Form vs Function: Athletic Apparel
There’s a scene in the new movie Air that resonates well with me. The movie is about the creation of Nike’s legacy shoes, the Air Jordans.
In the scene, the shoe designer asks whether he should focus on form or function when creating the first version of the shoe. Function of course would tailor the design solely for athletic performance, potentially at the expense of style. Form would focus on aesthetic pleasure at the expense of performance.
After a brief pause, the designer gets an answer: “Form.”
When choosing most athletic apparel, I definitely prioritize form over function. That’s just me, and it would probably surprise some people if they knew this. I was an NCAA record holder in swimming, so I do have a competitive side to me, but it has never transferred to concern over the performance abilities of my apparel. I never saw enough of a correlation between apparel and performance to care much for a material item’s function. Especially recently, I’ve seen exercise more as an opportunity for self expression.
Life is short, after all, and my primary objective with any sport is to have fun. And for me, part of the fun is in wearing apparel that resonates with me artistically. It’s a chance to show some individuality. Form for the win, even if it means running in cotton.
After college I joined a Master’s swimming club (a club for working adults to train together) and was infamous for my signature “tuxedo speedo” (a speedo designed to look like a tuxedo). I liked it because it got a lot of laughs. It certainly wasn’t the fastest suit, but it was one of a kind (besides, if I’m a fast swimmer, I shouldn’t need a fast suit to perform well).
In cycling I’m usually drawn more to a brand’s style than any sort of performance edge it might provide. If the material performs well, that’s just a bonus. My personal favorite apparel company is Mission Workshop because their bibs and jerseys have eye-catching colors and sleek and trendy designs. The materials are also top-notch, but I’d probably buy from them regardless.
Running is similar for me. More important than the moisture-wicking ability of a tee is the message it conveys. If you’re a good runner, you’re a good runner, and you’ll move at a good clip in just about any shirt anyways. So I usually try to find designs that are kind of edgy and reveal a little about myself. Lately I’ve been into Parisian brand Satisfy Running. I think of them as a running brand with a punk rock edge. It’s sort of an anti-performance athletic apparel brand, though they do make items with high quality materials.
I picked up a few of Satisfy’s bandanas, which have become my favorite accessory. I joined a racing team that requires me to wear a team singlet at races, which means at least part of my event attire is already chosen. As a result, I need accessories to show some flair! A unique bandana is a perfect way to make the getup uniquely my own.
I’ve never bought the carbon-plated running shoes for a similar reason. A “5% performance gain” is not something I’ve honestly ever thought about when making a shoe purchase. I just try to ensure that the colors go well with my scheme (and that they feel good).
I think that my lifelong neglect of obsessing over how apparel performs has ironically helped me to stay motivated to exercise. After all, it prioritizes the merging of movement and art. It means I’m often as excited about what I’ll wear as I am about the exercise itself.
So, maybe it’s form for the win.
