Sportswear To Streetwear - 2010

The sporty look is here to stay. Health concerns primarily and media coverage have popularised what were once essentials - viz. walking, cycling etc to metamorphose into passionate hobbies.

And the apparel industry not one to be left behind, hooked onto people's imagination to introduce sportswear. The younger generation is increasingly incorporating sporty elements like parkas, sneakers, trekking shoes, and backpacks in everyday clothing. New designs and colours, multi-purpose uses, and recent offerings tailored to the needs and preferences of people have lent both a functional and fashionable appeal hard to resist. Being practical, they are likely to equip most wardrobes too.

Olivia Newton John's words - let's get physical - still hold sway well into 2010's fashion trends. And we are not talking of gym apparel alone. The new interpretation of being inimitably cool has been inspired not only by American football but also by other sports such as baseball, hockey, tennis, rugby league, scuba diving, and dance.

What will be trendy in sportswear fashion has myriads of possibilities. To simplify four key looks have been elaborated viz. The Tomboy, The Sporty Flapper, The Urban dancer and The Bond Bombshell.

The Tomboy as the name suggests is the pretty girl with a rough and tough attitude mixing with the boys on the ground immune to her own beauty or to that of the sly looks of the boys.

The look envisages low pants, leather cross-lacing, jersey fabrics, padded shoulder styles interspersed with feminine elements such as delicate fabrics and high heeled shoes. This in turn will create a sexy albeit an immaculate cool look.

The Sporty Flapper is the boyish, athletic, cynical and at the same time seductive character. Golf an élite sport has spurred creation of clothing and accessories that would not even qualify as sportswear. Chic yet functional knitted dresses and layered skirts with frills now pass off as golf wear. Looking fashionable on the green is no longer restricted to events such as the Derby or Wimbledon Championships.

The Urban Dancer has key elements of the urban and the street. Adding a touch of carelessness and toughness enables one to keep femininity at a low key. A subtle combination of the dirty dancing and an 80's free-for-all party costume finds its influence in stonewashed bodysuits, skinny pants in soft ballet pinks and creams and very fine bodices topped with braided sweatbands.

The Bond bombshells are typically the knock-out Bond Girl bikinis. Apparently taking on a functional look are in reality nothing more than sexy swimwear leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. Belted bikinis, scuba and diving gear necessarily figure and skin-hugging, are transformed to look sexy and dangerous.

Tips on how to look sporty in style:

- Use plastic buckles, rope ties and snap closures

- Wear your hair long and messy

- Add leg-warmers or sports socks with stripes in luxe fabrics

- Wear super high but sporty heels for a sex appeal

- Indulge in cross-lacing in leather

- Use shoulder pads to lend a soccer style look

- Tees are out of bounds

- Use mesh jersey fabrics and

- Pleated knee-length skirts for elegance

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Sportswear To Streetwear - 2010