Feeling fine

There was a time when a guy’s coolness could be measured by the number of muscles on his abs (about six was ideal), the kind of car he drove (preferably something sporty and European), the amount of dough he made (high up in the Fortune 500). Then something happened. A whole new wave of Revenge of the Nerd dudes turned up and wore their thick-framed glasses and pocket calculators with an ironic sense of style. They wore sneakers with suits, shirt untucked underneath a formal vest. They wore sweatshirts over formal trousers and proudly showed off skinny limbs underneath shorts.

Just as films like Napolean Dynamite, starring Jon Heder as the dorky loser hero who wore his overbite with pride, celebrate the kind of people most catty high-schoolers would never classify as cool, a whole new brand of chic was born.

Instead of straightforward ensembles, guys have been mixing sportswear with traditional attire, working in old-school sneaks with a sweater vest and a pair of tailored trousers. T-shirts, worn purposefully slouchy, paired with a battered windbreaker and patched pants show street cred.

None of that baggy K-Fed-inspired trailer trash stuff works these days. Not that it ever did. It’s more a mix of proportions that’s become sartorially relevant to lots of male fashion insiders.

The same can be said of lots of trends for women. WWD’s trend forecast included T-shirt dresses, those shapeless, baggy things your mom made you toss out.

Nike’s holiday 2006 Sport Culture line has all the bases covered for a variety of upcoming trends. Oversized men’s tees make for sexy dresses while formfitting zip-up jackets work well with loose-fitting cargos in navy. Retro sweaters and hoodies are easily paired with wardrobe staples, from tennis minis to skinny jeans to floor-skimming skirts.

Inspired by legendary track star Steve Prefontaine (played by the super hot ____ in the biographical film based on Prefontaine’s life), the line represents the label’s shift from straight-up sportswear to edgier, street-inspired pieces.

Instead of making clothes meant to be worn straight to the gym or track field, Nike cleverly referenced sports icons – and their distinct retro style – and made them fit for everyday wear.

It’s not exactly worthy of a catwalk but it’ll get you from the gym to the mall without sweating style points. Not many other sports labels can say the same.