think he's perched up there on his soap box and needs to come down with the rest of us. If he truely believes that snowboardind is ultimately about having a good time then he needs to stop worrying about silly stuff like what the kid in the lift line ahead of him is wearing.

[ever]

It's an interesting article. The opinions are extreme, the author seems to be offended by some of the fashions, while I don't like some of them I don't really care too much what others choose to wear. Most of the stuff they're moaning about isn't impractical in any sense. Bandanas: keep the wind chill on the face down a little; peaked beanies: keep your ears warm and the sun out your eyes, nothing wrong with that. OK, never quite got the low trousers thing, when I've asked about it, they admit getting snow down them is a problem, laugh and say it mixes things up a bit and gives them even less incentive to fall - each to their own eh? I like the yellow trousers and helmet, wouldn't choose to put the whole yellow outfit together, but do like a bit of colour coordination.

[DeathonaStick]

I reckon it's a case of 'whatever' - if what people are wearing looks daft I get a good laugh at them

I won't condemn them for it - I probably look silly to them in my old scabby gear

So I'll just point and laugh, and have a slightly better day for it

Let's face it, a day on the mountain without spotting a few fluoro one pieces on two planks isn't a proper day's boarding

[emmielou]

it's well written, and his opinion, but i dont really know what the problem these days is with people wanting to spend money on their clothes and gear!
i personally spend a fortune on clothes - snowboarding or otherwise, but thats my problem - if i want to go out and spend a couple hundred quid on new gear, i worked for that money and i should be able to. I like to wear what 'I' think is fashionable (although i think a lot of the leeds fashionista's i live around would disagree) on and off the mountain!

This year i went away with a mate, who although she had only riden twice, knew she loved it and spend a fortune on new gear (board, boots bindings, clothes etc) so for that week i guess she looked like one of those 'all the gear - no clue' people the writer hates....but you know what, she was warm, had boots and board that were right for her and was happy. again, it was her cash, if thats what she wants to spend it on, then so be it! She rides once a week now and the gear has been well used. How do you know these people you mock, aren't just like her?!?

So what if some people look fools in their une-pieces/matching pants-jacket combo's/peaked beanie (which i love!)/excentric stylings just look about you, wouldn't things be really dull if everyone wore the same style pants and a colour co-ordinated jacket (but not one that matched! obviously!).

I think its great we have these choices, styles to choose from and i think that any money spent in the industry can only be a good thing!

[tas]

Have I misread this article? The writer says in the last paragraph of the article wear what you want, but speak with your snowboarding. I thought he was having a go at those people who buy all the gear but for all the wrong reasons ie because they want to fit in with the snowboarding 'scene' but don't really care about what snowboarding is about.

[sinbad]

Thanks for everyone's comments on this.

The article caused quite a bit of chat on various snowboarding forums - so we've written a little "sum up" about who said what.

You can read that here: SnowSphere Fashion Article Causes Stir

If anyone feels strongly enough to write a reprisal article - we'd be happy to take a look and publish it on the site.

cheers

[cuan]

Oy vey !

Snowboarding was born a rebel and a misfit with a '[Censored] off' attitude!
This has obviously changed with the mainstream-ification of the 'sport' but no matter what, the rebel attitude will always remain a part of the scene.

So what if we rock around in obnoxious colors, flashy gear and with an attitude ?
You yourself say that for you, snowboarding is not about fashion but having fun ! So why all the grief ?

Lay off the bitterness and do what the rest of us are doing, irregardless of what gear we're wearing, having fun!
I assure you banana-man-in-head-to-toe-yellow-2019-yet-to-be-released-cause-I-got-it-flowed-from -my-mate-who's-a-rep and the-guy-in-gear-pre-dating-snowboarding-in-the-Olympics are going to enjoy the first tracks in the glades that patrol opened just 2min ago..

You on the other hand? I don't know, you seem to be too preoccupied by something quite pointless.

Seriously mate, chill and enjoy the riding. That's what the rest of us are doing while you get your knickers in a twist.

Powder to the people !

[hot_toddygal]

My goodness. I never notice what folks are wearing.

If I'm riding I'm checking my line, or if I'm in a line/on a lift I do admit I'm lookin' at other folks boards to see what they're riding, and then I may ask them about it.