With the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics underway, and the internet still reeling from Bad Bunny’s halftime performance at The Super Bowl, it comes as little surprise that the style set is collectively unleashing its inner Mel C.
From weekends spent glued to BBC Sports to dusting off the HOKAs and hitting Victoria Park for the annual jog, exercise-agnostic fashion fans are revelling in the current wave of sports hysteria – taking inspiration from the podium and funnelling it into their winter wardrobes.
Now, fashion’s captivation with sport is nothing new. The industry has long coveted athletic aesthetics, so much so that this stylish relationship warrants a dissertation of its own. Highly commercial and easily accessible (no daunting avant-garde looks to be seen here), sporty style is always a big win in the fashionscape.
Particularly in the luxury sector. Sporty themes are house codes for brands like Thom Browne, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, who continue to infuse their signature motocross jackets, equestrian staples and preppy polo tops with jock-approved elements of Americana cool.
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© Stella McCartney/Adidas
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© Alexander McQueen
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© ImaxtreeRather fittingly, American football has proved to be an especially popular pastime for brands in need of fresh runway offerings. Yuhan Wang debuted lace-trimmed football jerseys and boxing gloves on the SS26 runway, following in the footsteps of Tom Ford, who ushered sequinned iterations down the catwalk for autumn/winter 2014 ready-to-wear. Alexander McQueen also dabbled with shoulder-padded pieces, most famously for spring/summer 2005, pairing protective gear with the designer’s memento-mori butterfly motifs.
© Getty ImagesMany luxury houses such as Prada and Versace have their own sports labels, ensuring their products are able to reach a wider consumer audience. Likewise, brands such as Lacoste, a default choice for tennis players and golfers, offer a more affordable alternative, allowing customers to refine their off-duty wardrobes for less.
In recent years, London has emerged as a key player in the sports style game – particularly in the menswear sphere. Both Stella McCartney and Grace Wales Bonner partnered with Adidas to create several sell-out collections. Martine Rose put football shirts on the map, alongside Conner Ives and Ahluwalia and Labrum London who tapped Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as a muse and model. Burberry enlisted the help of Marcus Rashford and Cole Palmer to front recent campaigns.
One could even argue that footballers have emerged as the new fashion dandies, with the sporting stars using their outfits to help shape their personal brands. While the core concept of footballer as influencer is not new (since the days of Johan Cruyff and George Best, players have influenced what young men wear), stars including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Erling Haaland and Héctor Bellerín continue to push the boundaries of footballer fashion – the latter made his catwalk debut for Virgil Abloh’s SS20 Louis Vuitton runway show.
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© Getty ImagesThe symbiotic relationship between fashion and sports continues to flourish. Simply take a look at the street style shots from fashion month – upcycled jerseys are a mainstay. Not only does the modish marriage allow for women to be included in the conversation about sport, one traditionally dominated by testosterone, but it’s a seriously lucrative option for brands wanting to extend their global and commercial reach. After all, if the fashion industry can fall for gorpcore (AKA mud-drenched hiking) then anything is possible.
From boxing boots to marathon-ready running shorts, discover the sporty trends to tap into this year below.
Sporty trends set to win big in 2026:
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Worlds End Letterman Jacket
Vivienne Westwood
A classic letterman jacket is the best place to start when it comes to embracing sporty-chic style. A hallmark of nostalgic 80s coming-of-age movies, this iconic piece is perfect for year-round layering.
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The Reconstituted Shirred US Football Top
Conner Ives
A favourite among fashion editors, particularly at fashion week, Conner Ives’ shirred upcycled football top from the AW25 collection is one to bag before its gone.
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Legend Football Knit Polo Blue
Nude Project
Rugby shirts capture the essence of laid-back prep, conjuring memories of muddy pitches and grey-skied weekends spent on the sidelines at primary school. Our pick would be Nude Project’s football jersey – a snug option for transitional seasons.
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Vintage BB TT Striped Rib Track Top
Adidas
A quick scroll through your social media feed is all you need to prove the power of the track jacket. The casual, cool-girl-approved piece is an ode to football aesthetics – ideal for those wanting to tap into their inner WAG.
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Tech Piqué Tennis Skirt
Tory Burch
Following the popularity of Challengers, tennis skirts have been at the front of fashion’s imagination – particularly during summer. We love the rich navy hue of Tory Burch’s mini rendition – a real serve.
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Championed by Adidas and Miista, boxing boots are on the up. With their high-top silhouette and retro appeal, they’re the perfect mix of sporty, stylish and statement-making, proving that performance wear can be just as chic as it is functional.
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Striped Cable-Knit Cotton Sweater
Sporty & Rich
No longer a signature of the old gents who spent their Saturdays at Lords, cricket jumpers have been reclaimed by the style sphere. Preppy and plush, these leisurely layers lean into trending Old Money aesthetics.
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Padel & Palomas Jersey Shorts
The Couture Club
Primed for at-home mooching and intense padel sessions, these easy-wear shorts by The Couture Club are set to become an off-duty staple.
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Pink Flame 98 Racing Jacket Pink Beige
BSRabbit
A brand beloved by snow sports veterans, Korean brand BSRabbit is hot property on the slopes. We love the racer-inspired cut of this pink jacket, complete with a raised collar and patchwork detailing.
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