Tailoring has a lot more to do with sportswear than you might think. Your cotton-canvas Oxford shirt? That was created for sports. The Spring/Summer 20 knitted polo you picked up? That too. The list goes on, and the most recent chapter of it comes in the form of BOSS x Russell Athletic. The two brands — icons of tailoring and sportswear respectively — have joined forces to offer a definitive look at how the two realms not only co-exist, but interact.
It goes without saying, then, that BOSS x Russell Athletic blurs the boundaries between tailoring and sportswear. From high-quality sweatpants and collegiate-inspired tees to soft tailoring and cardigans brimming with varsity appeal, the collaborative collection distils decades of combined experience.
What’s most striking about the collection, which takes a decisively vintage tack, is its versatility. The preppy silhouettes style as easily with contemporary luxury as they do with loungewear. To prove it, we’ve broken down four of our favorite looks into their timeless, understated components.
Shop four of our favorite looks from BOSS x Russell Athletic below.
Look 1
With spring and summer inbound, this look is ticking all of our boxes. The dusty pink color palette draws attention and presents a welcome change from the muted hues we’ve been sporting all winter while the simplicity of the tailoring balances the bold color. Light pleats to the shorts offer a slightly formal take, echoed by the relaxed-fit coat. A retro-style collegiate hoodie acts as the athletic centerpiece, contrasting perfectly with the rest of the look.
Look 2
In recent seasons we’ve seen a concerted effort to explore the wonderfully clashing contrast between relaxed sportswear and formal tailoring. This look does it perfectly. The sports jacket raises the levels from the off without ever making things too formal. The soft tailoring of the jacket is complemented by the wide-leg matching pants which feature a sporty red stripe to the outer seam.
As the jacket and pants steal the show here, there’s no need for anything more than a clean white tee and a small bag around the neck to round out the dual-identity fit.
Look 3
Some pieces stand as pillars for the world of preppy style, and one such piece is the cardigan. A highlight of the collection, this navy-blue number features a large logo patch to the left side, complementing two stripes to the arm in unmistakable varsity style. The gray sweatpants boast a tapered leg, elevating them from your average lazy-day selection, and leading the eye to a pair of clean, premium leather sneakers.
Look 4
Did a crisp Oxford shirt ever go wrong? We’re yet to see it happen. Anchored by the cotton-canvas button-down, this outfit is all about the palette. Clean lines ensure a classic silhouette, filled out by the always-perfect combination of navy blue and off-white. A twill cap with an embroidered logo to the front panel provides the evergreen finishing touch.
Shop the whole collection here.
