While some might find athleisure too causal to wear outside of the gym, there are ways to layer and accessorize to elevate the look
Los Angeles is known for its controversial love of athleisure. While some might find this casual style objectionable, L.A.’s relaxed attitude and warm weather permit the comfortable look year-round, for almost any occasion.
According to Cosmopolitan Style Editor Aiyana Ishmael, there is a time and a place for athleisure, including the gym, the airport, class and even brunch. “Athleisure is not a crime, we are all just simply being inundated with it at the wrong times,” Ishmael writes.
For the right occasion and when styled intentionally, believe it or not, you can make athleisure chic. And if anyone is going to do it, it’s Hailey Bieber. A pioneer of the model-off-duty look, Bieber is often paparazzied in her athletic wear, but it’s never a simple tank top and leggings. She finds creative ways to style her pieces to upgrade the looks — and she must be tired from all that cardio, running circles around athleisure enthusiasts.
The secret to Bieber’s success is layering and accessorizing. While that may seem like more of a fall fashion technique, Bieber’s coffee-grabbing outfits are a masterclass in mixing and matching. She recently sported a color-blocked one-piece long-sleeve top from the brand Wiskii, paired with a boxy khaki jacket. She kept the bottoms simple with flared leggings, sneakers, and accessorized with cat-eye sunglasses.
On another recent outing, Bieber put on a black sports bra layered with a sheer, off-the-shoulder top with bike shorts. She kept the black sunglasses and added gold hoops and a white headband. While a simple matching set might seem put together, Bieber exemplifies how mixing textures can level up an athleisure outfit.
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This summer, follow in Bieber’s footsteps by layering a colorful sports bra under a neutral tank top for a stylish pop of color. Style it with matching leggings with sneakers for the gym, then change into flats or kitten heels to take the outfit straight to brunch.
If you’re interested in an alternative to L.A. staples Lululemon and Alo, there are also tons of smaller brands putting their own spin on athleisure. Take oddli, a brand known for pushing the envelope when it comes to what casual fashion is socially acceptable to wear outside, given that they popularized wearing boxers as outerwear.
While they are not a traditional athleticwear brand, their cropped gaucho pants with a fold-over waist, styled with their boatneck tank top makes for the perfect outfit for yoga. Add their headband in stripes, gingham, or polka dots, some stylish sunglasses and trade sneakers for sandals, then head out on the street.
For a more retro, even more comfortable style, check out another L.A.-based brand, Splits59. They describe their design aesthetic as “rooted in vintage sport and effortless California style,” using contrast piping, color blocking to create a “laid-back but elevated” look. Opt for chunky sneakers and baggy track pants with racing stripes.
There is no shame in the athleisure game. While there’s a time and a place for it, there’s no need to sacrifice comfort for style, especially in the L.A. heat. With a color-coordinated mixed-and-matched look and a pair of flats, sunglasses and hoops, any gym outfit can be upgraded from a workout to the weekend.