2024 Was The Year Of Irish Sportswear
Words: Dray Morgan
Photo: @alexdelchill
Bastions of blokecore, titans of the tracksuit, Ireland has been taken over by upmarket sportswear this year. Taking from the archives of Gaelic football, hurling, football and more, we have seen some absolutely gorgeous pieces coming out of Ireland.
Robyn Lynch
Most of the Irish sportwear fashion we’re seeing is imagry being imported from the continent and beyond. It a beautiful thing to see Robyn Lynch putting the GAA in a fashionable light on an interntional scale. From upcycling GAA jerseys for London fashion week to styling some of the biggest names in football such as Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo.
Pellador
Encompassing the Irish obsession with high fashion sportswear, we’ve seen Pellador dominate the pub smoking area chat. Nostalgia interwoven with forward-thinking designs has seen collaborations with Guinness and Gliders, building a cult of the brand in only a matter of years.
Almost Home
An Irish high fashion brand which dipped its toes into the sportswear world this year with a stunning revamp of the vintage Coventry F.C. matchwear. In a collaboration with the original kit makers, Admiral, they’ve produced some garms which have us clambering for a tracksuit.
GALÁN
Another one that turns heads on the streets of Dublin. Sports casualwear with undertones of classic Irishness. A running theme throughout the brand has been combining fashion with the faces of creative figures around Ireland.
35 Vintage
It isn’t just brands but institutions which have embraced the global sportswear love interest. 35 Vintage has become the plug for that archive footy fashion. Keeping bloke-core alive one ’96 United jersey at a time.
Ahmed, With Love
Music and sportswear seem to be inseparable this year. Sheer retro being represented by the cutting edge in Irish music. Ahmed, With Love’s “Ahmed, Le Grá” line saw a silky perspective on how artist merchandise can break the barriers of the standard hoodies and t-shirts.
Martha McLoughlin
Although this dropped at the backend of 2023, the uniqueness of this one gives it a pass. Martha McLoughlin created her “Puck to Party” piece as an entry to Umbro’s ‘Make New’ upcycled fashion design competition. Urbanifying elements of rural Irish culture, Martha’s work pulls on Celtic imagery, Gaelic Sportswear and rave attire to build around the concept of Hurling match at 8 and rave at 10.
