Discussion Groups / English Usage / February 2010

I don't know of a specific term that is used to describe a person who
habitually wears such clothes.  I've seen "Anorak" used as a noun in
the UK and Ireland to describe the type of person who is always seen
in an anorak, but there's an additional connotation to that of someone
a bit geeky and obsessed with some pursuit like train-spotting.

We (in the US) talk about "hoodies" using it as a noun to describe the
hooded sweatshirt and the person who is always seen in one.  This is a
play on the word "hood" with the meaning of "hoodlum".  This
association is pointed out at:
http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/03/hoodies_crackdown_in_kalamazoo.html

If the tracksuit has (UK)football emblems or brand logos all over it,
in Florida we call the wearers "tourists".  I sometimes think that if
a UK/European male doesn't have on something with the Umbro diamonds
logo on it that they are not allowed on US-bound planes.

If the person is trying to give the impression of physical activity (a
la Rocky) as in running or other training, we would refer to him as a
"jock" (I think from "jock strap" or "athletic supporter").  That
might be spoken with a sneer or a snicker, as the suspicion is that
the person is trying to make some macho statement.  But it may be just
a genuine fashion statement.

Sweats, or sweatsuits and fleece clothing are very soft and
comfortable, and don't take any special care beyond laundering, so
they are practical and very informal.

There is a feeling in some quarters that women who dress like jocks
might be making a kind of lesbian identification statement.  But,
again, if women want to be comfortable and not be wearing high heels
and bras and other "dressy uppy (hey, Sara Palin!) accoutrements", it
is nice that they can feel so free as to not need to be seductive
_all_ the time.

I wear sweat pants and sweat shirts all of the time, at least
during the winter.  What do you call me?

an old man
comfortable
not married
all of the above

GFH

"Common".

This is not an answer to your question but it does concern men wearing
tracksuits:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/fulham/article703
1083.ece

   It was perhaps not too surprising that security staff at Harrods
   thought the worst when a gang of nearly 20 young men clad in
   tracksuits and trainers [sneakers], some in caps, tried to enter the
   department store.
   
   However, refusing them entry for failing to meet the store’s dress
   code has proved to be a public relations disaster. They were, in
   fact, wealthy Ukrainian footballers in London to play a European
   match tonight against Fulham — the club owned by the Harrods boss
   Mohamed Al Fayed.
   ....