Intelligent Consumer: Hangin' with girls in the hood

Get the look and get it right

About 10 years ago, John Galliano showed football strips on the catwalk. At the time everyone thought this a little odd. Now, a decade on, the 'sportswear look' regularly reappears on the catwalk. For this spring/summer, many designers (especially the Americans who love this sort of thing) paraded zip-up hooded tops - posh sportswear. But getting this look shouldn't cost you too much. Most people have the basics in their wardrobe anyway, so just wear your normal gym-kit (but preferably not all of it at once) but look clean instead of sweaty.

Main picture: Adidas top, customised by Sonja Nuttal for her spring/summer show. Enquiries: 0171 323 3801

Top row from left: yellow long-sleeved hooded fleece top (sizes S-XL), pounds 39.99, Next Directory (style no. M48353). Mail order: 0345 100 500

Fitted white vest, (sizes S-L) pounds 32, Elle Active, from major department stores. Enquiries: 0171 436 0222. Red draw-string stretch Lycra skirt (sizes S-L) pounds 30, French Connection, 249 Regent Street, London, W1 and 14-16 St Ann Street, Manchester. Enquiries: 0171 399 7200. Trainers (sizes 4-8), pounds 79, DKNY, from Russell and Bromley branches nationwide. Enquiries: 0171 629 6903

Khaki nylon hooded kagoul (sizes S-L), pounds 70, French Connection, as before

Centre from left Towelling gilet (sizes 8-16), pounds 39.99, Ellesse. For stockists call 0161 445 5955. Black leggings with yellow stripe (sizes 8-18), pounds 21.99, Next Directory (style no. M48269), as before. Leather trainers (sizes 3-11), pounds 59.99, New Balance from branches of Office and Offspring stores (London only). Enquiries and mail order: 0181 838 4447

Grey jogging bottoms, (sizes S-L) pounds 79, Nicole Farhi, as before. Black nylon top with collar and zip (sizes 8-18), pounds 29.99, Next Directory (style no. M48745), as before

Left: Grey short-sleeved hooded top (sizes S-L), pounds 79, Nicole Farhi, 158 New Bond Street, London W1 and Harvey Nichols, Victoria Quarter, Leeds. Enquiries: 0171 499 8368