Athleisure Brands: The Dictionary Word That Became Our Whole Closet

In April 2016, Merriam-Webster added "athleisure" to its unabridged dictionary, defining it as casual clothing designed for both exercising and general use, as Vogue reported that month. A word that makes it into the dictionary is a word that is staying, and it describes the closet most of us already own: leggings that go to the coffee shop, a half-zip that goes everywhere else.

 

The best athleisure brands each started from a point of view. lululemon began in Vancouver in 1998 as a design studio by day and a yoga studio by night. Sweaty Betty opened its first store in Notting Hill the same year, because founder Tamara Hill-Norton found activewear of the time masculine and shapeless. Vuori launched in 2015 from the beach town of Encinitas, California, with clothes designed to sweat in but styled for everyday life.

 

Leggings are where I would begin. Picture her walking to a late breakfast in the Align No Line High-Rise Pant 28", the full-length one in buttery Nulu. The Vuori Daily Track Legging in French Roast has a drawcord waist and a contrast side stripe, which makes it look like a decision. The Outdoor Voices TechSweat Core 7/8 in Forest hides a pocket in the waistband, and the Sweaty Betty Power Duo Stripe in malbec red adds cream stripes and a zip pocket at the back. Varley's Always Contrast and FreeSoft Piped, the Splits59 Emerson in terracotta and the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Dynamic all lean on a stripe or piping too.

 

Here is my fitting-room test: squat, reach overhead and sit down in good light. The waistband should stay put and the fabric should not go sheer. In October I would wear any of these under a long coat with chunky socks and a walking sneaker.

Beyond Yoga was founded in Los Angeles in 2005 and sizes from XXS to 4X, and its Spacedye knit is the reason people recognize it on sight. The brand describes it as buttery soft with a unique texture. The Spacedye Slim Racerback Bra in cobalt blue is the one I would pick for a color that reads as a top, not underwear.

 

Varley was started by Lara and Ben Mead, who met while training for the London Marathon. The Always Burke Cropped Tank in mahogany has a V-neck and crossover back straps, and I would wear it under an open flannel shirt on a cool morning. The Splits59 Scottie Airweight Bra in terracotta with creme trim matches the leggings above, if you like a set that did not come as one.

 

For support, the lululemon Flow Y Mid-Support Bra has a Y-back and a scoop neckline, and the Nike Swift High-Support Lightly Lined Sports Bra is the hot pink one for harder sessions. Quieter choices: the Vuori Daily Form Bra in French Roast, the Outdoor Voices Doing Things Bra in mineral blue with its cutout back, and the Outdoor Voices TechSweat Move Free Tank in heathered navy.

 

Before buying, check the band and the straps. Raise both arms over your head: the band should not ride up, and a racerback should not slide off the shoulder.

 

What I would skip: a high-support bra worn as the only layer if the neckline has a sharp scoop you are not comfortable showing.

A half-zip is the most October thing in this edit. It is a sweatshirt that looks like you thought about it, and the funnel neck does the work of a scarf. A stylist's tip I like for an oversized half-zip is to pair it with slim or straight jeans rather than anything wide, so the top is the only loose thing.

 

The lululemon Scuba Evolve Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie keeps the funnel hood and a kangaroo pocket, so it works as a coat on a mild day. The Vuori Halo Half Zip in Oasis Blue Heather is soft and heathered, a good gray-blue to wear with white sneakers. Sweaty Betty's Revive Rib Mix Half Zip in wheat beige has ribbed panels that give the cream some texture.

 

For color, the Varley Sian Piped Half-Zip in tourmaline is a pale aqua with contrast piping on the sleeves. The Splits59 Goldie French Terry Oversized Half Zip in dark cherry and black is the one I would wear with black leggings. The Spanx AirEssentials Half Zip in powder is an ivory pullover with a very soft feel. The Beyond Yoga Rest Day Waffle Wrap Pullover in heather gray ties at the side, and the Nike 24.7 ImpossiblySoft Oversized Half-Zip in black is the simple one.

 

Test the zipper and the neck: zip it all the way up and make sure it does not choke you, then try it open over a tee. Run your hand along the inside of the fabric and look for a smooth brushed surface that will not pill quickly.

 

What I would skip: an oversized half-zip with wide pants. It turns into a tent.

The jogger has had a long second act, and the wide leg is its best update. Wide sweatpants hang from the waist and move like trousers, so they work for errands, a flight, or a Sunday that never leaves the couch. I would pick the leg shape first and the color second.

 

The lululemon Dance Studio Mid-Rise Jogger is a relaxed woven jogger with elastic cuffs. The Varley Wilfred Barrel Jogger, 27.5 inches in teak olive, has a barrel leg and a drawcord waist, and I would wear it with a tucked white tee and loafers. The Vuori Halo Essential Wideleg Pant in cherry noir is a deep burgundy, and the Splits59 Dallas French Terry Wide Leg Sweatpant in dark cherry and black has side stripes in the same family. I went deeper on a related idea in Black Loafers: The Norwegian Slip-On That Became a Closet Classic.

 

For lighter days, the Outdoor Voices Sport Sweatpant in baby blue has white piping down the side. The Spanx AirEssentials Wide Leg Pant in rain is dusty blue, and the Beyond Yoga Rest Day Waffle Wide Leg Pants in heather gray are the cozy ones. The Sweaty Betty Textured Pique Wide Leg Pants in black are the most dressed up of the group.

 

Check the hem. Put on the shoes you actually plan to wear and make sure the leg skims the top of the shoe without dragging. Then sit down and see whether the waist digs in.

 

What I would skip: a pale pair for a rainy commute. A wide hem and a wet sidewalk do not get along.

The athleisure closet has a one-piece section, and it is the easiest way to get dressed. There is nothing to match, because someone already matched it.

 

Start with the two-piece sets from FP Movement. The Hot Shot Crossover Set in evergreen pairs a cap-sleeve crossover top with wide-leg jogger pants, and the Advantage Set in vintage red is a halter tennis top with a pleated skirt and white trim. Picture her heading to an early fall tennis match, a sweater tied at the waist.

 

The Spanx AirEssentials Colorblock Jumpsuit in black and dune has short sleeves and a cream side stripe, and the Pintuck Half Zip Jumpsuit in herb green has a half-zip. They are made for travel days, and I would add a long coat and white sneakers for an airport. The Splits59 Chloe Airweight Jumpsuit in dark cherry has long sleeves and a scoop neck, and the Ella Airweight Dress in white and black is a racerback mini with built-in shorts.

 

Beyond Yoga does two in Spacedye: the Keep Pace Biker Jumpsuit in black with biker shorts, and the Uplevel Midi Jumpsuit in black with cami straps and fitted midi legs. Layer either one under an oversized cardigan for October.

 

Before buying a jumpsuit, check the torso length. Bend forward and sit down: if the shoulder straps pull, it is too short for you. Check that the zipper or crossover can be managed without help.

 

What I would skip: a one-piece for a very long day if the bathroom plan looks complicated.

I would start with one pair of leggings in a color you wear anyway, then add a half-zip in a neutral. That is the whole outfit. Wide-leg pants come next for days when leggings feel too sporty, and a set or jumpsuit is for the mornings you cannot think.

 

Read the fabric names before the brand names. Nulu, Spacedye, DreamKnit and Airweight are different fabrics, and the one you like on your hand tells you which brand to go back to.

 

In 2016 the dictionary decided athleisure was a real word. The rest of us decided it years earlier, in a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt. If you want to keep going, The Parke Sweatshirt Became A Uniform Through Word Of Mouth is the one I would read next.