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Shellsuits, past and present | Fashion

Shellsuits, past and present

Apparently, the shellsuit is making a return among men of a certain age. But did it ever really go away? And can it be distinguished from the humble tracksuit? We take a look back at the inexplicable fashion choices of shellsuit fans through the ages

Tue 25 Aug 2009 12.07 EDT First published on Tue 25 Aug 2009 12.07 EDT

  • In the old days, the tracksuit was purely functional ... Then England manager Sir Alf Ramsey (centre) chats with Bobby Moore (right) and his assistant Harold Shepherdson

  • What is Rod Stewart doing? Tracksuits go super-shiny in 1979

  • Then Brooklyn's breakdancers did their best to make them cool in the 1980s

  • David Icke dares to wear a splash of cerise in 1991

  • A common sight on the street in 1992

  • Is it still a shellsuit when it is worn by elite athletes? Or is it high-performance sportswear, 1996-style?

  • Elton John has always had a unique sense of style, but even he can't carry off this synthetic suit from 1998

  • Goldie Lookin Chain take sportswear into the noughties. To achieve this look at home, add a cap and take away the sleeves

  • Missy Elliot shows that total colour co-ordination can backfire. We think the turquoise socks are the straw that broke the camel's back

  • In fact, Ali G is the only person who should attempt head-to-toe colour-blocking. And he's not real

  • Definitely not a shellsuit, but we had to include this picture of Eminem as a fine example of the 'two hats and a hood' trend, popular circa 2002

  • Jimmy Savile: still a shiny, happy person in 2006. Surely the addition of an orange string vest under his green shellsuit can only be applauded?

  • Madonna proves that even superstars find it hard to reconcile 'shiny' and 'stylish'

  • Fidel Castro: still fighting the good fight (for the right to wear shellsuits)
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