Right on track

The term ‘tracksuit’ may conjure up one of two images in your mind — athletes (with or without a medal hung precariously around their necks) or a pink velour-Juicy-couture jumpsuit clad Paris Hilton back in 2001. However, with the approval of Vetements, Gucci, Loewe and other prominent designer labels, the tracksuit is now making its presence felt on the streets, albeit in a rather convincingly glamorous and luxe avatar.

It came as no surprise, what with the present athleisure movement that has been brewing, the tracksuit emerges as a clear victor. Celebrities have upgraded this piece and taken it several notches up by giving it their own spin. The undisputed queen of athleisure fashion, Rihanna, wears hers with a tongue-in-cheek attitude and unconventional styling while the Hadid sisters (Gigi and Bella Hadid) wear theirs with chokers, reflector sunnies and leather handbags. The deal was sealed when Selena Gomez walked out of an airport in a matching red hoodie-tracksuit from Vetements (which is now sold out for obvious reasons), elegantly spindled on white ankle-strap heels.

The history goes back to the 1970s when sportswear and fashion brands like Le Coq Sportif, Adidas and Pro-Keds attached themselves to the emerging hiphop fashion scene. Further during the 80s, hiphop icons wore bright coloured tracksuits, sheepskin, bomber jackets and sneakers usually with ‘phat’ or oversized shoelaces. With the help of Tommy Hilfiger, the prominent  icon for sportswear during the 90s, the tracksuit earned the reputation of ‘urban streetwear’.

Ever since, it has embodied sportswear’s integration into fashion. With designers like Jeremy Scott starting his relationship with Adidas in 2008, he took some of the brand’s most iconic pieces and flipped them on their heads. Naturally, this meant that the three stripes’ tracksuit was ripe for a redo. Today’s tracksuit is nowhere close to basic loungewear. It is a  state of mind altogether.

How to wear it?The trick is to keep it cool yet ultra-luxurious. You may not want to look like you just came from the gym. Wear it over a lace bralet or with a satin slip blouse for a feminine appeal, or over a ribbed midriff baring top and a bagpack for a casual-chic look. The cherry on top? You can also wear it as separates, either as jogger pants or as a jacket individually. A more rich approach to it could be made via velvet , metallic or sequinned numbers and guess what, you can also wear it out to a party! We’re talking about a fashionable ‘pyjama’ party. If sophisticated is your forte, then wear a faux fur coat over it, accompanied with a leather bag and sequinned heels for the ultimate snob appeal.

Many online portals are beginning to stock up stylish renditions of the conventional tracksuit. However,  sportswear stores could be your best bet for classic numbers with a few varsity stripes thrown in equal measure. Look for interesting details like flared bottoms, suede detailing, elbow and knee slashes, ruffle details or even better, slogans! These details will transform your look from #throwback to #trendingnow.