Sporty + Chic: 3 Ways to Work ‘Athleisure’ into your Wardrobe

fashion

Remember when comfy clothes were what we slipped into when we got home from work? Or when gym clothes were only worn at the gym? 2014 will go down in fashion history as the year ‘athleisure’ officially became a word – and officially overtook denim as the highest selling retail category. These days, we’re seeing soft, stretchy, forgiving fabrics and athletic-inspired pieces in almost every store, in looks that were meant for leaving the house. The sporty-chic trend certainly has a bold and modern aesthetic that keeps up with our busy, multi-functional lifestyles, but how do you avoid looking like Jane Fonda in a workout video? Here are three ways to style athletic-inspired pieces, and still look chic and pulled together:

Look #1
With an ultra-modern nod to the classic matching tracksuit, this set is deliberately matchy-matchy in a bright and bold graphic print. A fitted, cropped top might sound risqué, but long sleeves and a high necklace offset the flash of skin. A flippy, high-waisted skater skirt adds volume on the bottom, and ensures that skin-baring is kept minimal – think Taylor, not Britney. For those not ready to bare any midriff, this look is really about taking inspiration from the proportions and capturing the edgy, sporty vibe.

Look #2
Flirty little dresses in bold prints are just plain fun. The stretchy-but-structured fabric on this tennis-style dress is just as comfy and easy to wear as jogging shorts and a tank – but a lot easier to pull off at the office or out to lunch. A simple leather bag, bold necklace, and cropped blazer add just the right amount of pulled-together style, and cute slip-on sneakers keep the look grounded in its girl-on-the-go roots.

Look #3
Leggings are perhaps the easiest (and most ubiquitous) foray into athleisure style, and this fun floral pair has our pattern juices flowing…and has us contemplating breaking out of our ‘plain black legging’ style rut. We love them dressed up with a layered white tank in luxurious fabrics. And is there any outfit that can’t hit next level status with the help of a good statement necklace? Metallic flashes on the shoes and necklace add elegance and style, as well as another texture to the mix.

And do you notice a beauty trend in all three looks? A bold pop of colour on the lips is another trick for elevating these styles beyond the gym.

What do you think about the athleisure trend? Will you be wearing it?

See something you like? Visit these St. Vital Centre retailers to shop the looks in this post (check stores for availability):

Look #1
Crop top: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $264
Skirt: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $264
Converse sneakers: Stance, $60
Necklace: Le Chateau, $35
Ring: Le Chateau (set of 5 with 4 earrings), $18
Backpack (S&Q): Boes, $72

Look #2
Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $391
Blazer: Dynamite, $69.90
Vans: Stance, $70
Necklace: Le Chateau, $15
Ring: Le Chateau, $12.95
Clutch: Boes, $60

Look #3
Tank: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $183
Leggings: American Eagle Outfitters, $19.95
Shoes: BCBGMAXAZRIA, $225
Necklace: Dynamite, $16.90

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