Chris Beastall & Eli Ankutse, Co-Founders of Pelota / Sporting Clothiers

In this episode of the Menswear Style Podcast, host Peter Brooker speaks to Chris Beastall and Eli Ankutse, co-founders of Pelota, an independent menswear brand combining sport, style and everyday comfort. Pelota was created to bridge the gap between traditional sportswear and leisurewear, offering stylish, comfortable clothing designed for life after sport and beyond. Built around high-quality wardrobe essentials, the brand focuses on athletic yet forgiving fits, subtle branding and considered design rather than fast-moving trends. Chris and Eli share the story behind their long-standing friendship and their journey from schoolmates and sports teammates to business partners. Before launching Pelota, the pair had already worked together on a men's grooming eCommerce business and a fashion and lifestyle blog, giving them years of experience across digital media, fashion and online retail. The conversation explores why they felt there was an opportunity for a new kind of sportswear-inspired menswear brand, and how Pelota aims to occupy the space between performance clothing and everyday fashion. They discuss the importance of creating clothes that are stylish rather than simply trendy, with a focus on pieces that customers can wear, keep and build into their wardrobes over time. We also get into the details behind Pelota's first collection, including its use of certified organic cotton and recycled materials, the sourcing of its garments from Belgium, UK-based finishing