Sold out in minutes and ‘hundreds’ are on a waitlist: The return of the luxury tracksuit
Seen on Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner, co-ordinated tracksuit sets are back in vogue … this time, with a twist.
Fashion
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It was a trend that ruled the lockdown era and now, upscale co-ordinated tracksuit sets are back in vogue … with a twist.
Fulled by “it” girls including Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner – and seen on brands from Henne to Wardrobe. NYC and Aje Athletica – Melbourne-based mega-influencer Rozalia Russian is the latest to enter the market.
Launching a capsule collection for label Atoir, the line’s co-ordinated tracksuits have broken the internet, this time with a modern update: the tracksuit pants are being teamed with sharp blazers and overcoats, and even corsets.
Rozalia x Atoir spans $149 slouchy tracksuit pants with matching hoodies ($189), and paired with Bieber-inspired oversized coats and puffer jackets.
Some items from Melbourne-based Russian’s collection sold out in a matter of minutes, with a waitlist for restocks in the “hundreds”, the brand says.
Australian Retailers’ Association chief executive Paul Zahra said fashion sales “weren’t immune to the cost of living” crisis but for some, buying quality still reigned over the budget.
However, he noted that clothing “fits a unique category of being both an essential and discretionary purchase“ and “with the onset of winter … tracksuits, jumpers, coats and parkas can fit the bill of an essential purchase”.
Zahra said consumers were prepared to spend on items that they wore frequently – and would last.
“While many would assume that shoppers would opt for a value brand … the reality is that savvy shoppers also look for quality and product longevity as a factor,” he said.
“Many shoppers may prefer to buy an upscale product that provides superior protection against the elements and lasts longer, than a cheaper product with less durability.
“Australians are under an enormous amount of pressure at the moment, and discretionary purchases during the sales period can certainly provide a dopamine hit.”
Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed spending on clothing, footwear and accessories recorded a 17.5 per cent spike year-on-year in January, but had slowed to 4.9 per cent in April.
The return of the “it” girl approved tracksuit rivals the traditional blazer and trousers set that once dominated office attire, as comfort continues to reign in fashion.
“Loungewear is becoming increasingly on trend year after year,” Russian said. “It has always been finding ways to elevate these looks to create timeliness and high-quality fabrications that consumers will have in their wardrobes forever.”
Two years since the launch of her debut capsule collection for Atoir, Russian said the “silhouettes [of tracksuits] have changed”.
“The key is to create a full look of each outfit that takes into consideration all details such as outerwear and accessories,” she said, noting the pairing of trackies with heels.
“The suited blazer/trouser combination is so chic and most importantly comfortable. You can wear either of these pieces together or on their own, head into the office, and still look stylish,
professional, and feel put-together.
“I haven’t reinvented the wheel and designed things that aren’t on the market. What I have done is take items such as a coat, a blazer, and loungewear, and have worked hard on making sure the measurements of all these pieces are the most flattering and make you feel the best when wearing them.”
Rozalia x Atoir is out now.
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