Ah January: A time for serious self-improvement and the general washing away of December’s sins. If you’re not feeling inspired to hit the gym yet, Champion’s latest collaborative feat with Iowa-born menswear designer Todd Snyder is likely to get you star-jumping your way there.
Entitled ‘City Gym,’ the collection was inspired by designs from Champion’s archive along with a selection of vintage photos from the New York Athletic Club. As a result, each piece feels like a gym kit essential, steeped in vintage sportswear charm.
Like the majority of American kids, Snyder wore Champion back in his gym class days. However, his love for the brand extended beyond school and into the 80’s, when the designer opted for the brand’s classic off-white reverse weave sweatshirts and cotton coach’s jackets as the key components of his off-duty style–“To me, Champion always symbolized quality and classic American style.”
Using Champion’s extensive archive of sales catalogs and vintage samples, the compact collection of 35 pieces was created. Ultimately, the beauty of these pieces lies in their versatility. If you can’t bear to banish these pieces to your gym bag, garment dyed t-shirts, vintage thermal long-sleeve crews and classic athletic sweats will translate seamlessly into your weekend wardrobe. While merino wool varsity sweaters, waxed duffel coats and clean wool flannel varsity jackets will lend a sportive contrast to smart/casual office dressing. If you want to go full-on workwear, Snyder’s slim-fit suit and skinny tie crafted from the iconic reverse weave sweatshirt fabric are ideal for spring.
The scrupulous attention to detail is evident in each design. Graphics are made from felt appliqué, sumptuous cottons are pre-laundered in a mill wash to add character and comfort and a utilitarian heathered palette runs throughout the collection, which is bound to make you look like a 1950s sports star hero, gym or no gym.
For full stockist info visit www.toddsnyder.com
