20 Sporty Nordstrom Items Unleashing Our Inner Athlete

Sponsor Content Created With Nordstrom

Sporty Polos and Sneakers from Nordstrom
(Image credit: Original Illustration by Jamie Brown)

The summer of sports is in full swing, and not only is it occupying all my screen time, but it's affecting my shopping habits. Never before have I wanted to don red, white, and blue on days other than the 4th of July, nor would I ever describe my personal style as "sporty." Maybe it's the decorated athletes competing in Paris or our Women in Sports issue, but I'm all in on summer's athletic fashion trends. In NYC, I can't go a day without seeing someone in a workout dress styled with Adidas Sambas or a rugby shirt paired with exercise shorts. On the runways, brands are showcasing nylon outerwear. Even abroad, celebrities are wearing baseball hats, totes, and tees from American athletic brands as they cheer on their favorite teams. The impact sports are having on the fashion industry is palpable.

In the spirit of a sporty summer, there are a few key pieces I'm inspired to add to my wardrobe. Tennis skirts, polo shirts, and sneakers are first up. Tennis skirts are a great way to beat the summer heat while looking and staying cool. I'd wear them with a simple white tee and ballet flats. I thought I had abandoned my desire to wear polo shirts once I graduated from private school, but styling them in a way that is sporty, not preppy, is something I'm copying from my favorite street style celebs. To round out the wardrobe, I recommend shopping Adidas Sambas and Nike Cortez sneakers. I love the retro feel of the Nikes, and my favorite colorway can be found below. Brands such as Sporty & Rich, Nike, and Fila are always my first stop when looking for this aesthetic, but Nordstrom's wide range of options has opened my eyes to even more brands that fit the bill. The retailer's affordable in-house brands BP and Open Edit are partaking in the sporty trend with pieces including the ones shopped out in this story, so keep scrolling to shop my summer-of-sports wish list.

Natalie Gray Herder
Editor

Natalie Gray Herder is an editor on the branded content team at Who What Wear and Marie Claire. Originally from Los Angeles, Natalie decided to make the move to NYC after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in 2019. She had plans of applying to law school until doing a 180 to follow her more creative passions: writing and fashion. She is an avid researcher, reader, and explorer in and out of the office. She is inspired by the street style of her fellow New Yorkers and her laid-back roots in California.