Activewear is everywhere right now. Traditionally designed solely to be worn while doing exercise, activewear is now a popular form of casual attire (a trend known as ‘athleisure’). Comfort and shapeliness are just two of the reasons why more women are wearing this clothing on a daily basis. Examples of activewear items include leggings, hoodies, tank tops, sports bras, sweatpants, hoodies, sneakers and gym shorts.
While activewear has been popular since the 80s, it has gone through quite an evolution since then. In fact, in the last decade alone, there have been huge changes as to what is hot and what is not. This post lists some of the top activewear trends that have taken hold in recent years.
Eco-friendly fabrics
One of the biggest changes in women’s active wear is the types of fabrics being used. More activewear manufacturers are turning to organic and recycled materials.
This has helped to make this form of fast fashion more sustainable. And it isn’t corporations who have been leading the change – everyday consumers are actively looking for eco-friendly activewear and shunning clothing that isn’t good for the planet.
Recycled polyester (known as rPET) has become a popular choice because of its ability to stretch and not soak up sweat. Organic cotton (which unlike regular cotton does not involve use of pesticides to grow) has also increased in demand. Meanwhile, materials like hemp and bamboo have also taken over the market.
Warm and cool pastels
Neutral tones like white, gray and black will always be in vogue. However, more women are also embracing colorful activewear. Neon colors were briefly all the rage. But now in 2024, things seem to have calmed down a bit – and pastels are now in.
Pastels provide a more subtle and soothing pop of color. And the shades that are most popular are hot and cool shades. Peach fuzz was voted the Pantone color of the year, and has become a go-to warm shade alongside soft pink and pastel orange. Cooler pastel shades to explore meanwhile include icy blue, mint green and lavender.
Floral patterns
Floral patterns aren’t just sundresses and beachwear. They have also found their way into the gym. This includes tank tops, leggings and hot pants with floral designs.
Activewear floral patterns to consider include vibrant tropical patterns, large oriental prints and hippy ‘flower power’ patterns. More subtle florals include two-tone floral patterns and muted florals on white and gray fabrics.
Activewear dresses
Dresses are now an acceptable form of activewear and can provide added comfort and breathability. Modeled off of tenniswear, these dresses are the perfect balance of tight-fitting and loose – clinging to the upper body, while providing a looser mini hemline that won’t snag when doing physical activity.
This guide to the best activewear dresses lists a few different examples of styles and when to wear them. These dresses are best worn with sneakers – whether you’re wearing them for sports or casually. They can be paired with almost any outerwear from denim jackets to cardigans.
Bodysuits
Two-piece activewear may be the most popular option, but bodysuits are also gaining a lot of traction. With a bodysuit, you only have to worry about bringing one item of clothing. Bodysuits are also less prone to slipping and can be designed to be more flattering on a range of figures.
This includes slimming bodysuits that can provide compression (choose black for the ultimate slimming look), or alternatively bodysuits that can pad out areas of the body to accentuate curves.
Of course, the struggle can be finding a bodysuit that is the perfect size. Fortunately, more gym bodysuit manufacturers are offering custom fit options at an affordable price – you can enter your measurements and order a bodysuit that is certain to fit snugly. Most bodysuits are also elasticated, allowing for changes in size. You’ll find a range of different bodysuit styles online.
Smart-casual blends
Until very recently, activewear in the office was an absolute no-no. However, more companies have been relaxing their dress code and more office workers have been pushing boundaries, allowing for a growing number of acceptable combos.
Blazers and trench coats with active-wear can provide an interesting smart-casual blend that works. Neutral toned activewear that doesn’t reveal too much skin is best for maintaining a more formal look. Sneakers are the best footwear for pairing with activewear, however ankle boots can also work when paired with a formal jacket. Sneakers can also be successfully worn with a range of office wear – including suits. .
Color-coded headwear
Baseball caps and shades can provide a practical benefit when exercising outdoors in the sun. However, they can also be striking fashion accessories. One trend that has become popular in recent years is color-coding headwear with outfits in order to create pops of color. This could include an icy blue baseball cap with icy blue crop top and leggings, or pink sunglasses with a pink bodysuit.
If you don’t want your outfit to look too matchy-matchy, consider color-coding your headwear with one other item such as sneakers or a jacket. Color-coded neutral tones can offer a more subtle and serious look.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches have become a must-have wearable gadget for budding athletes and exercise enthusiasts. On top of doing almost everything a smartphone can do, these watches can record your heart rate, body temperature and even your blood pressure.
They’re more convenient than exercising with a phone – allowing you to quickly glance at your route or various performance metrics, as well as being able to easily read texts and take calls while working out. The price of these watches has also been falling, making them more affordable to everyday gym goers.
There are many different brands and models to choose from in a range of different colors. Take your time to compare the different smartwatch options on the market to select the right one for you. Be wary that not all smartwatches are designed for exercise – some are targeted at more general consumers and may not have useful functions like heart rate monitoring.