Athleisure wear has catapulted to dominance in the fashion scene. Although it has been popular in recent years, it has surged in appeal after the global pandemic, as comfort and versatility became essential for consumers globally.
With more people working remotely and prioritising wellness, athleisure wear has become favourable amongst consumers for its ability to blend comfortable clothing with athletic activities. The global athleisure market was valued at $2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.2 per cent from 2023 to 20321.
In 2024, the athleisure market was vibrant and dynamic, featuring bold colours and prints, eco-friendly materials, tech-infused fabrics, and more. From high-fashion collaborations to advancements in performance materials, we break down the year’s most popular trends and offer a glimpse into the style expected to dominate 2025.
High Fashion Meets Gym Wear
This year, athleisure wear got an elevated look, with designers adding a high-fashion twist to traditional athleisure clothing. The Spring/Summer 2024 runways were filled with elevated and versatile athletic looks that could go from day to night.
This season was all about making a bold statement. Luxury designers like Gucci combined everyday essentials with luxe party pieces to create a fresh, sophisticated style. They fully embraced the mismatched style by pairing unexpected items like a sweatshirt with a leather skirt. Louis Vuitton created its look by pairing a sporty jacket and a midi flowy skirt.
Gucci and Louis Vuitton also captured the versatility of modern athleisure by showing that sports-inspired pieces can be comfortable and runway-worthy. The mix of materials like leather, silk, and technical fabrics also added a luxurious texture to the looks2.
Sustainability
As society places greater emphasis on a healthy lifestyle, consumers pay closer attention to what they wear. According to a report by UNICEF, 73 per cent of people are concerned about climate change and its negative impact on the quality of life of children3. Consumers have continued to express the importance of environmentally friendly clothing in their buying choices, and manufacturers have taken notice of this growing demand.
To ensure athleisure clothing is more sustainable, manufacturers are using organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester to reduce the environmental impact of production. Choosing sustainable products not only minimises the environmental impact of clothing production but it also offers the same performance of traditional fabrics, plus more breathability, moisture-wicking, and durability4. Brands like Nike and Adidas have set the standard in sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly practices to appeal to today’s environmentally conscious consumers.
Bold Prints and Patterns
In 2024, athleisure wear was anything but boring. Instead, athleisure designs were a canvas of creativity, breaking free from traditional neutrals and entering a realm of bold expression. This year’s looks included an eye-catching palette of bold neon colours, abstract patterns, and fierce animal prints.
Neon colours electrified the scene with vivid pinks, blazing blues, electric oranges, glowing green, and fluorescent yellow to create a bold look. Although it never truly goes out of style, the resurgence of animal print, particularly cheetah, mimics the growing and glamorously bold ‘mob-wife’ aesthetic, which dominated runways in fashion and now in athleisurewear in 2024.
This iconic pattern infiltrated the athleisure world with renewed enthusiasm, adding a touch of the wild to an otherwise functional wardrobe. From leopard spots to snake and zebra prints, animal patterns lent a luxurious, edgy flair that transformed sportswear into high-fashion staples.
Abstract patterns also played a significant role in athleisure wear. Art-inspired designs that ranged from bold geometric shapes to fluid brushstroke prints and freeform patterns were plastered on athleisure sets and gave a playful yet sophisticated edge to pieces.
Athletic Shorts
Athletic shorts play an integral role in athleisure wear. They offer breathability and comfort and make a great fashionable choice for working out or doing everyday activities. Athletic shorts are made of lightweight and soft fabrics, which also make them an optimal choice for consumers. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, athletic shorts have grown in demand as manufacturers prioritise creating items that are designed to enhance the everyday sports streetwear style and provide optimum comfort with fabrics that are moisture-wicking and more durable and breathable5.
Yoga Apparel
What was once a niche apparel choice for yogis has now become a rising staple in mainstream athleisure wear. Once limited to studios and fitness centres, yoga apparel has found its way into everyday wardrobes, appealing to individuals seeking clothing that can effortlessly transition from workout to daily life.
According to Grandview Research, the rising awareness of a healthy lifestyle and balanced fitness among millennials is expected to continue to boost interest in yoga, which will expand the yoga clothing market. The research also notes that the growing working population and busy work schedules have also led to increased spending on fitness activities like yoga and Zumba. The yoga’s comfortable apparel is trendy and comfortable, making it an optimal choice for individuals6.
The research also found that companies are offering advanced variants, including cotton fabric clothing, which can quickly absorb sweat for vigorous yoga activities. Retail giants like Lululemon, Athleta, Alo Yoga, and Inner Waves have played a vital role in the yoga wear evolution, offering high-quality and fashionable pieces suitable for yoga enthusiasts and those who simply appreciate the comfort and flexibility of yoga wear. Nike also hopped on the yoga fashion trend in January 2019 when it launched the ‘Nike Training Line’, a yoga clothing collection. Yoga apparel has proved to be more than just workout wear; it represents a balanced lifestyle, blending function, mindfulness, and style in a way that feels as good as it looks.
Functional, Trendy, and Throwback Kicks
Footwear is the cornerstone of athleisure wear, and 2024 saw various standout shoe trends that dominated the fashion scene.
One of the styles was the chunky sneaker. The shoes’ thick soles have dominated runways and streetwear for several years, showing no signs of slowing down. Designers even kicked the style up a notch by creating multi-coloured soles infused with metallic and bold, edgy prints.
What was once labelled as the ‘dad shoe’ has now become a trending sensation across social media. The shoe’s popularity continued to stay popular in the past several years. The sneaker review company RunRepeat rated The New Balance 1906R as the best dad sneaker on record because of the level of comfort that it afforded7.
Another footwear trend that gained momentum this year is runners. Popularised by Gen Z, this style of shoe takes a blast from the past by mirroring the Y2K running sneaker. Byrdie reported that the shoe is updated with a slightly sleeker version of the chunky dad sneaker. This sneaker can be replaced by the functional go-to white sneaker like Nike Air Force One, but adding a colour to an outfit gives hints of the Y2K aesthetic8.
Beyond the Gym: Athleisure for All Occasions
In recent years, athleisure wear has become the go-to style that can be styled for any occasion. What was once intended for workouts, athleisure wear has evolved and is versatile enough to be worn at work and even at social gatherings.
Fashion enthusiasts have elevated athleisure by incorporating tailored joggers with blazers and sleek sneakers to create a polished yet comfortable look for long work days or when working remotely. Leggings made from high-quality material can be paired with oversized sweaters or tunics, and leather jackets for an elevated cozy look.
Sporty dresses also made a big comeback in 2024. The designs are made of lightweight and moisture-wicking material, making them favourable for active fashion enthusiasts. Sporty dresses also fall under the ‘tennis-core’ category, which was popular this year. The style, which typically comes in sporty elements like racerback designs, mesh inserts, and hidden shorts, can be worn off the tennis court and make great options for running errands, hiking on a trail, or events like pickleball. Those wearing sporty dresses have elevated the look by pairing the dress with a stylish cardigan or oversized button-down shirt, topped with a baseball cap.
Bodysuits
The bodysuit is another style that has emerged as a staple in athleisure wear due to its versatility and breathability. The design’s sleek and stretchy material offers a flattering, body-hugging fit that can be worn during gym activities, yoga, pilates, or even for everyday wear. Bodysuits are also often crafted with moisture-wicking materials to keep dry during workouts.
Designers elevated this trend by creating a variety of styles like daring cutouts, asymmetrical straps, and high neck styles for self-expression. Bodysuits are also hassle-free and pair effortlessly with joggers, jeans, and leggings. They can also be layered with hoodies and denim jackets for a put-together look.
Functional Bags
In 2024, bags in athleisure wear were all about practicality and style. This year’s styles of crossbody bags remained dominant amongst consumers. The style offers a hands-free experience and often comes in multiple compartments for essential items.
The fanny pack has also gotten an elevated look. Also known as belt bags, this style is compact yet spacious enough to carry essentials. They also came in designs and fashion enthusiasts opted to wear bags across their chests for a more modernised look. Brands like Nike and Lululemon created unique belt bags that were popular choices amongst consumers. They also created versatile designs like making bags with water-resistant materials, adjustable straps, and metallic finishes for an elevated look.
Tote bags also made a strong comeback this year. Tote bags came in more durable designs, crafted with eco-friendly materials, and textures like fur. The tote bags are favourable for many consumers due to their larger size, which offers extra storage that can fit a laptop to workout gear.
Whether one is headed to the gym or switching to a street-style look, these bags offer both convenience and style, making it easy to move comfortably while tackling daily activities.
Tech-Infused Athleisure Wear
Tech-infused athleisure wear has rapidly emerged as a game-changer in the athletic and fashion industries. This trend prioritises function alongside aesthetics, aiming to meet the diverse needs of today’s active, tech-savvy consumer. With moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and antibacterial fabrics, tech-athleisure ensures comfort and hygiene, which is ideal for people on the go or transitioning from workouts to everyday tasks. Materials like nylon and polyester blends are enhanced with cooling or warming properties to adapt to temperature changes, making this apparel versatile for different activities and climates.
Smart technology is also becoming popular in clothing, with features like heart rate monitors, UV protection, and posture correction being integrated into garments. Some brands have added a connectivity feature with electrical fibres in fabrics to allow consumers to answer calls and take photos from their sleeves. For instance, Levi’s collaborated with Google to create the Jacquard jacket, which allows users to control mobile devices through gestures. Columbia Sportswear, which is also famous for integrating technologies to enhance comfort, created the Omni-Heat for thermal insulation and Omni-Freeze for cooling, making their clothing ideal for consumers to enjoy outdoor activities9.
Additional tech-inspired features, like reflective detailing for better visibility at night, water-resistant layers, and customisable fits, are making athleisure more practical than ever. Many designs also prioritise minimal seams to reduce chafing and enhance flexibility, allowing for a full range of motion. Even pockets have been upgraded, with phone-charging capabilities and RFID-blocking linings to provide added security and ease, which are optimal when travelling.
As clothing gets smarter, consumers can ensure their athleisurewear remains practical while adding security. Tech-infused athleisure wear appeals to athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to track performance in real-time, plus everyday wearers looking for convenience and multi-functionality.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, the global athleisure market will continue its evolution. Styles like high-waisted leggings, sports bras, and bold logo tracksuits are expected to be the key players. As personalisation continues to grow in the fashion world, fashion enthusiasts can expect to see more customisation choices in athleisure wear. Wearers can tailor their workout clothes to their preference with the options of adjustable waistbands, removable straps, and more.
Fashion enthusiasts can also expect to see more bold prints and colours, eco-friendly materials, and athletic wear that can go from day to night dominate the market.
Conclusion
Athleisure has proven that it is not only an aesthetic; it is a lifestyle. As more people prioritise a healthy lifestyle, they are looking for clothing that is comfortable, breathable, and stylish. 2024 was filled with an array of vibrant colours and patterns that reflect individuality and personal style.
In 2024, athleisure’s versatility was also on full display, with fashion-goers incorporating typical gym pieces with everyday wear that can transition from the gym to work or a night out in the town. High-performance fabrics, such as moisture-wicking material and eco-friendly options like organic cotton were highly favourable and enhanced the functionality of athleisure, catering to both fitness and environmental awareness.
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