Athleisure, athluxury—sporty style is reaching a fever pitch this summer with coveted collaborations (Nike and Jaquemus) and fresh runway references (Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga) offering new perspectives on how to incorporate elements of your favorite sport into an everyday lineup.
Stepping out in a matching set? How 2020 of you! The way to play this fashion field is to anticipate—and embrace—the unexpected. If you’re training for the marathon, why not drop hints that race day is approaching in teeny-tiny track shorts? Think of it as a more athletically-minded take on the trend, with metallic accents that hint at the foil blankets distributed at the finish line.
Gearing up for football season—whichever sport that means to you? Drum up the cheer in an old (or new) jersey and office-ready trousers. Not afraid to change the game? Team track pants and hoodies with opposing mates—like a pleated skirt—for an unlikely winning combo.
Comfy, cool, and classic at once, the beauty of sporty style lies in its mutability. Chances are you already have many (if not all) of the MVPs in your closet—sweatpants and shorts, oversized polo shirts, vintage championship tees are already staples in a sporty wardrobe. It’s just playing with different styling techniques for surprise effect that comes next. No need for a warm up, we’re here with the assist with seven looks that are effortless to recreate.
Tour de France! Cyclist Kit
Pedal pushers might seem a better choice for riding an actual bike, luckily, this look requires no extra set of wheels to make heads spin. Cruise into the look with a fitted jersey and wraparound shades; a midiskirt and kitten heel pumps elevate the look.
The Home Team
No favorite player to rep? Names and numbers are optional, but you can still show support in a team color (red and white for Atlético Madrid) or anything with graphic stripes.
Acing Tennis Whites
Bring the country club look into the streets with inspiration from Miu Miu’s 2022 fall show. Stay on theme in crisp tennis white, including a fitted polo (Nike if you’re stepping off the court; Sandro if you’re just here for the vibes) and a sweet skirt. Ballet flats and crew socks give it a girlie, runway-approved finish.
Gym Shorts
Liven up a track classic with metallic and leather accents. A polo shirt and fitted jacket add welcome polish for those who don’t spend their Saturday mornings doing laps around the park and measuring their VO2 max.
Rugby Stripes
The rugby stripe seen on various spring/summer 2024 collections (Dries Van Noten, Miu Miu) has a preppy bent; the colors are more muted as opposed to garish. Ground them with solid colored separates like a strong coat or white sneaker. If your style M.O. is the more stripes the merrier, who are we to draw the parting line?
Team Spirit
No need to have a home team to enjoy the camaraderie. For a “same but different” kind of energy, opt for an upcycled logo dress from Marine Serre, or a spliced long-sleeve from Conner Ives—both known for reworking vintage sportswear into one-of-a-kind creations that can be dressed up or down.
Warm Up Wear
Give a roomy hoodie feminine flair by styling it with a pleated skirt or minidress. A big tote or two (You’re headed places! You have things to carry!) and black-out shades complete the ‘fit.
Track Pants
Eschew the two-piece set for something a little more playful, like a summer knit with track pants. Team it up with a fresh pair of kicks, like Nike’s soccer shoes. Beaded jewelry allows you to lean into season’s youthful energy.
Preppy Polos
Take a walk down memory lane with Louis Vuitton’s fall 2022 collection. Florals, rugby stripes, and ruffles might not seem like they belong in the same sentence, but when styled together, the various layers and silhouettes make for a fun, harmonious clash.
Sports Jerseys
Menswear designer Martine Rose’s fall collection—which she described as wanting to be both “empowering and fun”—gives office-ready inspiration for styling a sports jersey. Get the look with an oversized blazer, cropped short-sleeve shirt, and pointy pumps. A sleek leather bag means business.
