Athleisure gains steam in the mainstream

In 2019, fitness is not just a fad because it’s slowly turning into a lifestyle, which includes wellness, detox, and love for gym-wear. Bollywood actors like Sonam Kapoor, Jhanvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Alia Bhatt, and many others are clearly fascinated with this trend as they are often spotted flaunting their fit bodies in casual clothing. What is, however, the reason behind the obsession? We explore.

Kareena Kapoor

According to designer Charu Parashar, the athleisure market is expected to reach 560 billion dollars by 2024, and Gen Z seems to be in love with the apparel because it’s easy and comfy. She says, “It’s no surprise that street couture, hip-hop fashion, and yoga trends are helping the athleisure market grow. This cultural and financial shift is here to stay, and a lot of research and innovation is going into the fabric being used to create comfort wear. People now look for clothing that’s easy to wear and doesn’t involve a huge carbon footprint. Looking good is important for young people, and if they are into fitness it reflects in their style — it’s good to wear your attitude on your sleeves.”

People are flaunting their gym wear at clubs, bars, golf games, yoga and even on casual Fridays at work! Garima Behl Sapra, AGM at Lotto, explains that this trend came about because people could wear these clothes at multiple occasions without having to change, which meant greater convenience without carrying an extra outfit. She says, “Sportswear that had been worn exclusively in gyms is now being worn elsewhere by young adults and fitness-conscious consumers. It is accompanied by a relaxation in the dress code as it allows you to mix your sportswear with your personal style. You can style your sneakers or yoga pants in various ways; for example, shoes can be paired with full-length formal suits to short dresses, while your gym leggings can be worn with longer tops, shirts or crop tops. Men too can flaunt sweatshirts, jogger pants, and basic gym tees to work or casual get-togethers after work.”

While versatility is the key to appeal to young fashion lovers, many people are now making a conscious effort towards to lead a healthy life by investing in a range of activewear, which is defined as the ‘new semi-casual’. It has changed the way people dress up for everyday occasions and has become a way of life.

Radhika Apte

Designer Pawan Sachdeva suggests you to opt for infusion of asymmetrical cuts and structured fits with different prints to create new looks. He says, “Opt for garments that keep you comfortable and stylish at the same time. If you want to make a cheerful statement, choose brighter colour or neon hues like orange, green and yellow to pair with subtle solid shades.”

Whereas, Abhishek Yadav, design head at Spykar Lifestyle, doles out a few tips on how to style your gym wear for day-to-day events. “When it comes to outfits for gym, denim is the last thing that comes to mind; however one can choose the ‘Gym Jns’ that are designed like track pants, with the durability of denim. You can wear them with simple graphic tees with slogans and matching sneakers to the gym, movies, parties or even when you’re hanging out with friends,” suggests Yadav.

The sporty garments are comfortable, usually stretchy, casual, and athletic-looking clothes that one can use when they don’t want to put in a lot of effort to create a new look. Keeping in mind the growing demand, many brands are already creating separate lines to cater to this segment. Nelson Jaffery, head of design at Liva, Birla Cellu-lose, mentions that fabrics like viscose and modal are eco-friendly, sustainable fabrics that are now preferred in athleisure wear. “While opting for such style, fabric plays an important role. If the fabric is soft on your skin and eco-friendly, it will make you feel more comfortable. There are many options to choose from — one can go for sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, joggers, shorts, etc.  Undoubtedly, leggings/yoga pants are the new jeans for women and can be styled in endless ways. Pair your outfit with a sporty bag, sneakers, and sunglasses to complete a sporty look,” sums up Jaffery.