How to wear your tracksuit?

The tracksuit in Great Britain 

In Great Britain, the tracksuit had a rough start. Badly perceived, it represented violence. At the time, it was worn by the Casuals, dandies, and hooligans community. A community that aimed to break the codes in the 70s. Tracksuits were quickly adopted by the Casuals, a violent community back then. The tracksuit also carried a connotation linked to violence. It took several years to separate from that image.

Put on your jogging pants

You check the side of the label to see if it’s not inside out, then you put your left leg on the left side and your right leg on the right side. Well, seriously, the tracksuit was first worn in 1932 at the Los Angeles Olympics. A simple set, with a fleece crew neck sweater and wool pants. It was the ancestor of what we know today! The one we all know now was first marketed by Adidas. It was worn by football player Franz Beckenbauer. In 1968, the tracksuit appeared in a historically famous photo where Tommie Smith and John Carlos saluted the Black Panthers. It was at that precise moment that jogging took two different paths, one towards the United States and the other towards Great Britain. 

The tracksuit in the United States

In the United States, it was used by athletes and quickly became mainstream. During the birth of Hip-Hop, when gang conflicts in the Bronx were replaced by dance battles, the tracksuit found its place in urban culture. It was proudly worn by Joseph SIMMONS, Darryl Mac Daniels, and Jam Master Jay, while Coco Chanel created her famous yachting pants, a sporty suit inspired by racing and tennis in France.

Wearing your tracksuit well

After this history lesson, let’s get back to the main topic. Comfortable and stylish, the tracksuit will manage to seduce the whole world, the famous sweatshirt, cap, sneakers, will go everywhere. The tracksuit has made its place in the streetwear world. But you still need to wear it well. Here are some tips for that.

First, choose a pair of sneakers carefully. To avoid a sloppy look, avoid choosing a tracksuit that is too big or too wide for your body shape. Wearing a tracksuit well also means paying attention to the balance between top and bottom. Example: if you wear sarouel pants, make sure the top is not too loose, as it can quickly shorten your silhouette. For you girls, wearing a tracksuit that is too tight can quickly become vulgar. 

You like patterns, colors but don’t dare to wear them out? Here are some tips: 

The patterns and/or colors of the top and bottom must perfectly match. The opposite could hurt the eyes. Consider wearing a plain top to balance the outfit. A polo shirt will do very well. 

You want a comfortable and classy outfit at the same time? With the tracksuit, it’s possible. Velvet will give a little chic side. Make sure the crotch falls well and is not too tight. To get an elegant style, you can wear black, gray, or white bottoms. Choose to accompany your set with a plain t-shirt. Comfortable and versatile, it will be the perfect top for your tracksuit. 

In winter, you can add a parka or a well-structured coat. Play on the sense of detail, on contrasts. Contrary to what one might think, the tracksuit goes quite well with suit pieces. The coat, for example, will match wonderfully with a tracksuit set. Denim, on the other hand, can be your tracksuit’s best ally. You could play with its fluidity and the stiffness of denim. Don’t hesitate to mix textures.

You got it, the tracksuit can now be worn in several contexts. You just have to choose it well when buying, and match it well. 

And you will have a super unique and urban style. Don’t hesitate to give us your opinion and share your tips!