Making Sporty Pieces Feel Elevated

Life has been busy for me recently. Various work trips (I’ll be spending time in no less than five different airports in the space of this week), multiple deadlines, a full social calendar. I can’t complain — it’s all exciting stuff, and as a freelance writer, a full work diary is always something to be grateful for.

And when life gets like this, I crave comfort in what I’m wearing. If I’m spending hours at my desk, I don’t want waistbands that dig in, collars that feel tight around the neck, or anything that’s going to get in the way.

In February, I wrote about how I’d been influenced by casual wear, wearing half-zips in real life — not just post-Pilates — and fully embracing a good Henley. Now that spring has arrived, and my need for comfort isn’t waning, I find myself drawn to that same approach: wearing casual, sport-inspired pieces, but styling them to make them a touch more elevated, and a touch more ‘me’.

I’m talking T-shirts and drawstring joggers that look so much more than the ones you save for sofa time during those particularly bad times of the month. Light polo knits paired with tailored trousers that take them into ‘considered’ territory. And sweatpants that don’t look as if you’ve given up on life (hey, if zhushed up sweats are good enough for , they’re good enough for me).

How to make sporty pieces feel elevated:

• Look at the fabrics. Merino wool joggers and thick cotton T-shirts will hold up much better than synthetic alternatives. They also look and move much better throughout the day.

• Shape matters. Rather than wearing a classic cut tee with slim-fitting sweats, mix it up a bit. One of my favourite pairs of sweatpants is this horseshoe-shaped-leg pair. Not only are they comfortable, but they always create an interesting silhouette.

• Add a bit of tailoring. There’s a reason I wear WNU’s Rampling trousers so much. They fit really well and have an effortlessly tailored style. Plus, they work with a polo or a T-shirt just as well as they do with a button-up shirt.

• I like oversized items of clothing (shocking statement to anyone who reads The Jones Report regularly!), not only for their silhouette, but also because you can play around with them a bit more. Scrunch up the sleeves on a jacket or a sweatshirt, and you create loads of shape and interest without trying too hard.

• Accessories are your friend. The easiest way you can take a T-shirt to the next level is by adding a good necklace, and now we’re entering the warmer months, it’s the perfect time to dabble in beaded or cord necklaces, which suit sportier, casual pieces perfectly.

Look 1

T-shirt (which is actually meant as a post-workout cover-up), joggers, and a utilitarian funnel neck jacket: so far, so casual. But where the magic lies is in the fabrics (100% merino wool in the joggers, thick cotton in the T-shirt), and the shapes. The trousers are softly structured, and the jacket is versatile enough to switch up the shape — here, I’ve gone for scrunched-up sleeves for volume, skipped the zip for a top-button closure to make sure the T-shirt peeks through, and buttoned the collar to turn it into a high funnel neck.

Look 2

This isn’t any old polo. It’s a little bit retro, a little bit bold, and a very comfortable blend of cotton and cashmere. It instantly becomes the star piece in the outfit, and is a fun way to embrace a touch of sport in a look. That doesn’t mean the rest of the outfit needs to follow in the same vein, though. So I’ve paired it with trusty navy linen trousers, a summer-friendly raffia bag, and simple flip-flops rather than sporty-leaning trainers.

Look 3

This is one of my ‘smarter’ looks in this post, but one that goes to show a polo (or other sport-inspired piece) can work very well with tailoring. This one is made from a fine merino silk blend, so it already feels fancy. The navy is classic and lends itself well to a slightly smarter look, and honestly, the whole outfit doesn’t need much more than a sprinkling of jewellery. Comfy + low effort + big impact = my kind of outfit.

Look 4

It doesn’t get much more casual than a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. But here, I’ve used fabric, shape and accessories to make it feel so much more. The T-shirt and trousers are both 100% organic cotton — they hang and last well, and they feel good to wear. We’ve got an oversized cut in the tee, allowing for a little tuck for more shape, and voluminous, horseshoe-leg-shaped trousers that immediately create an interesting silhouette. A string of beads around the neck is an easy way to add an extra lift.

Look 5

I used to save this half-zip for Pilates only, until one day I left it on and pulled on some jeans as I was running out of the house. Reader, I loved the look, and I’m pleased to announce it’s no longer confined to the studio. Pairing it with jeans, heeled boots, and a good belt takes it away from too-sporty territory, so I’ll happily wear it out and about.

Any items marked with * have been gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.

This post contains some affiliate links. If you buy something through those links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.