Back in January, resolutions of ‘get fit,’ were everywhere, meaning sportswear had never been more prevalent. Now the weather has finally taken a turn for the better our resolutions can be renewed and our excuses for avoiding the outdoors are redundant. The term ‘sportswear’ itself makes no pretence to be something it is not, proudly displaying its very use for sporting activity. Indeed, if we all wore tracksuit bottoms, trainers, sweat shirts (shudders at their implication) within this context, and only in the hopes of achieving said resolutions, the world would know where it stood.
As it is, increasingly over the years sportswear has crossed boundaries, escaping from the muddy playing fields, the gym or the laundry pile to which it was once confined, creeping into everyday attire. The clothing of ‘chav’ culture most obviously exemplifies this, but this is a ‘style’- ahem- beyond all hopes of salvation, which I realise, no blog post can ever hope to address.
The sly invasion of sportswear is nowhere more obvious than on our very own university campus. It is impossible not to see a ‘University of Hull’ or Athletics Union ‘hoodie’ parading somewhere. Though I realise their practical benefits, serving for warmth and as a handy memento to these university years, I do not, and never will, own one myself. Perhaps this will exclude me from university group mentality, hoodies allowing one to feel part of the institute. Yet, it is a risk I am willing to take, as style should surely, however, be about marking one’s individuality. When worn daily, as they too often are, in place of a proper coat, hoodies denote, somewhat ironically in light of their sporty associations, fashion laziness.
‘Sportswear is absolutely not for me!’ I can then confidently cry…surely? I am positive my natural response to a trip to JD Sports would be one of repulsion. Yet pondering further, I realise that on some level, my own shopping excursions could likely consist of comparable experiences, and result in similar purchases. Like most people, I own and wear a pair of trainer-esque shoes, such as converse or laced ‘pumps’. Leggings, which stem from dance and gymnastics and remain vital to many women’s very survival, have been known to grace my legs, just as wrap over cardigans seem strikingly familiar from my ballerina days at the age of five. Is my cream cable knit jumper-dress even a subconscious nod to our lately triumphant cricketers?
Both scornful of, yet unintentionally buying into its very influence, my own relationship with sportswear is then a confused one. To protect beautiful everyday clothes from the ugly consequences of physical activity it will forever be useful. As a substitute for style, however, it can never be condoned. But, for those of us thinking ourselves so definitely anti-it, sportswear seems somehow to have cunningly invaded our daily wardrobes. There is no running away from it.
Polly Harper
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