You’ve heard the fashion buzz term “athleisure,” but maybe you’re only vaguely aware of it as a concept, and not sure if it’s something you can adopt in your life full-time.

(Like, where do we stand on leggings as pants?) If so, read on for our ultimate guide to wearing sneakers and gym clothes even when going to the gym is the last thing on your mind.


1 Stick to a Neutral Palette

We love fun patterned leggings and sneakers for the gym, but outside of an exercise environment, they can seem a little aggressive.

For everyday, prioritize sophisticated, grown-up neutrals like black, navy or military green, and choose a monochromatic palette.

Pairing a dark green bomber jacket with olive green leggings and chic Nike Dunks give off the vibe that you meant to wear this.



2 Make Sure You’re Pieces Are in Good Condition

It’s one thing to wear gym-inspired clothes to brunch, it’s another to wear ratty leggings and a college T-shirt with holes in it.

The condition of your clothes is always important but even more so when you’re rocking a sporty ensemble.

Our pro tip? Use a magic eraser to keep your pearly white sneakers in tip-top shape.


3 Don’t Feel Restricted to a Full Tracksuit

As with any trend, you can take athleisure as far as you want…or not.

If you’re not comfortable wearing leggings on a daily basis, incorporate subtler sporty elements into your wardrobe instead.

Throw on a varsity jacket over a pair of jeans or wear a killer pair of sneakers with a dress or skirt.


4 Think Beyond Leggings

We’re not knocking spandex, but an easy way to elevate your normal gym style is to mix and match classics with less expected pieces like a neoprene skirt, a nylon jacket or leather quilted sneakers.

The trends are inherently athletic, but you’d never really be caught working out in it (and that’s totally OK).



5 Have Your Normal Style Match Your Sporty Style

If your wardrobe is 95 percent black and flowy and all of a sudden you start wearing neon spandex, it might feel like you’re wearing a costume.

To keep your forays into athleisure from feeling too jarring, choose pieces similar in vibe to the rest of your wardrobe.

Adidas Superstars are a great place to start because they offer a wide variety of options.