Activewear – It’s Not Just For The Gym Anymore

By Brian Maynor
February 28, 2014

Sports influenced casual wear has been a prominent trend on runways over the past several seasons, but this year even the high-end designers known for glamour and opulence jumped onboard.  Gucci, Tom Ford, Prada and Balenciaga are just a few labels that featured sports inspired pieces in their spring/summer collections.

It will probably come as no surprise that I find this trend challenging to say the least.  Not only do I cringe at the thought of athletic inspired casual wear, I can see all the ways it will be misinterpreted.  This look can go from right to wrong very easily, so here are some thoughts and ideas you need to know if you want to make this trend work:

1.    Inspired.  Just because the items look like track pants, basketball shorts or sweatshirts currently in your closet does not mean they are interchangeable with those items.  I am still a firm believer that the activewear you sweat in should not be used in other areas of your wardrobe, and just because they are new, does not mean they are appropriate to wear out for lunch.  To pull this look off it is critical to remember the looks are inspired by activewear and not actual activewear.

2.    Quality and material.  Another major distinction between pieces in this trend and actual activewear is the quality of the material and the material itself.  The trend pieces will be made of luxe fabrics like silk, cashmere, technical mesh or even leather.  These pieces would not withstand the rigors of physical activity, plus their price point is way too high to risk it.

3.    Accessories.  While you will need a caged bootie, pump or other dressier shoe to pull off a pair of ruched leather-paneled track pants, the idea of wearing them with ordinary track pants seems ridiculous.  This trend is all about taking a very stylized aesthetic and transforming it into something wearable in a completely different part of your life.  

Another thing to note when accessorizing this look is to keep the makeup fresh and natural with moderate accessories.  Wearing anything heavy or large will make you a throwback to music videos from a decade ago, and not in a good way.

4.    Gender neutral.  This trend is for both men and women, but the guy’s look has a different spin with a lot less glam and more focus on sports.  Menswear will see a lot of cycling, surfing and skating influences with longer, looser cut shorts and shirts, but the staples are still there.  You will still find polo shirts, hoodies and sneakers but they will be in high-tech fabrics with stretch, laser cut details, reflectors or computer-generated prints.  Backpacks will be another carryover from sportswear to casual wear.  

This trend is not about wearing your 10-year-old sweatpants or other gym clothes out for drinks.  These outfits are ‘athletic inspired’, not actual athletic outfits.  Also don’t be afraid to modify the trend to fit your lifestyle or look.  If an entire outfit is too much, choose one piece.  A perforated bomber jacket will work with any aesthetic and keep you on-trend with minimal investment.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.