You CAN work it OUT
When fitness gear looks and feels this good, you’ll want to wear it all day long
BLAME the annual surge in gym memberships during January, but you can expect to see a lot more people embracing all-day fitness wear, be it at the school gates, in the line for lunch, out shopping or even in the office. Comfy, practical and extremely flattering, more and more of us are giving leggings and trainers a whirl by elevating their status with a slouchy knit, a cashmere hoodie or a tailored coat.
Designer ‘athlesiure’ is bridging the gap between workout clothes and your everyday wardrobe — the rise of active wear over the past few seasons means the clothes you wear to yoga class are no longer designed to be whipped off in the changing room. Labels such as Sweaty Betty, Lululemon, Monreal and Irish brand Gym + Coffee, along with stores like Sculpt in Powerscourt and Elverys, have been working hard to blur the lines by curating high-brow, versatile, techie collections with bigger patterns, more colour and flattering fabrics that lift and sculpt where you need it. Women of all ages — from yoga and Pilates enthusiasts to hardcore gym-goers and marathon runners — are shopping with a different mind-set so they get more mileage out of their workout clothes. We’re thinking in terms of a fashion uniform — sculpted, high-waist leggings with functional built-in pockets, crossstrap bras for all-day support, tailored shirts in odour-resistant, moisture-wicking fabrics instead of flimsy mesh tops — all in a neutral, flattering palette of greys, heather blues, taupes, charcoals and nudes. What’s not to love? Ten years ago, big brands like Nike and Adidas smothered the fitness market with boyish collections and competitive slogans, but fashion has evolved. Now investing in the sort of sportswear that you can mix and match with a slouchy jumpsuit or a duster coat is de rigueur — a wardrobe that works from the studio to the street and beyond. The labels that we covet are designing with an aspirational lifestyle in mind. They inspire us to look after our overall wellbeing while giving us the sartorial tools to do so, on the go.