Without a doubt, the stylish comfort of athleisurewear is more than a passing trend. The athleisure category continues to grow as consumers demand function and fashion from performance fabrics. The shift from day to night and from office to after-hours events is made that much easier with these versatile looks and fabrics, making “dressy-comfortable” the new dressy-casual for many fast-paced lifestyles.
The ComfortWash by Hanes Garment-Dyed Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt has a relaxed fit ideal for movement. Photo courtesy of Hanes
Athleisure is unique in that it overlaps several apparel trends, including streetwear, performancewear and sportswear. The lines tend to blur as athleisure draws inspiration from these differing influences. The overlap helps the athleisure category grow and expand each year, and 2025 will be no different.
“Consumers are looking for trendy and fashionable items, but it’s the comfort and quality of the product that are really driving them to these athleisure pieces,” says Marcus Davis, manager of products, Hanes. “People want clothes that give them a sense of confidence when they wear them, which may come, in part, from wearing the latest styles. But it’s the comfort of the clothes that gives them the extra boost of confidence.”
A put-together look that exudes comfort is now a staple in most closets. Since performance fabric options span a wide array of qualities, textures, patterns and technical properties, there’s a little something for everyone and nearly every situation.
“People love the opportunity to look stylish while also being comfortable,” says Jen Oleksik, vice president of apparel, LAT Apparel. “Athleisure is such a versatile category, and it’s exciting to see how it continues to expand. Athleisure is truly about the perfect combination of comfort, style and versatility.”
Evolution
As a category, in addition to becoming more popular, athleisurewear has become more appealing over time, due to advances in fabric technology. Softer, more flexible fabric allows for comfort during that prolonged board meeting, or for taking a lunchbreak walk without a wardrobe change.
With so many people continuing to work in hybrid roles between home and the office, a hard shift away from working in sweats at home vs. khakis in the office has been dominant in favor of a more relaxed dress code. Many corporate dress codes now allow for a more casual approach. An active lifestyle also isn’t kept as separate from daily chores as it once was. Athleisure remains an expectation as people continue to push the boundaries of where and when the look is acceptable.
This universal desire for comfort has in turn opened more opportunities in the athleisure category. In today’s style cycle, folding athleisure into everyday environments is more the norm than the exception.
Looks to Watch
As more brands are entering the athleisure market, innovations in styling, fabric and fit will change to keep the category fresh and exciting, says Oleksik.
Lane Seven’s fleece collection is the ultimate in athleisure. Photo courtesy of Lane Seven
Athleisure’s influence at the office will come by way of French terry blazers, jogger pants paired with heels or a basic tee paired with a tailored pant. The hoodie-tee-under-a-blazer movement has resulted in an inclusivity in styles, sizes and designs for all body types. Layering will continue to be key to the athleisure look moving forward.
This ability to look professional while remaining casual also helps strike a balance between comfort and professionalism. For instance, demand for fleece tops has increased, nearly catching that of the tried-and-true hoodie.
Fits are also expected to shift. “In 2024, we saw a rise in oversized, baggy, neutral-on-neutral sweat looks,” says Laurel Hudson, communications director, Allmade Apparel. “Moving forward, we will see women in more fitted athleisure look.”
Dan Parenti, SVP of production and design, Imperial, says premium athleisure silhouettes will carry a more sophisticated design and fabrication than in the past. “Maybe the look becomes more dressy,” he says. “But the comfort level of athleisure will remain.”
Fabric DNA
In 2025, we can expect to see natural fabrics with inherent performance properties, such as merino wool, along with synthetic materials that have the look and feel of natural fabrics but offer performance features.
LAT’s Unisex Fleece Hoodie is made of luxurious 3-End Fleece fabric. Photo courtesy
of LAT Apparel
“Certainly, adapting details and fabrics to be more comfortable, technical and premium is easier than ever,” says Parenti. “So, potentially improving upon traditional fabrics is inherent to product development.”
Also in play will be ring-spun cotton, which when combined with polyester or spandex, helps create an extremely soft, comfortable yet breathable fabric. This is key for heavier weight items on warm-weather days.
Historically, athleisure styles have been less embellished and considered more to be “basic” pieces. As a result, details and fabrics are what matter to customers. Manufacturers must strive to keep it interesting and appealing.
“Athleisure is going to continue to trend in high-functioning pieces and tailored looks,” says Hudson. “You can expect to see fun zippers, bold highlights and luxe materials.”
Hudson adds bright colors will make a comeback this year, while the neutral trend will die down, as the neutral hues that were all the rage in 2024 will take a back seat to spicey neons and other bold hues.
That said, while colors and fit do matter, Davis drives home the importance of feel. “Comfort and quality remain as some of the highest features that consumers are looking for in their athleisurewear,” he says. “Design and style are important, but if the product isn’t comfortable, it’s less likely to be worn. And poor quality could lead to early retirement from the wardrobe.”
Sustainability
Like the athleisure category itself, sustainability has become less of a trend and more the new norm, a kind of set expectation. Sustainability is a major focus for all apparel categories and will only continue to progress and evolve.
LAT’sUnisex Bamboo Tee is crafted from sustainably grown materials for a comfortable and responsible choice. Photo courtesy of LAT Apparel
With this in mind, Davis says Hanesbrands is committed to innovation and sustainability, as is evident in its new EcoSmart, an innovative polyester technology that allows synthetic fabric to break down as natural fibers would, once in a landfill.
“It’s clothing with a conscience and provides the comfort and quality of clothing made to last, just not in a landfill,” Davis says. “This EcoSmart polyester innovation is a solution that mimics nature. The synthetic textiles behave like natural fibers when they end up in the environment.”
In practice this means that when textiles made with EcoSmart polyester fibers end up in environments where biodegradation can occur, microbes are attracted to the fibers and can mineralize them at rates comparable to natural fibers, such as wool.
“People look for brands and companies that have a great reputation for sustainable practices, whether it’s through the materials in the products or how the products are made,” Davis adds. “Our Hanes Perfect-T triblend style 42TB is a great example of combining sustainably grown U.S. cotton with rayon and Ecosmart polyester. This creates an incredibly soft and fashionable tee perfect for any active lifestyle, with a focus on sustainability throughout the entire product lifecycle. The tee is 4.5 ounces and has a blend of 60-percent EcoSmart polyester, 30-percent U.S.-grown cotton and 10-percent rayon.”
Similarly, Allmade Apparel offers a triblend fabric as well, with numerous benefits to enhance sustainable efforts. “One of our favorite ingredients in our tri-blend fabric is modal, which is made from renewable beech trees,” says Hudson. “It is moisture-wicking, soft and breathable, so you can feel good and look good at the same time. Pieces that look high-end and also balance performance are going to be a huge hit in 2025.”
Major Drivers
Interestingly, while athleisurewear appeals to all age groups, it does so for different reasons, says Davis. “Boomers are becoming more active as they enter retirement and the later stages of their lives,” he says. “They are investing in their current and future health through
The Imperial Ladies Rope cap adds a stylish flair to an outdoor ensemble. Photo courtesy of Imperial Headwear
preventative care, so comfort is important when choosing the clothes they will be active in. These could be lightweight sweats for taking brisk walks or a tri-blend tee to wear to the gym.”
By contrast, while Boomers may have health and wellness in mind, Gen-Zers and Millennials tend to focus more on popular trends and styles. However, they will not give up comfort and versatility to get the looks they want. And though these groups took athleisure to new levels with oversized sweatsuits in 2024, these loose fits will give way to a more tailored look in 2025.
Looking ahead, athleisure will continue to evolve and change with the products and styles being introduced into this space, says Davis. “Consumers are always looking for updated silhouettes, fabrics and colors to refresh their wardrobe, but it’s all going to come down to the value they see in their purchase,” he explains. “As long as it’s offering a benefit to the consumer, such as the comfort and versatility they get in the usage occasions, they will continue to look for these pieces.”
The good news for athleisurewear is that remote employment has blurred the lines between formal and casual attire, so the work-from-home format isn’t going anywhere. Additionally, corporate wear, in general, will adopt the performance and comfort-driven details of athleisurewear in a sophisticated manner. We can expect a continued evolution in styling and fabrics as well as an influence of past decades that will drive this category for the next several years.
Jennifer Morrell Todd is an award-winning writer who has written for a number of national consumer and trade publications. For more information or to comment on this article, email Jennifer at [email protected].
