History of the Athleisure Trend: A Contemporary Sportswear Style

What is Athleisure?

Athleisure is versatile clothing that can be worn for sports or everyday activities (casual style). Unlike activewear, which is specifically designed for use in sports, training, and outdoor activities, but can also be fashionable, athleisure clothing is considered more versatile and can be worn in everyday activities even if you never exercise.

Today, athleisure wear is a popular style choice to compliment our busy lifestyles, keep us comfortable, and emphasize the importance of physical fitness as part of our daily routine.

When Did The Athleisure Trend Start?

Many people trace the modern athleisure movement to the 1970s, but athleisure wear actually began in the late 19th century. The first shoes with rubber bottoms were produced for athletes in 1892, and the rubber gave the shoes better traction on tennis courts, hence the name "tennis shoes".

Around the same time, intramural sports became very popular at universities in the United States, and men would wear their athletic clothing to class before or after practice. Polo shirts were first designed in the 1920s and were originally designed for tennis players as a more breathable alternative to the long-sleeved shirt designs popular at the time, and eventually became synonymous with polo players.

As sports grew in popularity and more people began to focus on their physical fitness, clothing companies saw the value in designing clothing specifically designed for exercise in a variety of different fabrics that offered moisture-wicking properties, increased breathability, and deodorizing technology.

Increased investment and research in athletic apparel improved the quality of the clothing, and more people started buying the products.

The term "athleisure" was first used in March 1979 in an issue of Nation's Business, where it was used to describe clothing and shoes designed for people who wanted to look athletic.

Over the years, athleisure transitioned from sportswear, which is clothing designed for a specific sport, to sportswear that can be used as casual wear. The athleisure trend really found its footing in the early 2000s, shortly after Lululemon was founded in 1997.

The company revolutionized the fashion industry with its stylish twist on sportswear that was previously only worn for exercise, such as yoga pants, sports bras, leggings, joggers, tank tops, and crop tops.

Related Article: What is Athleisure Style? | 10 Athleisure Outfit Ideas to Try

Why Is Athleisure So Popular?

The goal of athleisure wear from the beginning was to make sporty clothing more comfortable and suitable for working out, but the movement gained increasing support in the 1970s with a renewed focus on materials and function. As athleisure wear became more comfortable, people were more likely to wear it outside of their workouts.

Today, those innovations are one of the main reasons why athleisure is so popular. Every company is constantly working on improving its materials and technology, so today, you can find athleisure clothing made from fabrics as diverse as bamboo, spandex, and merino wool. Athleisure's popularity is also due, at least in part, to the fact that it is easily adaptable to busy lifestyles.

They are comfortable and multifunctional, and the growing acceptance of athleisure wear in social settings means they can be worn in a variety of circumstances. Athleisure clothing is also easy to wear as it doesn't wrinkle, often has anti-odor properties, and is breathable and durable.

Unlike many other clothing trends, athleisure is also suitable for a variety of different weather types and is often specially manufactured for exercising in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat or cold.

That means athleisure is the perfect thing to wear when you're doing activities in the summer and worried about sweating through your clothes, or when you're going out in the middle of winter and want to make sure you're protected from the cold.

There is also a performative element to athleisure clothing; as living a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly important and popular for most, athleisure clothing demonstrates one's commitment to health and fitness.

This outfit makes a statement that says you prioritize health, even if you never actually work out. They can be dressed up by layering over a leather jacket or a pair of heels and transitioning into a more formal setting, so they are very versatile and mean you can look stylish and feel comfortable at the same time.

Pieces such as sweatpants, hoodies, t-shirts, leggings, and baseball caps are all athleisure clothing that is trending right now.

Will the Athleisure Trend Continue?

Nowadays calling athleisure a trend seems a bit redundant, as it has spread all over the world and so quickly. So it seems more appropriate if we call it a movement.

The Athleisure trend is quickly being accepted by society, and even some companies are starting to accept this trend to be used in the workplace. This is mainly because people are starting to focus on incorporating athleisure pieces into outfits that focus more on fashion rather than something casual.

Between 2012 and 2019, the global athleisure sector increased by 42 percent with a total value of 270 billion dollars, and the growth of athleisure apparel is expected to grow by 30 percent by 2020.

Forbes projects that sneakers will overtake dress shoes as the largest footwear category through 2021, as more brands shift away from performance or fashion footwear toward athleisure styles that blend the best elements of streetwear and athletic wear.

Even brands that previously did not produce activewear are now starting to create their own athleisure lines, recognizing the popularity of this trending style. There is no doubt that the athleisure trend is here to stay for years to come.

Source Reference:

1. Fulan, Brian. “Sejarah Tren Athleisure: Style Pakaian Olahraga Kekinian.” Teletype, 7 Apr. 2023, teletype.in/@brianfulan/sejarah-tren-athleisure.