wardrobe memo: adidas tracksuit
the charm of the adidas tracksuit.
From the sidelines to the streets, the Adidas tracksuit has come a long way. What began as a warm-up suit worn by athletes has been embraced by various groups of people throughout the decades. Now, its athletic design remains as contemporary as ever, defining what it is to dress with both ease and edge.
The tracksuit’s history traces back to 1967, when Adidas launched its very first piece of apparel. Known as Franz Beckenbauer, it took its name from the German soccer player. Warm-up suits were nothing new, but the use of nylon, which replaced the heavier wool and cotton worn at the time, was. Also, the three stripes along the suit, borrowed from the brand’s signature sneakers, gave a contemporary touch to the uniform. In 1972, Adidas introduced new styles during the Munich Olympic Games. This time, both men and women had their own suits in colors inspired by the Games’ mascots. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, tracksuits were adopted in Europe by soccer fans who would often pair the suits with Adidas Samba shoes. In America, the arrival of the tracksuit coincided with the rise in jogging, and anyone could feel like an athlete while donning one. It was also during this time that the tracksuit appeared on screens, further popularizing the outfit. By the 1990s, the Adidas tracksuit was adopted and adapted by various groups that gave their own meaning to it.
Since then, there have been many iterations and interpretations, but it always goes back to the Franz Beckenbauer, or simply the Adidas tracksuit. In recent years, the rise of athleisure and the collaborations with Gucci and Wales Bonner have caused its renaissance. But what is it about the Adidas tracksuit that is so charming?
The Adidas tracksuit’s charm lies in its balance of an understated silhouette with statement elements such as the bold color palette, the iconic three stripes, and the nostalgic trefoil logo. Its design has remained consistent for the past sixty years, which gives it a sense of history and modernity at the same time.
In a world filled with muted palettes and minimal silhouettes, the colorful tracksuits are an exception. Whether worn for sports or leisure, the Adidas tracksuit continues to merge comfort and charm with a sense of nostalgia.