The matching windbreaker set is having a moment, but it is not new. It goes back to the shell suits of the 1980s and the windbreaker tracksuits of the 90s.
The 80s: the shell suit
A shell suit is a tracksuit made from a thin, shiny nylon or polyester shell instead of knit fabric. In the 1980s they were everywhere, usually in bright, color-blocked panels. They were cheap, light and easy, and people wore them far beyond the gym.
The 90s: the windbreaker set
By the 90s the shell suit had turned into the windbreaker set: a hooded or zip-up jacket with matching pants, often oversized, with big logos. It became part of hip-hop and street style, worn with sneakers, gold chains and a hat.
Why it is back
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Relaxed fits are back. Wide pants and boxy jackets suit a shell fabric.
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Matching sets are easy. One purchase, one complete outfit.
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It is practical. A shell blocks wind, is light, and dries fast.
What is different now
Today's sets keep the shape and drop the loud color-blocking. The look is cleaner: one color top to bottom, small logos, better hardware. Our Orbit Set is built that way: a hooded full-zip shell jacket and relaxed straight-leg pants in solid colors like Redline, Black Stone, Arctic White and Mocha, plus Midnight Camo.
How to wear it the modern way
Keep it monochrome, let the pants sit over chunky sneakers, and add a matching beanie. More in how to style a windbreaker set.
Shop all windbreaker sets.
Questions people ask
What is a shell suit?
A tracksuit made from a thin, shiny nylon or polyester shell instead of knit fabric. It was popular in the 1980s and early 90s.
Is a windbreaker set the same as a shell suit?
Close. A windbreaker set is a shell jacket with matching pants; today's versions are usually solid colors with a more relaxed fit.
How do you wear a 90s windbreaker set today?
One color top to bottom, relaxed fit, chunky sneakers and a matching beanie.
Keep reading
The 90s Windbreaker Tracksuit: From Shell Suit to Streetwear
The matching windbreaker set is having a moment, but it is not new. It goes back to the shell suits of the 1980s and the windbreaker tracksuits of the 90s.
The 80s: the shell suit
A shell suit is a tracksuit made from a thin, shiny nylon or polyester shell instead of knit fabric. In the 1980s they were everywhere, usually in bright, color-blocked panels. They were cheap, light and easy, and people wore them far beyond the gym.
The 90s: the windbreaker set
By the 90s the shell suit had turned into the windbreaker set: a hooded or zip-up jacket with matching pants, often oversized, with big logos. It became part of hip-hop and street style, worn with sneakers, gold chains and a hat.
Why it is back
What is different now
Today's sets keep the shape and drop the loud color-blocking. The look is cleaner: one color top to bottom, small logos, better hardware. Our Orbit Set is built that way: a hooded full-zip shell jacket and relaxed straight-leg pants in solid colors like Redline, Black Stone, Arctic White and Mocha, plus Midnight Camo.
How to wear it the modern way
Keep it monochrome, let the pants sit over chunky sneakers, and add a matching beanie. More in how to style a windbreaker set.
Shop all windbreaker sets.
Questions people ask
What is a shell suit?
A tracksuit made from a thin, shiny nylon or polyester shell instead of knit fabric. It was popular in the 1980s and early 90s.
Is a windbreaker set the same as a shell suit?
Close. A windbreaker set is a shell jacket with matching pants; today's versions are usually solid colors with a more relaxed fit.
How do you wear a 90s windbreaker set today?
One color top to bottom, relaxed fit, chunky sneakers and a matching beanie.
Keep reading