Athleisure is casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use.
Anyone who likes to wear athletic wear for casual and daily wear primarily has adopted the trend.
With some development various trends and styles, Athleisure wear includes Trackpants, Jogger Pants, T-Shirts, Tracksuit
Origin of Athleisure
It is tough to pinpoint where the trend started, but we would consider it’s beginning since the 1970’s when the popularity of fitness came to surface.
Fitness mania was getting louder, and people wore casual clothing to exercise. Sports brands started improvising clothes for athletic performance. Innovation kicked in and the quality significantly improved with spandex, lycra, nylon and other synthetic fiber material clothing to boost athlete’s performance.
Core functionalities were sweating-wicking capability, extra stretch, and softer feel. They remain the core selling points, but then social media played a part.
Casual clothing meant comfortable clothing, and there was nothing more comfortable than activewear.
Giant athletic brands started to become more athleisure wear brands. A new market began to emerge where active clothing can swiftly be turned into casual and leisurewear clothing.
- Innovation
Necessity is the mother of innovation.
Athletic brands are continually looking to improve the performance of athletes, which enforces brands to innovate. Comfort and feel are the top priority for athletic brands. The goal is to create better fabric and functionality which improves athletic performance.
Parallel to innovation, fashion is another factor where athletic brands can get more out of being an athleisure brand.
As the Athleisure market gets even hotter, it gives the fashion industry a tougher time.
Several brands such as True religion are being put out of the market as an overflow of supply for athleisure wear. - Fashion Vs Athletic Brands
Athleisure is the intersecting playing ground for fashion and active wear. As athleisure gains more ground, activewear seems to dominate.
Here is why. - Fierce competition in the sports clothing industry is pushing athletic brands to innovate and innovate more. The fashion industry is losing much of its market to athletic and sports industry.
- Whereas fashion keeps doing what the creative fashion designers believe is the next trend. Fashion designers focus more on the trends and less on the comfort and functionality.
- Comfort & Laidback Lifestyle
While athletic wear is for sports and exercising, Athleisure wear can be worn anytime and anywhere. For the same reason, Athleisure wear has attracted several people and not just fitness enthusiasts.
The athleisure trend is accepted more at the social events and parties. Wear them while lounging, walking on the street, and a casual dinner. No one would bat an eye on you.
Activewear is more durable, odor resistant and wrinkle-free. Therefore, more people are wearing them, and more brands are manufacturing them. - Social Media & Micro Influencers
Health and fitness influencer are getting lots of traction through social media. They get to sponsor activewear brands, and activewear brands get their hands on a larger relevant audience.
Despite changing dynamics on influencer marketing, micro influencers are growing in the fitness industry.
Influencers and brands both get access to broader audience at way cheaper cost.
On the other hand, growing fitness trend can be witnessed on social media. - Growing Fitness Lifestyles
The rise of athleisure on social media was not possible without the growing number of fitness enthusiasts who are inspired by the celebrities, influencers and their social media accounts.
The fitness industry is highly promoted due to rising healthy lifestyles and wellness mindsets. Hence, fitness brands get lots of contagious coverage which motivates others to live a similar lifestyle.
Millennials and Generation Z want to display the best version of themselves on the internet. Staying fit, eating healthy and showing off on the internet are just the things millennials do. - Weather-Adaptive
Athleisure wear is perfect for any weather.
Ideal for summers as the sportswear fabric is already sweat-absorbing. Sweeps away any moisture away from the skin and keeps your body cool and dry. Athleisure fans love wearing activewear in hot weather.
Similarly, Athletic overcoats or hoodies aim to keep your temperature at bay. Luckily, the billion dollar market makes the most effective and weather-adaptive clothes you will come across.