Skateboarders have always been fashion figures, whether they mean to be or not. Every session is a public runway, every clip a style reference. From thrifted pants to beat-up shoes and statement hoodies, a skater’s go-to fit isn’t just about comfort, it’s about identity, attitude, and dressing sharp enough to impress, on and off the board.
Inspired by their personal styles, we gave three Arab skateboards the chance to curate their perfect skating outfit, and this is what they told us.
Aram Sabbah
Aram Sabbah began skateboarding at the age of 14. He has since represented Palestine at an Olympic skateboarding qualifier, and now works as the full-time manager of Skatepal, a UK-based nonprofit supporting skateboarding communities in Palestine. Most recently, Sabbah starred as the lead in To a Land Unknown (2024), a drama film directed by Mahdi Fleifel.
Sabbah prioritizes comfort and believes in fashion on a budget. Repping both Skatepal and thrift culture. Here’s his selection:
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Shirt
SkatePal Shirt: either the Palm Tee or the Rajab Tee.
“The shirts actually mean something to me, and what’s written on them matters.”
Pants
Dickies from the thrift shop, or Carhartt from the thrift shop also.
“They’re cheap, easy to find, and their fabric quality is solid. They will protect you if you accidentally slip while skating.”
Sneakers
Adidas Superstar
“They’re comfortable, super durable, and available worldwide in bulk. You’ll come across them more often which means you can probably get them for cheap.”
Accessories
CHPO Sunglasses + SkatePal Cap
“If I’m wearing a hat, it’s definitely a SkatePal one, the orange sun cap.
If I’m wearing sunglasses, I go with CHPO, because honestly they’re sharp and can handle some abuse.”
Aram also explained that while a thrifted fit can come out clean and dialed in, SkatePal tees are different. “You won’t find those at the thrift… hopefully after a very long life, you will.” He also shared his hopes for the future, saying he’s working on starting a skate clothing brand in Palestine in the near future.
Dania Galal
Dania Galal has been part of Egypt’s Skateimpact community since the age of 10. Most of her skateboarding journey has unfolded on the streets of Alexandria, which she describes as “epic,” offering her a unique way to engage with Egyptian material culture through board cruises.
Her go-to outfit is a mix of all her favorite clothing pieces. While she tries to keep an ethical approach to fashion, she still proudly reps a metal band she doesn’t even listen to.
Shirt
Obscure Metal Band Tee (Sleeves removed, obviously)
“My favorite shirt to skate in is merch from the metal band Blood Incantation, which I don’t actually listen to. A friend of mine gifted it to me as he accidentally ordered two instead of one, so he says. I didn’t know the band, but I listened to the album so I’d feel less like a poser. And of course, you know I had to cut off the sleeves, although that gives me fewer T-shirt options for the winter.”
Pants
The Baggiest Possible Military Green Cargos
“These are always a go-to of mine. I happen to be wearing them every time I skateboard because I wear them almost every day anyway. They would be more swag in camo print, but it is essential that I uphold an ethical facade — the military green is already pushing it.
They are comfy and easy to move in, although I am constantly having to pull them up as they constantly slip beneath my sneakers.
I cut off the ends recently, and they fit better. To me, these are the ideal pair. One million pockets that hold my phone, my keys, my charger, my tobacco, my energy drink, tangerines, and more. I do not need to wear a backpack if I am wearing them, and that is the ultimate freedom.”
Sneakers
Gray Converse Sport Casual
“Frankly, I don’t really care which shoes I wear as long as they are grippy and already worn in.”
Hoodie
Denimatic Hoodie
“The final piece is a charcoal grey Denimatic hoodie I took from my younger brother. It’s by the Egyptian brand Denimatic. Extremely comfortable, the cut is perfect, and it completes the fit.”
Donia rounded off her go-to skate fit by describing it as a combination of all her favorite clothing items. Her beloved pants are “pretty teared up, not too much considering how often I wear them, but that is a part of the swag.” She emphasized that swag is essential in skateboarding, explaining that “when you feel swag, you feel free. And skateboarding is about freedom and swag!”
Hakiem Barakat
Hakiem Barakat has been skating for ten years now. He was introduced to skateboarding at 13 years old when 7Hills opened a skate park right in front of his house in Amman. Since then, he has been part of 7Hills Park crew, a non-profit organization based in Jordan.
On a daily basis, Hakiem goes through a lot of clothing, but he keeps his selection practical; going for whatever‘s ready in his closet.
Shirt
Vintage Shirt
“The shirt has to have a large fit, and you always need a spare because you’re going to fall. If it’s winter time, you’d better layer up, but I usually end up peeling stuff off once I warm up. I try to wear the same shirt so I don’t end up staining my entire closet.”
Pants
Baggy Carhartt
“Comfort is key, but they need to have a baggy silhouette for skating. In winter, I switch to insulated ones.”
Sneakers
Nike SB Blazer
“I wear Nike SB Blazers or sometimes Nike Dunks. Right now, I’m skating in New Balances because I keep wrecking my sneakers.”
Accessories
Carhartt Beanie
“Recently, I’ve been getting into caps and beanies. And a Carhartt beanie is just a classic.”
Hakiem also mentioned that he’s a big fan of Ramz Embroidery’s Palestinian flag embroidered tee, which is “very precious so I only skate wearing it occasionally.” For everything else, he mostly shops at Zawyeh Vintage in Amman.
Pop Culture Editor-At-Large at Complex MENA.
