admin What it is:
With a history that dates back over 500 years, the windbreaker is by no
means a ‘new’ wardrobe staple. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the
garment was granted the status of an informal fashion attire and took on a
more modernised flair. A descendant of the ‘parka’, the windbreaker
typically refers to an insulating outwear item manufactured in a
lightweight material. The piece can be found in varying cuts, and often
comes with details like adjustable hemlines, workwear-like pockets, hoods
and waterproof fabrics. It is mostly linked to the sportswear category, but
occasionally crosses over boundaries when adapted by fashion designers and
brands.
Why you’ll want it:
For spring/summer, the windbreaker is the outerwear option of choice. The
typical use of a lightweight material makes it easy for customers to pack
the garment when travelling or when they are out-and-about, to then have on
hand if summer rain suddenly falls. The piece is often considered a
cross-category garment, most often linked to sportswear but as it continues
to seep into the collections of fashion-forward brands, has become a more
trend-led item in recent years. This means that it can appeal to both those
seeking either sports attire or simply just a stylish outerwear option,
giving it a broader appeal than other weatherproof pieces.
Where we’ve seen it:
This is evidenced by its prominence on the SS24 runways of menswear
collections, where the windbreaker took on a variety of forms. While Rains
stuck to the silhouette’s traditional shape, brands like Givenchy updated
the look through contrasting panelling and bold colourways. This also rang
true for Louis Vuitton and Denzilpatrick, where graphic patterns were
donned on the piece, the latter being more reminiscent of an 80s training
jacket. Junya Watanabe, on the other hand, drew inspiration more from the
military-trend, adding an excessive amount of pockets to the front of the
windbreaker to make it even more useful.
How to style it:
As the windbreaker is more of an outerwear option for rainy summer days,
its initial purpose is to simply be there as an easy-to-wear layer that has
the ability to be carried around without fuss. Despite this, the increased
presence of the look in fashion-forward collections has allowed for it to
also become a statement piece in itself, making it a stylish addition to an
outfit that can be worn all year round. Look to artists like Liam Gallagher
for inspiration when it comes to how to adopt a British ‘blokecore’
aesthetic, or to celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, who each
bring a more feminine yet alternative twist to the jacket.
The windbreaker, with all of its history, has undoubtedly become a widely
accepted outerwear piece for the fashionable trendsetters, donned by
celebrities as a statement garment in place of its sole rainy day origin.
Now present in an array of colours and patterns, the modernised item still
offers function to those in need of easy-to-pack weather protection
throughout the warmer months.
