Here’s a fun fact for you. British brand Sunspel introduced boxer shorts to the UK in 1947 and supplied the box-fresh white kecks for the 1980s Levi’s advert that popularised this type of underwear, forever consigning briefs to your dad’s drawer.
Of course, that’s not the only thing Sunspel is known for. It’s been producing clothes since 1860 and has become a favourite of stylish men seeking good-quality basics – and the label’s new foray into activewear will do that reputation no harm at all.
Sunspel has hooked up with one of our favourite British running labels, Iffley Road, to create a limited-edition collection that combines performance fabrics and understated style.
The Langley Colourblock T-shirt (£75) is the most eye-catching of the line, with its retro stripe design evoking the bygone strips of the Amateur Athletics Association. It’s made from superfine cotton with wicking qualities that help to prevent sweat stains, making it one of the few items of clothing that can be worn for sport and in casual settings with denim or chinos.
The Stanton technical polo shirt (£90) uses a performance fabric which dries four times faster than cotton, and it’s not treated with chemicals so it shouldn’t fade in the wash.
Trent Technical shorts (£95) complete the collection. They’re made from a quick-drying polyester and include useful details like a fly, while the slightly longer length means they can easily be worn as leisurewear.
Lest you think this is a premium brand jumping on the athleisure bandwagon and making nice-looking clothes that wouldn’t stand up to a brisk walk, you can check out pictures of fell runners in north Wales and the Lake District testing the clobber.
Sign up on the sunspel.com website to be the first to hear when the line goes on sale.
