Velour Tracksuits Really Are Back – Here’s How To Make Them Work In 2020

Online searches have soared since September.

velour tracksuits

by Hannah Banks-Walker |
Updated on

Velour tracksuits were to the mid-noughties what banana bread was to lockdown. You can barely look at a photograph of a celebrity from that time without seeing one of these tactile two-pieces, which came to pretty much define the decade, sartorially speaking. There were repeat offenders, of course, by which I really mean Paris Hilton, who wore her collection on flights, out shopping and even to red carpet events. She must be pleased, then, that they're back – and in a big way.

Paris Hilton in one of her many Juicy Couture tracksuits
Paris Hilton in one of her many Juicy Couture tracksuits

Irina Shayk has just stepped out in a three-piece velour tracksuit, styling the look with a zebra-print shoulder bag and leather knee-highs.

velour tracksuits
Irina Shayk wearing SKIMS ©Getty

Lyst is also reporting that, since September, searches for 'velvet' and 'velour' are up by 30%. News that Kim Kardashian was adding a velour range to her SKIMS collection – and had recruited none other than Hilton to help promote it – meant that searches for velour tracksuits then spiked by 54% compared to the previous week (Shayk's was also by SKIMS). Can you guess which brand was the most popular? Oh yes, it's still Juicy Couture.

Britney Spears in her Juicy Couture tracksuit, 2003
Britney Spears in her Juicy Couture tracksuit, 2003

There was a time when a Juicy tracksuit was more of a status symbol than carrying a Birkin (well, almost). Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and a very fresh-faced Lindsay Lohan were all pictured wearing them around 2003, while they were even immortalised on-screen.

Rachel Bilson as Summer in The OC
Rachel Bilson as Summer in The OC

In Desperate Housewives, for example, Gabrielle (played by Eva Longoria) had a wardrobe full of them, much like Summer Roberts inThe O.C****__. In Mean Girls, Amy Poehler plays Regina George's over-eager mother, dressed in a pale pink Juicy Couture ensemble.

Beyoncé wearing a velour tracksuit in 2003
Beyoncé wearing a velour tracksuit in 2003

Kim Kardashian was also a fan (possibly why she decided to introduce her own take on velour to SKIMS) and was often photographed alongside Paris Hilton – two peas in a Juicy Couture pod.

Paris and Kim both wearing velour in 2006
Paris and Kim both wearing velour in 2006

Chances are this luxurious take on loungewearis having another day (or month) in the sun due to our current circumstances. This year has seen our lives – and therefore our wardrobes– change dramatically. While stuck at home, we searched for comfort and found it in the form of leggings, knitted trousers and hoodies.

It makes sense that, as we head towards winter and a new set of restrictions on our lives, we're once again yearning for comfortable clothes that make us feel good. Plus, the nostalgic element to a velour tracksuit is unavoidable, thus transporting us all back to a simpler, perhaps happier time.

Jennifer Lopez in a velour tracksuit in 2001
Jennifer Lopez in a velour tracksuit in 2001

From Juicy Couture to the British high street, there are velvet sweatpants, velour suits and tactile tops, all waiting to upgrade your 2003 look. If you do want to hop on the celebrity bandwagon and wear yours with UGGS, please do take a moment to remember the noughties trends in all their glory. Then you might just change your mind.

Gallery

SHOP: The Best Velour Tracksuits

Juicy Couture, Zip-Through Hoodie, £75 at Urban Outfitters1 of 13

Juicy Couture, Zip-Through Hoodie, £75 at Urban Outfitters

Next, Velour Hoodie, £242 of 13

Next, Velour Hoodie, £24

Next, Pink Velour Joggers, £203 of 13

Next, Pink Velour Joggers, £20

John Lewis & Partners, Velour Hoodie, £294 of 13

John Lewis & Partners, Velour Hoodie, £29

Topshop, Navy Velour Trousers, £39.995 of 13

Topshop, Navy Velour Trousers, £39.99

Sleeping With Jacques, Velvet Robe, £280 at Net-a-Porter6 of 13

Sleeping With Jacques, Velvet Robe, £280 at Net-a-Porter

Sleeping With Jacques, Velvet Wide Leg Trousers, £169 at Net-a-Porter7 of 13

Sleeping With Jacques, Velvet Wide Leg Trousers, £169 at Net-a-Porter

Juicy Couture, Wine Velour Sweatpants, £65 at Urban Outfitters8 of 13

Juicy Couture, Wine Velour Sweatpants, £65 at Urban Outfitters

Suzie Kondi, Velour Sweatshirt, £220 at Net-a-Porter9 of 13

Suzie Kondi, Velour Sweatshirt, £220 at Net-a-Porter

Suzie Kondi, Velour Track Pants, £220 at Net-a-Porter10 of 13

Suzie Kondi, Velour Track Pants, £220 at Net-a-Porter

Monsoon, Velvet Joggers, £4511 of 13

Monsoon, Velvet Joggers, £45

Off-White, Logo Embroidered Jacket, £590 at Browns12 of 13

Off-White, Logo Embroidered Jacket, £590 at Browns

Off-White, High Waist Track Pants, £495 at Browns13 of 13

Off-White, High Waist Track Pants, £495 at Browns

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