The Sportsman dresses for the game he’s heading to: a half-zip, soft trousers and white trainers he can change out of in a minute.
For me, the Sportsman is white trainers and a half-zip. He picks clothes like lululemon’s because they’re comfortable and he can change into his game kit fast.
My own half-zip is lululemon, and so are my trousers: the ABC.
Who the Sportsman is
He’s always on his way to something: a game, the gym, a run. So his clothes have three jobs. Be comfortable, look clean, and come off fast.
But he never wears his running shoes to dinner or the office. He goes for a minimal white leather trainer that goes with everything. No dad shoes.
How to wear it
On the way to a game: navy half-zip, white tee, ABC trousers, white trainers. Kit in the bag.
Straight after: same trousers and trainers, half-zip back on. Nobody can tell you’ve just played.
Cold day: a lambswool crew over the tee instead of the half-zip.
Keep the fit close, not tight. The trousers should taper and stop just above the trainer.
What to skip
Gym kit off the court: running shorts, tights, a sweaty training top.
Big logos and loud colours. One small logo is plenty.
Running shoes and chunky “dad” trainers with everyday clothes. Save the runners for the run.
The Sportsman, five ways
Coffee run
On court
At the gym
Outdoors
Travel day
Where to buy
The Sportsman pieces
One look that goes from the street to the court. Six pieces.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Lyle & Scott link is also an affiliate link. The lululemon, Mr Porter and Montblanc links are not. None of this changes what I recommend.
The bag
Black grain leather. The one to spend on.
Leather weekender
LuxuryThe half-zip
Soft, stretchy, on and off in a second.
Navy half-zip
PremiumThe trousers
Look like chinos, move like joggers.
ABC trousers
PremiumThe trainers
Minimal white leather. Goes with everything.
White leather trainers
Mid-marketThe tee
Plain white under the half-zip.
White crew-neck tee
Mid-marketFor cold days
Lambswool crew instead of the half-zip.
Lambswool crew
Premium
Prices, colours and stock change. Check size, seller and delivery before buying.
Shop the pin
The camel wool jacket outfit
A camel wool-blend jacket over a black zip hoodie, light-wash jeans and white Air Force 1s. Everything from the pin in one place.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 10 October 2026; prices and stock change.
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The flannel and raw denim outfit
A ginger check flannel shirt jacket worn open over a white tee, dark rinse 501s and suede desert boots. Everything from the pin in one place.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 14 October 2026; prices and stock change.
Shop the pin
The travel outfit: zip knit and khaki chinos
A tobacco brown lambswool zip cardigan, light khaki chinos with one turn-up, brown suede Gazelles and a Saint Laurent suede duffel. Comfortable for a flight, smart enough for wherever you land.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 16 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Suede duffel Luxury
Saint Laurent suede duffel, tan brown: Mytheresa
On a budget: Brooks Brothers Lafayette canvas duffle, navy: US · UK - Zip cardigan Premium
GANT Extrafine Lambswool Zip Cardigan, Cacao: UK - Khaki chinos Mid-market
Levi's XX Chino, Sand Khaki: US · UK - Brown trainers Mid-market
adidas Gazelle Indoor, coffee brown suede (UK) · Gazelle, khaki and fox brown (US): US · UK
Shop the pin
The harrington, dressed for autumn
A tan harrington worn open over a brown quarter-zip and a white tee, with light-wash 501s turned up once and Nike Killshots. Easy for a weekend in town or a city break.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 16 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Tan harrington Mid-market
Levi's Baker Harrington, True Chino (UK) · Cotton Canvas Harrington, Light Olive (US): US · UK - Brown quarter-zip Premium
Polo Ralph Lauren Estate-Rib Quarter-Zip, Nutmeg Brown Heather: US · UK - White crew-neck tee Mid-market
Hanes Beefy-T 2-pack: US · UK - Light-wash jeans Mid-market
Levi's 501 Original, light wash: US · UK - White trainers Mid-market
Nike Killshot 2 Leather, sail / midnight navy / gum: US · UK
Shop the pin
The black harrington, kept simple
The same harrington idea in black: zipped low over a plain grey tee, with light-wash 501s, white Stan Smiths and dark sunglasses. Three neutrals and a flash of tartan inside the jacket.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 17 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Black harrington Mid-market
Merc London Harrington, black with tartan lining (UK) · London Fog Auburn Golf Jacket, black (US): US · UK - Light grey tee Mid-market
Hanes Beefy-T 2-pack, Light Steel: US · UK - Light-wash jeans Mid-market
Levi's 501 Original, light wash: US · UK - White leather trainers Mid-market
adidas Originals Stan Smith, white / green: US · UK - Black sunglasses Luxury
Persol PO0649, black with green lenses: US · UK
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Denim and grey, ready to fly
A light-wash trucker over a grey hoodie, relaxed black joggers and white New Balance 9060s, with a silver cabin case. Easy for a long-haul seat, smart enough for the hotel lobby.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 19 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Aluminium cabin case Luxury
Rimowa Original Cabin, silver: Rimowa · Amazon option, Samsonite S'Cure 55, silver: US · UK - Denim trucker jacket Mid-market
Levi's Trucker Jacket, light wash: US · UK - Grey hoodie Premium
Polo Ralph Lauren Cabin Fleece Hoodie, grey: US · UK - Relaxed black joggers Mid-market
Carhartt Relaxed Fit Midweight Sweatpant, black: US · UK - Chunky white runners Premium
New Balance 9060, Sea Salt: US · UK - Washed cap Mid-market
'47 Clean Up, dark graphite: US · UK - Over-ear headphones Premium
Apple AirPods Max: US · UK - Steel watch Premium
Tissot PRX 40, black dial: UK
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The navy quarter-zip, for Saturday
A navy quarter-zip over a white tee, straight-leg 501s, a navy cap and white leather court trainers, with a blue-dial watch to pick up the navy. An easy weekend look for coffee runs and errands. Everything from the pin in one place.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 23 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Blue-dial watch Luxury
Tissot PRX 40 Quartz, blue dial: UK
US alternative: Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic, blue dial: US - Navy quarter-zip Mid-market
Levi's Housemark Quarter-Zip, Blazer Navy (UK) · Nautica Quarter-Zip Fleece, Navy (US): US · UK - White crew-neck tee Mid-market
Gap Everyday Soft Crewneck, White (US) · Levi's Slim Crew 2-pack, white and navy (UK): US · UK - Straight jeans Mid-market
Levi's 501 Original (Light Stonewash US, Stonewash UK): US · UK - Navy cap Mid-market
Tommy Hilfiger cotton cap (Regal Navy US, Midnight UK): US · UK - White trainers Mid-market
Reebok Club C 85, white / green: US · UK
Shop the pin
The navy chore jacket, with faded denim
A navy chore jacket worn open over a white tee, light-wash jeans turned up once and moc-toe work boots. A practical autumn weekend outfit for the workshop, the garden or a long walk into town. Everything from the pin in one place.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks checked 31 October 2026; prices and stock change.
- Moc-toe work boots Luxury
Red Wing Heritage Classic Moc, Briar Oil Slick (US) · Oro Legacy, the closest colour on Amazon UK (UK): US · UK - Navy chore jacket Premium
Huckberry Flint and Tinder Classic Chore Coat, Dark Navy: US · UK - White crew tee Mid-market
Carhartt K87 Pocket Tee, White (US) · Carhartt Relaxed Fit Heavyweight Tee, White (UK): US · UK - Light-wash jeans Mid-market
Levi's 501 Original, Light Stonewash (US) · Levi's 514 Straight, light vintage wash (UK): US · UK
Final note
The Sportsman’s clothes do two jobs: look clean on the way there, then get out of the way when it’s time to play. Start with the half-zip and the white trainers.
This post has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.
Read next: Take the style quiz · The Rake: Relaxed, Never Careless · The Minimalist: How to Dress Well With Less
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