Athleisure

athleisure

Athleisure

That’s the fancy word for what we all wear most of the time these days: the comfortable, sporty clothes we used to wear only when we were off-duty. Clothes that in the past were usually confined to the gym or other similar activities, but have long since become standard leisure and / or loungewear.

Athleisure is not a new concept: it has been around for ages. It’s practically the off-duty uniform for every celebrity who wants to be taken seriously. And every social media influencer worth their followers needs to instagram the latest ridiculously priced sportswear-inspired look before it becomes yesterday’s embarrassing fad. Even high-end designers have been introducing elements of athleisure in their collections at regular intervals for decades.

So, why has athleisure suddenly become such a phenomenon? Why has it become the hot, new topic for so many articles and blogposts?

athleisure over 50

casual dress 1300 x 1000

Because now we’re all wearing it, both on and off-duty. Therefore, we can no longer make any assumptions about teenagers wearing hoodies instead of jackets, or ridicule people wearing their gym stuff going grocery shopping. Because we’re all doing the same.

This, my friend, is what the post-Corona world will look like: chubby, middle-aged women in hoodies and trainers, running errands or going to work, or simply going about their lives. Dressing up is old news; dressing down is the new normal.

casual dress 1300 x 1000

casual chic over 50

Outfit details:
dress: Pelle P / jacket: Repeat / bag: Furla (old) /
shoes: Fila / sunglasses: Prada (old)

What does your ‘new normal’ look like?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish Mutton Years Style and I, Independent Fashion Bloggers

20 Comments

  1. 28 May 2020 / 9:48 am

    My new normal is going the other way. I’m now wearing clothing I once would have saved for going out. Dresses are actually quite comfortable (especially sans bra). I still wear my traditional lounge wear some days too, but not always.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 May 2020 / 9:42 am

      That’s a great idea! There’s no point ‘saving’ the best clothes for rare occasions.

  2. mummabstylish
    28 May 2020 / 2:07 pm

    Thanks for joining the #LINKUP, love the casual dress – which reminds me I have one in my drawer that I will have to try on again. Jacqui x

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 May 2020 / 9:43 am

      Thanks, Jacqui. Casual is what we wear these days, and that’s OK.

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 May 2020 / 9:43 am

      I think athleisure is just a fancy term for casual. And fun sneakers, we can’t have enough of them!

  3. Arlene Gomes
    28 May 2020 / 7:08 pm

    I’ve been wearing some black stretchy legging type pants lately with some casual longer tops. I find those to be very comfy but if I have to go food shopping or do other errands, I put on jeans or some casual cotton pants. I still don’t wear what I consider “gym wear” out to the stores. I can’t get used to that look in public. I guess I’m just not used to doing that. I like your dress and hoodie together. Looks very comfortable but put together! Enjoy your day. Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 May 2020 / 9:52 am

      Thanks, Arlene.
      Yes, leggings and casual tops sound comfortable. Why wouldn’t you wear them in public? A longer top makes the look presentable and more balanced. I envy women with slim legs as they look good in clothes like that.
      I used to wear leggings when I was young (in the 80’s, leggings were trendy then). In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the best look on me even then, even though I was younger and quite a bit slimmer (but I’ve always had chunky thighs, at any age or weight). Now I wouldn’t even consider them (as now my thighs are even chunkier…). They’re comfortable but a bit too close to the skin for me; I prefer looser cuts now (and anything that hides my thighs…).

      • Arlene Gomes
        31 May 2020 / 3:28 pm

        I guess I feel uncomfortable with the leggings in public. I know I shouldn’t. I can’t get used to wearing them to a store or out somewhere. I feel like they are for younger women (younger than me). Yes, I remember the 80s and leggings were in style back then. I don’t think I wore them even then! It’s just me! Hope you are staying safe out there!! Arlene from NJ

        • Tiina
          Author
          1 June 2020 / 4:38 pm

          Well, to be honest: do leggings look good on anyone? I mean, really, I think they look pretty horrible in most cases (unless worn with a longer tunic). I know I used to wear them, back in the 80’s, with just a tiny top. But in my defence, I used to wear all sorts of weird contraptions back then (I was young, and a fashion student). And I mean really weird outfits, and I’m glad there are no photos…

  4. q
    28 May 2020 / 8:07 pm

    I’d say your outfit is casual. And very nice outfit again, perfect for urban walks in warm days.
    As I’ve kept the habit of changing outfit for working hours, my new normal is pretty normal and have not changed so much. -q

    • Tiina
      Author
      29 May 2020 / 9:55 am

      Yes, athleisure is just a fancy word for casual, isn’t it?
      You are very disciplined, changing into work clothes. If this situation goes on much longer, I’ll be having Zoom-meetings in my pyjamas!

  5. Flora
    30 May 2020 / 5:57 pm

    I hate that stuff it reminds me of being in rehab after I got both my knees replaced. I also hate dressing gowns not that I’m a snappy dresser but I associate them with a neighbour from childhood who lived in hers, always outside with a sweeping brush :). I didn’t realise athleisure came in dress form.

    • Tiina
      Author
      1 June 2020 / 4:42 pm

      I can certainly understand that. But what an eccentric neighbour! I have to admit that if I lived in a house (instead of a flat), I might be that neighbour…

  6. shelbeeontheedge1
    2 June 2020 / 6:46 pm

    Tiina, I love this post! I never really embraced the athleisure trend, but you are so right, there is a major style shift occurring right now. I am loving your maxi dress with a zipper hoodie. So stinking cute! Thanks for linking up.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      3 June 2020 / 3:31 pm

      Thanks! I think casual wear, or athleisure, has been sneaking up on us quietly for a while, but now it seems to have become the new uniform for all of us. I’m not sure whether to be happy about that or not, though…

  7. Jess
    3 June 2020 / 6:22 pm

    I have bought more loungewear during this time. I love the striped dress with sneakers. I have a bunch of dresses that I bought last year and this , so I am going to wear them either way.
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina
      Author
      3 June 2020 / 6:43 pm

      Thanks, Jess.
      Oh, loungewear! that sounds heavenly. I think I need to get more loungewear, too. Nice loungewear, something a bit more glam (but still comfortable).

  8. 8 June 2020 / 2:20 pm

    I’ve been wearing sneakers for months now with my knee injury and I’m finding they work quite well with some outfits actually! Not all of them of course though and I’d really like to wear something else, haha! But I have to try be gentle with my knee right now.

    Hope you had a lovely weekend 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! The new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again. 🙂

    • Tiina
      Author
      8 June 2020 / 3:07 pm

      Well, there comes a point when comfort overrides everything when it comes to shoes. And these days sneakers look so cool!

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