FAKE SPORTS

Now that we’ve all figured out what athleisure is (read: gym clothes that look okay beyond the gym), a new trend blurs the line between sportswear and fashion further. Christabel Teo breaks down the pseudo “I’m an athlete/fitness fanatic” look.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Now that we’ve all figured out what athleisure is (read: gym clothes that look okay beyond the gym), a new trend blurs the line between sportswear and fashion further. Christabel Teo breaks down the pseudo “I’m an athlete/fitness fanatic” look.

THE SPORTS X FASHION TIE-UPS

It's no longer simply about co-opting the look. These days, fashion houses are teaming up with makers of activewear, coming up with their own, or adapting everything from sporting logos to fabric (yep, Dri-Fit).

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1 Gucci’s done ironic brand logos before, but for Pre-fall, it makes legit sports merch thanks to a tie-up with Major League Baseball (no spoofing here). The world-famous Yankees logo lands on a series of baseball caps and beanies – a primer to a full-on collaboration of apparel and accessories that will launch in F/W ’18.

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My Reading Room

2 & 5 MSGM’s first womenswear collaboration with fellow Italian sportswear brand Diadora is a hypebae-chick take on late ’70s tennis gear, with items such as sweatbands, thick-sole sneakers and foil jackets.

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3 French label Koche has once again (its second time) tied up with soccer club Paris Saint-Germain for Pre-fall. This outing sees the fashion brand repurposing football kits into spliced up tracksuits, asymmetrical dresses and patchwork lace frocks.

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My Reading Room

4 & 7 Fila is more known for kitting out tennis stars on the court, but its collaboration with Korean street brand D-Antidote is more of a #throwback to a dream ’90s wardrobe comprising bucket hat, sporty midriff-baring top, oversized bottoms and chunky trainers.

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6 Giambattista Valli’s debut activewear line puts a demi-couture spin on athleisure style with neoprene tracksuits emblazoned with macrame stripes, and boxing-style hoodies trimmed in ivory shearling.

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THE OG

Melanie Chisholm aka the Sporty one from Spice Girls was the poster child of athletic chic in the ,90s and early aughts with a wardrobe that was centred on tracksuits, sweatpants, cropped tops, soccer jerseys and sneakers.

Mel C Photo Everettcollection.com