How activewear is shaping fashion this summer.

By ZOE LAWRENCE

For me, activewear and fashion are one and the same.

My wardrobe is full of it and I happily wear it – without shame – to any location and every occasion that calls for a casual dress code.

Activewear is comfortable, practical and let’s face it, just downright fashionable and is no longer bound to the daggy stigma exercise clothes once had. If you cast your memory back to the days when unappealing oversized t-shirts and ill fitting tights reigned supreme at gyms, activewear really has come leaps and bounds. It’s now fun, fashionable and comes in a whole host of amazing styles and prints that will ensure you feel more modelesque than mortified when you head to a coffee catch up post Pilates. What’s more? Brands like Lorna Jane produce over 100 new styles every single month which significantly decreases the risk of getting caught in the same outfit as another woman in your yoga class… #awkward

 Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by Lorna Jane. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words. 

Here are some of my favourite ways in which fashion and activewear have united for summer…

1. Neon.

It’s all about colour – and I say, the brighter the better! A pop of neon colour keeps you psyched while you sweat, and looks just as great when worn from head-to-toe as it does layered – I say yes to the sneaky peek of a bright bra underneath your tank!

And this look is perfect for so much more than just a work out. It’s great for a weekend at the beach, a catch-up with mates or while out running errands – not only will it inspire you to move faster (incidental exercise is where it’s at people) but it will keep you looking cool, carefree and confident!

I also find that wearing bold, bright and on-trend activewear actually makes me want to work out more. After all, if you’re sporting a fab outfit, you want to strut your stuff and show it off, right?

2. Prints.

A print will liven up any outfit, and will add a point of difference to an otherwise boring piece of clothing. We’re currently seeing a move away from the floral trends of winter and spring and towards designs that are a bit more edgy and fresh which is perfect for the warmer weather, especially when you embrace print on print.

3. Fabrics.

Some things are best left in the 80’s, like lycra! Today it’s all about neoprene and mesh which both give workout clothes a luxe look and feel. High performing fabrics like LJ Excel™ will make you look and feel like you’ve just stepped off the catwalk, when in reality, you’ve just stepped off the treadmill – hello moisture wicking, figure flattering and super supportive features!

4. Small detail.

It doesn’t take much to take an outfit from ordinary to extraordinary, and as that age old saying goes, it’s the little things that count! When it comes to activewear, it’s the seemingly small details that make a huge difference!

Cut-outs, unique strap detailing and amazing accessories are what you should be looking for when you’re compiling your active wardrobe this season. Opt for pieces that are of a high quality so they’ll go the distance and withstand the test of time!

5. Tights.

Akin to a little black dress, tights have become a staple in every woman’s wardrobe and you’re hard pressed finding an occasion where they’re not appropriate! The simple switch of a sneaker to a stiletto can take your tights from am to pm and a pair of good quality tights work wonders at holding you in in all the right places!

Do you wear activewear in everyday life?

Need some more workout inspiration? Here are some of our favourite celebs in their activewear.

 

The Lorna Jane story began 25 years ago when founder and Chief Creative Officer, Lorna Jane Clarkson, single-handedly revolutionised women’s activewear and began building the Active Living category. There are now more than 170 stores worldwide and 45 international stockists with the brand inspiring a global social audience of more than 1.7 million followers.