Q. How can I make the sportswear trend work for me? I feel too masculine wearing clothing made specifically for athletic pursuits.

I think tracksuits, trainers and caps carry a social stigma associated with neds and I personally wouldn’t be seen dead wearing any of these items. How can I channel this trend without looking like a tomboy or replicating a specific sporting uniform? I don’t want to work out I just want to work it!

A. Fashion has been on a fitness streak since the London 2012 Olympics and the sportswear trend continues to dominate the global fashion market into 2013.  

Sportswear as daywear is a strong trend already made cool by designers such as Stella McCartney. This season, however, designers have chosen to redefine this sporty aesthetic - and making it more chic - by blurring the lines further between fashion and sportswear and regaining a sense of femininity and allurement.  

The old sportswear trend of channelling specific sports is morphing into an entirely new embodiment of casual sophistication. New luxe sportswear is moving towards a more polished look; it's all about taking performance fabrics and fusing them with clean minimal lines in basic silhouettes. Sleek, glossy and ultra modern, this is a grown- up, sexy version that works with high heels and creates an unapologetic, glamorous edge.

Think runway, not running track! Focus on the details rather than trying to create a head-to-toe look. Delicate mesh and perforated fabrics give dresses a sporty spin while hoods, racer backs, zips and hi-tech trims all offer elements of sporting novelty - you can work this trend without a cap or tracksuit in sight!

 

Look 1
Black contrast knit sports dress with racer back, £195 by T Alexander Wang, available at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Alexander necklace, £145 by Ela Stone & Tatyana, rose gold crystal rings, £110 each by Dyrberg Kern, all available at Thou Shalt Covet. Pink enamel ring, £12 at COS. Floria fuchsia suede sandals, £475 by Rupert Sanderson available at Pam Jenkins.

    

Look 2
Neon perforated pullover, £150 by Rag & Bone available at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh. Coral skirt with purple waistband, £449 by Roksanda Ilincic available at Jane Davidson. Jaguar necklace, £108 and Jaguar cuff, £87 both by Ela Stone available at Thou Shalt Covet. Neon braided bracelet, £7 at COS. Kibo fabric wedge shoes, £445 by Rupert Sanderson available at Pam Jenkins.

    

Look 3
Black hooded sports top, £185 by MM6 Martin Margiela available at Urban Outfitters. Ledbury leather roadster pants, £1495 available at Belstaff Glasgow. Gold chevron bracelet, £65 at All Saints. Lion cuff £125 by Ela Stone, Wendolyn silver crystal ring, £89 by Dyrberg Kern and neon leather patent 5 zip handbag, £176 by Rebecca Minkoff all available at Thou Shalt Covet. Arnold silver python patent fluorescent leather sandals, £535 by Christian Louboutin available at Pam Jenkins.

    


Styling: Lisa Ringrose

Photography: Jeff Mars

Hair: Isabella Watson, creative director at Toni & Guy Glasgow, using dry shampoo, Resurrection Dust and hairspray, all by Label M

Make-up: Susan Lucas using NARS Cosmetics and Urban Decay

 

Stockists

www.alexanderwang.com

www.allsaints.com

www.belstaff.com

www.christianlouboutin.com

www.cosstores.com

www.dyrbergkern.com

www.ela-stone.com

www.harveynichols.com

www.janedavidson.co.uk

www.labelm.com

www.maisonmartinmargiela.com

www.narscosmetics.co.uk

www.pamjenkins.co.uk

www.rag-bone.com

www.rebeccaminkoff.com

www.roksandailincic.com

www.rupertsanderson.com

www.thoushaltcovet.com

www.toniandguy.com

www.urbandecay.co.uk

www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk