News & Features Feedback
New This WeekAround TownMusicFilmArtTheaterNews & FeaturesFood & DrinkAstrology
  HOME
NEW THIS WEEK
EDITORS' PICKS
LISTINGS
NEWS & FEATURES
MUSIC
FILM
ART
BOOKS
THEATER
DANCE
TELEVISION
FOOD & DRINK
ARCHIVES
LETTERS
PERSONALS
CLASSIFIEDS
ADULT
ASTROLOGY
PHOENIX FORUM DOWNLOAD MP3s



Velour du jour
Grandpa’s sweat suits make a comeback
BY ROB QUINTILIANI

Remember diving into your grandfather’s closet to shake things up when you ran out of wardrobe ideas? There were those butterfly collars and sturdy plaid button-downs. Over the course of the past few decades, those two looks have made a comeback. But these days, another of Grandpa’s favorite items has hit the streets: velour zip-up sweat suits. Decked out in all his brown-velour glory, the old guy knew the real reason to sport those sweats. It’s like the shaved-head phenomenon — when you’re covered in velour, people can’t get enough of rubbing you down.

The velour-sweat-suit trend, first pioneered by rappers as a way to stand out on stage, has now grown into a sleek, casual look that turns heads on any block. "It’s something about how the light hits them," muses area MC Virtuoso, seen recently at the House of Blues clad in a charcoal-gray Enyce velour suit. "They glow like velvet, but have a much smoother feel."

Constant rubbing may not produce a genie, but you don’t have to be George Michael to crave some touch, so numerous designers are doing velour on a much larger scale. The hip-hop trend of successful artists’ designing their own clothing lines has led to a pool of suits differentiated mainly by the embroidery of their logos. Labels Phat Farm (Russell Simmons), Roca Wear (Jay-Z), and Sean John (P. Diddy) all make gray, navy-blue, and black loose-fitting suits ($185–$215). They’re easy to find at department stores such as Macy’s and at smaller urban-clothing carriers like Manhattan and Hip Zepi.

Now, comfort may be important, but if turning heads is more your style, check the designs by Akademiks and Enyce. Hip Zepi carries bright-red and white suits by Akademiks ($165), and Manhattan has a shining-gold Enyce number ($188), guaranteed to dazzle Duck Tour participants, secretaries, and various small animals.

While Virtuoso continues to "search for that lady, perfect in baby-blue velour," brands like J.Lo and Roca Wear have baby-blue — as well as pink and white — women’s suits (starting at $155), available at Manhattan. The tops are cut short for navel-peeking, while the pants fit snugly around the thighs and loosen as they flow downward to the ankle. J.Lo has also released a one-piece velour hooded jumpsuit ($88), available in navy blue at Drjays.com.

Just in case Grandpa is a little uncertain about all the bravado of these new velour looks, Neiman Marcus also sells a more refined jogging suit with a black bottom and gray top, demarcated by a red stripe ($190). Kind of a Saturday-jaunt-on-the-Esplanade look, but hey, Grandpa got the ball rolling, and you’ve gotta respect that.

Where to find it:

• Hip Zepi, 31 Winter Street, Boston, (617) 350-6870.

• Macy’s, 450 Washington Street, Boston, (617) 357-3000.

• Manhattan Clothing & Shoes, 563 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 876-9080; 40 Winter Street, Boston, (617) 482-3370.

• Neiman Marcus, 5 Copley Place, Boston, (617) 536-3660.

www.drjays.com.



Issue Date: February 21 - 28, 2002
Back to the News & Features table of contents.

home | feedback | about the phoenix | find the phoenix | advertising info | privacy policy | the masthead | work for us

 © 2002 Phoenix Media Communications Group