The Oracle

Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Dustin Demmer This dress sits in front of a large photo of women playing croquet. Like this piece, many of the historical "sportswear" styles were more fashionable than functional.

When thinking of an art gallery devoted to sportswear fashion, one might imagine a collection of sweatpants and running shoes.

But the exhibit "From Sportswear to Streetwear" echoes a history that is difficult to compare to a modern-day Foot Locker.

The exhibit, found on the University of Minnesota (U of M) St. Paul campus, takes a look at the influence of sportswear on contemporary American fashion.

Panels on the wall provide a mini-history on a variety of different fashion staples throughout the exhibit.

The first panel describes how 19th century men adapted their everyday public dress in minor ways to allow them to better participate in various lawn games, like croquet.

As time progressed, clothing started to be designed specifically for athletics. The concept came full circle and sportswear came to influence normal streetwear once again.

For instance, clothes initially designed specifically for equestrian sports eventually morphed into clothes worn everyday as streetwear.

The exhibit poses the question, "Is it sportswear or streetwear?"

The exhibit features a diverse collection of clothes including tennis uniforms, dresses, formal suits, polo shirts, track jackets and argyle sweaters.

Most of the featured garments were from the Goldstein Museum's own collection, but some of the pieces were given by donors.
Viewer interaction also comes into play in the exhibit. Toward the end of the walk-around, outfits are displayed, with interactive questions posed for viewers.

One question posed for a polka-dotted outfit asked, "Would these polka dots be worn on the slopes, or on the street?"

Viewers could flip the cards and find the answer, as well as an explanation as to why it fits into its given category.

Also included is a TV monitor displaying various clips.

One clip shows American Olympians at this year's Beijing games at the opening ceremony, focusing on their attire, created by fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

In addition, one of the walls features contemporary fashion articles on current trends inspired by the older sportswear featured throughout the exhibit.

The articles included toward the end of the walk around explain how sportswear is still having its effect on modern streetwear and fashion.

Erin Jedlicka, a graduate student at the U of M, helped put the exhibit together.

She had been working on the exhibit for a few years, and was inspired by her class on fashion innovation.

The exhibit "From Sportswear to Streetwear: American Innovation" is open to visitors through Nov. 2 in the Goldstein Museum Gallery in McNeal Hall, located at the St. Paul campus of the U of M.

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