Back to Blog
Athleisure refers to athletic apparel which people can wear in non-athletic settings. It was seen, for a long time, as “casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general use” as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. It symbolizes a decompartmentalization of sportswear, which, thanks to its elevated design, becomes an everyday outfit able to instantly enhance a look. Fashion is giving sportswear an uplift in credibility while sportswear is giving functionality to fashion, like sweating-wicking capabilities, odor resistance or stretch texturing.
Athleisure became widespread in 2016 when key influencers Beyoncé and Rihanna introduced athleisure to the mainstream, with the help, respectively, of Puma and Topshop, using Instagram as a runway to commercial success. Today, in 2020, Beyonce’s athleisure brand Ivy Park is one of the most-followed brands of its category on Instagram, accompanied by other influencer and celebrity-backed brands such as Fabletics and Doyoueven.
Innovation can come from product segmentation: rather than traditional sizing, Lululemon divides its yoga pants into categories such as “hugged, naked, relaxed, tight and held-in.” Each one serves a specific purpose in the customer’s journey.
British brand Sweaty Betty’s figure-sculpting leggings and its athleisure counterparts began as a remedy to shapeless sportswear, providing understated tonal colors like black, grey or navy and high-quality composition.
Athleisure Market Size
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. Increased passion for sports and outdoor recreational activities among the country’s young population is predicted to fuel demand for athleisure gear. One of the primary aspects driving this trend is a rise in fitness & health consciousness, which is generating the demand for comfortable and fashionable clothes. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the yoga landscape around the world. Yoga studios, gyms, health clubs, and other locations where in-person group yoga lessons were held were shut down or temporarily closed as a result of the lockdown measures. However, the shift from in-person sessions to online platforms supported the market growth.
In terms of value, the mass athleisure segment dominated the industry with a share of more than 63.90% in 2022. Athletic-casual clothing is becoming more widely accepted for use in a range of social settings. Sports-inspired materials like spandex, Lycra, and other synthetic fibers are used in many of the garments that are today considered work-appropriate. More individuals are shopping online and purchasing products to pick up in person around the world, and both trends are anticipated to continue. Pandemic-induced lockdowns have also resulted in an increase in first-time e-commerce shoppers: 14% of U.S. customers and 17% of Chinese consumers purchased apparel online for the first time due to the pandemic-induced restrictions.
Wellness has progressed from a niche lifestyle choice to a new status symbol and expression of personal beliefs that transcends many industries, from luxury travel to high-end beauty and fitness. Luxury fashion has been heavily affected by streetwear athleisure trends, which are motivated by current affluent consumers’ need to mix comfort and style. To tap into the booming athletic sector, luxury labels are launching new sporting items ranging from sneakers to leggings and gym accessories as luxury fashion options that are both comfortable and stylish are high in demand.
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. Increased passion for sports and outdoor recreational activities among the country’s young population is predicted to fuel demand for athleisure gear. One of the primary aspects driving this trend is a rise in fitness & health consciousness, which is generating the demand for comfortable and fashionable clothes.
Furthermore, several businesses concentrate on specific activewear product categories and prioritize customer satisfaction. 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. Sustainability, a long-standing fashion trend, has made its way into the athleisure sector. Consumers continue to find and invest in new items made of sustainable, durable, and high-quality materials, according to Forbes, and many firms are attempting to bridge the gap between fashion and innovative-functional designs.
Type Insights
In terms of value, the mass athleisure segment dominated the industry with a share of more than 63.90% in 2022. Athletic-casual clothing is becoming more widely accepted for use in a range of social settings. Sports-inspired materials like spandex, Lycra, and other synthetic fibers are used in many of the garments that are today considered work-appropriate. More individuals are shopping online and purchasing products to pick up in person around the world, and both trends are anticipated to continue. Pandemic-
Wellness has progressed from a niche lifestyle choice to a new status symbol and expression of personal beliefs that transcends many industries, from luxury travel to high-end beauty and fitness. Luxury fashion has been heavily affected by streetwear athleisure trends, which are motivated by current affluent consumers’ need to mix comfort and style. To tap into the booming athletic sector, luxury labels are launching new sporting items ranging from sneakers to leggings and gym accessories as luxury fashion options that are both comfortable and stylish are high in demand.
Product Insights
In terms of product, the shirt segment dominated the industry with a share of more than 31.54% in 2022. There is an increased demand for athleisure shirts as they integrate comfort and fashion. Product launches by leading brands such as Lululemon and Athleta in the segment have been contributing to its growth. This has encouraged many retailers to launch their own product lines to cater to the growing consumer demand.
The yoga apparel segment is projected to register the fastest growth rate of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. The growing popularity of yoga, especially in developed countries such as the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., is expected to be the key factor driving the market. Increasing cases of lifestyle diseases and rising awareness about the health benefits of yoga are also boosting the demand for yoga athleisure and activewear. The growing prevalence of yoga as a mind-body fitness activity, particularly over the past few years, has led to an increasing number of yoga enthusiasts all over the World.
The 6 Activewear Trends You'll See Everywhere This Fall
Shape Revamped Routines Fall Activewear Fashion
According to personal stylist Christia Stein, activewear for the upcoming season meets the criteria of a capsule wardrobe or collection of quality basics that, season after season, remain in style. white, and retro (re: classic) cuts that come back over and over again, proving the longevity and versatility of the piece.
Consumers are still craving color, but in moderation, in pops. There is a place for vibrant colors and statement prints, but neutrals are neutral for a reason — they stand the test of time and are seasonless. Investing in pieces that meet these parameters will translate to "less fashion waste" and "more wear from our wardrobes," says Stein. "With neutral colors and classic cuts, we are able to play with the juxtaposition of a unitard and blazer with our favorite heels for work and ease that same look into the weekend with a sleek pair of sneakers."
Convenience also plays a role in how activewear is changing. We want more bang for our buck and less in our wardrobe, and according to world-renowned fitness artist, coach, and dancer, Nicole Winhoffer, activewear for fall 2023 reflects these demands. "Women are drawn to these pieces because we don't have time to take showers, baths, blow dry our hair, put on make-up, cool down, and get ready again after we workout," explains Winhoffer. "These clothes save us time. It benefits our workouts cause fewer choices equals more time."
Shape Revamped Routines Fall Activewear Fashion
Active Dresses and Skirts
With tennis and other court sports like pickleball having risen in popularity over the last few years, the demand for active dresses and skirts has also skyrocketed. The mini skirts and skorts of the early 2000s are also seeing a resurgence, thanks to designers like Miu Miu, Fendi, and Versace, so it's no surprise that an overlap of these traditional garments and their active counterparts is expected for fall.
Granted, active skirts and dresses have been popping in and out of fashion for decades. They were popular in the '80s through the very early aughts, but in 2018, athletic apparel brand Outdoor Voices introduced its exercise dress to the market and was the first to go viral, trailblazing the category. There are, and will continue to be, many iterations of the dress, but brand design director, Zehra Naqvi, says layering will make active dresses and skirts so versatile off the court in the upcoming season.
As for what to look for in an activewear dress to ensure it seamlessly fits into your active and everyday wardrobe, Naqvi says short liners and built-in bras are her top two features but notes a classic silhouette will also guarantee a longer shelf life (literally).
Active Pants
There will always be a place for traditional leggings and yoga pants in our activewear collection, but fitness bottoms have been reimagined to take the consumer from the studio to the street. Comfort is still key, but Andrea Jagaric, chief design officer for Aerie, OFFLINE, and Unsubscribed says activewear is being designed so you can live in it "wherever the day takes you." To achieve this, design details, comfortable fabrics, and fit are a designer's three pillars.
"For each fabric, we seek out the perfect stretch, softness, opacity, and technical properties like wicking based on our vision for the style," says Jagaric. She adds that in terms of fit, the goal is to find that sweet spot between not too tight or too loose so the consumer can move around. Attention to detail, like the waistband, zippers, texture (i.e. ribbed fabric vs a smooth, buttery finish), and style, contribute to the final product.
Activewear is being designed so you can live in it 'wherever the day takes you.'
Unitards
Balletcore has been trending on and off since 2022, but it's back in full force as an activewear trend for fall 2023, with unitards fronting the movement. Though most commonly associated with dance, unitards are versatile and can support a range of athletes, from high-intensity trainers to mindful movers. The sleek one-piece is also an elegant base ideal for layering. COO of Girlfriend Collective, May Saelee, says fans of the brand style their unitards with button-down shirts or sweaters and sweatshirts worn over or tied around the waist.
The key, Saelee says, is to invest in soft, stretchy fabrics that aren't overly constricting, with features like 4-way stretch and moisture-wick, to ensure the piece is "something you always want to reach for when getting dressed."
Retro-Inspired Designs
All facets of fashion are cyclical, even activewear. For fall 2023, active designers are drawing inspiration from a few eras, notably the minimalism of the '90s (think clean cuts and earth tones). However, co-founder of athletic apparel brand Lorna Jane, Lorna Jane Clarkson, says '70s retro is also back and "heavily" influencing the athleisure category with "polo shirts, tennis skirts, and dresses (think heritage sport styling)." But arguably, the biggest influence the decade is having on activewear in 2023 is the return of flare bottoms.
"Boot-leg flares are a trend that is here to stay and is the perfect update to her leggings this season," says Clarkson. "We're seeing our customers wearing them to Pilates and yoga paired with their favorite sports bra and cropped tank. On the weekend she's wearing them to brunch and coffee catch-ups with a cropped tee or tucked shirt - the perfect piece to wear from workout to every day."
Quiet Luxury
Quiet luxury isn't a new concept but is back in style, thanks to celebs like Sophia Richie Grainge, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Jennifer Aniston. In essence, quiet luxury is the opposite of dopamine dressing. It's earth tones and tailored pieces in lieu of loud prints and logos. It's elegant and elevated, translating to activewear for fall 2023. But how?
Julie DeAnda, head designer of TAVI Active and ToeSox, emphasizes that quiet luxury is not only defined by a specific color palette. Stylistic details like subtle prints, textures, and flattering cuts also play a role.
Sustainable Fabrics
Sustainability will continue to be a priority across the fashion industry for fall 2023, especially in activewear. That doesn't mean brands are sacrificing style for eco-friendly ethics, though. On the contrary, co-founders of luxury swim and activewear brand 437, Hyla Nayeri and Adrien Bettio, say the two go hand in hand. "[Sustainable fabrics] are becoming more of a consumer expectation rather than a prerequisite for product credentials given the accessibility of recycled materials," explains Nayeri. This is especially true given that the raw material shortages the industry experienced during the pandemic are leveling off, continues Nayeri. They're available, so customers expect brands to use them.
As for which kind of sustainable fabrics are used, the short answer is, it depends on the company. 437's cloud fabric, for example, is made from recycled polyester. "We found a manufacturer that allows us to still achieve that buttery finish even from recycling the mill's post-industrial fabric waste and using a lower carbon emission during the dyeing process," explains Bettio. Performancewear brand Definite Articles also uses polyester and nylon in their pieces but leverages an innovative technology, CiCLO, that takes these synthetic fibers and makes them biodegrade like natural fibers.
Shape Revamped Routines Fall Activewear Fashion
"Think about the 4 quadrillion microplastics that leak into our oceans every year because of household laundry alone. Or the 24 billion tons of polyester that end up in landfills. These textiles can take hundreds of years to biodegrade," says Aaron Sanandres, the founder of Definite Articles. "[CiCLO] is a game-changer for the performance apparel industry, which relies heavily on synthetic yarns and, as a result, is a major contributor to the planet's plastic problem."
