There’s A New Rendition Of The Athleisure Trend That We’re Loving
by CHRISTABEL TEO /
May 2, 2018
Now that we’ve all figured out what athleisure is (read: gym clothes that look okay beyond the gym), a new trend blurs the line between sportswear and fashion further. Christabel Teo breaks down the pseudo “I’m an athlete/fitness fanatic” look.
The OG
Photo: everettcollection.com
Melanie Chisholm aka the Sporty one from Spice Girls was the poster child of athletic chic in the ’90s and early aughts with a wardrobe that was centred on tracksuits, sweatpants, cropped tops, soccer jerseys and sneakers.
The sports x fashion tie-ups
It’s no longer simply about co-opting the look. These days, fashion houses are teaming up with makers of activewear, coming up with their own, or adapting everything from sporting logos to fabric (yep, Dri-Fit).
Gucci’s done ironic brand logos before, but for Pre-fall, it makes legit sports merch thanks to a tie-up with Major League Baseball (no spoofing here). The world-famous Yankees logo lands on a series of baseball caps and beanies – a primer to a full-on collaboration of apparel and accessories that will launch in F/W ’18.MSGM’s first womenswear collaboration with fellow Italian sportswear brand Diadora is a hypebae-chick take on late ’70s tennis gear, with items such as sweatbands, thick-sole sneakers and foil jackets.French label Koche has once again (its second time) tied up with soccer club Paris Saint-Germain for Pre-fall. This outing sees the fashion brand repurposing football kits into spliced up tracksuits, asymmetrical dresses and patchwork lace frocks.Fila is more known for kitting out tennis stars on the court, but its collaboration with Korean street brand D-Antidote is more of a #throwback to a dream ’90s wardrobe comprising bucket hat, sporty midriff-baring top, oversized bottoms and chunky trainers.Giambattista Valli’s debut activewear line puts a demi-couture spin on athleisure style with neoprene tracksuits emblazoned with macrame stripes, and boxing-style hoodies trimmed in ivory shearling.
The Buys
Which of the following fun-looking pieces can you actually hit the track/field/gym in? (Actually, only one, but don’t let that stop you.)
