What IS Athleisure??

Athleisure, in my opinion, sounds like some sort of ailment. But, it’s actually the name of a growing fashion trend. And I blame it all on the leggings…

I love leggings because they can be super cute and comfortable. I loathe them because I consider them *gateway* clothing. Let me explain.

Ever since the legging craze, it feels like the fashion society is constantly finding more ways to take the ordinary (often frumpy attire) to extraordinary. Leggings can now be considered chic attire. They have opened the fashion floodgates and granted permission to take athletic apparel to a whole new level.

There are joggers (adorably glorified sweatpants), hoodies paired with denim jackets, and sneakers.

Not so long ago, all women wore skirts and dresses. Then, they embraced pantsuits and Daisy Dukes.

Fashion is ever changing…but should we change with it?

Fact: This althleisure trend has actually been referred to as the modern day “power dressing.” I really don’t know how I feel about that.

Ok, it’s exactly like sour cream and brown sugar. It sounds off-putting but, when combined and used as a dip with strawberries…let’s just say it’s kinda life-changing.

Is that the way new trends should be…life-changing?

Do we really need to recreate our entire look every time a new trend pops up? No! No, we do not. But we can keep an open mind and find a fashion balance that works for us.

The word “althleisure” was recently added to the dictionary. (Side note: The Oxford online dictionary has also added the words “muggle”, “bling”, “bromance” and “grrrl.” No joke.)

So what is althleisure and how can we make it work for us? The word really just means: a trend in fashion in which clothing made for workouts (yoga pants, joggers, leggings) is worn in other social settings and is characterized as fashionable.

It is becoming a larger part of people’s everyday wardrobes.

Let’s talk about the do’s and don’ts

Achieving the look can be really easy to do. I hate to admit it but I actually LOVE some of the ways you can “style-up” a pair of joggers.

DO swap the tennies for heels, add a cute ruffle sleeve, and throw on a pair of sunnies for a look that says, “I’m classy, sassy, and little bit smart-assy.”

Or, dress joggers down with a cropped pullover and white sneakers for a comfortably chic look.

Accessorize with jewelry.

You can even throw on a cute pair of Adidas with a swank dress.

Keep it crisp. No holes, stains, or wrinkles. The key is to achieve the “I woke up like this” look (read: fabulous looking, without any effort). But, you don’t actually want to look like you just rolled out of bed. Avoid looking sloppy!

***For those who may read into this trend as permission to wear your literal pajama pants to the market…nope, you missed the mark on that one. That is still, and always will be, a fashion faux pas.

Ladies, athleisure isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it seems to be growing in its trend. (Even the fabulous Kate Spade has a fitness collection – which looks more like brunch attire, to me.) So let’s grow, fashion-wise, with it.

Remember: It’s all about embracing new trends while keeping true to our own style. You don’t have to wear the vibrant colors you usually see at the gym if you are more comfortable in neutrals. And please, don’t wear heels to the gym!! (Again, way off mark there.)

If you stick with what you love and what makes you feel beautiful, while keeping an open mind and trying new style techniques, you can never go wrong.