Athleisure: What it is and Best Clothing 2024

When it comes to fashion, the possibilities are many; there are as many styles as personal preferences, and within these, the combinations are even more extensive. As a result, new clothing styles emerge every season; sometimes they are styles that were fashionable a few years ago and come renewed, sometimes they are completely new. One of the most recent is the casual sports style or athleisure.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you’ve heard this term; by the end of reading our article, you will have learned everything about it, from what it is and what characterizes it, to its key garments and what mistakes to avoid.

What is athleisure?

The word athleisure comes from the fusion of “athletic” and “leisure,” and defines a clothing style that combines comfort with functionality. That is, it seeks to unite the comfort of sportswear with the versatility and style of casual clothing.

In other words, athleisure allows you to wear garments originally designed for physical activity in your daily life, creating comfortable and fashionable looks.

Characteristics of women's athleisure style

What are the unique characteristics of the athleisure style, and what sets it apart from other styles? We tell you below:

Comfort

It could be said that comfort is one of the main characteristics of the athleisure style. The looks should feel comfortable, not restrict movement, nor have excessive accessories.

Fabrics 

Most of the fabrics that make up athleisure style garments are breathable, soft, and stretchy, so they clearly allow freedom of movement and adapt to the figure.

Adaptability 

The possibility of including more “formal” garments in the looks allows sportswear to adapt to, for example, work events, celebrations, special occasions, etc. It will depend entirely on the creativity of the person wearing the looks how flexible and adaptable it is, but the possibilities are practically endless. 

Accessories

Accessories play an important role in women's athleisure, as they manage to elevate looks from completely casual to much more special. For example, adding bold jewelry, a neon-colored bag, or stilettos to a basic all-black look of leggings, shirt, and blazer completely transforms it and makes it much more eye-catching.

Relax

Beyond the accessories added or the layers used to create the look, it somehow has to scream “relax.” That is, the look has to convey that feeling of being comfortable, which so distinctly characterizes the athleisure style.

Who does the athleisure style flatter?

The athleisure style is a quite democratic trend, as it flatters all body types and styles. This is due to its vast versatility; without it, adapting garments to different figures and personal preferences would be completely impossible. Now, there are certain garments that flatter some bodies more than others, for example:

• Curvy silhouette: For this type of silhouette, it is recommended to opt for garments that define the waist, such as high-rise leggings, skirts, or dresses with an elastic waist. Dark colors and vertical prints will help to slim the figure.
• Thin silhouette: Loose garments, such as oversized pants or wide sweatshirts, are ideal, as well as light colors and bold prints, which can add volume to the figure.
• Short silhouette: If you have a short silhouette and want to elongate, for example, your legs, always opt for high-rise and make sure what you wear below, whether pants or leggings, is the same color as your shoes. This way, visually there is no break, and the legs appear longer.
• Tall silhouette: People with a tall silhouette can enjoy options with almost no restrictions. However, if the goal is to balance height, it is ideal to opt for mid or low-rise garments, light colors, and horizontal stripe prints.

Best garments for women's sporty look 2024

There are certain garments that are key to creating a sporty, casual, comfortable look that exudes personality; these garments are:

Leggings

Leggings are a fundamental piece of athleisure since there is a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials. If it’s summer, you can wear bikers, although in winter, classic leggings with an oversized sweatshirt are a must.

Joggers

Joggers are comfortable and loose pants, ideal for a look that conveys “comfort.” Also, we recommend sustainable joggers made of cotton, polyester, or fabric blends, and also that you opt for different colors and styles, from classic joggers to joggers with elastic ankles or decorative details.

Hoodies

Basic and versatile pieces, perfect for adding a touch of comfort and style to any look. Sustainable sweatshirts for women are a must-have in your winter wardrobe.

Sports sneakers

Sports sneakers are often where the look starts to be created. A classic example of this is combining formal dress clothes with sports sneakers for work.

Accessories

Incorporating caps, bucket hats, tote bags, or backpacks into women's sports sets gives them that sporty but not too sporty touch. One of the most used accessories in this style is crossbody fanny packs, super practical and modern.

Oversized t-shirts

Oversized t-shirts are ideal for a casual and relaxed look. There are sustainable t-shirts with many different prints, from basic colors to bright colors and for all tastes, so they are usually the key piece of the looks.

You can see many more in our women's sustainable clothing category.

Keys for women's sporty looks

With the athleisure trend, women's sporty style has ceased to be exclusive to the gym or physical activities and has become a fashion trend that will very likely never go away. If you like to feel comfortable and fashionable at the same time, here are some keys to creating stylish sporty looks:

Choose the right garments

Opt for garments made with breathable, soft materials that fit your body well; if they are made from recycled materials, even better. But above all, look for pieces that adapt to your personal style—remember, the key is to feel comfortable with what you wear.

Combine with style

• Athleisure + casual: Mix sportswear with casual clothes, like jeans, t-shirts, or blazers, for a more versatile look.
• Athleisure + elegant: Elevate your sporty look with more elegant pieces, such as heels, bags, or jewelry.

Accessories that make a difference

Complete your look with accessories that protect you from the sun or cold and add an even more personal touch, such as caps, scarves, neck gaiters, glasses, etc. Likewise, choose practical and functional bags that allow you to carry everything you need but do not break the harmony of the outfit.

Comfortable and versatile footwear

Sneakers are the quintessential footwear of athleisure, but you can also opt for sandals, boots, or loafers depending on the occasion. For example, if you want to achieve a more comfortable look, choose flat shoes like moccasins or ballet flats. If, on the other hand, you want a bolder and more elegant look, you can always pair your sportswear with heels.

Don’t forget the details

A natural hairstyle and simple makeup will perfectly complement your sporty look. Does this mean you can’t wear more colorful or heavier makeup? Of course not. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident with what you’re wearing; there’s a saying that goes “It’s not the clothes, but the way you wear them,” referring to the fact that the person wearing the clothes is what makes them look good. This couldn’t apply better to this style: the better you feel with what you wear, the better it will look and the better you will look.

5 mistakes you should avoid in athleisure style

If you’re thinking about starting to integrate this style into your wardrobe or daily looks, you will surely make mistakes, and that’s okay. Beyond the “rules” of what’s right or wrong, and what matches and what doesn’t, fashion and the way we dress is a form of personal expression and therefore subjective. Wear what feels good to you and makes you feel good. Beyond this, when starting with the athleisure style, the most common mistakes are considered to be:

Mixing too many sports pieces

Although athleisure is based on the comfort of sportswear, we shouldn’t overdo it. Avoid wearing all sports pieces at the same time; for example, if you wear leggings, pair them with a casual t-shirt or sweatshirt instead of a sports jacket and sneakers.

Neglecting the details

Sometimes, we focus so much on comfort that we forget the details. Those little details can elevate your athleisure look.

Wearing worn or damaged clothes

Just because the athleisure style is relaxed doesn’t mean you should wear old or worn-out clothes. Also, with these looks it’s very easy to look sloppy, so make sure your clothes are always clean and in good condition.

Forgetting balance

Athleisure is about combining sporty with casual, don’t overdo it in either direction. If you wear a loose sweatshirt, balance it with tight pants or vice versa. 

Ignoring garment quality

Although we seek comfort, we should not sacrifice quality. Invest in good quality pieces that last and look good, preferably from brands with environmental awareness and not fast fashion.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, athleisure has established itself as a versatile and modern option for those seeking a balance between functionality and fashion. Whether for exercising or your daily activities, athleisure offers you a practical and stylish way to dress.