It’s all at your leisure

Manpriya Singh 

It was long before the hashtag athlesiure took over — sneakers, bomber jackets, sweat pants, crop tops barged out of the gyms and invaded the malls, multiplexes, ice-cream outings, college classrooms; heck, even weekends at offices!  At the right time, they threw in performance fabrics like wrinkle-free, sweat wicking and more. 

Brands like Tommy, GAP, Ed Hardy, hopped along and from merely an apparel category, athleisure became a social movement. Kanika Sachdev, who’s worked in an export house, catering to the likes of GAP, cites the rise of athleisure more to celebs than the youth. “If celebrities are going to spend a significant part of their day in active-wear and a significant part of their day in the gym, can we credit the youth with the trend?”  

As newer celebrity athleisure lines roll out by the day (we have on board Selena Gomez, Rita Ora, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid), we chart out the rise of the trend.  

Different take

Officially described as, “Trend in which performance clothing designed for athletic activities and gym is worn in other settings, such as workplace, school or other casual or social engagements.”  

Anupam Biswas, AVP of  Design, Ed Hardy, defines the term as, “Athleisure can be best defined as an ‘approach’. From the consumers’ view, it is a versatile way of dressing that lends a lot of utility, form and function to the wearer. From a designer’s point of view, athleisure is a line which uses performance and sports detailing to provide the best experience to the wearer.” A category that involves the use of advanced materials to enhance comfort and function. There is also no denying the reckless use of the term, which he cites, “as a child of interpretation.” He adds, “Athleisure itself is a nomenclature that grew out of a social trend, which is fast evolving and assuming multiple roles in fashion space.” 

Back home too there’s no dearth of the fit and famous launching their own lines.  Take the beloved track pants, bombers, hoodies, sneakers, tees, crop tops, tights, and mix with the other regular denims, platforms, shirts, jeggings… is it difficult to be a Gigi Hadid or a Kendall Jenner? 

what is athleisure?

Trend in which performance clothing designed for athletic activities and gym is worn in other settings, such as workplace, school or other casual or social engagements.”  

Watch out

• Well, just because it is heavily inspired by comfort doesn’t mean it is to be equated with sloppy, as, usually, is the case with comfort wear. Anupam Biswas, AVP of Design, Ed Hardy, lists some do’s and don’ts when it comes to rocking athleisure wear. As for the do’s, “It’s very important to be comfortable in your style and know how to accessorise”. Who says, bomber jackets can’t be worn with heels? “Mix and match athleisure wear with other casual options.” 
• As for the don’ts, he adds, “Don’t go overboard with colour combinations and the quality of fabric.” Last, but the not the very least, “Be wary of occasion and setting in which you wear athleisure.”