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Sweat in style

SINGAPORE — Athleisure — a portmanteau of the words “athletic” and “leisure” — is not a mere trend. It is now a full-blown global phenomenon.

SINGAPORE — Athleisure — a portmanteau of the words “athletic” and “leisure” — is not a mere trend. It is now a full-blown global phenomenon.

A mix of athletic clothing and casual fashion, the athleisure boom truly began to ramp up last year. Then, American spending on activewear alone was worth approximately US$44 billion (S$61 billion), according to a Euromonitor report.

International spending on fashion only grew by four per cent, yet sports-inspired apparel and footwear experienced impressive growth of six and 10 per cent respectively, according to the report.

By 2020, the global athleisure business may rake in US$83 billion in sales, according to Morgan Stanley.

Athletics and fashion have always mixed. Think Celine creative director Phoebe Philo wearing a pair of adidas shoes to the brand’s autumn/winter 2011 runway show, or designer Stella McCartney suiting the British team in stylish sportswear for the 2012 London Olympics.

But one could put the athleisure trend down to a lifestyle shift — one that has seen “a marked … focus on well-being”, said Elle magazine deputy editor Serene Seow.

Some 15 years ago, not everyone had a gym membership. Now, most people on the street have access to a gym or a yoga studio, or bike or run. Since life inspires fashion (as well as vice versa), clothing has followed suit.

“Athleisure continues to gain traction because it is stylish as well as functional,” Seow said.

Yvonne Tey, marketing director of Triple Retail, a sports retailer with exclusive distribution rights for the Under Armour brand across South-east Asia, said: “People around the world are seeking more comfortable, yet stylish, clothes that can be worn around the clock.”

Helping the push are famous names in the entertainment, performance and lifestyle sectors.

Under Armour, for instance, first partnered ballerina Misty Copeland in 2014 for a capsule collection. It now has expanded to an Inspired by Misty Copeland range.

“It focuses on Copeland’s personality and personal style, with the collection pushing boundaries in style and performance,” said Tey.

The athleisure market is so profitable — and promising — that it is no longer the lone playing field of sportswear conglomerates such as Under Armour, Nike and Lululemon.

Brands such as Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Chanel have rolled out sports-inspired threads and footwear in the past few seasons.

Calvin Klein has a whole athleisure line, Calvin Klein Performance, that targets active, health-conscious and fashion-forward women aged from 25 to 35.

The American fashion house has been aggressively expanding, opening new stores and engaging with its target audience by organising fitness-related events.

Word has it that Calvin Klein Performance is planning to launch activewear for men in the near future.

Fast fashion has hopped onto the athleisure bandwagon too —Uniqlo Sport and GapFit have sprung up in the wake of the athleisure boom. In Singapore, H&M even has a sportswear-dedicated store at Kallang Wave Mall.

Athleisure is so popular and widely-accepted that wearing sports-inspired garb to the office is no longer a fashion taboo.

While wearing just a sports bra and a pair of yoga pants to work — even if you’re a qualified yogi — is still a major no-no, layering your athleisure pieces is a clever way to getting around the dress code.

Think a pair of dark-coloured capris with a frilly top of a complementary colour, topped with a cardigan, or an oversized jersey tee with a pair of slim-cut sweats.

Seow, who is also a yoga enthusiast, suggests pairing “striped yoga pants with a razor-sharp jacket for an unusual take on boardroom garb”.

Three hip athleisure brands to know

LNDR

lndr.uk

What IT IS: A British label started by Joanna Turner, Sarah Donnelly and Donna Harris, three fashion-industry professionals. its collections are created with versatility and functionality in mind. The clothes are seamless and tag-free, which make them great for sports.

Star factor: American model Gigi Hadid is a fan.

Outdoor Voices

outdoorvoices.com

What: Worn by many of the ‘It’ girls in the United States, Outdoor Voices is a modern, active lifestyle brand started by Tyler Haney, a Parsons School of Design graduate. The brand produces apparel for both men and women, and does regular collaborations with fashion insiders and artists.

Star factor: American comedian-actress Lena Dunham, American model Hilary Rhoda, fashion blogger @manrepeller.

The Upside

theupsidesport.com

What: Australian fashion designer Jodhi Meares started the brand to create functional apparel that looks attractive in and out of the studio. It launched its men’s collection in 2016.

Star factor: Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, Australian model Nick Youngquest.

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