Here’s an in?depth ~1,000?word article about Empyre Clothing—its origins, aesthetic, culture, design philosophy, sustainability efforts, and more.
1. Origins & Heritage
Empyre Clothing first emerged in the early 2000s as an in?house or “house” brand of Zumiez, a U.S.-based action-sports and streetwear retailer. Zumiez, founded in 1978, became known for skateboarding, snowboarding, and youth culture, and Empyre was developed to provide customers with affordable, stylish staples aligned with that ethos (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC).
Originally focused on skateboarding and surf audiences, Empyre offered denim, graphic tees, hoodies, and cargo pants built to balance rugged functionality and urban style . Over time the brand expanded well beyond hardcore skaters, evolving into accessible streetwear for fans of alternative, skate, and music-influenced fashion .
2. Signature Style & Design Philosophy
At its core, Empyre’s aesthetic blends skate heritage, vintage nods, and modern streetwear sensibility. Expect:
- Graphic tees & hoodies with bold prints, pop-culture themes, grunge-punk and skate-inspired graphics (scholarsglobe.com, All Dogs Sports Park, LLC)
- Loose, relaxed fits in jeans, corduroy, cargo-style pants, and joggers suited to skating or casual wear (Team Cnut)
- Flannel button-ups, overshirts, and layering pieces mixing grunge, skate, and everyday fashion mashups
- Outerwear & windbreakers featuring functional cuts and street-ready graphics (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC)
- Accessories—beanies, hats, bags, socks—often echoing apparel graphics or skate motifs (segisocial.com)
Empyre’s visual identity centers around creativity, individual expression, and urban artwork vibes, drawing from music, skate, and art scenes. Despite trend cycles, many styles are designed for timeless wearability (segisocial.com).
3. Product Catalog
Empyre’s product offering spans:
- T?shirts & graphic tees: pop culture references, street art motifs, bold logo branding—often in 100% cotton fits
- Hoodies & sweatshirts: pullover and zip?up styles with bold graphics or minimalist logos; cozy, casual staples (segisocial.com)
- Pants & shorts: jeans, cargo pants, corduroys, joggers, board shorts—focused on movement and durability (hituponviews.com)
- Outerwear: windbreakers, lightweight jackets, water-resistant pieces designed for street or park sessions (Reddit)
- Accessories: caps, beanies, backpacks, belts, socks carrying the brand’s graphic identity (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC)
Product pricing is generally budget?friendly: tees often range from US?$20–30, hoodies and long sleeves around $40–60, and pants typically in the $40–80 range depending on style and embellishments .
4. Skate Culture & Street Influence
Empyre is deeply rooted in skate culture as part of the Zumiez ecosystem. Its early items were meant to meet the needs of skaters: heavy-duty fabrics, relaxed silhouette, durability for tricks—paired with a rebellious visual flair (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC).
However, it remained budget-centric and Mall?retailer tied. Many skaters perceive Empyre as less authentic due to its Zumiez ownership—some criticize product quality or accuse it of “selling out” skate cred for mass appeal (Reddit). One skater bluntly noted: “Empyre is like a sell?out Zumiez company… cheap polar big boys rip?off mall pants” (Reddit).
Still, Empyre retains broad appeal—especially among younger consumers seeking street?ready graphics and comfort over heritage skate credibility. A Reddit user quipped: “Hell yeah my Empyre jeans are the most comfortable ones I have. Especially for skating” (Reddit).
5. Quality & Consumer Feedback
Consumer feedback on Empyre’s quality is mixed. While many appreciate the low cost and style, others report durability issues. Complaints include ripped seams on first wear, fragile denim, and short-lived reinforcement—even on items tagged as “double?knee” cargos .
One user commented:
“I rip a brand new pair of $70 pants […] would happen on 3 pairs including cargo double knees…” (Reddit)
Another weighed in:
“Empyre pants, first wear ripped down the ass. All the way to my left leg… paid $90… not impressed” (Reddit)
Still, others find the pricing fair and the comfort satisfying, especially if they rotate quickly through trends.
6. Sustainability & Ethical Practices
In recent years Empyre has made efforts to embrace sustainability, in line with consumer demand:
- Eco-friendly materials: Using organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other lower-impact fabrics in select lines
- Ethical manufacturing: Collaborating with factories that maintain fair labor practices, safe work environments, and responsible sourcing (Fashion Paper)
- Durability focus: While mixed reviews exist, the brand emphasizes long-lasting construction to reduce waste over time
Though Empyre hasn’t made sweeping claims like full carbon neutrality, it is stepping toward more responsible production, echoing broader fashion industry trends (cbdvapejuce.com).
7. Community & Marketing
Empyre cultivates a sense of community through social and cultural connection:
- Partnerships and collaborations: Limited-edition drops with artists, musicians, or skaters help keep the brand culturally relevant and creative (segisocial.com)
- Social media presence: Empyre uses Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share behind?the?scenes content, customer looks, and lifestyle visuals highlighting skateparks, DIY creativity, and more
- Event sponsorships: Supports local and national skate events, amateur riders, and youth and street culture gatherings
This fosters brand loyalty among a youthful demographic drawn to self?expression, creativity, and alternative fashion.
8. Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Affordable pricing, accessible even to teen budgets.
- Graphic-forward, expressive design with skate and alternative subculture vibes.
- Comfortable and relaxed fits, often loose or oversized.
- Wide availability—sold at Zumiez stores and online, globally.
- Emerging sustainability efforts, including eco materials and ethical sourcing.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent durability—many reports of rips or seam failures, especially on heavier items.
- Perceived lack of authenticity by some skaters due to corporate ownership and mall retail origin.
- Modest premium quality compared to boutique or heritage skatewear brands.
- Sizing issues: some sizes may run small or shrink post?wash in cotton items—advice often to size up (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC, Invastor, Reddit, cbdvapejuce.com, hituponviews.com, Reddit).
9. Who Is Empyre Right For?
Empyre is a good fit if you:
- Want streetwear with bold graphics at an affordable price.
- Prefer loose?cut tees or pants that are easy to mix into skate?inspired fits.
- Are a younger consumer or entry?level streetwear shopper, especially via Zumiez.
- Value self?expression, casual comfort, and visual edge over premium materials.
- Are curious about sustainable or ethically?oriented fashion, albeit at a basic level.
It may not be ideal if you:
- Require long-lasting, tear?resistant gear for hardcore skate sessions.
- Invest in premium heritage skate or workwear labels with high-grade fabrics.
- Care deeply about small?batch craftsmanship or indie skate credibility.
10. The Future of Empyre
Looking ahead, Empyre appears focused on:
- Elevating sustainable practices—broadening eco fabric usage and ethical factory partnerships (All Dogs Sports Park, LLC, Reddit).
- Launching fresh collaborations, limited drops, and culturally expressive campaigns to stay relevant .
- Expanding digital presence, harnessing content marketing and influencer relationships to reach global streetwear audiences .
By balancing affordability, creative design, and incremental improvements in quality and responsibility, Empyre has the potential to maintain a broad appeal while elevating its reputation among newer generation customers open to both style and substance.
? Final Take
Empyre Clothing represents an accessible entry point to skate-inspired streetwear—boldly graphic, comfortably oversized, and rooted in urban fashion culture. Born inside Zumiez, it is built on affordability and youth culture authenticity, yet faces criticism over quality and brand credibility. Still, for many fans, Empyre offers an expressive, trend?aware wardrobe with room for experimentation.
As the brand moves forward, its increasing embrace of sustainability, ethical production, and creative collaborations may help it grow beyond mall?brand status. If you’re looking to infuse your wardrobe with graphic tees, relaxed pants, and alternative flair—without breaking the bank—Empyre Clothing is a brand worth exploring.
Word count: ?1,000 words.
