Trend Report: Activewear Chic

Partly due to the resurgence and the resounding boom of the athletic/sporty style trend, activewear is increasingly taking the spotlight in the fashion industry. Gym clothes are now more stylish than ever, and it can actually pull double duty for you now, taking you from your workout to post-workout fetes or for laid-back weekend soirees. High-fashion designers are also getting into the activewear market with their own respective line of gym wear. There is now no excuse for you to take a break from looking chic, even when you’re breaking a sweat.

A significant addition to the plethora of stylish activewear options and brands is the upcoming collaboration that has fashion fans and Beyonce fans in a tizzy. Pop culture icon, style maven, and reigning queen of music Queen B, Beyonce announced recently that she will be coming out with an activewear line with high-street UK brand Topshop. Topshop has had a storied history of excellent collaborations with designers and style icons like Kate Moss and Christopher Kane. Her exciting collab with the brand will include clothing, shoes and accessories made for dance, sports, and fitness. She promises that her activewear line will integrate functionality and her signature streetwear vibe.

 

Image and News Source: Vogue UK

 Another noteworthy designer/celebrity collaboration that attests to the trending of fashionable activewear is Kate Hudson’s newest activewear line, Fabletics. A partnership with shopping site, Just Fab, Kate Hudson’s line actually has friendlier price points than other dominant brands in the activewear fashion industry. Combining fitness with fashion is Hudson’s end goal for her premiere collection. She also designed the pieces with a variety of body types in mind. Most pieces retail for under $100, and are fashion forward enough to wear outside the gym. Here are some looks from her collection:

Image from: Well and Good

The prestigious French fashion house Balmain has joined in on the activewear trend as well and of course, did a more luxurious and haute couture take on it. Leather sweatpants with tough biker details, sweatshirts in rich prints, and even tailored cotton sweatpants are all pieces that have been spotted on fashion industry insiders.

Balmain White Pinstriped Cotton Sweatshirt from Lyst.com

Balmain Leather Jogging Pants from Stylebop

Pierre Balmain Heather Grey XX Lounge Pants from SSense

Want more chic activewear pieces to incorporate into your daily looks? Here are some of my picks for sporty threads and athletic duds that’ll up your fashion cred and get you into this hot trend.

Nike Liberty Windrunner Jacket from LuisaViaRoma

Nike’s collaboration with design print company Liberty of London produced this upgraded take on the hoodie. The paisley print on this piece looks vintage inspired and when married with the athletic vibe of the hoodie makes for a fashion forward addition to your closet. Wear this beautiful hoodie over a white dress and with striped slip-ons for an easy look for a summer afternoon. You can even use this hoodie to layer underneath a blazer for a surprising element to your fall uniform of boyfriend blazer, dark denims and ankle boots. You can also try layering a blue printed scarf in a similar shade with this hoodie to add some downtown cool to a typically sporty item.

Fendi Creatures Hooded Shell Ski Jacket from Net-a-Porter

A part of Fendi’s Creatures collection this ski jacket debunks the thinking that winter style is bulky, unflattering, and the total polar opposite of chic. This fun and playful color blocked ski jacket will give your winter looks a punch of color. Perk up your all black looks with this piece, or you can even accent a pair of sleek black trousers with this athletic item.

Mover Stretch Jersey and Mesh Sports Bra from Net-a-Porter

The addition of mesh to this sports bra makes it trendier and adds a subtle hint of sexy. The mesh detail of this number takes this beyond the gym and makes it ideal for those night outs and parties. Quick styling tip, wear this sports bra with more feminine silhouettes to contrast with its modernity. Try this with a midi skirt with lots of volume, or even with tailored cigarette pants for a different take on cocktail dressing.

Adidas by Stella McCartney Mesh and Stretch Jersey Dress from The Outnet

This cute and flirty dress has the right amount of swing and flow to it. Adidas and Stella McCartney has had a long partnership way before the athletic trend exploded all over the scene, and you can always count on this design collab for athletic pieces that have feminine details that update the standard sporty silhouettes. Pair this dress with a statement necklace, loose hair waves, and some white wedges for a winsome look, ideal for weekend brunches and afternoon jaunts.

Y-3 Oversized Cotton T-Shirt from MyTheresa

This cotton T-shirts have athletic varsity stripes that take it from basic to trendy. You can wear this design with everything, if you want to lend it a more casual, sporty vibe. Wear it with printed skater skirts or denim cutoffs, it’ll look chic every single time.

Nike Roshe Run Print Sneakers from MyTheresa

Sneakers are not just for running anymore, just take a look at any street style blog and you’ll see just how white hot this sneaker trend is. Worn with everything from sequined dress to LBDs, from tailored suits to floral rompers, sneakers are newest must-have footwear that are equal parts stylish, comfy, and versatile. These pair of Roshe Run sneakers have a black and white print that have a modern pop of neon. The streamlined design makes it easy to wear and incorporate into different looks.

Do you love this trend as much as I do? Sound off below for your stylish athletic picks!