INSPORT'S INFLUENCE ON WESTERN SYDNEY FASHION

INSPORT doesn’t get enough of the flowers it deserves.

Between the early 2000s and the late 2010s, INSPORT practically dictated Western Sydney fashion. Brands like Henley, Canterbury, Lonsdale, Le Coq Sportif, Ellesse, Champion, Russell Athletic, Nike, Adidas and Puma, and then eventually FILA and Kappa. Logos on nearly every piece of clothing, all for a fairly affordable price.

Growing up, if you were shopping for a backpack for back to school, there was only one place to go – INSPORT. They had a huge bag section and you’d always beeline for the Lonsdale bags, particularly the small one that could barely fit more than two books. Which, honestly, was a great excuse to not do anything in class, right?

I remember Henley, Le Coq Sportif, Canterbury, Lonsdale, Puma and Adidas all being so common in the Western Sydney streetwear scene. Henley had that big fancy cursive logo across their shirts. Le Coq Sportif had the triangle with the rooster sitting on the chest. The exercise short-shorts from Canterbury and Adidas were huge. Living in the Bankstown region from 2006 to 2014, I swear every Lebo wore them. Nike Dri-Fit hats in block colours, you know, the same ones people are now willing to pay hundreds for. 

And how could you forget the INSPORT branded apparel as well? In my high school years in Blacktown, so from 2014 to 2017, INSPORT sweatpants were basically a school uniform. People would get written up for it, but honestly couldn’t have cared less. Anything for the fit, ay?

I also remember the HYPEBEAST era of fashion (starting mid 2010s), there was this slight crossover into the Australian streetwear/adlay wear. FILA and Kappa was worn by almost every white and Islander lad in the Blacktown region. And at that time, before Glue, Culture Kings and other retailers were selling them, INSPORT was one of the only stores stocking them. I’d hop off the school bus and see other kids jigging school while rocking FILA sweatpants or FILA jumpers. You know the ones with the massive FILA logo running across the apparel with the signature navy blue, white and red colours.

Man, writing this just gave me a massive nostalgia hit. Remember when INSPORT used to have those tables right at the entrance of the store? Always stacked with folded clothing, usually shirts or trackies. They’d have their INSPORT branded gear there, but also branded tees. I remember seeing 12-year-old eshays between 2014 and 2016 target the INSPORT Blacktown store and run out with armfuls of clothes from those front tables. While bolting it out to the station, they were leaving a trail of the racked clothing pieces they were carrying because they literally grabbed everything and legged it.

It’s funny because INSPORT was basically another Paul’s Warehouse (for those who remember) or TK Maxx  (everyone knows this store) selling discounted goods that were out of season or cheaper clothing pieces from brands to try and get their brand distributed. I genuinely think it succeeded over Paul’s Warehouse because of how accessible the stores were. Everyone loves a bargain.

Though these days, INSPORT feels like it’s on its barely surviving. Even after investing in a big brand revamp over the last decade to modernise itself and compete with other retailers, the competition just kept growing.