6 LOUNGEWEAR BECOMES ACTIVE

If 2020 had one small silver lining, it was the increased prominence of athleisure in our wardrobes. Forget old tracksuits and hoodies, smart, comfy Lycra was our preferred #OOTD not only to pop to the shops and do DIY in, but also to conduct work meetings and enjoy virtual drinks in. Online sales at Lululemon rose 157%, while The Sports Edit saw a rise of 145%. But given the fact that we stopped slipping on gymwear solely to break a sweat, brands have been tweaking their offering to products designed for all-day use. ‘People want athleisure that serves as comfortable home wear, as well as being appropriate for those fewer trips outdoors,’ says Fashercise founder Alexandra Vanthournout-crickmore. Lululemon’s City Sleek bottoms are inspired by classic jeans, but made with stretchy sweat-wicking Warpstreme fabric. Then there’s Cloudnova, the new trainer from On, which includes performance tech designed with all-day wear in mind. A wider-than-usual sole allows more freedom of movement when you’re changing direction – something you don’t do much of when you’re running but do do when running errands. Similarly, activewear brand Perff has seen a spike in sales of its ‘Dream Higher’ white shirt (a Wfh-appropriate look that’s made from the same quick-dry, breathable fabrics as your usual kit), while activewear brand Contur has done away with waistbands (necessary during workouts for support) from its leggings so they’re more comfy.