No longer are tracksuits and jeans seen as – purely – for comfort, as they once were; along with the evolution of menswear throughout the years, the two have become staples in most men’s cupboards to add that extra bit of stylish-touch to every outfit. Spree.co.za’s Fashion Director, Chris Viljoen, provides more information on how tracksuits and jeans have evolved from cringe-worthy to praise-worthy in the last few decades.

Chill outside at your local coffee shop or grab a beer at the pub with a view of passers-by and you’ll notice something – tracksuits and jeans are not as eye-wateringly garish to look at as they used to be. The truth is, they’ve become an essential part of the modern man’s wardrobe.

Tracksuits
No longer just meant for the gym, tracksuits have seen resurgence in menswear lately. They have made their way off the court and are now a necessary part of everyday wear.What was previously considered strictly activewear has evolved from a calorie-burning essential to sport-inspired items where the look is all about style, functionality and comfort.

“The tracksuit or ‘jogger’ has become a part of the everyday wardrobe. The fits have become more tailored and can be found in a multitude of colours, fabrics and often include zip details,” says Chris Viljoen, fashion director at Spree.co.za.

Then and now
If we look back in time, perfectly matched tracksuits were all the rage (complete with Run-D.M.C mix tapes and Walkmans of course). Cotton and polyester have made way for luxurious fabrics such as cashmere, leather and neoprene.

Gone are the days of unflattering fits with unconventional colour combinations, say hello to a world of stylishly tapered tracksuits that don’t make men look like they’ve just stepped off the court.

Tracksuits go with almost everything when you opt to a buy a slim-fit pair in a neutral shade. There’s no wrong way to wear them. It’s fair game to throw on an Oxford and a sports coat or a great slim sweatshirt and varsity jacket.

Jeans
“… they have been worn by soldiers and protesters, head-bangers and heartthrobs, vagrants and presidents. They have been worn on campus and in prison, on horses and Harleys, to the opera and the mosh pit. They are versatile and stylish.” James Sullivan – journalist.

Jeans – staple and arguably the most important part of every guy’s wardrobe. The transition of jeans from the 70s Gold Rush to now hasn’t been massive; however there have been some noteworthy changes and these include cut, fit, weight and the wash of jeans.

“Denim is timeless and its overriding feature is that of durability which appeals to all men from different walks of life. It is honest and hardworking,” says Viljoen.

Then and now
The Karate Kid and Top Gun era saw the baggy, boxy and extra-relaxed fit in acid wash as the “it” thing. Thankfully it was short-lived. In 2015 we see a vast amount of denim styles around. Amongst others there are the ever-popular skinny jeans, alongside more relaxed styles including the drawstring distressed, lived-in, the turn up, and in all kinds of shades.

ABOUT SPREE:
Spree.co.za, part of Naspers’ eCommerce division, is South Africa’s first online shop to offer a “magazine-styled shopping experience.” Items on Spree include ladies’ and men’s apparel, décor and gifts, kids’ and babies’ clothes, as well as beauty products, which have all been carefully selected by a team of experts, from local designers, suppliers and international brands. Launched in April 2013, Spree inspires online shoppers through beautiful lookbooks, editorial images, fashion stories and digital shoppable magazines, making it a destination to do more than just shop. The site also acts as a personal stylist, giving expert shopping advice through the “why buy” and “wear with” information available for each item. All of this is backed up by an easy-to-use, highly secure online shopping experience, quick delivery, and an unmatched 30-day free returns policy. For more information, visit spree.co.za.

 

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