MEMORIES:

PHOTOS:

In the 70’s, Jack Tripper in Three's Company spent his winnings from the horse races on a fancy new velour jogging suit. In the ‘80’s, Run DMC walked this way in slick nylon adidas tracksuits. And in the ‘90’s, Kid Rock decked out his cowboy look with an oversized pair of tracksuit bottoms. It’s clear to see that the running suit style has maintained it’s aura of luxury and leisure throughout the decades.

 

America’s passion for jogging in the ‘70’s brought about the first casual 2-piece jogging suit, called the sweatsuit. It consisted of a pair of fleece sweatpants and a hooded fleece sweatshirt. As people demanded more flashy duds, the look evolved into a zip front jacked and an elastic waist pant. Most suits were made of super-soft velour, which created a combination of warmth and extravagance.

 

Velour gave way to the sleek nylon tracksuits of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. Rap superstars Run DMC and the burgeoning breakdancing movement popularized the jogging suit and opened the way for the outfit to become a standard of street style. Adidas was the most popular brand for hip hop track suits, and made ensembles that were more streamlined and used more technologically advanced materials. The adidas three-stripe trim down the sleeves and pant legs were ubiquitous. 

 

Hip hop manufacturers like Enyce and Fubu marketed their tracksuits to the ladies, and created outfits in bright and colorful nylon and silk. When fleece tracksuits were introduced, they became the look of the ‘90’s.

 

Today, tracksuits are seen on everybody from the ladies who lunch in their smooth silk suits to babies in furry fleece. It’s clear to see – tracksuits are here for the long run.