I think you often hear the word “athleisure” these days. This sporty style trend is certainly on hype today and is often used by celebrities and influencers. So what is an athleisure style? This time, I would like to introduce you to this fashion trend.
What Is Athleisure Style?
Athleisure style is a combination of the two words “Athletic” and “Leisure”. This fashion style dresses sportswear as casual wear, blurring the “border” between function and fashion.
There are models of popular sportswear used in this athleisure trend, such as leggings, joggers, sneakers, and tracksuits.
Why Is The Athleisure Style So Popular?
Athleisure as a sporty style certainly has considerable influence in the fashion industry, especially in the world of women’s fashion. This sporty style is so popular because many are beginning to realize the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
From the beginning, the goal of athleisure was to make sporty clothing that was more comfortable and fit for exercise, but in the 1970s there was a new focus on materials and functions, and the support for exercise increased.
As athleisure wear became more comfortable, people were more likely to wear it outside of training.
Today, that innovation is one of the main reasons why athleisure is so popular. All companies are constantly working to improve their materials and technology, so today you can find athleisure apparel made from a variety of fabrics such as cotton bamboo, spandex, and merino wool.
Athleisure Trend In 2022
The sportswear industry is a clear winner this year as consumers continue to spend time at home exercising and seeking comfort in difficult times.
Although the fashion industry slumped a bit last year mainly due to the pandemic, this was not the case with sportswear which was growing quite rapidly than before. Most business meetings take place in front of the notebook at home. Making leggings, sweatpants, and casual wear quickly become an inherent part of our professional wardrobe.
Even so, actually, this athleisure trend has been around since the 90s. The strong music culture at that time helped shape the current fashion trend. White sneakers, long dresses, hoodies, and baseball caps were really cool at the time.
The global activewear apparel market is expected to grow to nearly $547 billion by 2024, according to Allied Market Research. This represents an average annual growth rate of 6.5 percent between 2018 and 2024, compared to just 4 percent for the fashion industry as a whole and 4.5 percent for luxury fashion in particular.
Athleisure has been a continuing trend for nearly half a decade, and it has completely changed the fashion industry. It seems that athleisure may have finally run its course—but not without leaving its transformation to fashion in tow.
It seems that in the next few years, activewear, especially for the women’s market, will become a continuous trend.
8 Athleisure Outfit Ideas That You Must Try
Fashion athleisure is perfect for pairing with other clothing. Sportswear can be casual style, street style, or sporty style. If you don’t know how to combine this style, here are some athleisure outfit ideas that you must try!
1. Oversize Coat & Baseball Cap
When the weather is cold or when you have to do activities in the morning or at night, you can try using an oversized coat. Combine it with leggings as a bottom and your favorite printing shirt.
Don’t forget to use a baseball cap as a complementary accessory to support this cool athleisure style. This style is also suitable to accompany your outdoor activities. Make sure to wear glasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun.
2. Sporty Bomber Jacket
Bomber Jackets never die! Since being used by US Army pilots in the era of the second world war. It has brought the bomber jacket to become one of the fashion items that will never go out of style.
You can try using a turtleneck sweater for the top combined with a brightly colored bomber jacket like orange for example. For subordinates, you can use knee-length leggings.
Also, add some complementary accessories such as glasses
3. Wear Jogger Pants And Running Shoes
If you like jogging, you may already be familiar with jogger pants. You can really use these running pants to complement the athleisure style that is currently trending.
All you need to do is use your jogger pants and running shoes as bottoms. You can try using a casual shirt as a top. This athleisure look is pretty cool for those of you who want to look smart.
To protect your face from the sun, you can try wearing glasses and a baseball cap.
4. Wear Sweatpants Like Jennie (BLACKPINK)!
The style used by BLACKPINK member Jennie is very simple. You can imitate this style by wearing bright pastel sweatpants. For the top, you can use a plain white crop top t-shirt or if you don’t have one you can try using a t-shirt that you roll up and tie to form a crop top.
Don’t forget to use accessories as necessary, such as necklaces and your favorite sneakers. Don’t forget to use a small sling bag in the same color as your pants.
5. Use Polo Shirt
The polo shirt is one of the most iconic men’s clothing. Although historically associated with golfers, in fact, the polo shirt has become a common garment worn by everyone. Starting from interns to celebrities were seen wearing it.
If a plain polo shirt isn’t your thing, try a two-tone polo shirt that uses a different color for the collar (and sometimes the cuffs). Pictured here is a nice navy-white combo that looks great with shorts.
This is good enough for you to wear as a cool casual style. Polo shirts are also a safe choice that can be used by all ages and genders.
Related Article: How to Wear a Polo Shirt: 11 Polo Outfit Ideas For Men
6. Wear Leggings Like Naeun (A-Pink)
When it comes to the queen of leggings, who else if not Naeun. On many occasions, you often find Naeun who often uses these Yoga pants.
The leggings she’s wearing have sold out more than millions, and it’s no wonder she looks absolutely stunning in them. This style is perfect for those of you who have slender and slender legs.
You can try combining high-cut sporty leggings with a wider crop hoodie jacket. You can try adding simple accessories such as sunglasses to make you look cooler.
7. Use Varsity Jacket
The varsity jacket as we know it today is said to have been first worn by students at Harvard University during baseball games. This led to the varsity jacket being called the baseball jacket in the United States.
As part of the athleisure trend, you can use a varsity jacket to support your appearance. Try using your varsity jacket as outerwear combined with your t-shirt.
For the pants, you can try using your favorite hot pants or short jeans. If you are a man, cargo pants or jeans can complete this athleisure style
Related Article: History And Development Of The Varsity Jacket
8. Boyish Style With Jungyeon’s Cargo Pants (Twice)
Athleisure style does not always have to wear tight clothes. If you’re one of those people who don’t like the feminine style, Twice’s Jungyeon has set an example for you.
Jungyeon on this occasion used a sporty style by using cargo pants combined with an O-Neck collar t-shirt. This style is quite masculine if you are a fan of the sporty tomboy style.
To complete this style you can use sports shoes with socks and an additional crossbody bag.
How to apply attractive athleisure clothes?
Not much is needed to be stylish with this look. Usually, must-have wardrobe items when stylish with athleisure outfits are sporty bottoms (trousers, leggings, even basketball shorts) and sneakers.
The key to the athleisure look is to combine function with style, such as how to combine casual wear with athletic wear. By combining clothing such as a leather jacket, jeans, or heels with sports-specific clothing such as sneakers, sweatpants, and accessories, Ultimates can easily create an eye-catching look.
There are some tips that can be used in applying athleisure clothing.
1. Choose a neutral color
For everyday activities, choose a neutral and monochromatic color palette to keep the overall look balanced. This is useful for still creating a sense of comfort as the main key to the style of dress while enhancing aesthetics.
2. Choose a flexible material
Avoid spandex material that is too tight. You can try another way by combining classic loose fabrics with faux leather or mesh material to increase the style while on the move.
3. No need to wear full sports clothes
Like other trends, you can also wear athleisure clothes as you wish. If you’re not comfortable wearing leggings, use another, more subtle, athletic style element instead. For example, combining a varsity jacket with jeans, or sneakers with a dress or skirt.
4. Use a sporty touch in everyday style
Looking athleisure does not mean changing your daily fashion style. You can freely adjust your daily dress style for activities to look more energetic without leaving your own characteristics.
Conclusion
Athleisure is becoming more and more accepted in a variety of settings, and some employers are embracing this trend in the workplace. In particular, people are beginning to incorporate some of the athleisure wear into their outfits, which are more fashion forward than lounge.
Forbes magazine predicts that sneakers will overtake dress shoes as the largest footwear category by 2021, as more and more brands move from performance and fashion footwear to athleisure styles that combine the best elements of streetwear and athletic wear. By 2021, sneakers are expected to overtake dress shoes as the largest footwear category.
Brands that have not previously manufactured activewear are also noticing the popularity of this trending style and are beginning to create their own athleisure lines. There is no doubt that the athleisure trend is here to stay.
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