Shellsuits, past and present

In the old days, the tracksuit was purely functional ... Then England manager Sir Alf Ramsey (centre) chats with Bobby Moore (right) and his assistant Harold Shepherdson Photograph: Don Morley/Empics

What is Rod Stewart doing? Tracksuits go super-shiny in 1979 Photograph: Linda Matlow/Rex Features

Then Brooklyn's breakdancers did their best to make them cool in the 1980s Photograph: Michael Ochs/Corbis

David Icke dares to wear a splash of cerise in 1991 Photograph: Rex Features/NWI

A common sight on the street in 1992 Photograph: Lynn MCalley/Rex Features

Is it still a shellsuit when it is worn by elite athletes? Or is it high-performance sportswear, 1996-style? Photograph: John Gaps III/AP

Elton John has always had a unique sense of style, but even he can't carry off this synthetic suit from 1998 Photograph: Dennis Stone /Rex Features

Goldie Lookin Chain take sportswear into the noughties. To achieve this look at home, add a cap and take away the sleeves Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

Missy Elliot shows that total colour co-ordination can backfire. We think the turquoise socks are the straw that broke the camel's back Photograph: Atlantic Records/PR

In fact, Ali G is the only person who should attempt head-to-toe colour-blocking. And he's not real Photograph: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures International

Definitely not a shellsuit, but we had to include this picture of Eminem as a fine example of the 'two hats and a hood' trend, popular circa 2002 Photograph: Modica / Canitano/Rex

Jimmy Savile: still a shiny, happy person in 2006. Surely the addition of an orange string vest under his green shellsuit can only be applauded? Photograph: Alex Maguire/Rex Features

Madonna proves that even superstars find it hard to reconcile 'shiny' and 'stylish' Photograph: Humberto Carreno/Rex Features

Fidel Castro: still fighting the good fight (for the right to wear shellsuits) Photograph: Alex Castro/AFP/Getty Images