BANGKOK FABULOUS – With the Olympics officially kicking off today, fashion has become topical, embracing the “sporty” look. I love a little topical fashion, whether it’s film-inspired (such as the “My Week With Marilyn” 50s-inspired trends this year) or event-based (Royal Jubilee? Let’s all wear ridiculous hats). Topical fashion means you can plan ahead and ensure you are bang-on in trend – even if that trend passes as quickly as Usain Bolt crossing the finishing line. This week, for instance, I can be ridiculously fashionable by alternating my Olympics chic with a skin-tight latex cat suit, just like Anne Hathaway in “Dark Knight.”*
So, this season’s favourite trend is sporty. But, wait! Before you head to SuperSports for the latest Adidas Climacool trainers and a comfortable tracksuit, remember: fashion designers have a very odd concept of what constitutes “sporty.” While that’s not to say their creations aren’t fabulous, there’s no doubt you’d get some very odd looks running round Lumpini or rocking up to True Fitness clad in any of this season’s Olympics-inspired trends.
So, what exactly makes an outfit sporty in fashion terms? When scanning fashion magazines and blogs, you’ll come across the term “utility” quite a lot. This doesn’t help much in formulating an idea of exactly what the fashionistas of this world will be wearing whilst watching other people play sports. To translate (I speak a little fashion, you see), basically, sports-chic is minimal in both colour and design, has a slight masculine edge and looks like you wouldn’t injure yourself quite as severely if you attempted moving in it as other high fashion pieces do. In other words, sports-chic items are vaguely practical.
So, what shall we look for when scanning the streets and shops for something appropriate for the opening ceremonies and beyond?
If you’ve got the cash to flash, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang opted for the slouchy, comfortable look, punctuated with oversized jumpers, while 3.1 Phillip Lim went for its trademark casual cool with school uniform greys, complete with a jumper tied around the waist.
But jumpers are none too practical in this climate, so I suggest you go for the minimal route, instead, as demonstrated at Helmut Lang with stark black and white loose tailored two pieces and at Victoria Beckham, where a white voluminous shirt stole the show.
But, the real key to pinning the sporty look is the details. Think layering sports bras and tank tops in luxe materials (if they’re not luxe, you risk looking like you’ve been plucked straight from Khao San Road), elastic straps, exposed zips and buckles, pockets, a little well-placed mesh, hoods, racer backs and a whole lot of asymmetry.
You won’t find any of that at the sports store, but you will find a whole heap of it if you scan the malls. Your best bets are British-based stores, such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge which have embraced London 2012 like nobody else, and stores such as Uniqlo, which are great for basics, such as vest tops and zip-up jackets.
But whatever you do, when you’re clad in asymmetric jackets and super-sized buckles, stay well away from the treadmill.
*Rest easy, people who have seen my sizeable butt; I won’t really be doing this.
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Bangkok Fabulous: Where Gaby Doman explores fashion and beauty in the Big Mango. If it’s hot, it’s here. And it’s hot in here.
