Just in time for spring, Adidas has launched a line of athletic clothing and shoes for men, called Equipment, that is to the average man what Prada Sport was to design-conscious swells. In other words, clothing designed to “bridge the gap” between the gym and brunch. It’s workout gear that looks equally good in the boxing ring and on the street – though we’d still like to suggest throwing a shower in there at some point. The line offers slim-cut polos, long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts. Adidas has confined the color palette to masculine choices such as black, white, and a dark hunter green that can make you feel a bit like Robin Hood (at least that’s how it made me feel when I gave the clothing a test-spin). Shorts and a pair of black workout pants that look suspiciously like capris (this particular item was not yet available at press time) are the standard options for the lower half of the body. But best of all are a range of smart-looking, unadorned sneakers that bring Adidas’ classic Stan Smith model into the 21st century. I’ve been wearing their white F1 Linears all week, despite their being a half-size too small.

Cut relatively lean, Equipment clothing is far more stylish than what many men wear to the gym. But, as keen as I was to embrace Equipment and give the T-shirts I wear to the gym the heave-ho, the clothes seemed pretty bland when I took them outside the gym. There’s something to be said for wearing street clothes on the street.