Humans have long been fascinated by the macabre. Be it in the form of morbid paintings or terrifying poems and plays, the image of the skeleton endures in the human psyche as both an inspiration and a concrete memento mori.
Japan, for instance, has a long and rich art-history of embracing the gruesome, particularly during the Ukiyo-e centuries. It was a theme that was often depicted in the ancient technique of Japanese woodblocking, but has transcended into other canvases - like your favorite garms.
Several pioneering labels from Japan, like Mastermind, WTAPS, and Kapital have favored skeletal graphics across multiple seasons, to such an extent that it has become synonymous with the brands and streetwear of the country. Thanks to such cult-loved outsider labels, the motif still hasn't lost its rebellious undertone.
With Halloween just around the corner and new fall/winter pieces from labels including Our Legacy, Off-White™, and Nike continuing to riff on the skeleton theme, we thought we’d pick out some of the best bare-bone bits around right now.
Shop the best skeleton clothing and accessories of the season below.
Hatton Labs Bones Ring
Hatton Labs' Bones Ring is handcrafted from solid sterling silver and features bone-like engravings throughout. The open-band construction adds a twist to the understated accessory.
Our Legacy Coco Shirt
Silk shirts are already cool, but black silk shirts with a skeleton riding a flaming Harley with his middle finger up? Our Legacy's just different that way. Arguably this season's best shirt, Halloween or no Halloween.
Stolen Girlfriends Club Silver Skeleton Ring
Stolen Girlfriends Club offers up this sterling silver signet ring with macabre embellishment. A carved skeleton prays with a black onyx stone hovering above. A logo engraving to the inner band finishes this highly detailed ring.
Nike Air Force 1 Low
Released on October 28th, Nike’s Air Force 1 “Orange Skeleton” features an orange leather upper detailed with an x-ray footprint to either side. Alongside the eye-catching upper, a translucent, glow-in-the-dark sole unit rounds out this future classic.
Kapital Dogi Indigo-Dyed Pants
Japanese cult-favorite Kapital has monopolized the skeleton-print space for many years now, and it's not hard to see why. The Dogi Indigo-Dyed Pants are crafted from Japanese Sashiko which is a cotton fabric with an unmistakable texture.
Our Legacy Wool Popover Sweater
Our Legacy’s Fall/Winter ’20 collection features the relaxed draping of premium materials that we’ve come to expect from the Swedish brand, but a welcome development this season was the presence of skeletons. This oversized knit sweater should see you through a swashbuckling winter season.
Kapital Ashbury Embroidered T-Shirt
Featuring an embroidered ripped American flag to the chest, the Ashbury T-shirt is a punk-flavored take on a tie-dye tee. The pastel pink tie-dye is tinged by black while the reverse of the T-shirt boasts a ribcage, spine, and shoulder blades to be proud of.
Off-White™ Pascal Skeleton iPhone 11 Pro Max Case
A woman, decked out in full Off-White™ womenswear no less, is being reluctantly dragged away by a skeleton to the reverse of this iPhone 11 Pro Max case. This depiction has, throughout history, been one of the worst omens. Hopefully, it bears a brighter future for your iPhone 11's safety.
Off-White™ Skeleton Print Hoodie
Virgil's signature Arrows motif punctuates the back of this clean hoodie from Off-White™, but this time around the arrows are partially covered by a weeping skeleton. Dark, eh?
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