MegaStyles™: The Week in Fashion (04.03.03)

The tracksuit is like Jedi power: in the right hands, it is a powerful weapon for good (fashion). In the wrong hands, it creates an army of badly dressed clones. And from the looks of it, this fashion has gone to the Dark Side. Ribboned, sequinned, silk-screened, and tie-dyed, the tracksuit, so abused at malls and sorority houses, now provokes Pavlovian vomiting in any fashionphile. That said, it is not beyond resuscitation. When used wisely and in moderation, the tracksuit is a powerful force in any Jedi’s closet. 

MegaStyles™ presents The Intergalactic Laws of the Tracksuit: 

1) Thou shalt not always wear the tracksuit head-to-toe. Be creative, mix and match. Pants go well with layered Ts and funky (non-delicate) jewelry. Hoodies de-sugar a sundress/skirt and flip-flops.
2) Thou shalt embrace color. Solid black or navy tracksuits invite lint and look morbid. Goth Jock is nothing to be proud of.
3) Thou shalt not overaccessorize. If you are going for “Sorority Princess,” pair suit with Tiffany logo jewelry, a petite logo bag, and a French manicure. Otherwise, keep accessories minimal with a few big rings or a chunky quartz choker. 
4) Thou shalt keep hair and makeup natural. Avoid “done” hair, heavy makeup, or glitter. It’s a slippery slope to “Mall Teen.”
5) Thou shalt not wear past 7pm. Loungewear is loungewear is loungewear. Ben&Jerry and Letterman are the only company it should keep after dark. Unless you’re P.Diddy.
6) Thou shalt emulate pop stars wisely. Good: Madonna, wearing tracksuit after an actual workout, or with a quirky English walking hat. Bad: J.Lo, with ghetto-girl hoops, platform sneakers, and slicked, styled hair.

Just can’t get enough, young Skywalker?
The photos: what NOT to do to your tracksuit. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/01/fashion/01DRES.html

From the Brits, who never get off the couch: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=P8&targetRule=10&xml=%2Ffashion%2F2003%2F03%2F03%2Feftrack01.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=119888

Looking for tracksuits? 
Comfy: www.nike.com, www.gap.com
Stylin’: www.adidas.com, www.puma.com, www.nuala.puma.com (Christy Turlington’s yoga line), www.daszign.com (juicy couture) 

Little Gems: It’s raining, it’s pouring, and…you still want to shop. 
Try www.shopbop.com and www.letsgolajolla.com and spend next
month’s rent without leaving the couch!