Athleisure is becoming a major player in the fashion industry. It blends practicality with style and emphasizes the importance of performance, even in everyday life. But what is athleisure wear? It’s not quite the same as wearing your gym shorts to the grocery store, but you might walk right out of the yoga studio fitting athleisure style to a T.
What Is Athleisure Wear: The Blending of Styles
The powers that be have combined “athletic” and “leisure” to give you — you guessed it — “athleisure.” This term reflects the growing clothing trend that emphasizes performance while remaining relaxed and appropriate for daily activities, such as walking, shopping, and picking the kids up from school.
Some examples of athleisure wear include:
- Leggings and yoga pants: Stretchy, form-fitting pants, ideal for exercise and casual wear
- Joggers and sweatpants: Relaxed-fit pants made from soft materials, designed for comfort and style
- Hoodies and sweatshirts: Cozy tops great for layering on various occasions
- Tank tops and T-shirts: Breathable and nonrestrictive, perfect for easy workouts and casual outings
What is athleisure clothing? It is clothing that will take you straight from Pilates to a casual wine “tasting” with your friends without going home to change (although you might need a shower).
What Is the Difference Between Activewear and Athleisure?
The terms “activewear” and “athleisure” are often used interchangeably. Both use comfortable, stretchable, sustainable fabrics and designs inspired by athletic clothing. They are also becoming more popular because the general public sentiment is moving towards eco-consciousness and healthy, active lifestyles.
However, they have distinct roles in the fashion world. Activewear is designed specifically for athletic activities, like running or weightlifting. Activewear features technically designed fabrics that are breathable and flexible. Some pieces, such as moisture-wicking tops and compression leggings, are engineered to improve your performance in various sports or workouts.
Athleisure style, on the other hand, balances athletic aesthetics with everyday wearability. It is fashionable enough for daily wear and suitable for mild exercise. Athleisure wear is inspired by sportswear, but the ultimate purpose is comfort and style that transfers from gardening to the mall to a casual dinner with that special someone.
When Is Athleisure Wear Appropriate (and Not So Much)?
Athleisure wear is suitable for light fitness, such as tai chi or casual cycling. It is also a great choice for flights or long drives due to its breathable fabrics and relaxed fit.
If you work from home, athleisure wear fits just right and helps you focus on your job instead of being distracted by scratchy material or adjusting your sleeves. When you need a neat, put-together appearance for a video call, athleisure wear fits the bill. Just don’t stand up unless you have pants on.
However, athleisure style is generally unsuitable for formal events like funerals or formal dinners that necessitate traditional attire. Your cousin’s fitness-themed wedding might be an exception, though.
Strict dress codes at work, especially during important meetings, require business attire and usually have rules against tank tops and yoga pants in the office. Athleisure wear is also not appropriate for high-intensity workouts like marathon training and competitive sports. These activities call for specialized activewear designed for performance.
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