Style Sport
I was thinking about my cousin today. She’s a top athlete at an Ivy League school and is always running from class to practice in sweats and slippers. Honestly, I don’t know how these kids can stay focused when they’re dressed so comfortably. All I’d want to do is curl up on a couch and take a nap.
In any event, it got me to thinking about sportswear. And I don’t mean sportswear like casual designer-label sportswear. Rather hip, fashionable clothes that sports enthusiasts can wear both on and off the field.
As with any type of sportswear, function is key. The fabrics need to be light and breathable, while the design both casual and comfortable. Each item should showcase the personality of the person in manner that suggests the clothing is fun but also wearable.
It seems that labels and companies are answering this need for practical clothing. In recent news Adidas announced that Stella McCartney would be adding dance clothing to her collection. By Fall 2007 the apparel and footwear will be available in colors and textures that are both edgy and appealing. This makes sense, as the evolving trend in dance is projected to grow even more. With shows like Dancing with the Stars and MTV’s own “Moves” produced by Jennifer Lopez, the exercise and art form is creating quite an impact. Add sportswear to this mix and you’ve got a fashion trend worth watching.
Remember the Italian activewear line Ellesse? A while back the company collaborated with Brit design duo Eley Kishimoto to create a collection of tennis themed clothing so fashionable it even had it’s own runway show on the London catwalk. The clothes incorporated style, pattern and color in a friendly yet functional way. In fact, they were so wearable and smart that women everywhere were buying them, even non-tennis devotees.
Boxing is another sport jumping on the clothing bandwagon. Everlast is trying to make it’s mark by pairing up with Norma Kamali – a designer credited with inventing the sleeping bag coat, a collection of styles created from actual silk parachutes, high heeled sneakers, and multi-use poly jersey clothing that can be worn in up to thirty variations per design. The line is sold online at boutiques like Girlshop and Shopbop and at department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom’s. Made out of comfortable and relaxed materials like polyester and spandex, the line is available in a variety of styles including dresses, leggings, skirts and jackets. That’s something every athlete or active woman could use.
Finally, it’s no secret that models know fashion. That’s why it’s not surprising that Christy Turlington is designing yoga wear for Puma. Her shoes, sandals, tops, pants, dresses, bags and accessories are available in soft, calm colors and easy shapes that suggest the woman wearing them can go from studio to store without changing a single thing. Now that’s what I call function!
