CREDIT: LISA KELLY
From left: Frugal Fashionista shows how to style mesh, neon and sport jackets to achieve the perfect sport chic looks.

When you hear the term sport chic it seems like an oxymoron. It is possible to wear sporty clothing without looking like you’re paying homage to Sporty Spice – although we all know there’s a pair of tearaway pants hiding in the back of our closets.

Not only can this trend be incredibly sexy, it’s also really comfortable, which is a total win. Sport chic has been a recurring trend throughout the past few seasons, and it was quite popular in the summer 2014 season. For the frugal fashionistas out there, this means you probably already own some sporty clothing – all you need is a simple refresh to make your current sporty threads on trend for this season. In past seasons, this trend was somewhat Olympian inspired – with looks taking inspiration from various sporting events. This season, sport chic has gone badass – with more street-inspired looks, sport chic is fit for a music festival, not a tennis match.

Try pairing one or more of these sporty pieces with chic pieces to achieve the sport chic look:

Mesh

Mesh is a great and easy way to add a sporty element to your outfit. This season, mesh is really popular, so it’s easy to find almost any article of clothing with a mesh insert. It’s important to remember that the idea is to look sporty without looking too overdone. If you’re adding mesh to your outfit, pick one article of clothing with a mesh insert and pair it with solid textures.

White trim

Monochromatic (black and white) has reappeared this season, and the colour combo is très chic. To make monochromatic look sporty, look for pieces that are black with white trim. Wrap dresses and wrap skirts showcase this look the best – the higher the slit the better.

Stripes

Stripes are already a big trend this season, but they have a sporty element to them too – think a referee’s shirt. Add stripes to any element of your outfit for an instant sport chic look. You don’t need to stick to black and white to get the sporty feel – try playing with colours to see what works best for your style.

Neon

When bright colours start appearing, you know spring has sprung. Just like your gym threads, the sport chic look would not be complete without a pop of neon colour. Try not to go overboard – this isn’t the Rainbow Brite trend – but don’t be afraid to mix neon accessories together.

Bodycon

To rock figure-flattering bodycon with a sport twist try pairing a fitted bodycon dress with light bomber jacket and a pair of strappy sandals. The boxy-ness of the jacket gives the outfit a sporty element, but the sandals maintain a chic look.

Sweatshirts/Joggers

Praise the fashion gods – comfy sweaters and joggers are actually in style. Of course, these pieces have had some serious updating since the Adidas tracksuits of the ‘90s. When rocking either of these pieces, the rest of your outfit needs to be as chic as possible. Trying pairing a sweatshirt with a bold statement skirt and glam up the outfit with accessories. Don’t just go for a plain grey sweatshirt – look for pieces that have detailing – and don’t be afraid to rock a sweatshirt with a number or a crest. When wearing joggers, look for ones that are fitted and skinny legged. Fashion joggers come in many different textures, patterns and colours – opt for rich colours or pretty patterns for a look that’s more chic than sporty. Most importantly, don’t forget to add heels.

Fashion sneakers

We’re not talking about Nike Frees – although a coral pair would be totally cute. To pull this look off with a pair of sneakers, they need to be somewhat embellished. You can buy sneakers that are already embellished with gold elements, or you can save money and do it yourself. Dig out a pair of old sneakers and get crafty – with spray paint, studs and some imagination, you can create the perfect pair of fashion sneakers.

It’s all about the details

Sport-inspired clothing details such as zippers, hoods and drawstrings are a great way to achieve the sport chic look without looking too sporty. Pleather piping or pleather trim is also making an appearance in the sport chic trend. When adding accessories to your outfit, play up the chic elements – try a glam statement necklace or a bold bangle. Don’t be afraid to add some glitz to your outfit.

As long as you make sure you’re wearing more chic than sporty elements, you’ll never look like you’re headed for the gym. Now go forth and be comfortable – with style.