Our Guide To Styling Designer Activewear

There’s no denying that designer activewear had a rather sizable moment this past year. Yoga leggings replaced jeans for coffee dates, and biker shorts became our go-to in favour of miniskirts. We started wearing blazers and gold hoops with our activewear, and it became hard to leave the house on the weekend without ankle socks and New Balance sneakers. With the likes of Miu Miu, Loewe, and even Gucci spotlighting activewear pieces in collections, Harvey Nichols predicts this ultimate smart/casual way of dressing is about to surpass trend status and become a bona fide fashion movement.

Why Is Designer Activewear Trending?

Effortlessly combining function and off-duty fashion, this trend comprises clothing technically made for physical activity with stealth, quiet-luxury undertones. Think pieces that you could comfortably wear to the gym to get a sweat on but that you’d rather show off at your favourite brunch spot.

Staying Sustainable and Elevating Your Style

As with all new clothing we introduce into our wardrobes, finding luxury women’s and men’s activewear that’s both fashionable and sustainable remains a top priority. With that in mind, designer sportswear, activewear, and luxury sportswear brands like Colorful Standard, On Running, and Sunspelare great places to start.

And, as you curate your closet for the year ahead, don’t be afraid to take risks regarding colour and print. London and New York Fashion Week alike saw hits of pistachio, powder pink, soft blue, and even canary yellow. Perfect two trends in one, and opt for bolder hues and prints to lift and elevate the existing neutral tones in your new year activewear line-up.

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Workout, But Make It Fashion

While you may prefer wearing designer gym wear for laid-back weekend plans and impromptu strolls around your favourite park, styling your best pieces for a sleek workout look can be surprisingly inspiring. When the work week has you wanting to stay home on Friday night, but a new outfit inspires you to get dressed and head out, designer activewear can have just the same effect. Make the gym your runway and get your cardio fix in one stylish turn.

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Weekend to WFH Styles

Considering that looking good and feeling comfortable is the ultimate goal for curating every outfit we put on our bodies, we can’t believe the adoration for men’s and women’s activewear sets didn’t come sooner. The key to really nailing it is to work out how these pieces can work seamlessly within your week.

As many of us know, working from home spells a constant battle between dressing for maximum comfort and dressing in a way that inspires you to take on the workday. Pyjamas always feel like a good idea on a dark and frosty Monday morning, but by lunchtime, you’re feeling sluggish and demotivated – that’s where stylish activewear can rescue your day.

Turn your attention to logo print leggings and oversized sweatshirts or coordinating loungewear sets from your favourite designers. A good tip for knowing whether it’s a good activewear look or simply a cosy stay-at-home one, ask yourself, could you put on a pair of sneakers, throw an overcoat over top and head confidently out the door? If the answer’s yes, we’d say you’ve perfected the look down to a T.

If you’re still trying to find your favourite WFH looks for the new year ahead, start building your weekday line-up with stylish and sustainable staples. The Vine ribbed half-zip stretch-cotton sweatshirt by Varley will go with every pair of leggings or joggers you style it with. Meanwhile, the stretch-jersey leggings by Alaia will work as well for gym days as they do for back-to-back Zoom calls at home. And yes, these two look amazing together.

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Mixing The Sporty With The Sophisticated

From your off-duty streetwear style to your go-to looks for the gym, men’s activewear is the perfect mix of both and will make your wardrobe functional and fashionable.

Look out for styles and colourways that support your existing line-up, and pay attention to the fabric. While lycra might be perfect for a gruelling sweat session, it’s unlikely to feel particularly luxe or stylish on your Sunday morning coffee run. Instead, pair well-made cotton and jersey pieces with your winter overcoat and favourite sneakers. Relaxed but put together, these items make for an effortlessly cool outfit you can throw together in minutes. Look to Sunspel for the softest cotton t-shirts and Polo Ralph Lauren for sleek jersey jogging trousers.

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Make Activewear Work for You

As with every piece in your wardrobe, choosing the specific pieces that suit you and your aesthetic usually comes down to fabric choices. With activewear, that’s going to be less about silk and cashmere and more about high-quality spandex and jersey cotton.

For a sportier take on the trend, stretch jersey tops and leggings make the ideal base. Our current favourites are the Movement stretch-jersey bra top and Performance winter stretch-jersey leggings by On Running. Adding ankle socks, sneakers, a sweater around the shoulders and a baseball cap will take you from simply wearing these pieces to styling them with intention.

For sweat sets, make them a go-to for low-key winter plans. Designer trainers, a smart overcoat, a baseball cap, and sunglasses will round out your outfit and take the look from high street to runway-worthy. Choose neutral items you’ll want to wear on repeat, can mix and match, and slip seamlessly into your carefully curated winter wardrobe. Like the Betsy stretch-jersey sweatshirt and relaxed stretch-jersey sweatpants by Varley available in versatile shades of ivory or black.

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Neutral Tones, Styles, and Labels

We love many things about wearing activewear, not least how we miraculously look put together and feel like we’re getting away with wearing pyjamas outside the house. That said, our favourite attribute has to be that these effortlessly stylish designer activewear pieces can be all things to all people.

With no need to define between ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ styles, activewear can be worn however, wherever, and by whoever wants to wear them. Whether a style is labelled ‘for men’ or ‘for women’ makes little difference, thanks to the equivocal nature of each silhouette, colour palette, and print. One thing we do know for sure is that they’ll look flawless every time.

For more helpful fashion tips, head to our styling guides. How to style men’s designer hoodies, the definitive guide to men’s trainers and our ultimate women’s outerwear guide will help you nail your next activewear look.