There’s something about the word “athleisure” that makes me recoil when I hear it. I own drawers full of leggings, but I draw the line at styling a head-to-toe workout uniform as an everyday outfit.
Having spent much of my life as an athlete—playing soccer, volleyball, and now running—I love the relaxed vibe that a jersey or a windbreaker can add to a look. However, the key to embracing sporty pieces beyond the gym is to always play against character. In other words, if I’m wearing track pants, I’m pairing them with a polished top and sharp heels to avoid being mistaken for a teenager heading off to practice.
This sartorial philosophy of mine falls right in line with fashion’s latest sportif trend, a hybrid aesthetic that blends functional activewear and elevated clothing.
On the Spring 2026 runways, nylon jackets and rugby tops emerged alongside skirts and trousers. And with the World Cup arriving stateside in just a few months, I expect to see a slew of sporty-chic essentials permeate the street style scene. (Think blokecore basics like soccer jerseys and Adidas three-stripe shorts).
With all this in mind, I’d like to demonstrate how I'll be leaning into the sportif trend this season.
Track Pants
Last fall, I pulled the trigger on these J.Crew track pants and they quickly rose to the top percentile of my worn items. They’re silky and soft like sweats, but have something a bit more dressy about them, especially when paired with a fancy heel or a tailored shirt.
Not only can they be styled up for the office, but they can also offer a pajama-adjacent slinky nighttime look that I’d wear with a slick-back bun and a swipe of lipstick.
Nylon Jacket
I’m not usually one to get too out there with my styling. However, this jacket-on-jacket combo is the kind of runway trend I find refreshingly easy to make my own—without feeling costumey or try-hard.
A color-clashing Uniqlo windbreaker layered under a quarter-zip from Literary Sport doesn’t give the vibe that I’m going out for a run, especially when styled back to jeans and a delicate little pair of high-vamp flats.
Soccer Jersey
While perhaps most removed from my day-to-day dressing, this red soccer jersey became the most fun piece to style for this edition of my “Style At Large” column. It’s bold, it’s colorful, and it can easily inject a pop of joy into any outfit.
Here, I leaned into tailored separates, including a pleated skirt from Korean label Dunst, and a patchwork Miu Miu blazer. There’s something a bit British about all these things worn in tandem, so perhaps it’s a look I’d break out on my next trip to London (or at least to watch a World Cup match stateside).
