The Uncommon Threads

Grunge kings and queens don’t rule the boards anymore. These days, skaters strut more clean-cut looks too.

Skateboarding attire--shorts or pants and a T-shirt--is much more mellow, but there is always room for the extreme, complete with tattoos and out-of-the-ordinary hairdos.

Grungers show up in baggy pants, baggy shirts, baggy everything. And the degree of bagginess you choose, of course, is a personal thing. And that can change from day to day.

Clean-cutters opt for streamlined styles. Planet Earth, XYZ, Zero and Spitfire are just a few brands that are seen at the parks and on the streets.

Get in gear to climb to the mountain top.

Serious bikers do wheelies for color, color and more color. Padding is essential too. Whether you’re heading to Big Bear or your local hill, a geared-up rider sports padded spandex pants or shorts, gloves, shoes (don’t forget the clips), a streamlined helmet and the de rigueur colorful shirt.

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Having a brand name on your back doesn’t hurt. Of course, the key element for bikers is cash, since full attire costs in excess of $800.

Weekend warriors can get away for a lot less money. Fashionable mainstreamers usually wear shirts and jeans or shorts, depending on the weather.

When you’re on the tennis court, do you match up with the best?

Be it T-shirts, shorts or skirts, the right attire could help your game.

Consider the more reserved look of Pete

Sampras or Martina Hingis. For them, white is right--for more reasons than one.

White and light-colored clothing reflects the sun, when the heat is on, and cotton and natural fibers let your skin breathe, so you don’t lose your cool. On cooler days, the fibers help to keep you warm.

Of course, shoes are key to your game. They provide lateral support when you’re moving from left to right, frontcourt to backcourt.

If you’re game for a wilder look, Andre Agassi and Venus Williams might be your mavens of style. Their appeal comes from a bit more flash and dash.

If you don’t have game but plenty of chic, the stylings of Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and Target can’t be beat.