How Sports and Pop Culture Intersect: Fashion in Sports (Athleisure)

Popular culture, normally recognized by the general society, describes a set of beliefs and practices that dominate and reflect the way world at that moment. Fashion plays a big part in pop culture. What brands are most popular, how people wear those brands, and which people are wearing those brands are all reflections of the culture zeitgeist. Sports are also a time stamp of where world is. From athleisure to sneakers, athletes put their stamps on the fashion industry. Which sports and athletes are the most seen by eyes on the daily? And how is this the way we see athletes as cultural figures important to the way we see them as regular people?

The Rise of Athleisure Wear

Out of all the trends rocked by athletes, one that has taken on a life of its own is athleisure. Athleisure simply put is athletic or gym clothes that are made to be worn not only for working out, but for everyday purposes as well. 

This trend began picking up steam in the early 2000s with the rise of brands like Baby Phat and Sean Jean, both known for their track suits. Typical sports brands like Nike and Adidas also began to focus on track suits. Athletes specifically in the NFL and NBA rocked these fashions to their games and out in public.

This links how athletes also became people who dictate fashion culture even more than fashion brands. The idea of an influencer is slightly newer than the idea of athletes dictating fashion trends but influencing is what they did. People wanted the clothes and shoes seen on these athletes because they are the pinnacle of cool. 

Sneakers and Athletes go hand in hand

A subsection of the athleisure is sneakerhead culture. Athletes not only just wear these popular sneakers but also go as far as to create their own. It is hard to talk about the progression of shoes over the past two decades and not mention Air Jordan. The brand started by Chicago Bull legend Michael Jordan completely changed the sneaker game back in the late 1980 and has only grown from there.

It makes sense that athletes, especially basketball players, have ventured into sneakers considering how that is often the only unique part of their playing uniform. There has been a substantial boom in players creating their own shoes and then endorsing themselves by wearing them on the court. Players like Lebron James, Steph Curry, and Russell Westbrook are all influential athletes in the sneaker world.

How Black Athletes Drive Fashion and Culture

Arguably the two sports that are constantly in the pop culture conversation are football and basketball. The clothes, music, and overall lifestyles of the athletes are seen as aspirational. It is no surprise that the NFL and NBA are majority Black. So much of pop culture is Black American culture. It is all about what the most popular Black entertainers in America are doing at the moments. How can people tap into that?

While it is important for representation to see athletes like Cam Newton, Kyle Kuzma, or Serena Williams in their best clothes, it also unfortunately brings the question of appropriation. The art, music, literature, and fashion created by Black people often do not get the credited it deserves. It is commodified by non-Black people for a profit. 

For example, sneaker culture has completely changed over the past few years. It is now common practice for people to buy these sneakers then resell them at an even higher price. Athleisure has been taken over by high-end brands and redone to fit the “minimalistic” look that’s become popular. 

Sports and Fashion are alike in the fact that people’s art and livelihoods are taken advantage of for the enjoyment of others.