(Athletic wear meant for leisure or lounging — athleisure is a term made popular by the New York fashion media and a trend that was conceived by the activewear giant Lululemon in the ‘90s. Ever since, the casual sporty look has continued to influence many brands and launched an aesthetic that fuels a million Instagram likes.
The trend has been responsible for replacing heels with sneakers and made it acceptable to wear yoga pants or sweats in public. From Longchamp to Balenciaga, Coach to Emporio Armani and even Hermès, athleisure has managed to convert even the most restrained luxury brands, and their collections for spring/summer 2020 have been no exception. No one can deny the superior comfort that comes from embracing this trend, however it can look a little too casual if it hasn’t been well styled.
To abstain from looking like you just got out of bed after a long session of Netflix bingeing, team athleisure pieces with elevated ones — think tailored trousers with a sporty jersey or a bodysuit with track pants. The formula is simple: stick to no more than two pieces that speak casual athletic while maintaining the rest with polished items. You can never go wrong with a cropped sweatshirt and jeans as an easy go-to when your casual style needs a reboot. You could even give colour-block leggings a go and team it with a classic black sports bra and top it off with a retro bomber for a gym-to-brunch look. The combination reads unexpectedly sleek and elegant, proving that there is space for the trend beyond the gym. Hoodies make for an easy athleisure staple as well, they are comfortable yet super flattering and flexible enough to take you from a yoga class or outdoor power walking to the farmer’s market.
Try these styling hacks yourself by scoring a winning piece from ZAVI’s athleisure inspired picks ahead;
Published by: Vibhuti Vazirani/ 2020-02-10