In today’s street scene, where diverse cultures intersect, one team stands out. Freestyle basketball, freestyle football, double dutch, and breakdancing – this culture-mix team, “F.B.D,” brings together players from diverse backgrounds. This time, we’ve conducted a fashion snap focusing on their “spring attire,” delving into the relationship between their individual styles and fashion.

Freestyle Football: Yu-ri & Yu-to

─Could you tell us about the key points of your outfit today?

Yu-ri : We’re freestyle footballers, so our roots are definitely in soccer. We cherish soccer culture, so our theme is “how to wear soccer in a cool way with a street sensibility.”

Yu-to: I’m also conscious of my soccer roots, and today I’m wearing Umbro shoes.

My recent obsession is tenugui (Japanese hand towels). As a Japanese person, I wanted to incorporate Japanese elements, so I wear one to get pumped up before matches and practices. This one is from a brand called “Shibi,” created by a senior I respect. I not only resonate with the brand’s concept, but I also want to represent our lifestyle by wearing items created by my friends.

Yu-ri: Using brands from close friends is our style. Lately, I’ve been focusing on “fashion that expresses the sea.” It started with my hobby of fishing, but I’m also focusing on how to express the depth of the ocean and the movement of the waves through fashion, using colors like navy, blue, and white.

─How has the culture of freestyle football influenced your fashion?

Yu-ri: Ultimately, my “love for soccer” is at the root of my shoe and apparel brand choices. I think this is a common preference among many freestylers.

Yu-to: That’s right. I also regularly wear game shirts (uniforms). I feel that it naturally becomes part of my outfits because I respect the origins of freestyle football.

─Are there any items or brands you’re paying attention to this spring?

Yu-to: Definitely “tenugui” (Japanese hand towels). I started using them last fall, and I’ve found them incredibly versatile and useful. As a Japanese person, I’ve rediscovered the significance of incorporating traditional Japanese items into my life.

Yu-ri: I’m paying attention to “XLARGE.” Their frequent releases and constant new offerings are very appealing. This spring, I’ve been wearing a cherry blossom-colored mountain parka, and I enjoyed the feeling of being in tune with the season while cherry blossom viewing. I like to reflect the colors of the sea and the seasons in my fashion, so I’ll continue to check them out.

─Could you tell us about the connection between your sport (freestyle football) and fashion, and what your preferences are?

Yu-ri: Because freestyle football involves handling the ball with your feet, there are actually quite a few restrictions on clothing. If the pants are too wide, they obstruct the ball’s trajectory, and if the clothing is excessively baggy, it gets in the way of tricks.

However, it’s precisely because of these constraints that we make discoveries like, “These brand’s wide-leg pants have tapered hems, making it easier to perform moves.” We’re constantly finding ways to express our unique style even within these limitations.

Yu-to: In my case, I’ve recently been choosing to wear shorts more often. This is to maximize the appeal of my specialty, “air moves” (stepping techniques). In serious competitions like battles, deliberately showing my legs is not only to avoid restricting movement, but also a sign of respect for my opponent. It’s a choice made to deliver the best possible performance that the audience expects.

Even when performing on stage as F.B.D, we strive for the optimal balance between fashion and performance, depending on our role and the act.

Double Dutch: Millennium Collection (ikkyon, ASUKI, SHU)

─Could you tell us about the key points of your outfit today?

SHU: Today’s theme is “orange.”I incorporated a bright color to match the warmer weather.

ikkyon: My style is inspired by “sunny weather.”

ASUKI: Lately I’ve been really into waffle fabric, and I’m wearing an item I bought in Hong Kong the other day.

─What are your fashion preferences when participating in events or battles?

ASUKI: I don’t really like performing in short sleeves, so I often choose long sleeves even when performing. Also, double dutch is a sport where you’re constantly jumping inside the rope, which puts a lot of strain on your legs, so I try to choose the lightest pants possible when battling.

SHU: When performing, I always wear some kind of headgear. Lately I’ve been collecting colorful hats and bandanas. In team showcases, I focus on styling that emphasizes each member’s individuality so that their individual solo parts stand out.

ikkyon: I pursue a solo style that blends diverse dance styles, so I don’t stick solely to street fashion; I also mix in formal items. I create outfits that allow me to project a unique presence at events.

—Are there any brands or items you’re paying attention to this spring?

ASUKI: I’m interested in short-sleeved waffle-knit items. I’d like to incorporate them into my everyday wardrobe.

SHU: I’m interested in pastel-colored items. I’m also interested in patterned items like checks and polka dots.

ikkyon: I’m checking out a brand called “HOUSE OF ERRORS.” The top I’m wearing today is from that brand.

Freestyle Basketball: RIKU & ryowa

—Could you tell us about the key points of today’s outfit?

ryowa: To create a spring-like feel, I added pink as an inner layer and created a layered style. I wanted to add color to the whole look, so I used yellow for the top and wine red for the pants. To avoid looking childish with the use of multiple colors, I paired it with a jacket and leather shoes to create a more mature look.

RIKU: I basically always wear Adidas Superstar shoes, and I choose my clothes to match them. Today, I used the subtle pink in the T-shirt logo to give it a “casual spring feel,” and put together an outfit based on green to match the season. The heart and spade embroidery on the hem of my pants is my favorite detail.

─Are there any items or brands you’re paying attention to this spring?

ryowa: As I enter my second year as a working adult, I’ve had more opportunities to re-examine my roots. That’s why I’m paying attention to the brand “SAIZON.” It’s a brand that explores Japanese roots and the spirit of “Wa” (harmony), based on things like “samue,” the training attire of Buddhist monks.

While much of modern fashion has its roots in the West, at this time of year, when a new life begins, I want to deliberately return to my own country’s culture and reinterpret it in my own way.

RIKU: I often wear Adidas clothing, but if I wear it head-to-toe, it becomes too sporty. Therefore, I prefer a style that mixes in street brands like “BoTT” to create a more relaxed look. I’m wearing it today, and I’m very drawn to the combination of sports and street style.

—Could you tell us about your fashion choices in freestyle basketball and the influences you’ve received from culture?

ryowa: Freestyle basketball is a sport where not only quantifiable evaluations are important, but also subjective evaluations such as “how sophisticated” and “how cool” something is. I believe fashion is a crucial element in creating that “coolness.”

That’s why I deeply consider not only the use of color and silhouette, but also the background and origins (roots) of the clothes, and then sublimate them into my own expression.

RIKU: I’m also particular about colors and silhouettes. In particular, I base my color choices on the “ball” I use. For example, if the ball is green and orange, I choose clothing in similar colors to match the overall color scheme.

I like oversized silhouettes, but sleeves that are too long get in the way of arm rolls (a technique where you roll the ball on your arm). So I customize my gear to ensure functionality, such as shortening the sleeves or securing the hems of my pants. My goal is to balance my preferred style with the functionality required for the sport, and to play within those constraints.

After the interview

What emerged from these snapshots was a picture of players who deeply value their own culture and roots while vividly projecting their individual sensibilities. In particular, the styling, which takes advantage of the characteristics of the sport, is not merely an imitation of trends. It reflects their precision in performance, their respect for their opponents, and their spirit of “representing” their lifestyle by wearing brands of trusted friends. Furthermore, we could sense the performer’s unique attention to detail in everything from the color of the ball they use to their choice of items to express their own style.

This fusion of functional beauty and self-expression should provide valuable hints for updating the daily wardrobe of all urban sports players. This spring, why not take inspiration from them and explore your own unique street style?