Thermal Clothing. From Dior to MISBHV

Thermal clothing—or rather, underwear—is a specially constructed woolen garment consisting of a top (in the form of a T-shirt, tank top, or sweatshirt) and bottoms (most often leggings, cycling shorts, etc.). It is typically associated with the 1990s and physical activity. Thermal clothing quickly caught the eye of thousands of Poles who needed clothing that would provide both warmth and comfort. Comfort comes from wicking sweat away. In just a few years, sports brands renowned for their thermal clothing, such as "Spyder," quickly achieved global recognition among sports enthusiasts, thus giving rise to the future major trend we are witnessing today.

Five minutes of fame for the alternative combination of fashion and utility

As 2019 progressed, more and more designers began to revisit the eccentric 1990s, borrowing individual pieces from that era's everyday and sportswear. Interestingly, it was the Polish fashion brand MISBHV that first brought back the thermal clothing trend, revealing a previously unknown, interesting, and fashionable side to cycling clothing. Clothing that can be worn both for an elegant dinner and for cycling. Diversifying her newly launched collections with a wide range of colors, prints, and styles allowed Natalia Maczek, founder and CEO of MISBHV, to make her mark on the international fashion scene. Thanks to the juxtaposition of contrasting color shades and the inclusion of expressive, streamlined details that highlight the advantages of the human anatomy, this garment creates a certain illusion. It highlights the streamlined, slender, and muscular nature of the human body, making it exceptionally suitable for both sports and fashion enthusiasts. Furthermore, the digital and modern design of MISBHV sportswear resembles the armor of heroes from iconic video games and sci-fi films such as Steven Lisberger's "Tron." This gives previously boring thermal underwear a more original image.

A worldwide phenomenon

Many international fashion giants followed in the footsteps of the Polish brand's success. Just think of Dior and streetwear brand Off-White, which also began showcasing thermal underwear in their shows. Interestingly, both fashion houses took slightly different approaches to this type of underwear. Virgil Abloah, Off-White's creative director, and Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior's designer, focused primarily on blurring the line between elegant and sporty. The unusual combination of a thermal T-shirt with a full tulle skirt and a thermal turtleneck with suit trousers demonstrates how easily cycling fashion elements can be incorporated into everyday or even evening looks. It's a way to refresh any wardrobe, but also sure to catch the eye of many a passerby!

Where can I buy my set of thermal clothing?

MISBHV, Off-White, and Dior are just a few examples of fashion brands that have decided to diversify their clothing offerings with thermal underwear. However, it's important to remember that since the early 1990s, thermal underwear has been widely available in sports stores like Go Sport and Decathlon. In these stores, you can often find very similar pieces, resembling their runway counterparts, both in terms of design and quality. Of course, at a significantly lower price. Ultimately, none of the above-mentioned brands invented thermal underwear. They merely introduced it to the world of streetwear and high fashion, proving that cycling clothing can be interpreted and applied in hundreds of different ways, with only the imagination being the limit.

Wolno - another interesting brand from Poland

Wolno is the first Polish cycling apparel brand that fully captures the spirit of gravel, adventure, and urban cycling. Born in the heart of Warsaw, Wolno proudly highlights its roots, combining a love for the capital with a passion for cycling adventures both in Poland and around the world. The brand targets individuals who not only value high quality, ecology, and functionality but also seek something beyond conventional cycling, touring, and urban fashion. Production takes place in Poland and Ukraine, in close collaboration with select manufacturers, allowing for the fusion of local traditions with modern design and craftsmanship. Wolno's offerings include cycling jerseys , sweatshirts, and vests, as well as accessories such as cycling socks and bike bags , adapted to a variety of riding styles—from gravel to MTB. The materials used in production come from renowned international sources, including Italy, Japan, the USA, Germany, and Poland. The Wolno project is driven by a group of enthusiasts from various fields—from graphic design, through fashion, sportswear design, to marketing and e-commerce—who join forces after hours to create products that meet the needs of modern cyclists. The brand is inspired by professional cycling apparel, streetwear, workwear, and outdoor gear with a vintage feel, reflecting a unique blend of functionality, style, and experience. Slowly, it brings freshness to the Polish cycling apparel market, offering products that are not only practical and comfortable but also stand out from traditional cycling fashion with their unique design and commitment to environmental issues. As a result, the brand not only dresses but also inspires the pursuit of new routes and adventures, while encouraging reflection on values ​​such as quality, ecology, and locality. Idea, text and photo selection: Mikołaj Parfiniewicz