How to break a sweat — in style

MANILA, Philippines - It’s cool to wear trainers outside the tracks — just cuff your trousers, lest you look like your former gym class self, circa 1999.

“Sportswear-inspired looks with big bold colors and printed numbers are the current look of the season,” says Rey Ilagan, editor in chief of men’s style authority Garage magazine.

Dubbed sub-sports — that’s athletic-inspired pieces with workwear-to-streetwear touches and styling — the look for fall is decidedly modern, edgy and, unlike trends of seasons past, very comfy. It’s clothes you can do more in. Think of the jocks in high school, except that you’re training for life.

Sportswear essentials like runner sneakers and graphic pullovers by Topman are Ilagan’s picks to get on trend. They’re just some of the pieces from the new fall collection unveiled at Topman Fashion Fridays, held at its first standalone boutique in the country at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall East Wing.

These key pieces come with cut-and-sew detailing so it looks fresh. Garage associate style editor Adrianne Concepcion styled three looks to show how it’s done: he cuffed tailored joggers worn with a varsity tee, knotted a jacket around the waist, and put everything together with contrast blocking, pairing chambray with leopard print and logo tees with denim.

“This collection, aside from being in line with the season, offers guys the opportunity to be more experimental and expressive with prints,” comments publicist and blogger Paul Chuapoco, also awarded as the event’s best dressed.

“The trend can teach us how to look more polished at the gym,” adds fashion photographer Cholo dela Vega, sporting a luxe bomber jacket and a basic V-neck.

The look isn’t just for jocks. The thing with sub-sports is it’s minimal, so it works for everyone (girls at the event copped sub-sports essentials for themselves). Each fashion tribe is represented on the racks: hot items are raglans with baroque-print sleeves and leopard print tees for the cavalier, and rock-washed jean jackets with mesh hoodies for the up-and-about urbanite.

Not sure how to integrate it with your look? Warm up with a graphic print tee to show off your team spirit. The quintessential snapback is a quick way to look sub-sporty; Topman makes them in different prints and textures, from hippie florals to preppy quilts and punk tartan with varsity logos.