Last week I took a poll on my Instagram stories to gauge what you all would like to see more of in 2024. There were so many wonderful answers (thank you to all those who took the time to respond!) One of the topics that showed up repeatedly was more athleisurewear and casual looks. From the sound of it, many of us are living the busy mom lifestyle and we’re looking for activewear pieces to throw on for Saturdays spent at the soccer field, school drop off, days out on the golf course, and everything in between. Personally, I love putting together an elevated active look, so this is a requested topic I am more than happy to share about!
In today’s post I’m going to highlight some of my favorite athleisurewear brands as well as share some outfit ideas and styling tips.
Why I Love Athleisurewear
I’ve been a fan of athleisure styles for quite a while now, not only because there is an abundance of cute options, but also because they’re so functional. I’m often on the go, running between school events, sports activities, and work. When possible, I love being dressed and ready to pop over to the park for a walk with a friend or to the gym for a quick walk in on the treadmill between school drop off and pickup. Activewear allows these spur-of-the-moment fitness opportunities to be possible, while also being an acceptable attire to wear while out and about!
How to create an Activewear outfit
In the past few years, athleisurewear has grown to be a standard style of clothing. From large stores like Target to specialty brands like Addison Bay, it seems like everyone has gotten on the activewear train. And it doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. While there are many different ways to put together an athleisure look, I have learned a few combinations and tricks over the years that make these styles feel a bit more “elevated” to me!
- Stick to the classics. While trends are fun to add in here and there, when it comes to activewear, I tend to lean into classic staples, just as I do for the rest of my wardrobe. Pieces like a white zip-up pullover or a great pair of navy leggings make a casual outfit feel timeless.
- Choose styles that make you feel good. As with all clothing, I always recommend finding styles that feel comfortable and flattering on your body. This might be bottoms with a high-waist, tops that have a looser fit, or leggings in dark colors.
- Don’t be scared to buy a great piece in multiple colors. When you do come across athleisurewear pieces that you love, sometimes it’s worth it to grab them in multiple colors or prints.
- Find the balance. If you’re wearing a loose pair of joggers, you might tuck in a fitted top. And vice versa – pairing a tight pair of leggings looks great with a looser pullover. Play around to find the combination that works best for your body.
- Elevate the look. If you plan to dress in activewear while out and about grocery shopping, at sporting events, etc., you can elevate the look a bit by adding classic accessories and bags.
5 Chic Athleisurewear Outfits
Okay, now on to the fun part…five of my current favorite athleisurewear outfits! These are styles that can worn for everything from school drop off and soccer games to playing tennis with a friend or running errands. And there are a variety of price points – a little something for everyone!
1. Lilac Love
These ribbed leggings and coordinating half-zip are from Target for only $30 each! I love the monochromatic lilac vibes paired with a touch of tortoise, thanks to the Teleties hair clip and Le Specs sunnies. These happen to be two of my all-time favorite accessories! Speaking of accessories, I love the purple shades of this tote bag and these OnCloud sneakers. Lilac and brown is such a beautiful color combination!
2. Chic Neutrals
I love a versatile athleisurewear look, and this one checks all the boxes. I’d wear this outfit to play tennis with a friend, to run errands, or even to tour around Europe in the spring. The silhouette of this tennis dress is super flattering. I actually own it in multiple colors because I love it so much! This packable Lorna Murray hat is always in my bag of tricks. And this white zip-up jacket is under $20 on Walmart!
3. Sage Advice
Can you tell I love a monochromatic look? These high-waisted leggings are actually a a greenish shade of grey, making them a great neutral. The green sherpa jacket is perfect to throw on for entering and leaving the gym. This water bottle comes in some really pretty shades, and is under $30 from Amazon. And I couldn’t decide which green sneakers I like best, so I had to include both!
4. Blue + Green
I’ve always loved the combination of blue and green, two of my favorite hues! These cropped flare yoga pants have been on heavy rotation since I got them. They’re such a fun twist on an athleisurewear classic! Layers and comfort are always key in dressing stylishly, in my opinion. This makes the green striped pullover a great piece! You can throw it on during cool mornings and evenings, and it’s also perfect for draping over your shoulders. I like to pack Bala bangles in my tote bag so I can do a quick workout or simply add a little more weight to a walk.
5. An Elevated Classic
Last, but certainly not least, is this elevated take on activewear. These Spanx booty boost leggings have been some of my longest lasting and best looking leggings. I’ve had them for over five years, and they still look great! Plus, their longlines bra is my favorite sports bra. Each piece is absolutely worth the investment! I like to pair this matching set with a classic white button-down. This way if I’m heading to errands or chapel, I’m covered, but I can also squeeze in a workout before or after!
Favorite Athleisurewear Brands
With the continuous popularity of activewear, it’s no surprise there are tons of great brands selling different styles. Here are some of my favorite places to shop for athleisurewear!
Activewear, On Repeat
Athleisurewear might not be what first comes to mind when building a classic wardrobe, but it my opinion, it can be part of it! With all of the cute styles that are now available, it’s easy to elevate these pieces so that you look chic when wearing them out and about. I hope these tips and outfit ideas help you to plan some fun, casual outfits this year!
For additional outfit inspiration, be sure to check out my posts about casual resort wear, Disney World winter outfits, and classic staples.