The world has changed radically in the last few years, and fashion has changed with it. After long months of working from and staying at home, it’s more common to prefer comfortable, practical clothes over more flashy choices. Those who yearn to balance this new emphasis on wearability with style turn to athleisure outfits, a sporty, comfort-focused aesthetic that mixes ready-to-wear clothing with clothes designed for exercise.
Athleisure has dominated the fashion world in the last few years and doesn’t look to be going away anytime soon. So why not embrace it, if you haven’t already? Whether you’re new to the trend or have been living in your leggings and cute sneaks for as long as you can remember, do read on. We’ll be discussing what it takes to assemble the perfect athleisure outfits.
Defining Athleisure
Going for an athleisure look mainly involves mixing your usual casual wear with more athletic pieces made from technical fabrics, which you’d normally wear at the gym or while playing sports. Sweatpants, sneakers, hoodies, and crop tops are all common examples of athleisure staples.
In part, it’s possible to trace the rise of athleisure back to the yoga pants and leggings craze that hit its zenith in the 2010s. More than just being a simple fad, however, athleisure reflects a general shift in lifestyle connected to busier schedules, more easygoing standards of dress, and greater health consciousness. Many people the world over have begun to prize comfort and functionality above all in their fashion, which means the athleisure aesthetic will be here to stay.
In line with rising demand, many major brands have come out with high-quality athleisure pieces that can be integrated effortlessly into most people’s casual wardrobes. This means it’s easier than ever for newcomers to the trend to start exploring, shopping, and putting together their very own outfits.
Athleisure Styling Tips
Because athleisure is by nature a relaxed and low-maintenance style, its “rules” are simple and easy for anyone to follow. Try the following tips for a perfectly balanced, effortlessly chic look:
Prioritize Comfort
Thereal beauty of athleisure is that it allows you to look fashionable and put-together without sacrificing comfort and mobility. The ideal athleisure look is one you can rock (almost) anywhere, whether you’re out on the street running errands, at the office, or working out at the gym.
Above all, you want to give off an active, always-on-the-go sort of impression, so go for pieces that will feel good to wear no matter where you go or what you end up doing. Think comfy sneakers, cool caps, and clothes made from soft and breathable materials.
Go Minimalist
The last thing you want to do with athleisure outfits is to make it seem like you’re trying too hard. In fact, most devotees of the style will tell you that the more it looks like you just threw your clothes on, the better.
Whether you’re investing in new pieces or trawling your wardrobe for workable old ones, the trick is to go for classic cuts and simple, unfussy silhouettes. Look for items that will stand the test of time and look great regardless of the season, occasion, or current fashion trends, like sleek crew-neck T-shirts and seamless leggings. These pieces will also be versatile enough to mix and match with basically anything, allowing you to put together a wide range of outfits.
Mix Logos and Technical Materials with Classic Pieces
Branded clothes are frequent centerpieces of many athleisure ensembles, but be careful not to overdo it. Instead of flashing logos and brand names on every piece of clothing you wear, balance out your branded items with more classic, solid-colored pieces. A simpler foundation will help pull your look together and draw the eye toward the logos you do choose to sport.
The same principle of balance applies when it comes to wearing items made from technical materials. Rather than decking yourself out from head to toe in Lycra, try for a mix of textures across the different parts of your athleisure outfits. Cotton shirts and soft wool sweaters, for example, are extremely comfortable and would also provide some pleasant visual contrast to bottoms or jackets made from performance fabrics.
Pair Oversized Pieces with Form-Fitting Ones
In keeping with the theme of balance, one classic athleisure-inspired styling move is to wear loose bottoms with more fitted tops and vice versa. For instance, you might try pairing an oversized T-shirt with skin-tight cycling shorts or a stylish crop top with your baggiest sweats. You’ll soon find that either combination looks great, as body-hugging elements tend to elevate a look while looser, breezier pieces help maintain an air of casualness.
Stick to a Simple Palette
Simple color palettes are a major contributing factor to the laid-back, minimalist feel that makes athleisure so beloved. Avoid excessively loud, bright colors and instead make neutral tones and shades of gray, white, and black the foundation of your outfits. Occasional pops of color are welcome and will stand out all the more against a mostly neutral ensemble. For a truly classic look, it’s also best to keep intricate patterns or prints to a minimum if you can’t do without them entirely.
Don’t Scrimp on Accessories
Accessories are a great way to enhance an otherwise low-key outfit and show off your personality. Don a pair of aviator sunglasses, a baseball cap, or a cool backpack to take the sporty, gung-ho vibe to the next level. For those who’d prefer to add a touch of street style to their look, some simple jewelry like a delicate chain necklace or a pair of hoop earrings in gold or silver will do this perfectly.
Keep It Occasion-Appropriate
While a lot of us would probably love to live in our activewear, a fundamental part of wearing athleisure outfits well is recognizing when it is and isn’t suitable for the occasion. While this style probably won’t be your go-to for very fancy, buttoned-up affairs like weddings or corporate events, it’s perfect for chill lunches and evenings at the bar. As a general rule, the more informal the event or location, the more athletic or functional pieces your outfit can incorporate.
Sporting athletic wear frequently no longer needs to mean that you’ve given up on being fashionable. Athleisure’s continuing prevalence and popularity prove that you can have it all. The ideal athleisure wardrobe is filled with versatile pieces that allow the wearer to achieve the perfect balance of style, functionality, and comfort.
