What is athleisure for men?
Athleisure is a blend of two English words: ‘athletic’ and ‘leisure’. It’s a style where the line between sportswear and casualwear has blurred. You could also call it ‘sporty relaxed’.
Athleisure clothing is easy to recognise by its fabrics, such as fleece and stretch (elastane). A distinction is often made between sportswear (clothing designed for specific sports) and activewear (clothing for an active lifestyle), but in practice these terms overlap. Wearing sportswear outside the gym or sports field isn’t new. Iconic sportswear brands like Champion and Tommy Hilfiger have long been a staple in the street scene. Still, it’s striking that since the widespread shift to working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, appreciation for activewear has become even more visible.
How to wear athleisure?
There are plenty of ways to work athleisure into your wardrobe. You could keep it subtle with sporty additions, like a performance-inspired polo shirt or cardigan paired with a statement chino. But bolder combinations—such as a hoodie with tailored trousers —can look just as sharp, as long as you pay close attention to fit. Others use the well-known bright colours of sportswear to put together a standout outfit. A cap and sneakers are always a solid choice too. The most important thing to remember is that athleisure is always personal. What looks great or feels comfortable on someone else won’t necessarily work for you. That’s exactly what makes it such an individual style—one you can truly make your own.
When do you wear athleisure?
As a trend, athleisure is all about comfort without compromising on quality and style. Sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important focus in the production of sportswear and activewear. Clothing brands such as Superdry and BOSS create products designed specifically to be worn both in and out of the gym. On top of that, most workplaces give you the freedom to dress more casually. Still, for business and formal occasions, it’s wise to look polished and presentable (unless athleisure is the dress code, of course). That said, there’s nothing wrong with adding a sporty edge to your outfit when you’re going out, heading on holiday, or at a family barbecue.
