Discover the next generation of athleisure to look the part at barre, brunch, and beyond.
Let this season’s most-wanted activewear take centre stage in your wardrobe. Once the preserve of traditional sportswear brands, lycra, nylon and technical fibres have infiltrated our everyday. Delivered in high-octane hues and pared-back palettes alike, the focus is comfort and quality without sacrificing style. Whether you’re a devoted yogi, embarking on your first 5km run or dialling in to yet another Zoom call, there’s an outfit for every pursuit.
Athleisure has been shaping up for the past few years. Once a trend, it’s now a lifestyle choice. Even pre-pandemic, brunch was served with a side of bike shorts, and office ensembles were punctuated by sporty-chic sneakers.
Now that performance wear has cemented its status as a wardrobe mainstay, it’s time to up the ante. High-fashion favourites Valentino, Balenciaga and Fendi have entered the game with a range of winning accessories. And the Australian market has gone from strength to strength with local loves P.E. Nation, Bondi Born, Nude Lucy and C&M Camilla and Marc spurring on the population through neighbourhood walks and Instagram Live workouts.
With more choice than ever before, consumers don’t have to stray from their style tribe to satisfy their workout wardrobes. London label AllSaints offers up logo tees and off-duty staples that are perfect for throwing on pre- or post-class. The Upside’s signature branded pieces and printed leggings bring flair to even the most gruelling HIIT session but wouldn’t look out of place pared-back with wardrobe essentials for the (home) office. While Lacoste’s heritage-cool offers a dose of welcome nostalgia. For the sustainably conscious, Veja’s responsible sneakers hit the mark, while P448’s experimental styles bring urban edge to classic court-style trainers.
Much like the sense of elation a runner’s high gives, investing in new gear is good for your health. It’s motivational. It quite literally puts pep in your step as you don a fresh pair of sneakers. So give your sporty staples a new-season update, tapping into sleek minimalism or showing your true colours with oversized irreverence (we’re here for those stacked soles).
Whatever your choice of movement, make sure you look the part. Challenge yourself to go to new lengths, mastering every asana in leggings that stretch with you. Snap that post-hike selfie in a sports bra that’s as supportive as it is stylish. Dance away your day in sweats that let you express yourself (whether you’re at the studio or in your living room).
