Sportswear

This last month we experienced one of the most highly televised sports events; The Super Bowl. Whether you watch for the commercials, the sport, or the snacks, it’s no doubt that this sporting event greatly influences us here in the US. There are so many trends that were originally used as sports paraphernalia that are now incorporated into every day fashion.

We can see the impacts of sport clothing affecting fashion in a major way just by looking at the advent and rise of athleisure wear within the last 2 decades. Athleisure was basically just clothing people wore while being active or while participating in yoga. Now “yoga pants/ leggings” can be seen on almost every street and worn by every person you can imagine. Let's take a look at some other trends and sports wear attire that also made the cut and transferred over into the mainstream.

One trend that has taken off in the last decade is the jogger. These comfortable pants have been made into a more luxury version of their former selves. Tom Brown maintains the sporty/preppy original feel of the jogger by including the stripping on the leg. They preserve comfortability with their super thick and luxurious material. These would be perfect for frolicking around the Hamptons kicking a soccer ball in the morning dew on a perfectly manicured field- you know, if you got it like that. If not you can settle for strolling around on a Sunday running errands.

While the next item may not seem that different from the last- sweat pants are a bit more versatile. Take these sweats, they have a fleece lining on the inside (so comfortable as hell) but a very fashion forward leather snake print on the outside. Again this piece cultivates a sporty feel by keeping the striping down the side of the leg. Don’t get it twisted, these pants are ready to put their best leg forward in a party situation. You’ll be able to easily transition from dancing the night away to sprinting for the last Metro before it stops running.

Tell me you are into sports without telling me you are into sports. Next we have a sports shoe both in form and style. These Adidas are made for leisure time but can cover you in those low level intensity sports. Perfect for Sunday mornings strolling around the market or the play offs of your adult kick ball league. These vintage Disney collaboration tennis shoes feature Goofy playing basketball and he looks like he’s about to dunk on these fools. The orange and green color scheme screams 90’s, and what a rare find they are. Get them here at 2nd Street Costa Mesa for thirty-nine dollars.

Next we have these Mitchell and Ness Lakers Basketball shorts. I have to say they were exceptionally soft almost blanket-esk. The sticked material would fall effortlessly as if it were a skirt due to its wide legs. While most of Mitchell and Ness styles are typical basketball jersey material these seem to have a designer like quality to them due to the heavy material. These shorts are more fashion over function because I imagine playing any sport or high movement activity would cause these to sag and fall down. Additionally due to the heavy material and low breathability they would make you very sweaty. So ball out in these shorts and treat yourself to an extravagant night.

We all remember the era when Juicy Couture velour sweatsuits reined supreme. Let's bring that fashion back! Here we see Puma doing just that. This velvety zip-up was made for the 2000’s. Even the details are reminiscent of the 00’s with the multiple zippers to allow for more zip-up options. My favorite way to wear these double zippers is having both zippers meet in the middle to give a top and bottom view of my shirt. The zippers are even more fully cemented in their 2000’s era with the zipper charms, which soon disappeared as we moved into the 2010’s.

Traditional basketball shorts can for sure rub people the wrong way, which is why there are so many rules and restrictions around wearing them to events, clubs, restaurants, etc. However, efforts have been made to make this traditionally informal item of clothing into a more fashion forward statement.

Both of these options have added something extra to make them seen as more fashionable. The red pair is reversible: in the front we have a Scotsman in the back a Preppy University type. The teal/purple pair seems like a typical jersey material basketball short until you look closer. Upon further inspection you will notice they have Supreme written throughout the design.

There are so many examples of sportswear popping up in fashion you just have to be on the look out. Next time your at a 2nd Street store let your inner Sporty Spice out and go crazy.

Written by: Kahley Hickman