Eric Koston reflects on his '90s fashion sense, cultural influences

As legendary skateboarder Eric Koston continues to explore how skateboarding as culture—from tricks to art—intersects with the world on a larger stage (i.e. The Berrics and his current artist in residence program with Oakley in Los Angeles), he knows fashion plays a role too.

As legendary skateboarder Eric Koston continues to explore how skateboarding as culture—from tricks to art—intersects with the world on a larger stage (i.e. The Berrics and his current artist in residence program with Oakley in Los Angeles), he knows fashion plays a role too.

Even if that fashion sure has taken some unique spins.

“It is funny, what has inspired me at what time,” Koston tells SI.com. “Those were the things that were my interests at the time. Even now, though, it has come almost full circle looking back. It has been such a long time.”

Eric Koston's mission to bring skateboarding and art to the people

​What Koston wore in the early '90s gave roots to what he wears now.

“I feel like now I have been around for so long, there was some crazy gear we wore, but some of it you can take out and I do see things that were pretty sick,” he says. “Those windbreakers, if they were more fitting and not as huge as we were wearing them back then—a cleaner cut—are actually really cool. You can kind of take from old embarrassing footage and find something that is inspiring for now. It is funny how it comes full circle.”

Early in his career, Koston says basketball inspiration led his fashion, along with his days of donning Polo, Tommy Hilfiger and Eddie Bauer. But those have drifted away, giving Koston a more simplified, modern aesthetic.

Courtesy of Nike

​Now, even with his own line of signature Nike-branded skateboarding shoes, his own Fourstar clothing line and being a lead rep for Oakley sunglasses, Koston’s look still evolves organically—like it did over 20 years ago.

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“What is inspiring in my world, I take those things and that is what I like to see,” Koston says. “Whether colors, a certain cut or pattern, I’m always looking to make something different. I like variety.”

Koston just might go light on those old-school polo shirts these days.

Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.