While the triumph of athleisure is one of the hottest themes to discuss, analyze, and wear, it is rather important to go back to the roots, and see, on what junction the trend came into sight snd penetrated the world of today’s fashion. We decided to share an exclusive article by Kristina Galants written for Ukrainian magazine Natali, that portrays the millennial evolution of fashion and explains the athleisure concept and its affect on real fashion based on FOXYLAB NY case. Enjoy your read!
Over the past twelve years, to improve sales, stores motivated customers by discounts, while buyers have convinced designers to create something called “novelty”. For example, that annoying embroidery that is used to decorate sweaters for large department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue. But the global pandemic once again reminded of the vulnerability of the fashion world. It all started a little over a decade ago with the off-season Pre-fall and Resort collections, which sold well in between deliveries to boutiques of the main collections. Gradually, this led to an almost total disappearance of seasons and overproduction. At the same time, the exclusive world of fashion became more accessible, thanks to each blogger «report» in insta-stories and their live broadcasts from the fashion shows. Fashion obtained so many internal rules, that externally it started looking chaotic.
But it seems that many modern designers are in no rush to show their collections at
fashion weeks and sign contracts with Saks.
They are quite happy with direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales on Instagram. This begs the question: where is the real fashion in it?If anyone can now launch an athleisure line, sell it on social media, and claim to be a designer, the battle for the most interesting concept becomes crucial.
The idea behind the sale of basic items matters: take, for example, a tracksuit made from recycled bottles with a handwritten note about its uniqueness.
Suddenly, it’s not just a suit—it’s a statement piece that helps the environment. Bloggers would love to showcase how to wear it.This raises an important debate: do these trends destroy the authenticity of fashion, or, on the contrary, redefine and preserve it?This is the perspective of Oxana De Castro, founder of
FOXYLAB NEW YORK,
a creative laboratory merging art and street fashion in New York City. To create each capsule collection, artists selected by Oxana design pieces for everyday essentials—hoodies, T-shirts, pullovers.In special productions, artists paint directly on clothes as if they were canvases, bringing their creations to life. FOXYLAB NY avoids traditional fashion norms—no shows, no seasons, no department store sales, and no gender divisions—just complete creative freedom.Understanding the needs of the modern consumer, Oxana infuses her brand with art concepts,
intriguing collaborations with renowned artists, high quality, and comfort.This brings to mind the words of everyone’s favorite film character from *The Devil Wears Prada*,
Nigel (Stanley Tucci):
*”And their works, their creations are more than art. Because you live in them…”*The movie referred to Holsten and De La Renta, but today, the skill of a designer is measured by their ability to create based on the needs of the customer.
Sport wear outfits quickly went from gym to streetwear in a matter of seconds with both comfort and fashion styles that can be worn day or night on the floor. You’re heading to the gym or going on a errand: athleisure has the ideal amount of utility and chic. So let’s see what are the best athleisure clothes for men and women — for different seasons, even in the office.
The men’s athleisure trend is one to go for if you want to look cool but still comfortable. For men, the secret to a good athleisure outfit is to pick clothes that can be worn from the gym to the office.
Joggers and Sweatshirts: A perfect man combo of joggers and a hoodie or sweatshirt, you can look casual but stylish with this. Go for dark colours such as black, navy, or grey for a sleek and modern effect.
Performance Tees and Shorts: Breathable performance tees and shorts for a sportier vibe are comfortable and functional. Try them with some sneakers for that ultimate sports style.
They are easy to style up or down and suitable for any occasion.
Women’s sportswear is both comfortable and fashionable, which makes it very easy to be fashionable when you are on the go. The workouts, the brunch with friends, women’s fashion is for all occasions.
Tank Tops and Sweatpants: You don’t have to stay in sweatpants all day, pair them with a fitted tank top and some trendy sneakers for an easy athleisure look.
Midi Skirts and Sneakers: For a feminine take on this look, go for a midi skirt, fitted athleisure hoodie and cool sneakers. The sporty-feminine blend creates an unrivaled modern appearance.
Women’s clothes are all about adaptability, it can be worn to the gym or to the supermarket or to the grocery store.
Comfort is the main feature of daily athleisure outfits and if you are just making your way to the grocery store or out for coffee with some friends, here are some suggestions:
Casual Athleisure Dresses: A casual athleisure dress for women can have you feeling great with a clingy jersey or cotton dress to keep you cool and professional. Pair it with a denim jacket and sneakers for a laid back style.
Track Pants and Graphic Tees: A lightweight pair of track pants with a simple graphic tee is laid-back but classy. Layer on a thin bomber jacket for an additional punch.
Sport Jumpsuits: A one-piece style has been all the rage lately. Choose a one-piece romper or jumpsuit that straddles activewear and everyday attire in one effortless piece.
Such outfits are great for those days you don’t want to feel fancy but still feel put together.
Tank Tops & High Waisted Shorts: Wear a cute tank top and high-waisted shorts for a breezy style. Layer on slippers or slides to stay comfortable for travel.
Crop Tops and Pleated Skirts: For an alternative athleisure style, go for a cropped athletic top and a midi skirt. This is a woman’s interpretation of athleisure and also cools you off.
While on vacation, consider lightweight cottons, linen blends and wicking fabrics for the summer without compromising on fashion.
By the end of the year, athleisure is all about layers, comfort, and warm fabric. Fall is a great time to play around with athleisure pieces that marry utility with seasonality.
Sweatshirts and High-Top Sneakers: A warm hoodie or sweatshirt over high-top sneakers makes a trendy, streetwear-y look this fall. Wear a scarf or beanie for extra insulation.
Sporty Leggings and Bigger Cardigans: Pair cozy leggings with a big cardigan or sweater. This is a layering method that’s warm without giving up on the sports vibe.
Jogger Pants and Leather Jackets: Go all out with your athleisure wear by wearing leather jacket with jogger pants. This sassy silhouette pairs well with boots or cute sneakers for a fall ensemble.
Layering is the trick with fall athleisure. Make sure your fabrics are heavier and insulating without being bulky.
No longer is athleisure just for the gym. Athleisure outfits are now taking the corporate world by storm with the “business casual” and lean office norms.
The athleisure industry is in a roaring growth over the last few years and we can see many brands competing for the shopper who is looking for both style and function. The popular athleisure brands are now synonymous with quality, fashion forward, practical, workwear pieces that can go from the gym to the house.
Nike still reigns, with the highest technology & trendy designs. Nike, the company of sneakers, athletic wear and athleisure apparel, makes the goods that are good for athletes and fashion lovers.
Another powerhouse is Adidas with their classic designs and partnerships with fashion designers. They have a large collection of stylish and comfy activewear like joggers, hoodies and athletic shoes which is a must have for athleisure lovers.
Athleta, another company owned by Lululemon, has a larger range of sizes, and it has useful, fashion-forward clothing for women. They’re made for performance as well as everyday wear and are ideal for the active lifestyle.
Puma recently has upped their athleisure trend with cutting edge styles and vivid colorways. The brand is one that most people prefer if they love streetwear style athleisure clothing.
Fabletics, co-founded by actress Kate Hudson, are your secret to stylish, affordable athleisure. Subscription-based, Fabletics makes trendy leggings, sports bras and outerwear in many different colors and prints, often in a specific pattern or cut.
Under Armour brings technology to athleisure aesthetics. Under Armour’s clothing is not only known for its moisture wicking materials and performance gear, but their clothes are also comfortable for wear at home.
Reebok remains the king of the athleisure game with a line of sportswear that is functional for gym sessions but elegant for weekends. They work with designers and celebrities to be a force of athleisure fashion.
Sweaty Betty is British inspired athleisure for women who are looking for flattering styles and super technical materials. They have leggings, sports bras and jackets that are gym and street ready.
Outdoor Voices is all about “doing” and has fun yet functional athleisure wear. They are so cheerful and comfy that you can take it from your workout to your day, they even have cute leggings, tops, and jackets.
Girlfriend Collective is an eco-friendly company in athleisure. You get recycled plastic bottles to make their leggings, sports bras, and workout wear, and it’s a go-to brand for the green conscious consumers. Foxylab New York is unisex athleisure company that makes capsule collections merging art and street fashion.
