Over the past few years, a new general apparel trend has been seeping into the athletic apparel industry: Casual Active Wear. So much so, that this fairly new category now has an official name: ‘Athleisure’. In 2017, this category increased 11%. It literally is visible everywhere - taking on a fashion genre of it’s own.
The athleisure trend grew out of women wearing yoga pants. Another account suggests that the trend came about because people could wear them for multiple occasions without having to change, which meant greater convenience, since people did not have to carry an extra gym outfit on the way to the office, for example. A decade ago, denim workwear uniforms were more popular, but today athleisure is increasingly popular in places such as public streets and fashion stores and fashion runways. Sportswear which had been worn exclusively in gyms is now being worn elsewhere by young adults and fitness-conscious consumers, and has been accompanied by a relaxation in dress codes. Its popularity may have stemmed from its ability to fill a gap in the market, when sportswear was once merely functional rather than stylish. Due to innovations in textiles and technology, improvements have been made in functionality, such that garments and footwear have become more breathable, lightweight, and waterproof. The new garments are performance enhancing, in the sense that they allow wearers to carry out everyday activities easily.
Today, the Athleisure group is opting for more casual, everyday comfort and loose fitting stylish and sporty options. More and more, the yoga pant – slouch tee and hooded sweatshirt look is no longer just for spectators, it’s showing up in most activity based events.
Consumers have become more health conscious due to the work-related stress and lifestyle disorders. Working individuals opt for fitness regimes such as swimming, gym and running to remain healthy, and active in daily life. Presently, majority of the individuals are investing their time in performing various fitness activities to keep themselves fit and healthy. This has created the demand for fitness and sports apparel among all age groups, thereby, fostering the market growth.
The majority of performance apparel focuses on the cooling effect of evaporation. While the concept of “wicking” is not new, the latest crop of high-tech fabrics advance this functional feature considerably. These days, materials are designed to keep pace even in a sweat-soaking three-set match. Wicking properties are often associated with slick-feeling shirts made from synthetics. However, fans of natural fibers are in luck. “Among the fastest growing areas of performance apparel are cotton products featuring state-of-the-art technologies for moisture management. This can be seen in Delta Apparel's new Premium line of t shirts.
As lines between fashion and sportswear continue to blur, jumping on a trend that defines both fashion and performance is like catching lightning in a bottle in the apparel world. This year, one trend that’s getting looks both court side and street-side is heather fabrics. Once just a functional utility fabric style, heathers are now being spotted in an array of color profiles, lending exciting visual textures to a spectrum of sportswear options. Augusta Sportswear is embracing “heather-mania” full on, with their Shadow Tonal Heather Collection leading the charge.
As for team uniforms, look for more colors and cheaper sublimation. In 2018, customization will remain in strong demand, but performance also will take a front seat.
More creativity and apparel choices have worked well for Millennials, a demographic that seems to value unique style, whether working or playing. And women continue to prefer garments constructed and cut for their body types instead of simply wearing a smaller men’s garment. Female customers also will continue to drive trends by demanding team-sports products designed specifically for them. Augusta has introduced new bags and hair accessories in team colors geared toward female athletes who want to complete their team’s unique look. The All-Out Glitter backpack features two-side mesh water bottle/bat pockets, a laptop pocket and a hidden carabiner that she can use for her batting helmet or for securing the bag to a fence. The Glitter duffle bag can carry larger gear.
The athleisure trend grew out of women wearing yoga pants. Another account suggests that the trend came about because people could wear them for multiple occasions without having to change, which meant greater convenience, since people did not have to carry an extra gym outfit on the way to the office, for example. A decade ago, denim workwear uniforms were more popular, but today athleisure is increasingly popular in places such as public streets and fashion stores and fashion runways. Sportswear which had been worn exclusively in gyms is now being worn elsewhere by young adults and fitness-conscious consumers, and has been accompanied by a relaxation in dress codes. Its popularity may have stemmed from its ability to fill a gap in the market, when sportswear was once merely functional rather than stylish. Due to innovations in textiles and technology, improvements have been made in functionality, such that garments and footwear have become more breathable, lightweight, and waterproof. The new garments are performance enhancing, in the sense that they allow wearers to carry out everyday activities easily.
Today, the Athleisure group is opting for more casual, everyday comfort and loose fitting stylish and sporty options. More and more, the yoga pant – slouch tee and hooded sweatshirt look is no longer just for spectators, it’s showing up in most activity based events.
Consumers have become more health conscious due to the work-related stress and lifestyle disorders. Working individuals opt for fitness regimes such as swimming, gym and running to remain healthy, and active in daily life. Presently, majority of the individuals are investing their time in performing various fitness activities to keep themselves fit and healthy. This has created the demand for fitness and sports apparel among all age groups, thereby, fostering the market growth.
The majority of performance apparel focuses on the cooling effect of evaporation. While the concept of “wicking” is not new, the latest crop of high-tech fabrics advance this functional feature considerably. These days, materials are designed to keep pace even in a sweat-soaking three-set match. Wicking properties are often associated with slick-feeling shirts made from synthetics. However, fans of natural fibers are in luck. “Among the fastest growing areas of performance apparel are cotton products featuring state-of-the-art technologies for moisture management. This can be seen in Delta Apparel's new Premium line of t shirts.
As lines between fashion and sportswear continue to blur, jumping on a trend that defines both fashion and performance is like catching lightning in a bottle in the apparel world. This year, one trend that’s getting looks both court side and street-side is heather fabrics. Once just a functional utility fabric style, heathers are now being spotted in an array of color profiles, lending exciting visual textures to a spectrum of sportswear options. Augusta Sportswear is embracing “heather-mania” full on, with their Shadow Tonal Heather Collection leading the charge.
As for team uniforms, look for more colors and cheaper sublimation. In 2018, customization will remain in strong demand, but performance also will take a front seat.
More creativity and apparel choices have worked well for Millennials, a demographic that seems to value unique style, whether working or playing. And women continue to prefer garments constructed and cut for their body types instead of simply wearing a smaller men’s garment. Female customers also will continue to drive trends by demanding team-sports products designed specifically for them. Augusta has introduced new bags and hair accessories in team colors geared toward female athletes who want to complete their team’s unique look. The All-Out Glitter backpack features two-side mesh water bottle/bat pockets, a laptop pocket and a hidden carabiner that she can use for her batting helmet or for securing the bag to a fence. The Glitter duffle bag can carry larger gear.
