FEATURES: Athleisure

When high-fashion and sports meet in the catwalk

In recent years, the alliance between sport and fashion has become a growing tendency, slowly transcending from the training rooms to the streets and catwalks. At first sight, they may seem to be opposites, but, as we will see later, they are rather complementary. There is no need to competition: both can coexist in a brilliant way, creating exclusive and wonderful garments that do not abandon aesthetics and careful designs.

The most renowned high-luxury brands are currently targeting a new consumer linked to values related to comfort and healthy living. The athleisure tendency refers to the use of sportswear in different environments, such as the office, the university, to have drinks with your colleagues or even to go on a date. The freedom to choose athleisure as part of the day-to-day has given way to the expression of the personality of the man who wears it and to always dress original and different.

And yes, athleisure suggests carefree and leeway, but in no way does it imply negligence or messy. Nor does it mean pretentiousness or fussiness of the clothes you will match. On the contrary, feel free to let your instincts guide you through your closet. Why don't you try combining your office suit with a pair of white trainers? Or why don't you take a chance and put on some formal pants with a basic grey sweatshirt to go to work?

It's a fact: today a lot of people go to the gym more stylish than to the office. For this reason, risky patterns, fabric mixes or colour combinations that were previously forbidden are some of the main changes that sports fashion has undergone. The boring monochrome tracksuit or the repetitive black leggings are officially thing of the past. Years ago, under no circumstances would you want anyone to watch you wearing your gym uniform. That's all sportswear was for, the gym and maybe for being comfortable around the house. This is over now: Here are our favourite fashion brands on the market which design the coolest sport clothes – so cool that we can guarantee that you'll wish to be spotted with.

NIKE

Considered one of the leading brands in the sportswear market, Nike is, for many, the perfect blend of fitness and modernity. This year, the brand has agreed five brand new collaborations for the occasion of the Tokyo Olympic Games - now postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This stunning collaboration was carried out with some top urban brands, such as Undercover, Sacai or Off-White. This initiative has the intention of creating a team of designers who seek through their brands to break barriers and provide a new vision of sports fashion.

ADIDAS X KANYE WEST

Nike’s longtime rival, Adidas, is launching this April its long-awaited collaboration with the rapper Kanye West, which is likely to conquer the wardrobes. These new trainers from Kanye West have an amazing look that reminds of the clogs that many athletes wear after a long and intense career. The Adidas Yeezy Foam Runner have been designed as a one-piece shoe with holes to maintain constant ventilation of the foot, no laces and highly flexible. Not only do they have an original design, but they are also proudly made of an innovative biodegradable material.

ROBERT GELLER X LULULEMON

in the recent Lululemon’s collaboration with the designer Robert Geller, the entire collection seems to be created in order to achieve the maximum possible versatility, since the garments that make it up could be seen from your 7 a.m. run to your daily subway travel to the workplace, from your gym to a night date. This collection is also perfect for travel, as it combines style, comfort and packability.

Due to the current coronavirus crisis, the increase in teleworking could further expand the trend towards minimalist garments and simpler way of clothing. There are certainly two fashion sectors that have come out of this very well: athleisure and loungewear. Men no longer want to wear almost-impossible-tight cigarettes combined with uncomfortable office shoes. Now, men want to be comfortable while looking good and casual, which is feasible through a pair of joggers and Nike sneakers - and women absolutely love it!

It’s inevitable to wonder if fashion will significantly change after this global confinement. What is seems clear is that sportswear is here to stay and could even infiltrate in the offices. Let's see what the boss has to say about that.

Tajinder HayerApril 17, 2020nike, undercover, sacai, adidas, kanye, Lululemon, Robert geller, features, long reads