The fact that it has been officially introduced as a legitimate word one can look up in dictionaries should have been a telltale sign that athleisure is definitely here to stay. The term is defined as ‘casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use’. This sounds like it covers all aspects of life, and it actually does. This rise as well as a continuous evolution of athleisure from a trend to a lifestyle stems from the need of the Millennial generation to be stylish and comfortable at any given time and for any given occasion. However, what initially started as traditional sportswear staples being rocked outside the gym has transformed into an unrecognizable ‘butterfly’. Casual, business casual, athletic and even chic and sophisticated have meshed together so well that they’ve created this beautiful and versatile fashion hybrid, one that everyone wants to wear and it’s safe to assume that it will be in high demand for many years to come. History professor Deirdre Clemente pinpointed the exactly where the allure of atheisure lies when she said that when one puts together the durability of sportswear and the versatility of business casual, you get a winning combination that everyone is dying to wear. What’s even more interesting is the fact that luxury brands such as Stella McCartney, Alexandar Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and even Chanel and Dior are partnering up with streetwear and sportswear brands and designers in order to appeal to younger audiences with whom they have slightly fallen out of favor. Celebrities have also come for their share of the lucrative cake with such names as Beyonce, Kate Hudson, Hillary Swank and many more are putting out their own lines on the market. With such a large number of brands that are there for the picking, it is time to see what awaits in 2018 and discover the many ways in which one can wear this trend in the following year.
One shoe to rule them all
Even though the classic Bella Hadid look usually comprised of killer leggings, a sports bra and a bomber jacket made complete with a great pair of sneakers isn’t going anywhere, sneakers are definitely expanding their reach and making a grand entrance into all parts of our closets. A well-tailored suit can now be worn with Adidas Originals and no executives would frown upon it. Romantic dinner date – a gorgeous runway-worthy dress will blend so well with a pair of sneakers that it will make you wonder why you ever suffered in heels before. Casual stroll in your favorite designer dress (complete with a Chanel-logo belt) and killer specs paired up with your very conspicuous purple shoes – go right ahead. The gates have been opened, and whether they are Nike, Adidas, Ryderwear, Reebok, Puma, these shoes were made for running, and they will run and take over every outfit they can, and you will love it.
A change of pace
It may be difficult to make the connection at first, but there is a strong correlation between the rise of athleisure and the spiking popularity of mules and slides. First of all, these have gone through quite a transformation and are now usually flat and sometimes even completely sporty – case in point the Prada sport sandals. The second reason lies in their elegance and versatility. One could go in a head-to-ankle athleisure getup and elevate the look with a pair of sleek and sophisticated pair of mules. It’s clear that you are more than free to mix and match, experiment and wear what feels good. All you really need is confidence, and you can pull anything off.
Tradition reinvented
When it comes to the future of sportswear, the one lesson London Fashion Week has taught us is that come spring, we’ll be seeing plenty of feminine fits, embellishments and satin. The tracksuit has gotten a makeover and it looks cuter and more elegant than ever, at least that is the case with this lovely ensemble by Peter Pilotto. Traditional causal summer dresses have gone through quite a transformation as well. They have kept their original silhouette, but as is the case with this lovely pastel blue dress by Pringle of Scotland the fabric fits the original sportswear description.
Brave new office
One of the now already conventional ways to rock athleisure at the office is to create that perfect balance between work and play. The perfect example was spotted on the streets of Milan, right in the middle of fashion week. Track pants on the bottom, a plaid jacket on top.
Athletic is the new sexy
Taking a cue from the queen of all things sexy, one Miss Rihanna, it’s safe to assume that we’ll be looking at a very sexy summer. Her unapologetically sexy creations have been the talk of the town after the impressive show she threw during NYFW, and while some of the looks couldn’t be pulled off by mere mortals, she has definitely given us plenty of inspiration and shown us that biker shorts are making a comeback and that even oversized anoraks can look sexy, especially if you break all the rules and rock them with stiletto thong sandals.
