The Anatomy of a trend: Sport Luxe

Here’s the what, how and who of Sport Luxe. On your marks, ready, set, go!

The Look:

Classic sportswear gets a luxe update in leathers and silk, while laid-back silhouettes meet high performance fabrics. Think mesh and neoprene for an easy-going and thoroughly modern look.

Key Pieces:

The Bomber Jacket: Show off your team’s colour in this perennially cool piece day or night, field or bar.

The Sneaker: Whether wedged or classic high-top the sneaker is your team mate when it comes to nailing this look. The most comfortable of footwear will work with any outfit from a blazer and jeans combination to your favourite LBD.

The Baseball Cap: No longer reserved for sulky teens this piece will work double time, keeping you cool in all sense of the word while taming hair on those inevitable, bad hair days.

How to:

You won’t strain anything attempting this trend. Clean lines, bold colour and comfort are all you’ll need. It can be as simple as heels and track pants… if those trackies are silk. If your silhouette is more yoga then track and field luxe fabrics and bold neons will keep you looking sharp. Yes, you can wear your gym gear, no holes, no stains and probably little actual working out will be involved but if the urge did come across you, you would be ready.

The go to Designers:

This trend has become a firm favourite across runways, from spring to autumn and back again, but it may have just been given the highest honour of all – a foray into the world of couture. Both Karl Lagerfeld and Raf Simons showcased the chicest of sneakers at their respective Chanel and Christian Dior 2014 presentations. Think pearl, lace and 3D florals, with Lagerfeld finishing off the look with matching bum-bag, knee and elbow pads. There was no mistaking the energy that came running, not walking down the catwalk.

Other designers that have been unable to resist the momentum of the Sport Luxe look include Marni, whose heavy weight, head to toe embellished look made a big impact. Marc by Marc Jacobs featured a satin two piece tracksuit and bejewelled knee high socks and heels made an appearance at Prada. Sport luxe is here to stay.