"Despite their laze-and-leisure reputation, sweats were first created for running, stretching, exercising with ease and freedom of movement. Émile Camuset, founder of the French sports store Le Coq Sportif, made the first pair of sweatpants in 1920 from a wool jersey-knit fabric. Other than swapping wool for cotton, they were similar to modern pairs-baggy and grey with an elasticized waist."
"Muhammad Ali was often photographed training in a gray crewneck sweatshirt, sweatpants, and boots, the same outfit worn by the fictional and iconic fighter Rocky Balboa. Preppies wore them over Oxford shirts, and Princess Diana rocked them with biker shorts. Spike Lee is probably wearing a set right now; all this to say-sweats are the original workout gear that looks cool."
"It's an effective way to stay warm on your runs while maintaining a sense of personal style: My Les Misérables and '90s Houston Rockets crewnecks get a shoutout from many a passerby (I kid you not, one guy once started belting Jean Valjean's "Look Down" and it was a much-needed pick-me-up mid run)."
Sweatshirts and sweatpants offer practical and budget-friendly alternatives to expensive cold-weather running gear. Originally designed for athletic training, sweatpants were first created in 1920 by Émile Camuset using wool jersey-knit fabric. Throughout history, iconic athletes and figures like Muhammad Ali, Rocky Balboa, Princess Diana, and Spike Lee have worn sweats as legitimate workout attire. Beyond functionality, sweats provide warmth during winter runs while allowing personal style expression. Despite their modern association with leisure wear, sweats remain effective for maintaining comfort in below-freezing temperatures while delivering the freedom of movement essential for running.
#cold-weather-running-gear #sweatshirts-and-sweatpants #athletic-wear-history #budget-friendly-fitness-clothing #winter-running
Read at Runner's World
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