Gym at 5, Date at 7
Melding fashion and comfort, upcycling athleisure into a chic curation of outfit elegance is all in. From jewellery to heels to handbags, sophisticated pieces appear the perfect combination for an ultra-modern gym fit; encapsulating that it-girl pilates at 5 but dinner at 7 kinda glam; marrying two styles to create something fresh. What fueled this trend, and what actually turns a fit made for lifting into an awe-inspiring, glamorous affair?
Fitting everything into our day can be kinda daunting, and the thought of having to pack multiple outfits to suit the agenda of each task can add to the confusion. But, with certain garments of the athleisure style crossing over into high fashion, it’s becoming more accepted and easy to curate one look to serve all day. Whether that’s lifting or a brunch date with friends, activewear probably has something alluring to offer.
Kendall Jenner in Alo biker/capri shorts, bra and ballet flats. Photo by @kendalljenner on IG, available via Who What Wear. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Pt. 1 - The Onepiece: Pieces like this are some of the most versatile.
Known typically as a one piece, a onesie or a unitard, depending on the brand, this athleisure-esque garment proposes a minimalistic yet stellar amelioration to any outfit roster. They are often composed of thin sweat-wicking materials like polyester and nylon, so are ideal for chill exercise like running and cycling, and appear as an all-in-one tank top and shorts. A one piece for a seamless and clean workout…and the perfect lifting-to-lunch transition, because they really are so chic.
Onesies are generally available via most gym brands (gymshark, alo, adanola etcetera) in a multitude of colours and styles. They’re not exclusive to just activewear labels though - even reliable it-girl brands like Skims approve of this trend and stock their own answer to the onesie, highlighting that athleisure is in fact not just for the gym.
Some one pieces offer a contemporary backless design perfected with an uber modern vibe… some don thin, basic straps whilst others favour chunkier, y2k-esque details…each have different short lengths and so on. This means they can be tailored to suit any individual occasion, including but 100% not limited to the gym.
When layered and paired with accessories, as seen on our fav it-girls, one piece athleisure can look dynamic, rich and classy - proof that gymwear is chic.
Emily Ratajkowski in high-waist, long-length biker shorts and a polished blazer, accessorized with sleek open toe sandals, handbag and sunglasses. This look perfectly executes the ability of biker shorts to go from an athleisure basic to a model-approved ensemble. Photo by James Devaney/GC Images, available via Vogue. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
To style a onesie (with a voguish evening dinner date in mind):
Select a simple black onesie (see Skims Cotton Rib Onesie, Adanola Ultimate Sleeveless Romper, Adanola Alosoft Suns Out Onesie and Gymshark Everyday Seamless All In One Short for inspo). Black one pieces are typically easier to accessorise, and give off a highly opulent vibe.
Layer. One of fashion’s most used and most enhancing tools. By adding an oversized blazer, oversized button-up shirt or polished sweater overtop, the one piece is amplified and becomes multi-dimensional; appearing put-together and streamlined. Particularly when pairing black fabrics with neutrals, beiges and white hues.
Starting from the head down, select accessories. This could be a chic plain black headband with hair down, with chunky gold hoops complementary to a gold necklace, bracelet and ring stack. And a small handbag or clutch, perhaps a pop of colour could be added here, such as through maroons, navy blues or neutrals. (See Bottega Veneta Andiamo for inspo from a luxury standpoint).
Shoes. Maybe heels. Maybe flats. Something elegant and refined to complete the look.
Head out with unmatched confidence.
The combinations are endless and the outfit opportunities are inevitable.
Pt. 2 - Cycling Shorts
Similar to the one piece, cycling/biker shorts are another staple piece in the activewear/athleisure corner. Perhaps more versatile than the former in the sense of the ability to combine colours/washes, and effectively layer.
As they excellently construct a function-plus-fashion outfit potential by combining current trends with a deeper purpose (support during exercise, ventilation for the warmer months and so on), cycling shorts are easily one of the greatest athleisure garms for aesthetic. They’re a proven fan favourite styling tool for not only lifting, yoga and the like, but also for fashion. They can be rejuvenated to suit a more formal outfit, perhaps with a blazer, or to suit a streetwear preference, maybe with chunky trainers and a graphic or oversized tee. And, with varying lengths, there’s so much potential to curate a fit to suit any occasion. But their blossoming friendship with high fashion in particular is very intriguing.
Bella Hadid in cycling shorts and a sumptuous blazer; styled with a chic beret and sunglasses, and pointed heels. A portrayal of athleisure x luxury. Photo by Getty/Pierre Suu, available via Pop Sugar. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Biker shorts have been a part of the fashion industry in general since around the 80s, arguably made famous by Princess Diana’s iconic biker shorts fit. But, in recent years they have been styled with a lavish muse in mind, making elegant affairs of fits stand out. Styling biker shorts with high-end pieces is very interesting, and highlights how they have shifted from an activewear-exclusive to a garment synonymous with class. Particularly when paired with luxury jewellery, or when designer brands create their own cycling short product line (see Dolce & Gabbana), opinions of this style in general change to a more open minded or versatile standpoint. Basics are only basics if we want them to be. And biker shorts have a lot of potential to go above and beyond.
Pt. 3 - Trainers: Running from bad vibes.
No outfit is complete without a pair of head-turning shoes. Which, although also very chic, does not necessarily mean a pair of beguiling heels. Rather, a simple yet irresistible duad of sports sneakers. In modern styling, sneakers effectively blend a yearn for prolonged comfort through all-day wear with aesthetics, allowing us to curate chic outfit displays, without the dreaded discomfort of breaking in a new pair of heels. They’re another example of what athleisure can bring to the high-fashion space, as their function remains consistent from an activewear point of view, but they also look inviting. Running shoes, in particular, adopt that coveted ‘clean-girl’ vibe, with a streamlined and minimalistic design, usually in neutral hues of beige, grey and white. They’re uber comfortable ofc, so can tackle that hot-girl city walk, whilst also creating a unique and enticing fit when paired with more formal pieces, like a dress or skirt. Previously it was typical to only wear heels with such garments, but as society’s preferences shift, we’re seeing nights out with sneakers rather than stilettos, and LBDs donned with high tops rather than high heels. When done right, athleisure in the form of trainers is ultra modern and ultra in style. Such looks are the crossover between streetwear and clean-girl, creating perfect summer looks that showcase the portfolio and potential of a sneaker.
Kendall Jenner in a sleek black maxi dress, with a handbag and sunglasses to accessorise. Paired with iconic Adidas x Wales Bonner Sambas. Photo by Splash News, available via Vogue. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Kendall’s outfit combines sophisticated glam with trainers, mixing athleisure with elegance to form a synonymous duo. Other commonly styled ‘it-girl’ trainers include: Nike Zoom Vomero 5, Adidas Taekwondo Mei, Asics GEL-1130, Puma Speedcat and New Balance 9060 amongst many choices. There are hundreds of iconic runners to style.
A staple.
The shift from activewear at the gym only to activewear everywhere is much appreciated, but where did it actually come from? This trend could be a perfect example of how the media and celebrities can influence fashion. Constantly veering towards what is popular, society relies on celebrities like Kendall and Bella for style inspiration, and becomes accustomed to keeping up to date with social media (IG and TikTok in particular) so as to not miss an upcoming fad. Perhaps a form of FOMO.
Similarly, with each season clothing stores stock the most popular pieces of that period, and arrange them in a way which draws attention in store, of course boosting sales…but also emphasising how much the media (whether from paparazzi, social media, magazines, etcetera) influences our own personal style and the product mix available from brands.
Once we see confirmation that a garment or amalgamation of different vibes of garments is drippy, or simply comfortable and fit to purpose, everyone wants to try. And this continues. Maybe the reason gymwear is becoming besties with high glam and suave apparel.
I saw Bella Hadid wearing gym shorts and a chic blazer, so I bought gym shorts and a chic blazer.
Instead of buying a new outfit for every date night or night out with friends, consider those black biker shorts that have likely been available to you for years. They are possibly one of the most versatile and comfortable pieces, with the ability to create a sharp and interesting fit. Athleisure is a multi-purpose, multi-dimensional genre; warming up to run the fashion world.
