A shell suit is a type of tracksuit that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, both as sportswear and as general leisurewear. It is a descendant of the tracksuit, made of a mix of cellulose triacetate and polyester, which makes it shiny on the outside with distinctive combinations of colors. The shell suit consists of a zip-front jacket and matching elasticated trousers, each having an outer nylon shell, often bearing panels and flashes of different colors, and inner cotton lining. The lightweight top features a small, rounded collar with a full zip down the center, and the arms are generally puffy. The elasticated waists and forgiving movement of the baggy bottoms were perfect for outdoors. The shell suit was a bizarre fashion statement that allowed people who never did any form of exercise to look like they did. It was popular with the hip hop and breakdancing scene of the era. The shell suit was usually brightly colored, and fluorescent materials were at the very peak of their popularity, so all manner of different garish colors and fluorescent strips were thrown together. The trend was short-lived, lasting only a few years. Nowadays, the shell suit is often worn as a fancy dress costume or for themed parties.