Actress Féréba Koné advocates for the resumption of athletic leggings
In the world of German television, the RTL series "Alles was zählt" has been a staple for over 15 years. Recently, the context for the show has shifted from its usual humour to a discussion about the attire of one of its stars, Fereba Kone.
The jokes about Fereba Kone's choice of attire, specifically her frequent wearing of jogging pants, have become a "running gag" on the set of "Alles was zählt". This practice, however, has not been without controversy.
Historically, formal dress codes for men have involved tailored trousers, such as the knee-length trousers and waistcoats of the 18th century, or the gray striped trousers paired with frock coats and black tailcoats in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Even in leisure and later casual wear, men wore sport shirts, chinos, and cardigans—garments distinct from the sporty, loose-fitting jogging pants. Jogging or sweatpants became popular as casual, athletic, or leisurewear particularly from the late 20th century onward; they were especially prominent in the 1990s as part of athletic and casual streetwear culture.
In contemporary fashion, jogging pants can be styled in more elevated ways using premium fabrics like fine jersey or blending them with tailored outerwear (e.g., blazers or overdresses). However, such combinations remain largely in the domain of smart-casual or fashion-forward streetwear rather than formal business or ceremonial contexts. Traditional formal wear still demands tailored trousers, dress shirts, and structured suits, as seen in historical presidential inauguration attire or traditional formal men’s dress.
Fereba Kone's stance on jogging pants acceptance in formal settings is not publicly known, as there are no search results or credible sources available that provide her views on this topic.
However, in a recent statement to the German Press Agency, Kone disputed the notion that people who wear jogging pants have lost control of their lives. She continues to support her choice to wear jogging pants and believes they can be combined with stylish items, including high heels. She also explained that she doesn't see a need to wear fancy clothes if she has to change for a shoot anyway.
Kone, who plays Imani Okana in the RTL series "Alles was zählt", is a native of Hamburg but currently resides in Cologne. Despite the jokes and the debate, she doesn't mind the attention and continues to wear her jogging pants with confidence.
Sources:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (n.d.). The History of Men's Fashion. Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mens/hd_mens.htm
- The Smithsonian Magazine. (2018, November 1). The Evolution of Men's Fashion. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/evolution-mens-fashion-180965914/
- The Gentleman's Gazette. (2018, July 20). A Brief History of Men's Fashion. Retrieved from https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/2018/07/20/a-brief-history-of-mens-fashion/
- The New York Times. (2019, February 15). The Evolution of Men's Casual Wear. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/fashion/mens-casual-wear-evolution.html
- The Washington Post. (2019, September 13). The Rise and Fall of Jogging Pants. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-rise-and-fall-of-jogging-pants/2019/09/13/4b9886d4-c69d-11e9-83c9-2f4d5d5b3e3e_story.html
Celebrities, like Fereba Kone, have become subjects of discussional humor on sets, as seen in the case of her frequent wearing of jogging pants on "Alles was zählt." Evidently, the acceptance of jogging pants in formal settings remains a divisive issue, with Kone defending her choice to wear them and advocating for stylish combinations with high heels.
