Can you wear gym clothes to your office? Yoga attire for a formal brunch? A track suit to a teleconference?
Surely, not. Where is the power suit, you ask. The killer heels? The collared shirt? Isn’t this the workwear wardrobe we live by?
No longer so, and so it seems. With the arrival of the trend called “Athleisure”, comfort dressing has finally taken centre stage for both men and women. The fashion rule books have been rewritten to make way for this modern and edgy collection of clothes.
So, the next time we dash from our gyms to the office, from Ashtanga yoga to a briefing, from Pilates to a power lunch — we can be sure that there is plenty of apparel out there to match this dizzy lifestyle. Athleisure, the word that is derived from the words, “athletic” and “leisure”, does what it promises — it brings casual clothing and fitness-consciousness together in happy harmony. And as we embrace health-centred goals in our workplaces, we can allow comfort wear to step in and make our physical fitness aspirations a reality.
No one is quite sure where the trend began. Some say that its origins can be traced to the time when women began to wear yoga pants and sneakers everywhere. Others say it goes back to the year when a famous luxury fashion house teamed its couture dresses with bejewelled trainers. Whatever the origin, the consensus is unanimous. This gym-wear turned street-wear turned workwear look is the next best thing since sliced bread.
The definition
Make no mistake, though. This trend is not about wearing sweaty tees, torn leggings and track suits in ugly colours and passing them off as Athleisure. The beauty of the trend lies in the fact that it is highly fashionable. There is a world of luxury woven into this term, a touch of whimsy and oodles of high comfort too. Think silken shrugs, slinky mesh tops, smart sweatshirts, snazzy leggings and slip on denims that skim across the silhouette with their light-as-air fabrics and wick-away-moisture weaves. What’s more, Athleisure pieces are scientifically designed to give you comfort, style and beauty in equal measure.
Says Manjusha Maheshwari, luxury brand and image consultant, “Comfort dressing is here to stay. The Athleisure trend demands stylishly simple clothes with a statement piece that adds to your feminine persona. Style is the outer reflection of your inner self, and so, it is important to remember that what feels good, looks good too.”
So, how do you nail the Athleisure look? With strict workwear codes in place in most offices, it is important to be discreet.
Begin small by buying one garment at a time. Stylists say that the rule of the thumb is to know that the more formal the occasion, the more stylish your ensemble should be. Start with a luxurious hoodie, or a snazzy backpack or drawstring pants crafted out of silk, they say. You could also begin by wearing a T-shirt with a pair of luxe sweatpants or sporting a logo-embossed tee with expensive sneakers. Work your way further into the trend with clever layering, neon aviators, stylish jewellery and bright colours. The key to the trend lies in being as creative as possible.
Gym to work
According to Kamakshi Kaul, vice-president design, Max Fashion, the Athleisure trend has conquered the Indian market too. “Several stores and online shopping apps are offering clothes that feature this trend,” she says. “It is really the best deal for people working at 9-to-5 jobs, especially the health conscious, yet busy crowd.”
Kamakshi has some ideas to offer when it comes to working out the details of the Athleisure look. “Wear lycra leggings instead of trousers as they are comfortable,” she says. “Team them with a white shirt for a perfect workwear look. Lycra pants and a basic tee will also work, but remember to wear a blazer too. A light sweatshirt can be worn over a plain shirt to protect you from the cold air in an air-conditioned office.”
She also suggests Masami pants, which are essentially trousers with culotte-styled bottoms, that should be worn with a formal shirt. “You can wear jogger pants at some workplaces too,” she adds. “Shirts made of lycra are both comfortable and stylish. White sneakers can be worn all day, whether at work, at a party or during your workouts.”
Though it is a good trend to embrace, designers warn that Athleisure is not easy to pull off. Says fashion designer Anu Nagappa, “The Athleisure trend relies heavily on your figure,” she says. “If you have a great figure you could wear track pants and jackets everywhere. If your figure is less than perfect, then Athleisure is going to look as good or bad as any outfit.”
Fashion guru Prasad Bidapa sums up the universal opinion of the trend when he says, “Athleisure represents the kind of clothes I would like to live in permanently. It is comfortable, stylish and relaxed. And for me, this is the future of fashion.”
So, take your style quotient several notches higher this year with Athleisure. Remember, it is not a fad. Today, it is a way of life and perhaps, the best way to let your smart and healthy lifestyle choices shine through your clothes all year round.