The Glorious History of the Tracksuit

The magnificent tracksuit has a long and varied history full of many proud moments. Donned by athletes, regular Joes, and even movie villains, the velour sweatsuit has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Just in case you have been hiding in a cave for the last forty years, here is a brief history of the stylish, versatile, and incredibly comfortable tracksuit. 

1970s Tracksuit

Tracksuits first became acceptable to wear in public during the 1970s. By the end of the decade, the velour tracksuit became a fashion staple for both men and women. If you did not have a sweatsuit in your closet next to your disco apparel during the 70’s, you were not considered part of the “in” crowd. 

1980s Tracksuit

There were many fashion failures during the 1980’s, including a botched attempt at altering the classic velour sweatsuit by turning it into a flimsy “shellsuit” made from nylon. This monstrosity attempted to take over the world during the 1980’s, but it only enjoyed a few short years in the spotlight before dying out completely. The shellsuit has since made its way to the top of the fashion hate list, and has been dubbed “the worst style crime” of the era, according to “Express”, a Britain news outlet. 

1990s Tracksuit

By the end of the 1990s, the traditional men’s sweatsuit and women’s sweatsuit made a big comeback in the fashion world. Rappers, singers, and other notable celebrities returned to the comfy fabrics that made tracksuits popular during the 1970s. Rapper Jay Z and singer Sporty Spice rocked the tracksuit during the 1990s, and popular brands such as Juicy Couture began to offer high-end tracksuits as part of their fashion lines. 

Modern Day Tracksuit

The tracksuit continues to be seen on a regular basis, especially in movies and sports. Olympic athletes often wear tracksuits that clearly identify their team, while movies and television shows such as “Glee”, “Chariots of Fire”, “The Sopranos”, and “Old School” all feature characters who rock tracksuits. 

Find Your Tracksuit Identity

Here at Sweatsedo, we offer a wide variety of custom sweatsuits that will rock your world and your style. To find a sweatsuit that most closely matches your identity, browse through our impressive inventory today!