Sporting Style and Educational Values: A Contribution to Fashion Pedagogy

Sports fashion plays a growing role in the global fashion industry by merging performance-oriented apparel with everyday style. This study examines its social and educational significance, emphasizing its dual function of utility and aesthetic appeal. A key distinction is drawn between sportswear—clothing designed for athletic performance—and sports fashion, which incorporates athletic elements into modern casual attire. This differentiation reveals the versatility of sports apparel and its impact beyond sports contexts, influencing lifestyle and identity. Sports fashion is also associated with values such as health, well-being, and environmental respect, promoting sustainable and responsible living through clothing choices. These values resonate with both intrinsic and extrinsic principles of sports education, such as teamwork, respect, and social engagement. Our research investigates how university students in Italy and Romania perceive these values in sports clothing. Using a structured questionnaire, we investigated how young consumers perceive and prioritize the ethical and cultural meanings inherent in sports fashion. Preliminary findings highlight similarities and differences in attitudes toward brand loyalty, cultural identity, and social responsibility. These results suggest that sports fashion plays a significant role in shaping personal and collective identities, particularly within international student communities. The research highlights the significance of sports fashion in influencing social behaviours and promoting progressive values, providing new insights for future studies on the intersection of clothing, education, and lifestyle.