Get Physical
In this industry’s fast-paced recycling of editorial buzzwords and inbox newsletter trend forecasts, most of us would be glad to never hear ‘Sports Luxe’ ever again. Like Normcore, its contemporary runway beginnings have not translated so effectively to its high street retail offspring. Flimsy crop tops with all of the striped elastic trim and none of the support. Shiny bomber jackets with lining that makes you sweat, then sleeves too short to wrap around your waist when the going gets hot. Alas, at the end of the day, we’re left with products sporting none of the function they allege to fuse with fashion, and bearing no closer resemblance to Daria Werbowy nor Gisele.
And so emerges luxury sportswear – a quietly lucrative submarket previously dominated by limited edition designer sneakers. Today, it justifies the need for a dedicated workout wardrobe that can quite comfortably (and stylishly) spill over into prêt-à-porter territory, rather than the defunct practice vice versa. It only makes sense that companies with the technical expertise, and perhaps those with means to reproduce that daunting scientific know-how, would be best positioned to pioneer fashion’s trajectory to strong-not-skinny. With the elevation of industry elite, cover story claims of ‘day-to-night’, ‘work-to-weekend’ and now ‘making your sports bra last the distance’ with the simple addition of stilettos or a vampy lip, have never been more true. On the one hand, Mary Katrantzou for Adidas, Ricardo Tisci for Nike, and even the genuine fashion fitness figureheads found in Victoria’s Secret supermodels and Karlie Kloss’ Instagram, sing success stories of strategically synergistic partnership efforts in capturing a new and aesthetically hypnotised generation. On the flip side, and perhaps more maturely and/or pragmatically, Calvin Klein Performance capitalises on the brand’s signature clean lines, viral #MyCalvins cool factor, and runway credibility, without skipping the hard yards in moisture wicking, flat seams, and four-way stretch. The formula is foolproof, and not so likely to suffer the usual temporary fate of fashion. After all, multi-faceted lifestyles are all the rage.
Fortunately for us, online retail has pounced at this opportunity with the likes of NET-A-SPORTER, Mode Sportif, and Stylerunner replacing the garish neons and old t-shirts of our yesteryear gym nightmares with enticing imagery of clean
lines, neoprene, and toned, sweat-slicked bodies. Where Sports Luxe failed, luxury sportswear will continue to fill the necessity of staying in shape as much as it panders to the ‘necessity’ of new shoes and clothes on a regular basis. Certainly, you and I may not have the abs nor angles to bare all around the clock, but surely the designer blessing (and aesthetic compatibility) of wearing gym sweats with Prada, say, is some kind of sartorial victory.
So, get thee to Soul Cycle – then to the office immediately after.
PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING Margaret Zhang
FRAME 1 & 2: H&M x Alexander Wang Coat and Goggles, Calvin Klein Performance Bra and Leggings
FRAME 3: Cameo Vest, Mikoh Wetsuit, Calvin Klein Performance Jacket, H&M x Alexander Wang Goggles
FRAME 4 & 5: LIFEwithBIRD Top, Mikoh Bandeau, Ruby Sees All Trench, J Brand Trousers, H&M x Alexander Wang Boxing Gloves
FRAME 6 & 8: Bless’d Are The Meek Blazer, Calvin Klein Performance Jacket, Scanlan & Theodore Skirt, H&M x Alexander Wang Goggles
FRAME 7: H&M x Alexander Wang Crop Top and Gloves, Friend of Mine Boiler Suit
NOTE: for fellow Aussies, the Calvin Klein Performance gear is available at David Jones and MYER
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