With the changing times, all kinds of mix-and-match styles have been accepted, and sportswear seems to have established its citizenship as a fashion item. Among them, ” track jackets ” are standard outerwear that can be expected to play an active role as outerwear for spring and fall when the seasons change.
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Athletic wear known as 'jersey' in JapanTrack Jacket
The name “track jacket” is a reference to the fact that, as the term implies, the “track jacket” was used as preparation and standby clothing for athletes in track and field and ball games. The name ” track jacket” is, as the term implies, closely associated with ” track events. It refers to the warm-up outerwear worn by athletes in track and field and ball games to maintain body temperature before and after games, and was specialized for “preparation and standby” among sportswear. For this purpose, it was assumed that the garment would have a full-zip or half-zip design that was easy to put on and take off, and the collar would be a stand-up collar that protected the wearer from the wind but did not obstruct vision or movement around the face. The cuffs and hems were designed with elastic ribbing to prevent heat from escaping around the competitors’ wrists and hips.
(Photo: Herb Elliott of Australia, gold medalist in the 1,500m track and field at the 1960 Rome Olympics)
[photo: AP/Afro
As for materials, today synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon are common, but cotton jersey and wool-blend knit fabrics were also used in the early stages. The word “jersey” itself derives from a general term for stretchy knitted fabrics used in 19th century Europe, and in Japan, the custom of calling a set of upper and lower athletic wear made of such fabrics “jersey” has taken root. In other words, “track jacket” is the name of the item, and “jersey” was originally the name of the fabric, and the two are not originally synonymous. In Japan, however, the distinction between the two has remained ambiguous for a long time as a result of their association with school sports and club activities.
In addition to the aforementioned full-zip, stand-up collar, sleeve ribs, and hem ribs, the visual characteristics of track jackets include line tape running from shoulder to sleeve and logo placement on the chest and back. These designs were developed to identify teams and brands or to expose sponsors, and by extension have come to play a symbolic role in today’s street fashion. The “tracksuit,” worn as a set-up, became popular as official wear, emphasizing a sense of unity when entering or traveling with the athletes, and from there, the stand-alone jacket became independent as street wear. How did it come to be recognized as a fashion item? Let’s take a look at the historical background.
Before the track jacket was established, athletes had a history of wearing athletic wear made of heavier materials such as wool and heavy cotton. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as sports transformed from a leisure activity to an athletic culture, there was a search for improved clothing to manage body temperature before and after games and to ensure ease of movement. The track jacket was the cornerstone of this change from a unified upper and lower “sports costume” to the gradual use of a separate upper garment.
The situation changed dramatically in the 1960s, when synthetic fibers were fully introduced into sportswear. The advent of polyester and nylon gave birth to a new type of training wear that was lightweight and easy to dry, the symbol of which was the ” Beckenbauer Tracksuit ” introduced by Adidas in 1967. Named after Franz Beckenbauer, the famous German national soccer player and “Kaiser” (emperor), the suit combined the convenience of jersey material and zip-up closure, and became widely popular not only with athletes but also with the general public. The brand’s name was taken from the model named after Franz Beckenbauer.
Along with the Adidas track jacket, Puma’s T7 was also created around the same time, and Puma introduced the “T7” in 1968. The iconic design, with its 7cm wide line running from the shoulder to the sleeve, spread not only to soccer players but also to the music scene in later years, and set the design code for the track jacket. (image is a capture).
Wellness boom that emerged in the United States in the 1970sJogging culture expands its use to the streets
In the 1970s, jogging spread in the United States and urban areas as a symbol of a health-conscious lifestyle. This cultural shift was the driving force that pushed tracksuits and jackets from sports use to everyday wear. Designed to be lightweight and easy to move in, trackwear expanded from the playing field to the streets, and sports brands introduced lines in a variety of colors and designs. Thus, track jackets began to solidify their status as street wear.
(Jogging was a national craze, and People magazine at the time featured Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett jogging on its cover, with the headline “Everybody’s Doing It.
In the 1980s and 1990s, connected with hip-hop and UK cultureRUN-DMC and Oasis, worn by Jamiroquai and others, established its position as a subculture fashion
In the 1980s, it quickly took on a fashion character of hip-hop culture becomes stronger, as RUN-DMC and other rappers wear Adidas three-striped track jackets, elevating hip-hop culture to a signifier of music and culture. They also liked to wear Adidas sneakers, forming a “music uniform” and deepening the connection between the brand and the street.
Photo: Iconicpix/Afro
In the UK, Fred Perry and Adidas track jackets became symbols of youth culture in the context of the fusion of Britpop and soccer culture in the 1990s; Noel Gallagher of Oasis was particularly fond of wearing Adidas track jackets and was widely recognized as a fashion icon. In the 2000s, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai became an icon, and the link between track jackets and music remains strong to this day.
The 2000s began to appear in the collections of luxury brands.From subculture fashion to mass fashion with the rise of athleisure
In the 2000s, the athleisure trend emerged. Clothing that combined sporting functionality with everyday wear became heavily used, with track jackets and sideline pants being the most popular examples. Many designer brands introduced oversizing and mixing of different materials, extending the track jacket to the luxury segment. Brands such asBalenciaga andGucci added a modal interpretation to trackwear, which took it beyond the realm of functional clothing. As a result, the fashionable nature of trackwear, which had been strongly subcultural in the context of hip-hop and rock, permeated mass fashion. In recent years, the collaboration between Adidas and Gucci has become a symbol.
What are some tips for adults to coordinate track jackets?
The advantage of incorporating a track jacket into your coordinate is that it can create a “retro sports feel” and a “light and relaxed look. Moreover, the stretchy, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant jersey fabric makes it easy to put on and take off without worrying about wrinkles when out and about, and it functions as the perfect light outerwear for the change of season, when the temperature changes markedly between morning and evening and during the day. However, since it has a rather strong sporty feel and can look juvenile, it should be finished off in a mature way with a subtle coordination.
Photo: Splash/Afro
Adult men's coordinate with track jacket 1Black combination for a chic and urban look
American actor Jared Leto is the epitome of athleisure. He wears an Adidas and Gucci collaboration track jacket and On sneakers in an urban sports style. The track jacket has a strong design statement and a pop atmosphere, but by wearing it with chic black items, it gives a mature and relaxed impression.
Photo: Backgrid/Afro
Adult Men's Coordinate with Track Jacket 2Color choice and pant taste!
For adult men to wear a track jacket smartly as street wear, we recommend putting together a chic, urban look with mainly dark tones. Basic colors such as black and navy can be easily matched with other clothes on hand, making it easy to enjoy a variety of mix-and-match coordination. For slacks, sporty-looking easy slacks with drawcords allow you to enjoy both a mix-and-match and a linked look without feeling childish, which is a look that only an adult can pull off.
Tracksuit coordination is for advanced users!
While using track jackets and track pants by themselves is a strong choice for sporty street wear, a track jacket and track pants set-up, or so-called “track suit,” is more difficult and requires more advanced skills to incorporate into street wear. In order to create a reasonably fashionable look, it is necessary to create an atmosphere that is steeped in the cultural styles of UK drills and Britpop, use accessories that give the look of street wear, and have a sophisticated dressing technique. Be careful not to simply incorporate them into your coordinate without any means, as you will end up looking like you are simply wearing workout clothes. It is important to differentiate tracksuits from gym clothes while making them convincing as street wear.
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