Nine ways to wear my favourite fashion paradox: elevated sportswear

Should inspiration be taking a coffee break, simply borrow from the popular TikTok ‘Sandwich’ method

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025 - 14:37

Annmarie O’Connor

Elevated sportswear: my favourite fashion paradox. It’s the hall pass we need when comfort throws a tantrum and we’re fresh out of dress code excuses. It’s not just a vibe. It’s a lifeline.

Case in point: our Copenhagen style-brethren. With cobbles and bicycles part of the daily terrain, they don’t capitulate. The use their Nordic nous to get creative, reinventing casualwear rather than playing it safe. Whether it’s a pair of Prada-inspired ballet sneakers and a voluminous dress or a team jersey underneath a corporate suit, the Danes have mastered the art of intentionality.

Wear that practice back to front and look at making your dressy bits and bobs more wearable with a vintage sneaker here, a trefoil trouser there.

If like me, your closet is crushingly low on anything vaguely sporty, look to adjacent pieces that boast elevated elements. Arket’s oversized denim jacket is the perfect piece for a preppy mini skirt and loafers. Equally, try faux leather Bermuda shorts from Essentiel Antwerp with a pussy-bow blouse, a bouclé tweed jacket and a Yankees baseball cap.

Should inspiration be taking a coffee break, simply borrow from the popular TikTok ‘Sandwich’ method. Match two elements of your outfit (the bread) like your top and shoes and contrast that with a different item (the filling) like your trousers or skirt in terms of colour, texture or proportion.

For me, that looks like a vintage Adidas zip-through with a floor-sweeping taffeta skirt, boxing boots and diamond chandelier earrings. Just your average Saturday at the farmer’s market then.

Copenhagen Fashion Week