Ever since sportswear made the transition from the gym to the leisure scene, designs have gotten cleaner, sharper and more technical. Sportswear isn’t as perilous as it once used to be in the styling department, but there are still rules to scoring a cool off-duty outfit.
Keep It Athletic Up Top
It doesn’t get any easier than this. That jacket you thought was only appropriate for the slopes? That sweatshirt you wear only for shuffling from the bedroom to the bathroom on cold mornings? The t-shirt collection that’s gotten so big it’s threatening to seize territory in a neighbouring drawer? All of them are prime candidates for the perfect casual sportswear look.
Jackets
This is your chance to put all that gear described as “technical” into regular rotation in your wardrobe. If it looks like you could climb a mountain in it, wear it on the street instead. The bomber jacket is also a solid choice, especially when revamped with an unexpected colour or luxe material, as is the athletic jacket. Keep an eye out for interesting elements like extra zippers, fancy stitching and sporty ribbed details.
Designers are loving the upscale sweatshirt right now. Pluck one straight off the runway if you want something haute and high-end or, if brand exhibitionism isn’t your thing, grab something affordable out of your closet and make it smart. Hood or no hood, almost anything goes – but stick to fitted pieces to avoid the slouchy, slovenly look. Blocked colours create a cool, clean, minimal effect that works especially well for sportswear.
Pants
Sweet, sweet sweatpants. How we longed for the day when we no longer had to hide you from the world’s condemning eyes. That being said, the ratty old pair you wear to the gym isn’t going to cut it. Look for sweatpants that are slim and soft, with elasticated cuffs. Basic colours, clean cuts and minimal details work best. Match the colour on top for a slick monochromatic statement. If you’re feeling daring, we’ve seen sportswear mixed with leather and tailored trousers. It’s a harder look to pull off if you’re not strolling down a runway, but give it a shot if you’re up for a challenge.
Shorts
Comfortable. Relaxed. Sporty. Youthful. Cool. Those are the words you’re going for. Basically, your shorts should look like the truncated version of your sweatpants. Follow the same rules, but with a little less fabric, and you’re golden.
If you are a guy in this camp, it can definitely be frustrating to find a pair of pants that fit properly. Here’s what to know:
1. FORGET ABOUT WAIST SIZE.
Seriously. Instead, choose pants that fit in the seat and thigh. With off the rack pants, the seat is generally 6 inches larger than the waist. So if you have a 32″ waist, the seat will be 38″. As with any off the rack, mass-produced garment, sizes are standardized and finding one that fits perfectly will likely be near impossible.
Most men, and especially men with athletic legs, generally have seats larger than their waist. So from a comfort standpoint, it’s best to size up in the waist and have your tailor take the waist in (see No. 3 below).
2. DRESS YOUR BODY, NOT ANYONE ELSE’S.
Guys with muscular legs also tend to have bigger arms and bigger chests. With menswear so focused on slim fit right now, it can be tempting to want to go that route to keep up with the trends. If you fall into the muscular all over category, don’t do it. Avoid extreme slim-fitting pants (like skinny jeans) at all costs. If people only saw you from the waist down it would likely be fine, however a muscular muffin top will definitely put your entire look out of proportion.
Always go with what flatters your body type over what you are being “told” you should wear.
3. FIND A GOOD designer.
The best thing you can do after buying new pants is take them to an accomplished designer. Though it would be great to find pants that fit perfectly off the rack, the reality, especially for men with athletic legs, is that this just isn’t going to happen.
It’s not impossible, and we’re sharing some shopping picks for you below, but we want to manage expectations.
Knowing designer—and more importantly, having your designer know you, your style, and fit preferences—means that the pants you buy will not only be comfortable, they’ll also have the fit you’re really want. Yes, you can contact aungcrown to custom your own pants.