Th e new
athleisure
department
upstairs in
Voisins
As a culture both obsessed with self-
improvement and with little time to spare,
athleisure appeals to the masses. Th ought
to be worth around a billion dollars, it’s the
largest source of growth in fashion retail. It’s
no longer lazy to wear yoga pants all day,
nor is it reserved exclusively for mums doing
the school run. Instead, fashion icons such
as Victoria Beckham and Rihanna are being
papped in their joggers sparking a craze for
practical, stylish wear that will take you
from the gym, to the offi ce and then onto
the dance fl oor. How many of us can confess
to owning an item of Sweaty Betty or the
cult Lululemon align pant? Th ese brands
have made luxury activewear their bread and
butter combining technology with a design
aesthetic that almost makes the need for
exercise redundant.
A new uber health-conscious community
has sparked a rise in upmarket gyms, Crossfi t
communities and specialist
bootcamps, all with an
expensive price tag. So it
goes hand in hand that
people will want to dress
the part as well. Fashion
is embracing the ‘strong
not skinny’ outlook and it
is totally en vogue to style
yourself as strong, capable
and healthy. Selfridges has
opened a fl oor entitled the
‘Body Studio’ dedicated to
athleisure, complete with changing room
bum mirrors so you can really see the grip
lycra has on us millennials. Harrods has also
just launched its fi rst collection of tailored
gym wear featuring merino wool and micro
waffl e cotton. Suddenly you have exposure to
technologies usually reserved for professional
athletes, with little to no sweat.
Home to some of the most sport fanatical
and outdoor loving people, Jersey is not one to
be outdone in either the athletic department
or the style stakes. Voisins has just launched
its own athleisure department boasting
brands such as Elle Sport, Calvin Klein and
Acai. Carole Baguet, Head of Lingerie and
Activewear for Voisins, said, “we now have
a dedicated athleisure department off ering a
range of technical products
suitable for activities from
running to studio exercise,
but which can also be worn
on an everyday basis as
leisurewear. We are seeing
fashion elements creep
into sports bras and crop
tops with a wider range of
colour and styles coming
onto the market.” In Liberty
Wharf Hapi is continually
increasing and refreshing its
stock of functional and fashionable fi tness
wear introducing international names to the
Island such as French brand ‘Pullin', Swiss
running label ‘On’ and the upcoming debut
of Canadian ‘Lole’.
So how do you transition the look from
“So how do you
transition the look
from the gym to
the streets? Is there
a place in Jersey
for the £1,000
trackie?”
16
the gym to the streets? Is there a place in
Jersey for the £1,000 trackie? Roulette
Clothing believes so as they have seen almost
every brand they buy off ering an athleisure
line this season, with the shop stocking
options from Hugo Boss and Lyle & Scott.
Th e key is to mix activewear with pieces in
your daily wardrobe. It’s more Rita Ora than
Mr Motivator so ditch the bum bag and opt
for tailored jog pants with heels, embellished
sports crop tops with jeans or ballet leggings
under a shirt. Look for mesh panels, strong
colour blocking and cut outs. Metallics are
huge, with Nike just having released a rose
gold collection and Beyonce’s sell out Ivy
Park collection for Topshop showcasing
silver in a combination of active and casual
wear.
Th ere really is little to fi nd fault with in
athleisure. Unusual for great fashion, this
trend is all about comfort, working with
your body as well as showcasing it. With
workplaces in Jersey slowly relaxing their
corporate attire policies, it’s a sure bet that
athleisure will continue its domination over
islanders’ wardrobes. So channel your inner
Clark Kent and make sure to incorporate
that spandex somewhere under your daily
work attire. It’s bound to leave you f