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Athleisure

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The Future of Athleisure – by Claire Hastings

Posted on July 30, 2018

With our current state of mind, unprecedented need and inclination towards that perfect amalgamation of comfort and style, it would be easy to profess our undying love to the athleisure trend and even sing it a verse of Lana Del Rey’s song – I will love you ‘till the end of time, I will (wear you) a million years. All kidding aside, the trend that has transcended to what is essentially a global phenomenon and even a lifestyle rather than just a fashion trend, certainly seems to have staying power. However, in these shifty times not even being granted permission into dictionaries can guarantee that something will remain permanent in real life, so let’s take a moment or two to examine what is going on in the fashion world and try to make out whether the future of athleisure is bright or bleak.

Photo by Alexandru Acea on Unsplash

 

The corporate loosens the strings

The attire of the corporate world looked a lot like the attire worn in movies such as American Psycho. Men wore sharp suits and women wore pencil skirts, blouses and smart fitted blazers, usually topped off with classic pumps for a full professional look. Now, while some companies are still sticking to a strict business dress code, those more in tune with the wants and needs of the younger generation of employees have loosened the strings a bit. Going to work in a nice pair of jeans and smart sneakers topped off with a simple tee and an oversized sporty blazer has become common in many a workplace, and the strings are even looser in millennial-owned companies like Facebook where you would probably be laughed at if you showed up wearing anything resembling corporate attire.

According to BBC, The Society for Human Resource Management tracks how many employers allow workers to dress casually every day, and that figure rose from 32% in 2014 to 44% in 2016 – and let’s keep in mind that the athleisure trend has grown in popularity over the last year and a half, so these numbers are most likely much higher now. So, if the corporate world is willing to bend the rules continuously, it’s safe to assume that athleisure will be safe and sound, at least in the office.

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The emphasis on health and fitness

With the increased popularity of new kinds of sports activities invented by millennials which don’t include only your run-of-the-mill lonely workout time but group activities as well, it’s safe to assume that athleisure isn’t going anywhere in the athletic world either. People want their gym clothes to be functional and made from exercise and sweat-wicking fabrics, yes, but they also want to look good and presentable in front of their peers, and if the mood strikes them, head out to lunch, brunch or just run errands after their workout. This is why a great number of traditional sportswear brands such as Nike, Adidas and up-and-coming Mint Athletic are constantly creating alluring athletic apparel that can be worn to a workout session while leaving you prepared for a last-minute call to lunch. The wellness-oriented population, which is increasing all the time, highly appreciates this mixture of comfort and style, and as long as the fitness and health frenzy is alive, athleisure will be here as well.

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The evolving nature

As we all know by now, athleisure isn’t only about upgraded sweatpants, tracksuits and sleeker sneakers. The trend is constantly evolving, and even luxury brands have dipped their toes in the athleisure pool. Some are creating what can only be described as elegant athleisure, given all the luxurious and not-for-the-gym elements of attire and footwear designed by couture brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney. Even the ever-elegant Chanel came out with a line of sneakers featuring their staple fabrics and patterns, and these will definitely not be used for the gym. High-end designers are taking the athleisure game to a whole new level, mixing tulle skirts with sweatshirts, couture dresses with sneakers – every mixture between sporty and elegant garments you can imagine, they’ll put it on the runway and actually make it wearable.

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The bottom line

Given the fact that athleisure is non-constricting and allows for other trends that are seemingly diametrically opposed to it to come on board and play, we can say with almost absolute certainty that the trend will not only survive but thrive. As long as women can get all dolled up for a date and wear tennis shoes instead of feet-killing heels and look ultra-fashionable, and as long as a man can look smart wearing a hoodie under his blazer when he heads out to work, the trend will remain strong. On top of that, we rely on the so far proven innovativeness of designers to provide us with new and inspiring renditions of not only singular garments but also combinations and mixtures that include athletic pieces we, as consumers, will be here to embrace and rock.

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fashion

Australia Fashion Week Resort 2018 Trends – by Claire Hastings

Posted on June 14, 2018

Although resort trends and collections don’t bear the same significance as those presented during the spring and fall fashion weeks, they actually have a much bigger commercial significance. Namely, not only are the pieces presented on resort runways more timeless and devoid of the trendiness that often marks the other collections, they actually have a bigger staying power, and not only in our wardrobes but in stores as well. Aside from their more timeless vibe, these are the perfect layering pieces that you can rock both in the hotter as well as the cooler season, due to both the fabric choices that allow for chic layering and the timelessness of the pieces themselves. This is why it’s extremely important to see what these collections have to say, because chances are, they’ll be in our wardrobe arsenal for much longer than pieces from those more coveted lines. Of course, it’s also time to bring the Australian design talent into the spotlight and ultimately make Sydney a fashion capital of the same importance as the rest of them.

 

Minimalism comes from Melbourne

It’s no secret that, in Australia, Melbourne does wonders with black and their own version of minimalism. Hence, the appearance of amazing minimal pieces comes as no surprise, and we’re particularly fond of the all-black sandal collection presented by A. Amery. There were classic flat slides, T-bar gladiators as well as crisscross style sandals that wrap at the ankle. They are every minimalist’s dream summer shoe, and we have no doubt that fashionistas from the Northern Hemisphere will jump at the opportunity to snag them, particularly if they’re tired of the platform crocks and other ugly shoes.

 

Away from the body

The oversized and modest fashion trends have been ruling the runways for quite some time now, but we haven’t seen anyone execute the trend in the way that Akira Isogawa has. In the ‘resort spirit’, stripes were present, but unlike in other resort collections all over the world, they weren’t full of ‘sunshine and rainbow hues’. Instead, Isogawa brought dark shades of blue, gray, red, and then a bit of white for good measure and a bit of brightness. The designs are also like nothing we’ve seen so far. The dresses are not made to be fitted, but in an almost deconstructed way with interesting and mild layers, and we particularly love the asymmetrical moment on the sleeves which is both whimsical and bold.

 

When pastel met minimal

One wouldn’t normally associate colors with minimalism, but Bianca Spender did such a wonderful job that it left us completely in awe. There were some traditionally minimalistic pieces such as breathtaking and extraordinary black jumpsuits as well as Australian signature white dresses, but a pop of color caught us off guard, particularly in the form of the royal blue sharp and minimal suit. However, the real surprise was the meshing of minimal yet intricate design with gentle pastel hues. Spender made it quite clear that minimalism certainly doesn’t have to be devoid of color, bold or gentle, and we have a sneaking suspicion that even the die-hard minimalists will be tempted by dresses like these.

 

The best of athleisure

Well, when it comes to Double Rainbouu, the runway was full of, well, everything. From ironic T-shirt logos that had tabloid newspapers’ names instead of the actual brand, to surfer shorts, hoodies, chunky dad sneakers and prints for days. The only thing missing was a great Fendi bag and the over-the-top athleisure mission would have been complete. We can’t say with certainty whether this is paying homage to athleisure or the beach vibes – perhaps it’s taking athleisure to new levels or places – like the beach. Black and simple one-piece swimsuits did make an appearance, accompanied by a murky kimono-looking shirt, which is completely unexpected from the boho and color-loving Aussies, but perhaps it’s time to shelf the boho for a while and move on to something else.

 

True resort

Leave it up to the likes of Ginger & Smart to bring us the resort every real classically stylish vacationer or simple summer-breeziness lover craves. Aside from the whimsical dresses made out of flower petals (which one could easily rock to a classy evening event), the rest of the looks were simply stunning and worthy of the French Riviera. Color-block dresses with a hint of tulle, sharp lines in gorgeous dusty blue shades, classic striped resort sundresses – this is what we’ve been craving. You can almost feel the delicate and breathable fabrics that will look stunning in the warm summer wind, and among all resort collections, this is the one we predict will be the most coveted one.

 

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Fitness

Athleisure Aussie Style – by Claire Hastings

Posted on April 4, 2018

Anyone who’s ever been to Australia knows that our neighbors from the Down Under are pretty damn active. From surfing to netball and beach volleyball, is it any wonder that most of them look so hot and gorgeous when the love of sports and outdoor activities seems to be the favorite national pastime? Gymwear and athleisure are a lifestyle, and no one can pull off that slouchy, cool, I-do-push-ups-for-fun kind of chic like an Aussie can. Whether you’re interested in becoming more active or you simply want to up your athleisure game, here are some cool style tips and brands that can help you pull off that sassy gym look with ease.

Yoga every damn day

Photo by David Kuba on Unsplash

Yoga fanatics (or just those who favor yoga pants) are particularly fond of brands such as Dharma Bums, an activewear brand that was founded by Debbie Lawson, the famous guru back in 2013. Outdoor yoga is a huge thing in Australia, and some people actually make a living from creating Instagram and other social media profiles where they post a lot of pictures incorporating spiritual yoga poses with beautiful scenery to serve as a backdrop. Stylishness is important, and Dharma Bums offers elastic, high-quality stretch materials that don’t hinder movement, and it’s possibly the very reason why even people who don’t practice yoga are fond of this activewear. Comfort comes before all, but that absolutely doesn’t have to mean that it can’t be chic as well, so if you’re looking to pull off a slinky little yoga look, we suggest a vibrant, patterned pair of tight yoga pants with a solid black or gray top.  

Combining pieces

The trick to pulling off that laidback Aussie style is knowing how to combine your pieces. This is First Base brand is spectacularly simple, but they embrace that old-school sporty vibe and pair body contoured clothes with other pieces that are loose-fitting, slouchy, and an absolute joy to wear. There’s nothing as great as a slouchy tee and leggings to not only get you through a workout, but through a regular day as well. You see, this is what athleisure is all about, a movement that helps busy people who need a way to get from work, to pick up the kids, and then go back to the gym without much fuss and changing in between. This is your everyday cool outfit, so just throw on a denim jacket over it to zhoosh it up a little, and maybe wear a cool pair of sunglasses and a messy bun to complete the look.

Sport as a passion

Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash

Healthy lifestyle is what adventure-seekers are all about, and if you like to train, or just need a fun way to get in shape, the right outfit is incredibly important. You know how they claim you can’t have both high fashion and sporty comfort in one? Aussies beg to differ. People who play popular sports understand the motivation behind wearing something that makes you look good, so stepping into the room with a custom netball uniform that happens to be cute as hell is totally what they’re all about. We love that attitude – regardless of whether you surf or play rugby, or just happen to be a gym rat, fashion is still within your reach and you can indulge in it as much as you like.

Off Duty

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While Australian weather is warm, evenings can still be cool, and layering your outfit properly is the ticket to both style and comfort. If you want to upgrade your getup and really make it special, a good jacket is required, and picking out something from Adidas by Stella McCartney collection is a perfect way to get that fashion diva vibe. The whole collection is very cute, very girly, and excellent to wear when you want to take a selfie, so find a hoodie to go with your shoes and enjoy your activewear.

Ready to pull your sneakers out and hit the pavement? Gymwear is slowly becoming daytime wear, and in Australia we’re already seeing people embrace this trend of comfort and leading a healthy lifestyle, so let it inspire you to start your own fitness journey.

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fashion Fitness

Dima Ayad X Hautletic Reinventing Athleisure

Posted on March 11, 2018

It’s a fairly new debate but one without a real answer – can you wear workout gear to work? Some of the athleisure pieces i own are without a doubt much more expensive than the skirts and tops hanging in the wardrobe, as well as remaining ‘un-used’ gym wise. Hautletic is the hub for most of these luxe pieces and there’s a new homegrown collab that’s stealing the show. Lebanese ready-to-wear designer Dima Ayad and Hautletic’s Priya Bhatia have launched a completely limited-edition range that’s definitely too good for the workout drawer.

A nine-piece collection in the Dima Ayad x Hautletic range celebrates female ingenuity; ‘blending Hautletic’s signature athleisure style with Dima Ayad’s precise understanding of the modern woman’s lifestyle’. It’s the kind of sports gear you could wear into a bar and not feel at all underdressed.

Enter a world of minimals, with abundant greys and blacks mixed with Ayad’s signature seasonal metallics. The floaty shapes are far from unflattering as they cinch in the waist and elongate the legs, whilst giving you a bit of wiggle room too. Picture the perfect ‘tracksuit,’ whilst being being as far from cliche as possible.

“I thought about the journey of the modern woman – from the day to the night. I want her to feel great from the morning to the evening without trying,” Dima Ayad, Designer

“It’s also about the value and versatility of the pieces you invest in. Quality and fit are paramount, even for seemingly ‘easy-wear’ athleisure.” Priya Bhatia, Hautletic

Get your hands on this urban wardrobe only at Hautletic in Galleria Mall, Dubai.