I’M A FASHION WRITER – THIS IS THE RETRO SPORTSWEAR TREND TO TRY IF YOU’RE BORED OF YOUR SUMMER OUTFITS
I’ve never been much of a sportswear person. Admittedly, that probably has something to do with the fact that I’m not exactly someone who relishes spending time in the gym. But even outside of it, leggings, performance tops and matching sets have always felt slightly too… sporty for me. Lately, though, I’ve completely changed my tune.
Retro sportswear is having a huge moment right now on both the spring/summer and autumn/winter 2026 catwalks, with designers looking back to the easy streetwear silhouettes of the 90s and early Noughties. Think oversized logo T-shirts, sporty shorts, roomy hoodies, track pants and slimline suede trainers that could have been lifted from a particularly good family photo circa 1997.
The brand leading the charge? Obviously, Nike. I recently spotted the latest Nike The Rotation Edit at JD and immediately wanted half of them. They have all the credentials you’d expect, soft fabrics, easy fits and that iconic swoosh logo, but they also feel genuinely cool enough to build an outfit around.
First up: the shorts. Simple, sporty and endlessly wearable, I’d throw them on with a vest, oversized shirt or racer-back tank during the last hot weeks of summer. Add a pair of trainers (read our tried and tested feature on the best on the high street now) and you’re done. I’m equally taken with the cotton T-shirts. I wore one to work last week and spent an embarrassing amount of the day touching the fabric because it was so soft. At one point I realised I was cuddling myself at my desk.
But my hero piece? The hoodie. Yes, I realise it’s currently far too hot to be enthusiastically talking about hoodies. But this one is worth filing away. It has that wonderfully nostalgic Nike look that immediately reminded me of something my mum would have worn when I was younger. The fit is oversized, too. Size down if you like something neater, but personally I’d go even bigger. A hoodie should have enough room to properly disappear into. And it’s exactly the sort of piece that earns its keep: throw it in your hand luggage for a flight, keep it nearby when the office air-con becomes arctic or pull it on when a hot day suddenly turns into a cooler evening.
Ahead, shop my favourite pieces from the latest Nike collection at JD Sports.
Nike Gym Life Swoosh 4 shorts
I love how these feel a little retro without tipping into full gym-kit territory. The soft cotton blend makes them genuinely comfy, while the contrast piping and classic Nike logo give them that old-school sporty feel I’m very into right now. Wear with white athletic socks and a pair of slim suede trainers.
Nike Gym Life Swoosh oversized crew sweatshirt
I love the slightly slouchy, throw-it-on feel of this sweatshirt. The camo green feels fresh and surprisingly easy to style, particularly with indigo denim or pops of bright red.
Nike Gym Life Swoosh boxy T-shirt
This sweet cornflower-blue T-shirt is such an easy one to style. I’d lean into the sporty feel with track pants or shorts, or dress it up with a slip skirt and ballet flats for more of a Scandi look. The loose, boxy fit keeps it feeling relaxed rather than too gym-focused.
Images: Getty; courtesy of brand
2026-08-17T12:48:18Z
