When people think of windbreakers, they usually don’t have very many fond thoughts. Sure, windbreaker jackets and pants are great for bundling up when you want to have a spot of exercise while braving the elements, but it’s a rather ugly get up. Matching bottoms and tops in bright neon colors? Loose fitting, wrinkly clothes with elastic bands for the wrists, hips, and ankles? To be perfectly blunt, the standard windbreaker outfit is a dated outfit from a generation whose best years have long past. If you’re thinking of sporting the full windbreaker outfit, don’t do it. It’s not a good look.

That unsettling truth aside, there is hope for those who wish you wear lightweight fabrics for exercising in moderately cold conditions! While the standard windbreaker garb of yesteryear is done with, athletic clothing companies like Nike and Adidas have taken cues from the style preferences of younger generations and performance needs of athletes. In conjunction with the advances made in the development of breathing materials for clothes, windbreakers have become an entirely different class of clothing.

It is possible that most people won’t even recognize windbreaker jackets by that title. Instead, they are identified as hoodies or light just light jackets. While the stigma placed upon windbreaker clothes as articles of clothing has been lifted due to changes in style and performance, there is still a negative connotation with the word “windbreaker.” While this is a bit of a minor tragedy, there is no need to fret for the spirit of the windbreaker lives on in very stylish soccer and training gear. Of course, if you are a fan of retro styled clothing and wish to pave your own path in fashion, neon colors can still be hip so long as you keep fit and compatibility in mind when picking your apparel.

Written by Asher Briggs