Spring jackets are among my most favorite clothing items. They’re just so fun and such a fabulously easy way to zhuzh up a basic outfit—essentially my ideal Third Piece, aka the key to an interesting outfit. So of course it’s the jackets that I pay attention to more than almost any other item when doing my beloved peoplewatching throughout NYC. And while 2025 has brought no shortage of trench coats (both cropped and classic) or leather bomber jackets, there is another style that’s slowly but surely been growing in popularity. And as a runner, I’m thrilled to see a combination of my two loves, sport and fashion. Have you guessed it yet? I’m talking about the humble track jacket.
As a Runner and Fashion Editor I’m Obsessed with This NYC Jacket Trend
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Published Apr 30, 2025
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Christian Vierig; Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Yes, old-school track jackets are the sporty staple that all the NYC gals seem to be wearing this spring. And I’m not the only one who’s noticed. The NYC-based street style photographer Karya Schanilec, aka @karyastreetstyle, recently posted to Instagram her thoughts on the rising athleisure trend, too. “What is a jacket that is, one great for transitional weather, two can easily be found second hand and three is on trend? The answer is track jackets,” she explains. “Over the last few seasons, I have been spotting them outside of shows, on runways and everyday street style here in New York City. From the big, retro, eclectic grandpa kind of aesthetic that we saw last year we’re now morphing into what athleisure is becoming in 2025.”
As Schanilec adds at the end of her video, these sporty jackets are fantastic for transitional weather because they’re so easy to layer, but also make a fun statement piece on their own if you want them to pop. And as mentioned, they’re very easy to find secondhand at thrift shops and online if you prefer to shop resale.
Christian Vierig; Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
So what’s the best way to style a track jacket like an NYC fashionista? One popular styling trick is to lean into an “opposites attract” type of outfit and layer your sporty zip-up over a voluminous midi skirt. Connect the two opposing pieces with color, i.e. a black-and-white jacket over a white skirt. Or you can go simple and position your track jacket as a statement piece unto itself over jeans and a plain white tee.
As with so many eclectic fashion trends, the real key to wearing a track jacket off the track is to just have fun. Ease your way in by layering it over some leggings on your way to and from the gym in lieu of your go-to sweatshirt. Then start playing around with different outfit combinations that slowly make their way from straight athleisure to more posh aesthetics.
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