When did being sporty become sexy? Whether it is a fallout of the global shift towards an athletic lifestyle, or the transition of designer gym wear from sweaty saunas to high fashion ramps, athleisure is here to stay. Technology is a driving force behind athleisure clothing: from odour-free fabric, breathable materials to better stretch to enhance fit, all this has become possible with the rise in popularity of it. Athleisure clothing made the transition to regular wear a long time back, but now it has entered somewhere we never thought it would dare: the boardroom. Brands such as Superdry and Lululemon have successfully come out with clothing that you could wear on a work day to office, and then squeeze in a spin class during lunch.
While debates have raged on about whether athleisure at work is really appropriate, offices in 2017 are also not as stiff-collared as they used to be. It is perfectly acceptable for your V-necked grey sweater to work round the clock. 2016 was, after all, the year the word athleisure got space in the Merriam Webster dictionary. The sudden popularity may be attributed to the fact that people’s lifestyles are changing, and people taking fitness classes together is not unusual. Another shift is that the rules in workplaces are becoming more relaxed, leading to people adopting more diversity in their attire. If lifestyles get focussed on getting more active, it is but natural that influences creep in everywhere, from Fitbit bands to help stay active throughout the day, to sports bras under that power suit. It is not enough to look good any more; your wardrobe has to enhance your day.
Gender neutral
Women are driving forces behind this trend; perhaps this is one of the few instances where clothing lines dedicated to them are structurally efficient while making women look great. In that sense, you could say there’s a new kind of power-dressing in town, and it isn’t confined to the elegant but old-fashioned pantsuit. For younger entrepreneurs, of either gender, yoga pants have been reinvented into luxe leggings, with detailing that gives the illusion of formal wear.
Sneakers
A year or two ago, wearing sneakers to office would have been unthinkable, unless you were a popstar, or worked in the sports industry. The white sneaker has changed that for everybody, and every brand, that buys athleisure or not, had their own version of it in 2016. All high fashion labels such as Chanel, Moschino and Hermes have their own take on sneakers. Sneakers, in general, have sobered up from being right for the field to fitting into closed doors. While black or navy blue are popular colours for work, it is not uncommon to find white sneakers with silver or gold detailing that could pass off at a fun office.
Technical wear
High performance sports gear and hi-tech fitness wear are not concentrated on those few hours you spend on your fitness regimen. Companies are encouraging their employees to become more active, and with fitness trackers becoming kosher for everyone, even active wear is acceptable in offices. Millennials have taken to performance gear very strongly, and are the largest segment base for athleisure brands. The key to wearing most athleisure outfits to places other than yoga class, is to team it up with other kinds of clothing.
Celebrity endorsement
Fitness brands are collaborating with pop icons and celebrities who have been endorsing a healthier lifestyle for sometime now. Gwyneth Paltrow’s fitness blog Goop, keto diets, Kendrick Lamar sneakers, Miley Cyrus’ yoga sessions on Instagram — it isn’t difficult to get inspired from whomever you follow. Celebrities have launched their own athleisure lines — Heidi Klum’s line for New Balance, Selena Gomez’ Adidas Neo to Beyonce’s Ivy Park (available at Topshop).
Lines may be getting blurred, but it is more important to know where to draw the line, when mixing your athletic gear with work wear. While leggings and jeggings have become more or less acceptable everywhere, keeping it functional at work without getting into trouble will still require some amount of thought. Juicy track suits may be making a comeback, but it is still barely fine while travelling. Same goes for neon shorts, and bright sports underwear, if visible. The trick is to opt for wraps and yoga pants in muted tones, and work it on days when there will perhaps be little to no interaction with clients or people where your company’s reputation stays with you. Opting for odour-free active wear is also essential. Regardless of whether your outfit has that feature, wearing freshly-laundered clothes, and keeping a separate set of athletic wear for the gym is a good idea.
