As we know it today, athleisure evolved from a century-long history of American sportswear. The term Athleisure is a combination of two contradictory terms, “athletic” and “leisure”, and was used as early as 1979 to describe garments and shoes for those who want to appear athletic. Almost two decades later, Women’s Wear Daily defined athleisure footwear as “non-performance styles such as canvas or suede.” The key idea in these early definitions of athleisure is that these styles were made to resemble exercise wear, not to serve as workout garments. This differs greatly from today’s interpretation of the term, which Merriam-Webster added to the dictionary in 2016 as “casual clothing designed to be worn for both exercising and for general use.” Athleisure was no longer just emulating the look of exercise clothes, but attempting to serve dual purposes.

Explosive growth

It seems the whole world has gone “athleisure”. We’re  surrounded by Lululemon yoga pants, Autry sneakers, Nike sports bras, and Stella McCartney jackets. Experts say it’s a $300 billion international industry that is only expected to grow in the coming years as nobody seems to be immune to its pull. As Lisa Armstrong of Harper’s Bazaar wrote in the September 2016 issue, “Even fashion’s die-hard romantics, bohos, and glamour junkies have bought into this athleisure moment.”

But why? Science has a lot to do with it. These days designers have access to materials that wash easily and wick away sweat, making them comfortable and practical for everyday use. This is big news in a society that values fashion that can be worn to different events and in various locations. Today’s designers have taken the trend and run with it, and are increasingly starting athleisure lines of their own. Stella McCartney has one for Adidas, then there is Gap’s Athleta, and for something more high end even Ralph Lauren has created the RLX line. Celebrities are also dashing to cash in on this major trend, bringing their version of athleisure to consumers. (Kate Hudson established Fabletics, Beyoncé gave us Ivy Park and Rihanna collaborated on Fenty Puma, to name a few.)

Fashion that mirrors society

Of course, there is more to this explosive trend than science and progress. If fashion is said to mirror society, it’s no wonder that athleisure has experienced such a meteoric rise. This clothing category suits many modern agendas; what else could you wear to work from home, travel, go to brunch, and exercise ? Having said that, the trend has evolved significantly since the early 2000s when we saw velour sets from Juicy Couture styled with Louis Vuitton bags. Today’s athleisure is more refined and multifunctional, blending aesthetics from streetwear, loungewear, and high-performance attire, sometimes even combining it with a heel! The rules with athleisure nowadays are that there are no rules, which leaves this trend open to interpretation to suit people’s tastes and lifestyles.

Though the days of double-digit growth may be over, athleisure sales continue to increase, and according to Vogue Business, brands are hoping to attract customers by focusing on different cuts that are more acceptable in the workplace. The hope is to appeal to an older generation by offering looser styles that can be a middle ground between gym clothes and business wear. While the market for trousers and leggings does seem to be saturated, Forbes claims that sneakers are set to overtake dress shoes as the largest footwear category in the U.S. in 2023. If the recent ugly sneaker trend is any indication, it isn’t performance shoes that are in demand. The market seems to be shifting back to a desire for active-inspired clothing rather than actual performance gear.

As both larger companies and newcomers continue to expand their athleisure offerings, the market continues to grow. Brands are seeing success as they focus more on athleisure’s connection to society’s larger emphasis on health and wellness, also offering more sustainable options. All this is to say, that athleisure is here to stay.

Perhaps it is time to ride the creative wave of this roaring trend, the best thing to do is secure yourself a good foundation. The right education can set you on a path to use your talents in a business context so that you are equipped to navigate the highly competitive fashion industry successfully. Combined with your talent, an education from a highly respected institute, taught by experienced professionals, can truly offer you a competitive edge.

In September 2022, International Design School Istituto Marangoni inaugurated its new campus in Dubai. A creative melting pot of Italian heritage, UAE tradition, and international influences, its campus is located inside the Dubai International Financial Center, and offers a variety of undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, and the various branches of design. All the courses are taught by the Institute’s team of professionals from Italy.

The School of design at Istituto Marangoni offers an exciting opportunity to fuse Italian expertise with local talent, intending to shape the future of the UAE fashion, design, and creative industries. Its strategic partnerships and international outlook make Istituto Marangoni the ideal place to develop your skills and learn from industry experts. With its unique network of international schools, Istituto Marangoni also offers enriching study-abroad opportunities for students looking to broaden their horizons in every sense. We offer a wide range of courses, and whilst the links below are Fashion Designer specific, there are many other paths that Istituto Marangoni can help you pursue.

For information and advice about this and any other courses on offer, please feel free to get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to guide you.

• BA in Fashion Design à https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/fashion-courses/fashion-design/fashion-design-accessories-dubai
• Master in à Fashion Design (Womenswear / Menswear / Activewear) https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/fashion-courses/fashion-design/fashion-design-womenswear-menswear-activewear

Istituto Marangoni, Dubai.  

In September 2022, International Design School Istituto Marangoni inaugurated its new campus in Dubai. A creative melting pot of Italian heritage, UAE tradition, and international influences, its campus is located inside the Dubai International Financial Center, and offers a variety of undergraduate and professional courses in Fashion, and the various branches of design. All the courses are taught by the Institute’s team of professionals from Italy.

The School design at Istituto Marangoni offers an exciting opportunity to fuse Italian expertise with local talent, intending to shape  the future of the UAE fashion, design, and creative industries. Its strategic partnerships and international outlook make Istituto Marangoni the ideal place to develop your skills and learn from industry experts. With its unique network of international schools, Istituto Marangoni also offers enriching study-     abroad opportunities for students looking to broaden their horizons in every sense. We offer a wide range of courses, and whilst the links below are Fashion Designer specific, there are many other paths that Istituto Marangoni can help you pursue.

For information and advice about this and any other courses on offer, please feel free to get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to guide you.

●  BA in Fashion Design à https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/fashion-courses/fashion-design/fashion-design-accessories-dubai

●  Master in à Fashion Design (Womenswear / Menswear / Activewear) https://www.istitutomarangoni.com/en/fashion-courses/fashion-design/fashion-design-womenswear-menswear-activewear