Local Fashion and Media student Bridget Devine joins us to share her latest must have sportwear items, this month she takes on running.
With September marking the end of what should have been a long, hot summer and the beginning of Autumn, lots of us are looking forward to finally getting out for a run. Whether you are an avid long distance runner, treadmill-in-the-gym kind of runner or haven’t been running since you can remember runner, now is the prime time to start.
On the whole we perform to the best of our abilities when we feel good and for a lot of people, feeling good starts with looking good. Personally if I buy a new pair of running shoes or some new leggings it’s often a good boost to get me back on the road and into the swing of it again.
So you might be wondering, what kit is trending this season?
Prints, pastels, all shades of blue and glow in the dark trainers. That’s right, think your average running trainers but in the brightest hues possible – specifically bright yellow, pink and green. The season’s upcoming sportswear styles, as always, are heavily influenced by the current streetwear trends of the summer. The Asics Onitsuka Tiger trainers are a good example of how a day-to-day urban shoe can influence even the biggest sports brands like Nike and Adidas.
Currently the new Nike Metcon’s, Infinity RN 4 Road Running Shoes and GORE-TEX Pegasus Trail 4’s all embrace bright yellow and neon pink, along with Adidas’ Solarboost 5 Shoes and Switch FWD Running Shoes. So don’t be afraid to add a splash of colour to the muddy trail’s this Autumn with a new pair of bold trainers.
It is essential when choosing sportswear, specifically for running, that fit and comfort come first.
Therefore I would always suggest investing in pieces that you know support and flatter your individual body type, however the majority of brands have recently opted for more casual silhouettes in their running kits.
In the past specifically Gymshark and Under Armour exhibited tighter sportswear like compression tights and super compact skins. Yet this season Sweaty Betty, Nike and Adidas are all focusing on looser shorts, singlets and t-shirts in line with the growing popularity of effortless, chic dressing.
When it comes to all things sports bras, leggings and singlets, though, the big brands are focusing more on pastels and prints. Sweaty Betty are channelling OffWhite ultramarine in their geometric prints, while Nike is offering more relaxed pastel pinks, lavenders and teals.
The high fashion runways for Fall 2023/24 coordinate directly with the colourways shown in the newest sportswear styles, which will be a growing trend due to LVMH’s recent announcement confirming collaboration with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic/Paralympic Games.
Both the dark blues and pastel lavenders, featured in the new sportswear lines, are also being shown alongside dark reds and apricot oranges in LVMH’s runway collections.
These warm, analogous tones are seen in the new running kit releases from Gymshark, just over a decade old, the new sportswear giant that is slowly dominating the industry of activewear. Their running tank’s and t-shirt’s come in shades of ‘Smoky Teal’, ‘Velvet Red’ and ‘Dewberry Purple’ – all in line with the trending colourways of the season.
Gymshark have also gone down a similar route to Sweaty Betty but through their men’s sportswear, featuring the same style of geometric patterns while aligning with the more muted tones seen in Nike’s styles.
Overall, my three sports style tips for this September would be – geometric prints, relaxed silhouettes and a pop of colour. Dress confidently, move your body and most importantly… Happy running!
