It is a well-known fact that the ancient Romans insisted that their competitors competed in the nude during some of the first Olympic games; what a sight that must have been to see. It is clear, then, that sportswear today has come a long way. Of course, it was originally designed to be completely functional with the view to maximise their performance. Nowadays, sportswear represents more of a marriage between fashion and function – it is even a streetwear style in its own right. Let’s take a look.
A Brief History
The history of sportswear as it is today first emerged around the late 19th or early 20th century. This was when clothing began to be designed for specific athletic purposes. Two women (Suzanne Lenglen and Jane Regny) are often credited as pioneers of sportswear within the fashion industry. They were somewhat prominent tennis players in Paris, and they began to design and market active wear to other women. In Britain, the need for sportswear is often attributed to the Victorian’s increasing interest in sports like croquet and tennis. In short, there was a gap in the market and an emerging need for clothing that was practical, functional and, of course, comfortable.
Initially, they were more geared towards the upper classes, being seen on those who frequented country clubs and the aristocracy. This is simply because they were far more likely to don these preppy, resort fashions. This gave way to brands like Fred Perry, which saw a transition to street style with the emergence of the British Mod Culture. The next big milestone for sportswear didn’t really happen until the 1980s when more and more people took these clothes from exclusively activewear and began to wear them outside of these pursuits.
Why is Sportswear Popular?
Today, sportswear is a street style in its own right; it is firmly a part of the fashion landscape. It is not just worn at the gym anymore. There are a couple of reasons behind its popularity. Firstly, a lot of people associate sportswear with health and an active lifestyle. Society today does have a preoccupation with health and wellness. Just look at the popularity of so-called wellness brands or how quickly the latest superfood flies off the shelf. Sportswear has become a sort of symbol for this. It communicates your status as a health and fitness guru to others at a glance.
The second reason is perhaps more straightforward; sportswear tends to be far more comfortable than other clothing. It is designed with movement and performance in mind, after all. The material has a lot more give, and it is usually softer too. It does depend on the exercise and the purpose of the clothes, but for the most part, they tend to be more breathable. For example, if you are into water sports, then the clothing and the gear is going to be different to a yoga-appropriate outfit. Although they might have more than one use, Watersports Pro has a great article on the alternative to a Dryrobe, which is a piece of kit ideal for anybody who tends to get out in inclement weather often.
Sportswear also tends to be more durable than other pieces of clothing. This is because they are designed to be high-performance. If you were to don a pair of jeans to work out in, they are likely to get ruined far more quickly than a good pair of workout leggings. These are all things that the designers of sportswear have to keep in mind when creating their clothing—that and how they can incorporate the newest trends.
Sportswear & High Fashion
The influence of sportswear and everyday fashion really should be apparent. Think about the styles that you see on the streets. Trainers, or sneakers as some people call them, are often seen as a status symbol, with people spending hundreds or even thousands on limited-edition designer trainers. Puffer jackets are also in every clothing shop at the minute, and you might be surprised to discover that they originated in the 1930s, having first been designed by Eddie Bauer, the sportswear designer. Yoga pants and flared workout leggings have also recently seen a resurgence. All-in-ones or jumpsuits, which would have been traditionally donned to workout in, have also seen an increase in their use of late. Incorporating sportswear but elevating the look with something else is often seen on models and dubbed ‘off-duty’ fashion.
Wrapping Up
Sportswear really has come a long way over the years, and it has truly fought to have its own place within the fashion industry. Popular sportswear brands have their own runway shows to debut their newest offerings and predict new trends before they hit the streets. The clothing itself is popular for a number of reasons, but the biggest is likely to be the comfort and ease that they present to the wearer.
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