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As co-creative and design director at Literary Sport, consultant and stylist Jackie McKeown works at the intersection of what’s hot right now: sports/wellness, considered tailoring, and a cultural obsession with good taste. As the foremost purveyor of “sportswear for intellectuals,” McKeown offers a type of active attire that outperforms traditional, mass-market competitors in far more ways than one.
Her vision for the brand emphasizes precise garment-making rather than brazen optics or gimmicky over-engineering. The result: functional apparel that’s as wearable for long runs as it is for everyday outings. It’s an ethos the Toronto-based creative also lives out through her personal style. For our latest edition of Model’s Own, McKeown dishes on everything from Charvet-esque Eddie Bauer thrifts, her beloved compression boots and infrared mask, and the perfect-sized Phoebe Philo bag.
What item or garment have you owned the longest?
The one thing that I’ve carried with me in life, since I was a kid, is a pair of England Umbro shorts that I got at age seven when I was in Scotland. It was when they did these sky-blue kits with these caricatures of lions, circa 1993. And it’s the only time they ever really did this kit for England. As a kid, I played soccer and was really obsessed with this color in particular. I remember getting them and that I got them a little bit big. They’re really tight, but they still fit. They’ve moved with me to every apartment since as a keepsake.
Is there any garment you regret getting rid of?
I love clothing, but I honestly feel like it’s very replaceable. I did sell a pair of Spring/Summer ’99 Prada sneakers. They’re not that easy to find. I got them back in like 2017 or 2018. I wore them a bunch, and then around COVID, I was spending too much time at home and started getting rid of things. There's a photo I have on Instagram from way back that I'm wearing them in, and I look back on this all the time and go, “I really should not have sold these shoes.” I haven't been able to find the same ones since; I'll occasionally search on eBay and Grailed but never see my size.
What do you receive the most compliments on?
This one is random because it's a shirt that I probably only got two or three years ago. But it's an Eddie Bauer dress shirt that I bought at some random thrift store in a small town. It's one of those wrinkle-free shirts. I travel really often, and I always travel with it because it's one of those dress shirts that I can literally just pull out of my luggage. It de-wrinkles within a few minutes and is the perfect shade of blue. It fits me almost as if it was tailored. I wear a lot of men's dress shirts, but I always have to tailor them. And this one off the bat fit me great. That's the one that most people are like, what is that shirt? And everyone thinks it's going to be something massive. It's giving Charvet, but it's Eddie Bauer.
Is there anything you own multiples of because you're just that fond of it?
For me, it's really just truthfully Literary Sport running pieces. I don't really buy in multiples; I'm not someone who finds the cotton tee they like and buys six. When it comes to running and workout gear, that's the area where, when you find something you like, you go for it. Right now in my suitcase, I have like seven pairs of Literary shorts and almost identical sports bras and sleeveless shirts.
What's your everyday bag?
It's a navy Prada nylon tote that I got vintage a few years back. It's the ideal size; it fits a 13-inch laptop. It's kind of small but big enough. I often find that "everyday" bags are too big or have long, uncomfortable straps that slide off your arm.
What is the last thing that you bought?
The last thing I bought was also a bag, actually. I bought the Phoebe Philo Pouch bag. The Gig bag wasn't really for me; it was just too feminine. I had a Phoebe-era Celine Trio that I loved but kind of beat up. I just really love the shape, the slimmer profile of this new one. It's nice for going out, or if I literally only have my wallet or my phone on me.
What do you start with when building an outfit?
I'm really more of a mood dresser. It's dependent on what I'm doing that day; that will inspire the outfit.
Describe your go-to airport outfit.
There are two pairs of pants — it's always one of those. One is this pair of Auralee sweatpants that have a really beautiful drape to them so they almost look like a trouser. Aside from those, I'll have on a pair of my Literary Sport Emmy track pants — classic track-pant material with a front pin tuck, a little more elevated. I'll wear them either with a vintage tee or one of our new long-sleeves that are of a super lightweight cotton, and/or one of the Literary Sport hoodies on top.
How particular are you about taking care of your clothes?
It's a running joke in our house that I do laundry almost every day. I'm really obsessive, and I'll even hand wash a lot of items. So there are always things draped over different railings flat-drying.
What's your morning routine?
My partner has a skin care line, F. Miller Skincare, which is lucky. We're surrounded by products. In the morning, I usually avoid the face wash and use her cleansing oil or even just a splash of water. And then I usually do a layer of toning mist, a serum, and then face oil. I'm getting forced to remember to wear sunscreen every day because I've been very bad at that — it's Beauty of Joseon. I'm not a beauty person, I'm very low maintenance, so Fran takes care of my grooming and beauty.
Do you have any other favorite beauty/grooming rituals?
I love a bath. I think it's maybe also because I'm a Cancer. I love being in water. So I would say if time allows, I could take up to two to three baths a day. I love to take a bath after a run. But also I find I think really well in the bath. Sometimes I'm just in a bath working. It's calming.
Besides baths, what's something you do or own that others might deem unnecessary or decadent?
Therabody JetBoots. I will often use those in the evening after a run with with my red light mask on as well. The combination feels a bit ridiculous. It certainly looks insane. But honestly, those boots were a game-changer. I use them after every long run. I guess they're decadent, but they really do serve a purpose.
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