SPORTSWEAR’S YEAR ZERO
2020 is all over 1997 like a cheap tracksuit
Unless you somehow avoided lockdown, you’ll have likely been enthralled by the superhuman feats on display in The Last Dance, the Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls Netflix documentary that was watched by tens of millions around the world this summer. While the dunks, crossovers and locker room drama made for compelling television, it was the clothes that truly captured the imagination of style-watchers. Short shorts, sporty sunglasses, hoop earrings and souvenir jackets worn with superstar swagger. It might be 20-plus years on, but the late Nineties look is bigger than ever. Oakley has brought back the Eye Jacket and M Frame shades rocked by Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman; The North
Face has released a block-colourheavy collection inspired by the decade’s big mountain skiers, and Nike has seen great success with its ACG retro outdoor collections and its Court tennis range that zeroes in on the style of Andre Agassi and friends. Patagonia is one of the biggest brands right now thanks to its “vintage” outdoorwear. Time is a flat circle, there is nothing new under the sun and sportswear never looked as good as it did in 1997. Andre’s stonewashed shorts and mullet combo? Maybe don’t push it.