Tracksmith’s Federation Collection Celebrates the Spirit of the Paris Games

Feeding the Federation

The Olympic Games are only days away, as athletes around the globe will gather in Paris to represent their individual countries. And while the games are great and all, the first competition comes during the opening ceremonies, as each country’s contingent arrives via boat down the Seine in their respective team uniforms. From subdued to flamboyant, the uniforms reflect the personality of the world’s cultures, an introduction to the spirit of the games.

For years, the United States team has worn the styles of Ralph Lauren, the iconic American designer that leans heavily on a preppy patriotic style, especially for the opening ceremonies. Point being– fashion matters, especially in Paris.

As with Ralph Lauren, New England run brand Tracksmith is no stranger to prep fashion; their rise in running has been heavily dependent on their dedication to nostalgia, embracing the Ivy League aura of ye olde times while weaving its aesthetic into modern athletic apparel. They’ve shown they can show up at big events, whether that’s supplying athletes in their Amateur Program with red-white-and-blue kits for the Olympic Trials or opening up pop-up shops at major marathons, a must-stop for any runner on race weekend.

While Paris isn’t a major marathon, it is a major event. Go to where the people are.

Which is why Tracksmith is releasing its all-new Federation Collection both online and in Paris, from now until mid-August. Inspired by the French capital, the collection is designed to honor the heart and history behind the competition, with styles that range from classy to classic. 

The cornerstone of the collection is the Federation Blazer, “inspired by the unstructured silhouettes of the 1924 Paris Games and designed with signature Tracksmith details.” Partnering with sartorial icon Emilie Hawtin, the jacket features premium materials (100% organic cotton twill) and was created by a zero-waste atelier in Rome. A custom silk label is a throwback to historic Parisian athletic cards.The unlined silhouette is finished with Tracksmith Oxford stripe interior piping, a locker loop with our signature racing stripe, and a custom gold hare pin.

For the more casual observer, the collection also features a brand new Tracksuit, perfect for the village and the podium, in case you somehow got hammered drunk off too many Sidecars and wandered into either location.

If you are going to wander, it’s probably better for everyone if you end up at Merci, the location of a month-long pop-up that will host a series of running events, exclusive launches and more. If you’re running the Paris Marathon, you can also get your free poster with your stamped finishing time after the race. While you’re there, you can also check out the limited-edition Tracksmith x Merci x Wind Vintage Timepiece (also known as a watch), created in collaboration with Merci and curated by Wind Vintage. The watch features details like a calfskin leather band, a deep navy dial that’s embellished with Breguet numerals and a red second hand for a timeless Tracksmith aesthetic. 

To check out the rest of the Federation Collection (in both men’s and women’s styles), you can head over to tracksmith.com and pick up a piece for yourself, whether you’re in Paris or Pittsburgh.