It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend (2024)

It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend

Tres Dean

January 24, 2020

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Wearing a tracksuit, much like wearing a cowboy hat or a sweater vest, can feel like walking on a tightrope. There are so many ways it could leave you looking ridiculous, but if you stay the course and do it right, it can be such a strong outfit to have in your rotation. Why risk it you ask? Looking good doesn’t have to be totally effortless but why put so much effort into an outfit that could so easily go wrong?

Start With the Classics

If you’re picking up your first tracksuit, stick to the most reliable one there is: the Adidas Superstar. It’s the Air Jordan 1 or Schott Perfecto leather jacket of tracksuits in that despite being something of a statement piece, pretty much anybody can pull it off. The style is available in a wide array of solid colors (though black, navy and even red are always a safe bet) and feature clean, simple three-stripe accents on the jacket and the pants.

The Superstar is a mainstay for everyone from athletes to celebrities, first becoming a major fashion staple thanks to hip-hop legends Run-DMC in the 1980s. Since then, they’ve never really left the spotlight, making fashion headlines as recently as 2018 when actor Armie Hammer infamously wore them for almost the entirety of a lengthy press tour. They make for such a bold, put-together look that they’re almost impossible to screw up.

Similarly, PUMA’s classic T7 tracksuit has been a staple amongst everyone from soccer players to DJs for decades. These jackets sport a high collar that makes for an even bolder, more European look. Like the Superstar, the T7 is available in a variety of simple colors and makes for a great first foray into making tracksuits work for you.

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Wear It Right

The thing about tracksuits is that pulling them off comes down to how you wear them more than anything else. You can pick up almost any tracksuit and make it look like a million bucks as long as you don’t commit a few cardinal sins.

For example, the shortest path to looking like a mobster (and not in a cool way) while wearing a tracksuit is to pair it with a tank top or “wife beater.” As soon as your chest is even a little bit too visible, you’re skewing far too greatly in the direction of a bad look. The safest bet is to throw on a solid T-shirt under your tracksuit in black or white — though if you’re wearing a tracksuit in a solid color it might be OK to pull off a graphic or printed tee (provided the colors and design coordinate with that of the suit).

Similarly, you want to make sure the thing fits the way it’s supposed to. You want the fit of your tracksuit to fall comfortably between slim and loose. It should conform to your body’s overall shape without hugging any area too tightly or hanging loose at the seams. The goal is comfort and mobility, so find the fit that gives you both.

Can You Kick(s) It?

This might go without saying, but a tracksuit needs to be paired with sneakers. Keep your loafers, boots, Oxfords and sandals in the closet when you slip into the suit and stick with a good pair of kicks. Tracksuits are a casual look. Period. Your footwear should match accordingly. It’s usually best to keep it simple with a pair of white kicks, but if you’re operating from a solid color base such as a black tracksuit, there’s room to throw in something a little bit more eye-catching. Just make sure the colors don’t clash and that the shoe isn’t too ostentatious, as that will risk the outfit having way too much going on.

Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns

We’ve talked a lot about the more understated side of tracksuits, but you don’t have to stick with a solid color in order to pull one off. Patterned tracksuits can be just as great a look, with the right design adding a layer of luxe to your style.

The best way to pull one off is to first abide by the aforementioned rule of a solid tee underneath. Patterned tracksuits are often on the flashy side, so you don’t want to wear a tee with graphics or logos that clash with the suit. Similarly, solid black or white sneakers are going to be the best pairing for one of these. Anything louder will create the same clash you’re avoiding by wearing solid tees underneath.

The real key to wearing a patterned tracksuit is just to keep in mind that this is a look that’s going to stand out. It’s intentionally a little loud, a little gaudy. It’s going to catch eyes and maybe an odd look or two. Corny as it may sound, the best way to make sure it looks good is to carry yourself like you know it looks good — which it will.

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Le Tigre Tri Color Tracksuit

It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend (4)

From $49 for Jacket at Amazon.com
From $69 for Pants at Amazon.com

Nike Floral Print Tracksuit

It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend (5)

$120 for Jacket at FootLocker.com
$49.99 for Pants at FootLocker.com

Gucci Webbing-Trimmed Logo-Print Tech-Jersey Tracksuit

It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend (6)

$1,900 for Jacket at MrPorter.com
$1,500 for Pants at MrPorter.com

It’s totally understandable to see tracksuits as a little intimidating when worn outside of the gym or the couch. Nobody wants to look schlubby or shady and it can often seem like the garment is a one-way ticket to one (if not both) of those things. But when you pick the right tracksuit and wear it well, it’s a great, easy-to-wear look that leaves you looking great and feeling about as comfortable as an outfit can make you feel.

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It Isn’t Hard to Nail the Tracksuit Trend (2024)