Athleisure: how to transition gym wear to day wear

For a while now, gym wear, or more specifically, athleisure wear, has been a focus for the fashion industry, both for its original purpose – exercise – but also as day wear; taking you from a meeting to the gym. While it is growing in popularity, getting this trend right can be tricky.

The problem commonly faced is balancing comfort and style, while also finding classic pieces which can multitask in your wardrobe. Already 93% of women wear activewear outside of the gym, but the aim is to make it look effortless. Here's how to do it right.

Design matters

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The key to picking athleisure wear which can transition between the gym and the street is to keep things simple. Choose muted colours and no large logos.

The quality and texture of the fabric is very important. Cheap materials can be plasticky and can easily lose their shape after just a few washes, or fail to provide the right amount of support for your body, so it’s wise to pick your brands carefully and invest.

When choosing your athleisure wear it’s important to see how the material feels on your skin and how the material will change when you sweat and when it has been washed. A good mill will provide certified tests for all these properties so be sure to look at this, as it will make all the difference in the long run.

In terms of cuts and styles, it is all about flattering the female form which can be achieved with contrast piping and colour blocking garments to enhance your shape. Vertical lines are also flattering when they are well positioned, so look out for these when deciding what to wear.

How to style it

By opting for simple, classic and flattering designs, there is more room to be creative when styling your athleisure wear. An elegant coat, boots or a statement bag all work well. Particularly during winter, it’s all about layering. What you wear on top of your gym gear is key for transitioning your outfit from the office to a pilates class.

Make sure you have a technical base layer in which your skin can breathe and sweat, and that wicks moisture and then finish with a top layer such as merino wool for warmth.

The best advice is to keep things unfussy. Just because designs are simple does not mean to say they can’t be stylish, and I think this is the key to functional luxury athleisure wear.

For more information visit www.ernestleoty.com