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Athletic aesthetic: look forward to a sporty summer

Sportswear has been pushing its way up through the fringes of fashion for a few years, but with the Olympics coming up this summer, it’s evolved into a key trend. Taking inspiration from ideas of minimalism, sportswear has hit the high street in a big way, with plenty of looks for men and women. Read on to find out what to expect, and to get some inspiration for your own wardrobe.

We’ve seen elements of sporty chic over the last few years, with tomboy trends and fashion-forward gym gear. Now top designers are giving it a fresh spin, using the upcoming Olympics as a big inspiration. The new trend is not about putting together an outfit that you’d actually wear to the gym, but about tapping into the functionality of sportswear to create a low-key feminine style with plenty of Olympic attitude.

Let’s take a look at some specific looks and how you can achieve them at home:

The street dancer

The street dancer look combines iconic 80’s style with some tough modern urbanism. Try adding a little of the unexpected by combining an elegant bodysuit with a pair of Converse basketball shoes. Or go the other way, by adding some striking heels to a rough-and-tumble body and tousled hair. Remember, 2012 is all about downplaying sportswear by combining it with androgynous and feminine elements.

The tomboy

The tomboy is a trend that has always flirted with sportswear. Think cropped tops and low-slung waistlines to expose the midriff, mixed with wide football-style shoulders – youthful, sexy and cool. If you’d like some more ideas, Alexander Wang’s spring 2010 collection was a big starting point for this look.  Combine a tomboy aesthetic with some feminine touches like heels or sheer fabrics to bring it bang up to date for 2012. 

Glammed up track star

Think upper class track pants mixed with stylish sports jackets. Go for bold prints to give you an edge or throw some bright colours into the mix. Add a hint of femininity to compete the look – a statement chain or a pair of earrings would work well. 

It’s all about the detail

Try throwing some sporty hints into other outfits to reference the trend:

·         Tank tops and sports bras

·         Utility buckles, elastic straps and exposed zippers

·         Cutaway details, racer backs and hoods combined with luxe fabrics