The world of fashion is witnessing a resurgence of sporty style, a trend that has been gaining momentum for the past few seasons and is poised to dominate the summer, especially with the upcoming Olympics in Paris. This resurgence can be traced back to England, where football holds a significant cultural influence, and designers like Grace Wales Bonner and Martine Rose have collaborated with Adidas and Nike, respectively, to create stylish activewear collections.
In New York, Bode’s Emily Adams Bode Aujla has launched Bode Recreation, a sub-label dedicated to activewear, which recently debuted a collaboration with Nike featuring both sneakers and ready-to-wear pieces. The current WNBA fever sweeping the nation has further fueled the popularity of sporty aesthetics.
Melanie Chisholm, better known as Melanie C or Sporty Spice from the iconic Spice Girls, is widely regarded as the cultural pioneer of this athletic fashion era. Almost three decades after the Spice Girls’ debut, Chisholm’s signature style of tracksuits, crop tops, and Nike Air Max sneakers remains highly influential. “What is so fun is that I see kids, I see grown-ups, I see all these different generations wearing these sporty clothes and I do think, Well, I had a hand in that,” Chisholm says. “Now I wish I’d kept more of those clothes, but the things I’ve kept I still re-wear, and I’ve found myself even rebuying some of the pieces I had back in the day.”
The Spice Girls’ debut music video for “Wannabe” in 1997 showcased each member’s unique personality through their distinct fashion choices. Chisholm’s ensemble, featuring bright blue Adidas track pants with neon green stripes, a shiny orange spandex halter top, and trainers, all came straight from her own closet. “At the beginning it was all of our wardrobes,” she explains. “We didn’t have any money to go out and buy things, and we didn’t even have a relationship with a stylist.”
Chisholm’s passion for sporty clothing stemmed not only from her active lifestyle but also from her upbringing in Liverpool, a working-class town where durable and comfortable clothes were the norm. Later, the raving scene of the early ’90s further solidified sportswear’s popularity. Chisholm’s post-Spice Girls career saw her briefly experiment with different styles, but she eventually returned to her sporty roots. “I don’t think I’ll ever look back now. For the rest of my days, I will be very sporty,” she declares.
This article, originally published on Vogue.com, highlights the enduring influence of Sporty Spice and the cyclical nature of fashion trends. As sporty style continues to dominate runways and street style, it serves as a reminder that comfort, individuality, and athleticism can be effortlessly chic.
