Sports Fashion
Eight Sports Trends for 2008
By Cindy Whitehead

1) Infusing natural products into sportswear lines is the wave of the future. Many companies are starting to infuse natural substances like coconut shells, soy and aloe into their apparel lines to help create fabrics that keep you dry, comfortable and in some cases "fresh" smelling while you work out. Coconut has the ability to suppress odor and has an excellent dry time.

2) Recyclable and biodegradable products are also on the rise. Many companies are using recycled materials to create new garments as well as gear like yoga mats. We are also seeing more biodegradable products that will break down faster over time.

3) UV Protection is another determining factor when buying apparel now, especially during the summer months when most people chose to take their training outdoors more often. Athletic lines are now adding UV protection to everything in their line.

4) For women there is a lot of "double duty" apparel coming out. Pieces that easily traverse from the gym to the street and still look great. Everything from workout leggings with a roll-up skirt attached (looks like a wide waistband when working out - roll it down when you leave the gym and it's a stylish cover) to jackets that have zip-off sleeves to wear as a vest after your workout if it's hot outside.

5) Skorts are on the rise! Women seem to enjoy the feeling of wearing a "skirt" when bicycling, running or working out, but really like the coverage the small pair of fitted shorts add. The other side to this is - a lot of women love the short fitted workout short but do not feel comfortable wearing it out without covering their rear somehow with a bulky sweatshirt or the like - which is not so attractive.

6) We will be seeing more emphasis on style, cut and fit in apparel, and less emphasis on trendy items. More attention is now being given to details that are performance enhancing, body conscious and comfortable. For men we will be seeing longer technical running shorts flooding the market. They still have the movement that the shorter running shorts had, but offer a slightly longer leg for comfort and a more current look.

7) Women-specific products are now showing up in all areas of sports apparel and gear. Everything from snowboard boots and climbing shoes, backpacks that fit a woman's body and shape, running shoes that are lighter and fit women better, and even smaller and lighter snowboards.

8) Fashion companies making athletic apparel is another trend. Some of the lines like Maui and Sons are making a comeback from the '70s and '80s while others like Alice & Olivia are jumping in for the first time. The difference we will be seeing now is that regardless of the line having a fashion edge to it - it will be more performance enhancing than in previous years.

A former professional skateboarder, Cindy Whitehead is the one and only Sports Stylist®. She coined the term and top brands, like Gatorade, Nike and Adidas, hire her to help communicate the message of their brands and deliver it with style. She has also styled Tiger Woods, Michelle Kwan and Shaun White, tapping into each athlete's individual style. For more information see www.cindywhitehead.com.