Do or Don’t: Track Jackets

I am so very late to this game, but am spending spring break in Barcelona with my daughter and we have been thrifting our tails off at the vintage shops here. I carried around an absolutely stunning red UMBRO (!!! 90s represent!) track jacket that I reluctantly set aside for an even-more stunning suede/shearling/embroidered knee-length jacket that no one but me has liked so far, but I am planning to wear the hell out of it! This is making me want to go back and see if the track jacket is still there.

Yes to these! Red is not my color but I’m still definitely getting a red one.

Great options & yes seeing tracks back in trend is truly amazing!

This year, I bought myself a classic black adidas one, with matching pants. And it’s the frickin’ best. And now I want to get my husband and kids matching ones and I want us to wear them when we travel. I feel like I’ve only got a short window when everyone will co-operate with my whims; my kids are 8 and 10, and I’m pretty sure this is low key cringe, lol, but also pretty sure this would become a hilarious core memory for them. I need for this fantasy to become reality ASAP!

Track jackets are a little too casual for me, but I can imagine more fashiony girls pulling them off. For instance, I think they would be cute with a dressy skirt and boots. The trick, I trick, would be to wear it ironically.

Track jackets aren’t for me, but I love them on others! They look so cool.

track jackets were SO COOL in the late 90s and I loved mine (it was from a vintage store and had a hood). However they are indelibly linked in my mind to a guy who suffered 3rd degree burns on his neck and wrists wearing one when someone poured more rum onto an already burning sugarloaf next to him. I believe he is fine now but that was a horrible thing to witness.

This is a yes for me. I loved them in my 20s going-out era. I had 3 from the Puma outlet and wore them regularly. Now in my mama era, I’m into them for springtime school pick-up and drop-off (assuming spring comes this year– it feels so far off!).

Jackets nooooo, not for me, but wide legged trackie pants, YES! I still have mine from the 90s!!! Athleisure never really goes away does it, even when the “athleticness” maybe does…

When I was in high school I felt so cool and cute and cozy when I wore my boyfriend’s red hockey warmup jacket. 20 years later he’s my husband and I wish we still had that jacket.

I definitely think some people can pull this off. I’m not slim and I’m big breasted so this is no for me, but I am loving my Universal Standard wide leg track pants ( I usually just pair with a cute T). They are super comfortable, stylish and just a little different. They also have a huge size range and are good quality.

Some friends and I bought cheap jungle themed track suits online a couple of years ago for an equestrian competition. We went as a Russian oligarchs/euro trash type team, complete with some gold chains and our horses were accessorized as well. It was actually SO comfy that I bring it along on girls trips and inevitably wear it one night when bumming around the house with friends. I do love the idea of gifting a tiny track suit as a baby gift though, how adorable!

Definitely not. Unless you’re going to work out or are in training for the track team, I don’t get the appeal. But fashion is, thankfully, in the eye of the beholder and that’s what keeps life interesting.

Ouffff, no thanks. To paraphrase Shane Hollander: Why would I want to always dress like I’m going to the gym? This seems like a distinctly (North) American style and too lounge-y. Good for her, not for me!

My mom got me a lavender Nike one for my bday in February. It’s really cute and comfy and makes me think of her thoughtfulness whenever I wear it. And just so all the mountain states/ westerners know WHO exactly is responsible – today i am putting away all my wintery, heavy, very warm, wool, and/or turtleneck sweaters! Drastic measures are needed to bring in some winter. If this doesn’t work, I’m putting away the snow boots.

I own a few and realized that if I wear them with something not sporty, like cowboy boots, I like the look better. But I mostly just use them to and from the gym. They are always too long on me as I’m short. Always looking for a cropped one that’s not too fitted. <3 And I agree with the person who said Juicy Couture need not come back around lol.

This is a little off-topic, as it’s a soccer jersey rather than a track jacket, but since I’ve been sharing my favorite fabric x sportswear collabs and I found this as I was going to bed: It’s a TIMOROUS BEASTIES-print (with a stripe of their Berkeley Blooms pattern) charity jersey! Available for preorder until the 13th. https://kitback.org.uk/product/ssxtbshirt/ Proceeds benefit Street Soccer, an outstanding nonprofit which supports athletes and communities in Scotland and London. And if you know Timorous Beasties – I wandered into their Glasgow shop on my honeymoon because I liked the name and my relationship with textiles has never been the same – well.

Wow this really brings me back to being 20!

This post is reminding of the late 90s velour low rise track suits. Drawing blank on the brand that was IT. Wait it was Juicy Couture. Those don’t need to come back . Loll

I like a light cover layer with pockets like a track jacket – but cotton or linen.

here’s a vintage one that’s bright blue with white stripes! and a purchase here will help pay for my groceries :) https://posh.mk/WgxQEwQBe1b

These are cute but definitely a look I admire on others, rather than one for myself. However, at my country town university we would get a soft shell merch jacket for our clubs and various things – they were a slight flex, and I kept them

Fashion does recycle! I had a jacket back in college in1983 just like the one in the first photo.

My husband and I changed into matching red tracksuits for dancing and leaving our wedding celebration. We’ll occasionally wear them when traveling as well. Cringey in the best way and super easy to find each other. Until one time when another gentleman in the airport was wearing the same suit and I nearly walked off with him on accident!

This is the reminder I needed to wear my vintage black satin track jacket with gold braid on the back that says HONKEY TONK RHONDA in a very homemade way. Rhonda’s spirit takes hold of me in this jacket and nobody can tell me what to do

Very into them always so happy they are making a comeback Have been wearing this one: https://www.tracksmith.com/products/w-federation-track-jacket?sku=WO8057FED02NBIRGRN also polka dots and lace skirts will be so fun this spring!

Love them in theory, but like overalls and satin skirts, they’re one of those things I’ve learned are NOT flattering on me. I look at them, fantasize that I am a slim b-cup who could carry them off, and move on. Now, HOODIES…that’s a different story.

Not a track jacket, but I love my Lululemon Define jacket- it’s a similar vibe, but way more fitted, which is better for me.

Joanna, New Yorker here, you definitely have an enviable sense of style, but more so, an enviable amount of space to store clothes until they’re back in style. Now I’m curious, do you really keep clothes you haven’t worn since your 20s or are these clothes you’ve always enjoyed pulling out from time to time? If the former, how you decide what to keep that might come back?How do you limit what you keep to a manageable amount?

Love them but I feel this is a tricky look for a 50 year old woman with a large chest and a belly haha. A monochrome top and bottom with a trench and some good trainers will just be a lot more comfortable for me. You guys go for it though.

I’m sure I’ll hop on this trend right before it goes out of style, it’s my MO.

I can remember the feel of the scratchy polyester -cringe- but also i say forever cool!

You all enjoy 😉

An Adidas track suit is my go-to baby gift – size 18 months or 2 years – unisex, cool and always a hit.

I make a list each spring and fall of things that are grabbing my eye and turn it into a blog post. It’s kinda fascinating to see how little my style has changed over the years, and it helps me embrace what I already own and be more conscientious about what I add to my closet. Glad to know polka dots are “in,” as I thrifted a polka dot skirt last year that is one of my very favorites!

I love track jackets. The one you show at the top is a quarter zip sweater at Madewell though!

I have been a runner all my life, so I always feel fine about wearing a track jacket, even if I’m “old” (in my forties). I actually have that red Adidas one and I LOVED all of Lauren O’s ideas and examples of how to wear them!

I have a dark blue velour hoodie track jacket I’ve for several years.

These are very cool, but I’m not into the ShopBop one being $490. In this economy?

I also love when trends come back around and we get to rewear things we loved before, in new ways! (I don’t understand the aversion people sometimes have to this, like “ick, I wore in high school?!? – I wonder if that’s mostly about a fear of the passage of time, versus dislike of the clothes.) ANYWAYS… I had and adored a classic black adidas track jacket in middle school and I’m happy it’s back. I also saw the full-snaps-down-the-side track pants in a store recently and had the strongest nostalgia for the version of those I owned in high school, which were embroidered with my high school mascot on the hip. They’re actually quite impractical bc I recall always being nervous about a full unsnapping incident, but, they certainly look cool!

Are we just working our way up? Track shoes, then track pants, now track jackets, next are sweatband headbands? (I’m up for anything knit and comfy)

This past summer I mentioned to my teen niece that I was realllly looking forward to growing old, and becoming The Lady in Tracksuits, as I’d surely be known in our tiny seaside town. She replied, “Why not start now?”, which totally cracked me up, plus what an excellent point!!

Ugh, I had ALL the track jackets in the 90s and early 2000s (some with matching pants) and I gave them away! Feeling regretful now.

I love track jackets on other people, but for me they fall into a category of things that just don’t seem to fit my personal style. My three words are classic, casual, and whimsical. Ex: pants and a button-down (classic), but in a loose cut rather than a fitted one (casual), and in a bright color or pattern (whimsical). Being able to learn to love something for someone else without feeling like I HAVE to recreate the look has been very freeing for me, and I no longer feel like I’m wearing a costume when I get dressed.

Hi Joanna, Just wondering if there is a link for the “Stripe” one in the middle of the grid? I don’t have the Nordstrom app so the link doesn’t work; if there is a general Nordstrom link to this jacket that would be great. Thanks so much!

When Catherine Newman did a book event in Minneapolis this fall, she wore a black Adidas track jacket! So clearly it is hip! :)

Whenever I see the red Adidas track jacket or suit, all I think of is Ben Stiller’s character in Royal Tenenbaum – and the character’s little boys. “Come on, let’s shag ass.”

Loved these in high school but would feel like Uncle Paulie now. :)

I love track jackets, but I want one that’s soft. Anyone have recs for a fleece/sweatshirty track jacket??

I am drawn to track jackets like a moth to a big, toxic, polyester flame, especially – hear me out – with skirts and over short, full evening dresses. I stalk resale sites for old, loud Adidas Firebirds made in collaboration with busy-textile-loving brands like Liberty and Farm Rio, and I love the way they zip up over A-line and trapeze silhouettes. The Passaredo has a flock of tropical birds AND A CHICKEN: https://tinyurl.com/yb5y4p42 …and I wear it over denim: https://tinyurl.com/56fkph6n You can see the Borboflor from space: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHv691bqEFe/ …and I wear it over this in dark green: https://tinyurl.com/44cyr8vs …and the Jardim Agharta goes over everything: https://tinyurl.com/53thbazr …but especially this, thrifted a few years back, or a black velvet skirt: https://tinyurl.com/4dkjjhev

They seem to me a very youthful choice. I don’t throw shade on anyone else for wearing them but i would feel a bit silly. I made a decision in my early thirties to nix all character printed tees (I had a beloved Mickey Mouse one) and pigtails died away even earlier. I just … want to be a grown up. Ha. So this one is a no for me and I will enjoy checking them out on all the fabulous women around me (also men. I DO like them on men.)

Sure, I’m into track jackets. What I’m NOT into is how young that model looks in the cover image. OUF. I think I’m more sensitive to it right now, but gosh – she looks like a high schooler. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with high schoolers wearing track jackets, but it’s not sitting well with me, for some reason.