The origins of Athleisure 

The term "athleisure" refers to a fashion trend that combines athletic wear with casual clothing, creating a comfortable and stylish look suitable for both exercise and everyday activities. 

The term was first used in March 1979 in an issue of Nation’s Business, where it was used to describe shoes, clothing and apparel that were designed specifically for individuals who wanted to look athletic. 

The athleisure evolution made sportswear fashion popular in the early 20th and 21st centuries due to several factors and cultural shifts.

Over the years, athleisure fashion trend  moved from sportswear to the one-size-fits-all approach to athletic apparel that defines true athleisure clothing today.

Who started Athleisure?

As the concept of liberty became rooted in American society, women started becoming a more integral part of it. This led to a huge shift in the kind of clothing people wore as well.

As women started leading a more active lifestyle, Women fashion designers in the United States began to contemporarize everyday wear and made it more functional.

While fashion designers like Gabriel Chanel liberated women from the corset, American designers like Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashin infused a more casual approach to fashion. This was the precursor to the athleisure evolution.

In the early 20th century, garments started being made of knits and jerseys. These garments exposed arms and legs for the freedom of movement. Suzanne Lenglen wore the first Tennis Skirt  to Wimbledon in 1921 which was created by Parisian designer Jean Patou. This was a major step towards the beginning of the rise of the athleisure trend.

It is believed that once the athleisure trend became popular in the United States in the early twentieth century, it hit the European market 5 years later and slowly became a worldwide phenomenon.

What Led to the rise of ‘Athleisure”

With scientific developments and breakthroughs in the fashion industry, ‘Athleisure’ started gaining an immense amount of popularity among teens and adults alike.

Here are some factors contributing to the build up of athleisure fashion style -

1) Rise of Sports Culture:  

As people became more health-conscious and participated in various physical activities, the demand for comfortable, functional clothing increased.

2) Casualization of Fashion:  

People started seeking clothing that provided both comfort and style, blurring the boundaries between traditional sportswear and everyday attire.

3) Celebrity Endorsements: 

Athletes, in particular, were seen wearing sportswear-inspired outfits outside of their respective arenas, which created a sense of style aspiration.

4) Technological Advances in Fabrics:  

Fabrics such as spandex, Lycra, and moisture-wicking materials became more widely available, enabling the fusion of performance features with fashion aesthetics.

5) Streetwear Influence:  

Streetwear brands and designers actively started incorporating athletic elements into their collections, leading to the blending of sportswear and casual clothing.

6) Emphasis on Wellness and Work-Life Balance: 

As people started paying more attention to their health and everyday lifestyle, they started paying more attention to comfort where athleisure came into the picture.

Slowly and steadily the athleisure fashion trend got a grasp over the global market. 

Check out some extremely innovative athleisure fashion in our online shop like men’s joggers and women’s wide waist leggings.

How athleisure became a fashion trend:  

Athleisure evolved from being solely functional sportswear to a fashion statement through a combination of cultural shifts, fashion industry adaptations, and consumer demand. 

1. There was a sudden surge in demand for clothing that is both functional and fashion forward.
2. Influential figures, including celebrities and social media influencers  helped shape public perception and create a sense of desirability around the trend.
3. High-end fashion designers recognized the potential of athleisure and started collaborating with sportswear brands or creating their own athleisure lines. 
4. The rise of streetwear, with its casual and sporty elements, heavily influenced the fashion industry and contributed to the popularity of athleisure. 

5. Traditional fashion brands started incorporating athleisure-inspired elements into their designs, such as using performance fabrics, adding sporty details, or creating athleisure-specific lines. 

This integration of athleisure into mainstream fashion elevated its status as a fashion statement. Soon it elevated to the status of athleisure high fashion

The Fitness Revolution and the Athleisure evolution

By the end of the 20th century, sportswear fashion had taken the world by storm. Soon, the idea of clothes made for sporting activities had become the norm. 

Soft and utilitarian fabrics were brought into the picture  by the 1940s by designer McCardell. Later on, in the 80s separate, changeable sports garments were introduced by  Donna Karan revolutionising sportswear fashion completely. 

In 1989, a particular  issue of Vogue magazine discussed the prolific use of fitness fashion in everyday life and sports brands designing "body-hugging actionwear" as "a whole new category of 'athleisure' dressing that's not just for exercising." The athleisure trend was up and rising!

Celebrities and fashion influencers also played a significant role in popularising the athleisure fashion trend. Stars like Madonna and the Spice Girls in the 1990s incorporated athletic-inspired elements into their stage costumes and personal style, inspiring fans to adopt a more sporty aesthetic in their wardrobes. 

Additionally, the rise of social media and the "fitspiration" culture further propelled the athleisure trend, with influencers showcasing their workout routines and fashionable activewear like ribbed gym leggings and sports bras.

Brands and  athletic apparel companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma were among the early pioneers of creating stylish and functional sportswear that could be worn beyond the gym.

They merged comfortable fabrics with innovative styles attracting the attention of the youth and fitness enthusiasts alike.

While it is difficult to pinpoint a specific individual or brand that began athleisure, its development was a collective effort influenced by changing societal attitudes, celebrity endorsements, and the innovative designs of athletic apparel companies.

The popularity of Athleisure

The popularity of athleisure can be attributed to a number of reasons- the rise in health awareness, the societal shift towards a healthier lifestyle, the rise of streetwear and hip hop culture and a greater involvement of women in the workforce.

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 twists on workout clothes that were previously worn only for exercise, like yoga pants, sports bras, leggings, joggers, tank tops, and crop tops

The aftermath of this trend still lingers on as the youth continues to engage in trendy sportswear keeping the  athleisure evolution going!

Statistics and Future Predictions for Athleisure

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dualistic impact on the fitness landscape around the world. Yoga studios, gyms, health clubs, and other locations where in-person group yoga lessons were held were shut down but due to an inclination towards mental health awareness, the market managed to expand.

The Athleisure market is expected to grow from US$ 411.02 billion in 2021 to US$ 793.46 billion by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% from 2021 to 2028.

The rapid penetration of e-commerce in the region is providing growth opportunities for athleisure manufacturers as it helps them to cater to a larger customer base.

Furthermore, the growing influence of lifestyle blogs and celebrity endorsements in marketing athleisure items to a broader customer base favours the market progress.

The global athleisure market size is anticipated to reach USD 330.97 billion by 2022 and grow at a compound annual growth rate(CAGR) of 9.1% from 2023 to 2030.

Over the projection period, increased passion for sports and outdoor recreational activities among the country’s young population is predicted to fuel demand for athleisure gear. 

Several businesses also offer tailored gear that is best suited to different types of customers, as well as professional advice to help customers choose the right product. So, consumers continue to find and invest in new items of athleisure making it one of the most sustained fashion trends. 

North America is a leading contributor to the athleisure market, with the U.S. having a sizeable presence in the textile and apparel sector. This is because several major sportswear and active wear brands have extensive presence in this region, and constant advertising has increased consumer awareness regarding athleisure clothing.

With the population continuing to incline towards the fitness industry and with increasing work-from-home opportunities, the athleisure fashion trend is definitely here to stay.

Conclusion 

Today, Wellness has elevated from a lifestyle choice to a  status symbol and expression of personal beliefs. This has interlinked the athleisure fashion trend with the luxury fashion industry. 

People between the age group of 16 and 30 years are the most active athleisure consumers. Women in particular today are more fitness conscious making athleisure a high fashion trend as well. 

Fueled by the rise in advertising and the usage of social media, today the athleisure trend has reached a new curve and continues to expand!