LIKE IT OR NOT, TRACKSUITS ARE A LUXURY STAPLE

by Jason Owusu-Frimpong 2 years ago

by Jason Owusu-Frimpong 2 years ago 5min

“I link my clientele in my tracksuit”… Headie One’s appreciation for a co-ord for any occasion in his 2018 song Tracksuit Love, couldn’t be a truer expression of our lives today. It’s as if he already knew. Being confined to only the comfort of our homes in the recent seasons, has only caused our love for tracksuits to grow even stronger. Now we are indeed linking with clientele via zoom calls & socially distanced meetings, shopping for groceries, working out and taking walks, all in our beloved tracksuits.

Just like Headie’s narration in the timeless tune, tracksuit designs are being upgraded each season. The well-thought out prints and cuts are making those joggers & hoodies standout and standalone pieces, fit for the runway. It’s clear too, that brands have adapted and caught on. Now the variety in trackies has branched out of basic sportswear, into much more luxurious and elaborate design options. We’re being spoilt with choice, with endless numbers of ‘suits’ for different occasions.

Of course, we’ll never give up on a staple Nike Tech Fleece, or a Trapstar set – with its signature Irongate font. They’ve never failed us, we get it. Also, Juicy Couture and Baby Phat velour tracksuits, worn by Kylie Jenner, always bring on a nostalgia we appreciate. But of course, we welcome new options. There’s no longer anything wrong with having a diverse roster, fit for every dress code. Luxury and well-designed options make wearing tracksuits all the more justifiable. Plus, splashing a considerable sum on a matching pair of designer jogging bottoms and jacket doesn’t hurt so bad any more. Tracksuits are essential in this new era of luxury.

Take Riccardo Tisci’s Burberry, for example. The designer has tapped into a new sleek, strong and youthful approach for the tracksuit. It’s an approach that has slowly become a music video staple in the UK. You could easily trade your smart casual wear for a new season fitted black tracksuit, with the modern “TB” motif top and bottoms, or perhaps bold “Burberry” graphic applique joggers. Not forgetting the option that’s topped off with a touch of Burberry Brit heritage, which sees the vintage check in panels down the side. You can’t go wrong with these.

Of course, we’ve all come across the Fear of God “Essentials” neutral coloured tracksuit. You know, the hoodie, jumper or fleece with joggers – emblazoned with the same words in bold, along with an almost-seamless, relaxed finish on a high thread count cotton. Seeing it on everyone shouldn’t put you off experiencing that kind of comfort for yourself. The sets speak for themselves in that they are an essential; undeniably perfect for the brisk commute or day to day errands. Perhaps, you could argue it’s even a style perfect for relaxing in (and yes, we dress up just to relax now).

Rhude’s SS21 dreamy cream jogging bottom and quarter-zip sweatshirt set is an edgier and suave take on that same vibe. With the same luxury cotton feel and elongated drawstring (only a bit more rockstar-ish) you can easily split up the tracksuit and pair the bottoms with a cardigan or relaxed shirt.

Still don’t believe the hype? Pharrell and Kanye’s go-to Cactus Plant Flea Market may provide that same comfort you’re looking for, with some fun attached. Their range of puff print logos – including smiley faces and tongue in cheek quips – could keep you cosy in the summer breeze. Plus, it could turn out to be a really cool ice breaker in the shopping line.

Enter the rising star of tracksuits: Needles. Hailing out of Japan, this brand offers versatile pieces for our “fit pic” generation. The famous loosely hemmed tech polyester tracksuits – as worn and sometimes designed by A$AP Rocky – with a neatly pleated trouser leg, stripes on the side and a butterfly logo give a modern and acceptable update to retro sportswear. You can wear the same thing and still stay fresh, especially with the amount of colour and material variety the brand offers.

Finally, Casablanca’s tracksuit offers a crisp, rich, relaxed yet sporty feel for this new season and beyond. Picture yourself on a yacht travelling from the brand’s namesake in Morocco to shopping in Monaco and taking a tennis lesson in Cannes. Now imagine wafts of pizza and fresh lemons in the air. That is the feeling and vibe a Casablanca tracksuit gives. The brand’s tennis white and green bottom and jacket sets, made from premium high-quality materials, are the epitome of relaxed luxury.

Wearing tracksuits is now all about the mindset. The strict rulebook on when and how to wear it has been scrapped. Now, choose your occasion, then take your pick of tracksuit.