What is Athleisure wear?
The style on the streets has changed. Women are wearing tights, crop tops and sports bras, men are spotted in sweatpants, hoodies and running shoes. Everyone looks like having just finished a workout in the gym, while grabbing a cappuccino in a coffee shop, meeting friends for brunch or heading to the city centre for a shopping trip. Meet Athleisure wear – athletic wear, characterised as fashionable, dressed up sweats and exercise clothing. Outfits that range from yoga pants, tights, sneakers, up to running shorts.
More than ever our busy and hectic lifestyle demands comfortable and practical clothing. Of course, giving up on style is simply not an option, so how do we combine fashion and function together to create a chic but totally wearable look? Athleisure is the answer. Turning performance wear into everyday wear, athleisure is blurring the lines between the clothes you’d wear to the gym and those you’d wear to lunch. This way, you can go for a run, hit a cafe afterwards and your attire will not only perform it’ll also fit right in. It’s no wonder this booming industry keeps getting bigger.
Think sports performance clothing and footwear that has an emphasis on fashion design influence as well as sports technical features, such as wicking sweat away from the body.
Where does the word come from?
The word athleisure is a play on words blending athletic and leisure into one. Athleisure has become a fashion trend, including apparel designed for fitness workouts and other athletic activities. It puts a whole new meaning to Casual Fridays.
The rise of the athleisure movement: sport meets fashion
Technological innovations in fabrics, the trend of sporty aesthetics, and the body-positive movement have been fundamental to the success of fashion’s athleisure movement. Athleisure wear continues to push itself out of its “comfort” zone, so to speak, but this established lifestyle emphasises one thing: People have the need for comfortable clothing. Embodying an athletic and casual leisure time is what athleisure is all about. And there is no doubt that this fashion market segment is on the rise.
How athleisure became the unofficial uniform of lockdown
People used to buy activewear to work out in. Now, over a year since the lockdown began, they’re buying it to do everyday activities, lounge around in, or wear work-from-home attire.
Most of us have come to appreciate athleisure wear at this point in lockdown. Some call it workout wear, and some call it loungewear. But whatever you call it, according to trend reports, we are all investing in it. Wear it to step out to the shops, comfortable enough for a zoom call and technical enough for a run in between.
Ideas to keep your quarantine wardrobe going, post-lockdown
There will come a time (hopefully soon) when we all emerge from our homes, peek back into the world and wonder what the heck we’re going to wear back to the office.
- Rethink your athletic-inspired pieces. Think trouser style joggers (not sweats), paired with a sneaker such as New Balance or your favourite slides (think Birkenstock). Top it off with a stylish windbreaker or bomber jacket – great brands to look at for this are LangerChen, Bleed, Ten Tree, The North Face
- Try sleek knits instead of your usual button town. Merino-blends are a wonderful choice when you’re hopping from indoors to outdoors. Scandinavian labels such as We Norwegians or Pally ‘Hi do comfortable luxury pieces that look as great as they feel.
- Mix Function with Fashion – one key to nailing the athleisure look is by combining technical apparel with fashion, both in terms of the pieces you buy and how you integrate them into your regular wardrobe. You’ll create a well-balanced look by blending regular pieces such as jeans, a blazer or a classic sweater with activewear pieces such as multisport shoes, sweat pants, or a sports bra. Keep an eye out for athleisure-inspired pieces from brands such as; Peak Performance, Maloja, Kari Traa – stylish and chic all in one.
When in doubt – accessorize
Complete athleisure wear looks by accessorising. Stick to a sleek, sports vibe. A pair of sports sunglasses, a baseball cap, a stylish backpack, or even a waist pack will all work perfectly. Jewellery can also add the perfect street-style touch to your athleisure look. Sports brands such as Maloja, Sherpa offer great-looking accessories that team up well with a more casual, athleisure look.
It’s official!
The word “Athleisure” is now an official word in the dictionary! According to the dictionary, Athleisure is: “A style of clothing worn as athletic apparel but also suitable for casual, everyday wear”: Athleisure looks great whether you’re working out or just running errands.
Will the athleisure trend ever fade away?
No, athleisure is not a fad or short-term trend. We are more conscious of health and well-being than ever before. More and more people are choosing sustainable, eco-friendly brands and buying into quality, function, and innovation. This makes athleisure an obvious choice for our wardrobe. And let’s face it; who doesn’t like to be comfy all day?