Athleisure is a way of life and one in which your body matters
Imagine a world where stretchy pants are sexy, where your avo-toast is not just for the ?ram but also a healthier food choice, and whether at work or in play?our body comes first. Today, athleisure has evolved beyond a fashion phenomenon into a way of life.
Athleisure is the promise of gender fluidity, body positivity, flexibility and freedom from structure. It is the luxury of today and the future. Whatever be your shape, size, age, or gender?thleisure is you?our style, your terms, and your rules.
From Deepika Padukone's neon trench and joggers to Sonam Kapoor? uber-chic sporty co-ords and Kim Kardashian? glam utility suits, athleisure has found its moment on reels and real life. And beyond a world of celebrities and sports stars, this is fashion that has takers across the board.
This is your all-day style statement as you transition from work to playyith the right pauses in between to reset and rejuvenate.
How stretchy became cool
The roots of modern athleisure lie in the idea of finding wearable clothes for a workout.
The 19th-century prototype of the sneaker was the tennis shoe with a rubber sole that offered a better grip while early 20th-century ?ctive?women? wear (meant for those who cycled or danced) consisted of breathable fabrics and styles that left the arms and legs free to move with ease.
The rise of European brands like Lacoste in the 1930s and their introduction of flexible and lightweight cotton polo shirts changed the game both on and off tennis courts. German manufacturers Adidas and Puma entered the market with their superior shoe design and sports endorsements setting off a new craze for sportswear among football players and their innumerable fans.
1970s America saw a rising interest in fitness and regular people beyond the world of professional sport, took to activities like running and exercise. With it came a demand for clothing that would survive the stretching and the sweat. New light-weight, sweat-wicking and weather-appropriate clothing began to gain momentum allowing brands room to play with technology and textiles. Lycra or spandex made a big splash, its flexibility allowing it to stretch upto 600 percent of its original size. In the 1990s, pop culture? appropriation of sneakers, sweatshirts, hoodies and baggy pants made this new line of leisurewear a fashion statement that was the go-to choice for subversive teens and rebellious hip-hop artists. Over the years, innovations by top brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma have made the fit life fashionable. Onboarding celebrities like Kanye West, Rihanna, and Beyonce have given rise to new creative collections that combine a sporty aesthetic with high fashion.
Not just yoga pants
The pandemic thrust a lifestyle where at-home workouts segued into zoom meetings and family time. Business suits and formal Indianwear were quickly put away for loungewear and comfort clothing that looked good and felt even better. Blurring the boundaries between gym clothes, a work wardrobe and loungewear, athleisure emerged as a concept in sync with the times.
Comfort, durability, and above all transition-ability made athleisure the backbone of the WFH wardrobe
The world we have inherited has highlighted the need for self-care and positivity in mind, body and spirit. Athleisure? promise is freedom with body positivity, self-care and sustainability as its cornerstones.
And all of this with an aesthetic that is casual yet chic. Tank tops, yoga pants, hoodies, sneakers with style, sweatshirts and leggings?he basics got a makeover. Celebrities pair their baggy pants with Louboutins or a Cartier neckpiece upping the ante of radical fashion. High street fashion in malls across the country have seen an explosion in loungewear with joggers, sneakers and cropped tees finding new cred across the board. The underlying message is clear. Fit is fashionable like never before.
Brands like Zara have taken athleisure to a younger fashion-conscious audience. Sports tanks and joggers form funky co-ord sets in pop colours, faux leather satin and jungle prints. Luxe innerwear brand Hunkem^r has launched a line of funky loungewear spanning everything from high-octane leggings and edgy jackets to crop tops and sports bras with max support. Apart from Puma? traditional sports lines, there are bodycons, comfort-fit tshirt and hoodie dresses, skirts and more. Training leggings get an update with pop prints in their Freida Kahlo line. Adidas? fluid designs and gender-neutral styles are combined with funky graphic prints and capsule collections in association with designers like Stella Mccartney and Pharell Williams. Nike? performance-first clothing also has a sustainability and style update with their Dri-FIT jumpsuits, rompers and dresses in recycled fibers. At Armani Exchange, the focus is on ?lothing for any season and any reason?making a case for relaxed-fit trousers, stylish hoodies, jumpsuits and more.
Whether it's a quick yoga session, coffee date, work meeting, an airport look, or hitting the hottest clubs in town, athleisure has you covered.
Get your fix of the fit life at the month-long Pause and Play festival at DLF Promenade. From healthy menus to specially curated fashion, food and fitness workshops, here? your chance to get a lifestyle makeover.