The fashion industry is one of the most dynamic industries, as new styles and trends come out multiple times each year. Some are short-lived, but others become staples of not just the runways of the world, but of the street shops and estores as well. Streetwear, which has become almost synonymous with “sportswear”, has been “in style” for several seasons now, both in terms of men’s fashion and of women’s fashion, with two main directions: athleisure (dressy sportswear for everyday settings) and athluxury (dressy sportswear for special occasions). Because it combines style and comfort, people seem to enjoy this trend and just can’t get enough of the new streetwear fashion. Here, we will talk about how the clothes offered by men’s urban outfitters have changed lately and why they are seeking for more of it.
From the streets to red carpets
It’s not so long ago that sportswear was frowned upon by many designers and stylists, but now its popularity has made people embrace it more – especially since designers have updated it to make it look sleek and cool and not just for hitting the gym. Back in the day, sporty streetwear was part of subcultures, such as hip hop groups who would adorne their sweatshirts and sweatpants and use them as style statements. Today, however, everyone seems to be on board with this trend and even high-end brands offer joggers, oversized t-shirts and hoodies. Many celebrities even wear them on the red carpet.
The pieces
If streetwear and sportswear become more and more synonymous, people tend to think that “streetwear” is all about tracksuits. However, this is not necessarily true, as streetwear can also mean leather jackets or even casual shirts. Today’s streetwear is actually defined more by its relaxed cuts and attitude than by the pieces themselves, even though the accent is clearly placed on sporty items.
When it comes to today’s streetwear, here’s what you’ll find for the most part:
Loose sweatshirts and joggers. These items are at the core of 2019 streetwear, with many variations and styles. From classic gym sweatshirts to zip-up hoodies with leather accents on their sleeves and even colorful joggers, there is something for every taste out there – if you’re interested in sporty streetwear, of course.
Cool hats and caps. A hat or cap is a great way to add a finishing touch to an outfit and to complete your look – not to mention the practical part. This is why, streetwear fans often wear a variety of headpieces: from classic beanies to hats or baseball caps.
Comfy rompers. Yes, it seems that rompers are not just for women anymore, as you can see a good amount of people heading over to men’s romper shops in the search for a nice street onesie. Rompers are quite hard to pull off, but if you have a well-proportioned body and find a romper that fits, you can actually make it work. Men’s rompers are usually funny in terms of prints, patterns and colors, given that they are such unusual pieces for men to wear, which puts a light spin on them.
Modish puffers. Men’s puffers were very much in style in the early 2000s, but now the trend is to wear a puffer that is sleek and light, but which provides you with the same warmth as the big puffers of the last decade. Puffers are usually a good choice in the cold season, but you can also wear them on a warmer day, with just a long t-shirt underneath.
The shoes show. Style and comfort are what defines the new streetwear, but the same characteristics go for shoes as well. Recently, more and more brands offer shoes that cannot be clearly put in one category or they other: they are dressy, yet casual at the same time, which makes them versatile enough to worn with both a sporty look and a more dressed-up look. For example, the quilted high-top sneakers from Differio have a design that works with very many looks and go well both during the day and in the evening. Your shoes can really set the tone of an outfit, which is why so many people place a lot of accent on their shoes.
Sporty streetwear is a trend that will most likely continue over the next few seasons: we’ll probably keep seeing many oversized, bulky items walking down the runways of the world, as well as in shops everywhere. What we can learn from this trend and especially from the athluxury trend, is that almost anything can be made to look good fashionwise, if you find the right fabric, the right color and, above all, the right fit.
Good fashion is supposed to offer you not just comfort and style, but also a great attitude and mood and to make you feel strong and confident – so, if you can achieve this with the help of sporty streetwear, go ahead and find the best pieces you can!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
Further reading:
Menswear trend: Couture sportswear
Style and comfort: 4 advantages of wearing a hoodie
P.S. We want to hear from you! Do you enjoy the sporty streetwear trend? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!