The current activewear trends......
Aussies are in love with activewear! Athleisure has been popular for some time however since COVID began, it really started taking over the fashion space. People are wearing activewear all day because they can work in comfort, and then train in comfort and don’t have to get changed. According to designers, we’re seeing a new era of fashion to emerge from our experience during lockdown that’s going to include mixing comfort, casualness and functionality. Athleisure is a hybrid of workout clothes and loungewear, which makes for super versatile pieces that can go from the gym to the couch and even to the office. I don't know about you but this ticks all my boxes!
And it's not just us - during the first week of April activewear sales were up 40 per cent in the US and 97 per cent in the UK!
It seems everywhere you look, ready-to-wear designers and celebrities are branching out into activewear - think Gigi Hadid and Reebok, or Rihanna and Puma. Athleisure is the fastest growing category in the fashion industry and is expected to exceed $83 billion in 2020. Athleisure typically consists of hoodies, fleece, joggers, leggings , sneakers, t-shirts and sweatshirts and we now truly have more brands than we can count!
PE Nation founder Pip Edwards states "Anything that is fleece, oversized and slouchy is trending. Leggings, hoodies and puffers are a huge sales driver too."
According to Women's Health Magazine, some of the trends for 2020 include:
- Multi task activewear - The huge rise of the athleisure trend has seen the lines blurred between traditional gym gear and casual wear. Today consumers expect their activewear to be ‘ready for anything’ to take them through leisure, fitness and everything in between.
- Sustainable style -Customers today want to know where and how their clothes were made and are demanding greater transparency.
- Eye of the tiger - Exotic animal prints are everywhere right now, and if it hasn’t already, expect this trend to infiltrate your gym bag too
- Pretty in pastel - Rather than reaching for the neutral chrome and beige tones that the stars have been donning, try incorporating lighter colours such baby pink, pastel turquoise and lilac.
- Retro reboot - Style nods to the 90s are being felt across the fashion world and are particularly strong within the athleisure space. Whether it’s neon colours, oversized logos, to midriffs, expect to see this trend stick around for seasons to come.
- Absolutely everybody - Expect to see more and more brands creating sportswear ranges that have cuts, materials and size ranges that work for each and every body, maximising second skin comfort.
(source https://www.womenshealth.com.au/activewear-trends-2020)
Some of our home grown activewear brands include:
- Nagnata - started by 2 Aussie sisters. It's knitwear meets activewear and is sustainable and organic
- PE Nation - started by Pip Edwards and fast becoming on of the most popular Australian activewear designers.
- L'urv - a boutique Australian label
- The Upside sport - started by Jodhi Meares' and is a favourite in the Sydney scene
- First Base - a local Bondi label
- Running Bare - still at the forefront of Aussie activewear
- Jaggad - one of Australia's leading activewear brands started by local WAG Rebecca Judd
- B.O.D by Rachel Finch - the Aussie model developed this range when she wanted to share her love of fitness and fashion
- Lorna Jane - an iconic Australian activewear designer
- Dharma Bums - an Australian owned and designed ehtical activewear range
- Nimble activewear - made in Australia with a variety of collections for high intensity training, yoga, pilates and running
I'm sure there are some others however these seem to be some of the most popular according to internet searches. What brand do you favour? Many of us are eclectic and mix and match different designers.
Whatever you decide, it seems wearing activewear is fast becoming a fashion statement - I'm not sure about you but I love being comfortable so this is one area of fashion that I am all for!