How Retro Sportswear Reigned Supreme In 2017

The calendar said 2017, but everywhere we looked this year, clothing from decades ago was in view: From tearaway track pants with either small insignias or snaps running down the seams to high-collared zip jackets with oversized logos from both mainstream and obscure brands, done up in materials ranging from stretchy neoprene blends to swishy nylons, goods that were ripe with early-’90s nostalgia ruled the past 12 months. Whether you find the term reprehensible, “athleisure” sales nearly topped $46 billion in 2016. Even in a crowded, skeptical market, the trend has yet to fade from relevance — with sales expected to nearly double by 2020, according to consulting firm A.T. Kearney. Its continued popularity has spawned new clothing brands, pushed luxury labels to capitalize on the look and acted as the catalyst to breathe new life into aging or unfamiliar heritage sports brands. In short, never has the retro sportswear style reigned supreme like it did in 2017. While athleisure has, by now, become more of an umbrella term for vaguely athletic clothing, the ripple effect of the aesthetic has opened the door for many brands that are not named Adidas or Nike. And though those two remain the giants of the category, smaller sportswear-centric labels — through collaborations with higher profile brands, a rich sporting history and products that prioritize lifestyle over athletics — have reaped the rewards and found a new audience of fashion-first consumers. Read more at Fashionista.