How sportswear took over fashion and how to embrace the trend in your everyday wardrobe
It is undeniable that 2024 has been the year of sport. From the edge-of-your-seat men's Euro cup, the endlessly chic Wimbledon tournament and of course the Paris 2024 Olympics well underway - sport is officially a part of our everyday life.
So when sportswear pieces like team football jerseys started appearing on trendy Gen Z's mood boards, items like tennis, handball, and football sneakers officially became wardrobe staples. At the same time, track pants are effortlessly styled with kitten heels and blouses for the office and beyond by the style set and Tenniscore was a trending hashtag across socials, it's become clear that sportswear has officially entered the fashion sphere.
But does this trend have legs? Where did it come from? Are we heading into a fashion space where the lines between athleisure and style are becoming increasingly blurred? And if this trend resonates with you, how can you pull it off with style?
The history of sport in fashion
To be clear, this is certainly not the first time fashion has taken inspiration from the world of sports.
Equestrian style has long been spotted in the collections of luxury designers such as Ralph Lauren and Gucci with their iconic Horse Bit motif on bags, shoes and suits.
In 2010 Jean Paul Gaultier's Hermès Fall 2010 RTW show in Paris saw models saunter down the runway in elegant tennis-inspired wear, including a white Birkin with attached ball bag.
American football has been interpreted as ornately painted shoulder pads in Alexander McQueen's Spring 2005 RTW, a sequined football jersey at Tom Ford in 2014 and throughout various Thom Browne collections.
Sport in fashion today
The past two years have seen a serious uptick in sports motifs being featured throughout prominent designer's collections.
In 2022, luxury car brand Ferrari debuted their first runway show with clear nods to their involvement in the (extremely chic) sport of Formula 1 racing. Miu Miu leant into the Tenniscore of it all with their AW22 show and British designer, David Koma, featured elements of football and rugby in his own collection that year.
At Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri featured elements of motocross style in the FW22 collection, and her most recent Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show, which was specifically inspired by Olympians and athletics, had floor-to-ceiling murals of female sporting figures by the late Faith Ringgold line the runway.
Perhaps nothing resonated more with the public than Loewe’s (the hottest brand of Q2 2024 according to The Lyst Index) Jonathan Anderson being tapped to design the costumes for the viral sexy tennis drama starring fashion darling Zendaya. The subsequent press tour was filled with tennis-themed outfits curated by Law Roach, which set the fashion world abuzz. Loewe’s collaboration with performance sportswear brand On was a clever move to further enter the sportswear space as a luxury brand.
How is sportswear being worn in street style?
Sportswear has expertly made its way into the world of street style and high street fashion. You'll find now that football jerseys are not just reserved for watching the match at your local and instead are being paired with minis, low slung jeans or long flowing maxi skirts to juxtapose the masculine nature of the piece.
Track suits are being styled with oversized blazers for an elevated approach to the trend and football or running shorts have been spotted with lace up blouses and loafers.
How to style the sportswear trend in 2024
Want to try the trend for yourself? Below are our top picks for pieces that play into the sportswear trend and will become firm favourites in your wardrobe this year.
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