Athleisure, is that even a word?
In the last decade, athleisure has taken the world by storm. Its growing popularity has shocked and captivated and what we once understood as clothing only suitable for activewear has firmly made its mark in the fashion industry and the mass market.
Gone are the days that we packed our gym wear into our bags and made our way to workout classes in dresses and heels. Instead, we are wearing our athleisure to the gym, from the gym, and oftentimes all during the day.
Sound familiar?
After reading various articles and reports about the somewhat new phenomenon, I can say that this is definitely not the case for a lot of women. It seems as though athleisure is something we either love or hate or just don’t really wear unless it is for the actual purpose.
Thoughts
Vicki says, “I see people around me wearing it every day and all day. Some women absolutely love athleisure. When walking to yoga, I always wear a parka coat depending on the day, over the top of my exercise gear; in summer it’s a trench. My preference is not to be seen in my workout clothes.”
I love athleisure and find it hard not to wear it every day. It’s versatile and its incorporated into as many outfits as possible. There have been many times I’ve been to the gym in the morning and have stayed in my workout clothes for the rest of the day. Gym wear is so sophisticated lately that no one even looks twice. My go-to is athleisure outfit is leggings worn with a chunky knitted sweater and trainers. Pop on some lipstick and it’s the perfect weekday outfit.
Amy our Graphic Designer says, “For me, athleisure is something I’d only wear at home or to the gym. I can’t imagine going shopping or to the cinema in it as I wouldn’t feel made up enough. My wardrobe is mostly smart casual rather than mostly casual. Dressing up is something I love, so I’d feel really underdressed in athleisure. A lot of my job roles have required working remotely where I haven’t had to dress up, so when I go out, I like to make an effort.”
Whether you love it, hate it, or wear it sometimes, athleisure isn’t going anywhere and there are probably a lot of us with ‘athleisure’ items in our wardrobes without even realising it. Perhaps it is far from a trend?
Has athleisure always existed but not seen in the light that we view it today?
Remember those pair of cashmere joggers we loved recently? Athleisure.
Those Nike trainers we adore paired with our latest trouser crush? Athleisure.
Athleisure is about comfort and mobility and seeing where casual wear can work as active wear.
I’ve made a permanent spot in my wardrobe for athleisure without realising, maybe we all have?
Athleisure, The Way To Wear It
the upside jogger pants || madewell turtleneck || velvet faux-fur jacket || jane post long velvet parka || nike flyknit champagne sneaker
images, wenn, icíar j. carrasco, t by alexander wang, michael clarke, matthew sprout, annemarieke van drimmelen, outdoor voices, victoria adamson
