Cozy, Comfy Gym Wear Has Taken to the Streets
There’s a new trend flexing its fashion muscle on today’s designer runways: Athleisure. A mash-up of leisure and athletic wear, this comfy trend touts yoga pants, leggings, sporty tees and slip-on sneakers that can go from from pilates class to cocktails and beyond.
This shift away from traditional leisure clothing and toward a comfortable, no-frills wardrobe has come out of the gym and onto the streets. Whether you work out or not, workout clothes are all the rage.
“You see a lot more women who are wearing tights and exercise pants,” says Ken Hicks, CEO of Foot Locker. The trend is backed by solid data. In 2013, the last year statistics were available, U.S. sales of women’s apparel rose 1% in the 12 months ending in February. During that same time period, sales of active wear increased 9% to $14.5 billion, according to market research firm NPD Group.
That should be no surprise. Today’s woman is embracing a healthier lifestyle and demanding more functionality from her wardrobe. Not to mention comfort. No more tight, pinching waistbands; they’ve been replaced with elastic or drawstring-based versions. And gone are fabrics that chafe; they’ve been kicked to the curb by soft, pliable stretch fabrics.
There are very few clothing brands that haven’t jumped on the athleisure bandwagon. Sweat pants, which Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld once predicted would be the death of couture design, has actually spawned a new designer industry, albeit in slimmer silhouettes and finer fabrics such as cashmere, linen and silk. Beyonce recently premiered an active wear label for Topshop, actor Kate Hudson just introduced her Fabletics line and Net-a-Porter debuted its new Net-a-Sporter brand. Even Chanel debuted couture sneakers, not to mention a Karl Lagerfeld sweatshirt for $235. (Rue that prediction, Karl?)
Women are wearing athleisure outside the gym because it’s convenient, comfortable and fashionable. But just how do you wear this clothing with the sporty-chic vibe without looking less-than-fashionable, even lazy?
Wrap it up with a dress
First, know that athleisure clothing is not for the lazy. It’s actually for the busy woman-on-the-go who needs to transition from one environment to another at a moment’s notice. How to best do that?
When you want to make time for yoga but not take time to change clothes before lunch with your BFF, tuck a wrap dress or long, loose version like these below into your gym bag and slip them on over slim yoga pants or leggings. Just make sure the dress you choose is made of wrinkle-free fabric so you don’t don that bed-head look.
Active wear leggings are also perfectly paired with shorter-than-usual dresses and skirts, giving a more modest look to a kicky youthful outfit.
Top it off
Leggings and slim yoga pants look great with loose tops that cover your bum. I wear mine with long tunic tops, thigh-low sweaters and roomy boyfriend shirts. What won’t enhance your slim pants outfit are fitted blouses and shirts. Follow the tried-and-true fashion rule: tight top, loose bottom; tight bottom, loose top.
Jacket of all trades
If you insist on wearing a tight top with your tight bottoms, throw a great jacket or sweater coat over them. It will give you the same silhouette as a stand-alone loose blouse or top. But do be sure to pair it with a jacket that’s long enough to cover your bum.
And what could cover it better than one of the fashion-forward, long tunics that graze your knee or ankle? One of my favorites for evening, although not shown here, is a sheer version to dress up your athleisure wear.
Fancy Footwork
Another way to breeze from the fitness studio to Friday Casual is fancy footwork. During the summer, pair your skinny yoga pants or leggings with fanciful sneakers in a punchy pattern such as zebra or leopard, even floral. Or try them with a leather sneaker or espadrille, especially one in a trendy metallic fabric to add some glam.
In the winter, pair your legwear with knee-high boots or ankle booties.
For more formal occasions in any season, pair your tight-fit yoga pants or leggings with a fashion statement heel. Better yet, add a sexy sandal version of a heel.
Color is key
There are myriad color and pattern choices in athleisure clothing. The most popular color, you guessed it, is black. It goes with almost any other color, and it’s slimming to boot. If black is not your best hue, try a charcoal gray or midnight blue instead.
If you have slim legs, you might want to try white legwear in the summer. Pair it with a kicky patterned top or a loose, all-white top. Then add a pop of color with a scarf or statement jewelry piece.
And there’s always exotic patterned athleisure legwear. Think animal prints or Bohemian arty versions. These should only be worn by the fashion maven with slim legs, however. And make sure you pair them with a solid-color top.
There’s also that perennial favorite: athleisure jeans. Often called “jeggings,” a mash-up of jeans and leggings, they’re more comfortable than classic denim pants. Even in the new stretch fabric versions, traditional jeans have their comfort detractors: They’re less giving in the waistband and the legs can often feel constricting.
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
One way to dress up any athleisure outfit is by adding accessories that express your personal style. In the jewelry department, try a statement necklace or stunning wrist cuff, even a pair of eye-arresting earrings. (But don’t add your jewelry till you leave the gym!)
Scarves are a great way to add a pop of color, pattern or silhouette to your athleisure wear. There are at least 25 ways to tie a scarf to make a stunning fashion statement. Simply click HERE to learn how.
And belts are always on trend. Try a belt under a long tunic or sweater. Or add a belt over a blousy top right at the hipline. But remember, the eye will be drawn to the belt’s placement. If you are self-conscious about a wider-than-you’d-like waist, the belt should be located at the hip line. Conversely, if you’re not happy with your hip line, the belt should be placed at your waist–and probably under a loose top.