If the thought of wearing compressed fitness gear during the summer heat makes you break into a sweat before the workout has started, you’re in luck, as fitness fashion has gone loose and breezy.
For years, second-skin silhouettes – such as compression tops, leggings, and co-ordinating sets from brands like Gymshark and Adanola – have dominated the fitness fashion landscape. Now, there’s a move towards roomier, baggy styles with the same performance credentials.
A thought process was touted that looser workout gear equalled a lack of motivation, or that tighter gear kept you accountable. But now there’s a mindset shift, coupled with advances in technical fabrics, and an increase in more laid-back pieces being crafted by big brands like Nike, Adidas and Lululemon.
Whether influenced by the pandemic, a craving for comfort in all aspects of clothing, or a cynical refresh in fashion, clothing has loosened up on all fronts.
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“The movement towards more oversized workout gear stems from a shift in overall fashion trends,” says stylist and personal shopper Lorna Weightman. “Skinny jeans are on hiatus, for example, and there has been a greater focus on a looser silhouette across fashion in general.”
Oversized tailoring, drawstring trousers and roomy denim are at the forefront of fashion, so it was only a matter of time before our athleisure wardrobe got a breezy transformation. Not only that, but investing in clothing that can be worn in multiple ways and settings, from the gym to working from home or a coffee run, must influence the uptake of roomier styles.
If TikTok is to be believed, the influx of looser-fitting workout gear is being heralded by Gen Z. A recent article in The New York Times highlights the generational divide in gym style, revealing a playful debate on social media between millennials, who are supposedly more inclined towards tight-fitting clothing, and Gen Z, who prefer baggier fits. But whatever style or generational camp you align with, it doesn’t mean structure is obsolete.
With looser-fit workout clothing, it’s not about rejecting structure but reworking it, and rethinking how to maximise comfort. It’s more about placing support where you need it or where it matters.
“I can see it in my gym,” says Weightman. “Baggy workout pants seem more favourable, especially regarding strength and conditioning. I see women in jersey-style pants and tank tops, which creates a nice, balanced look that’s comfortable to train in.”
Inspired by everyday fashion, fitness gear styling combines and contrasts silhouettes to incorporate both aesthetic and functional elements. Think an oversized sweat-wicking T-shirt with cycling shorts, or a compression top with yoga-style trousers for a breathable outfit with a structured element. It’s a styling trick borrowed from fashion’s obsession with boxy oversized silhouettes, which are often paired with sleek separates – the same can be applied to fitness wear.
Layering and mixing silhouettes offers breathability, flexibility, and versatility as you transition from the gym to the outside world. While baggy clothing is yet to be adopted fully in the gym classes of Orla Hopkins, fitness coach and co-founder of New Dimensions Active, people do want relaxed, casual athleisure that fits into their post-workout lifestyle.
“I love how working out has become such a community vibe and social activity, with post-class meet-ups,” says Hopkins. “Many people blend their looks more with their outerwear, styling their workout gear with cool baseball caps, trainers, jackets, hoodies and sweatshirts.”
Different exercises will generally require different clothing choices. “Consider the style of training. For yoga or Pilates, you may benefit from looser clothing, while running, spinning and lifting classes may require more fitted clothing,” says Hopkins. There is space and a need for cinched styles in fitness gear.
Form-fitting clothing is a good choice for equipment-heavy workouts to avoid risks, says James Murphy from boutique gym Beatbox Dublin. “Tighter-fit gear does allow for greater flexibility and movement,” he explains. “Baggy clothes may hinder movement and may also snag on machines.”
However, as important as it is to consider fit, it’s equally essential to have the right materials, as Hopkins explains, “Regardless of fit, choose clothing made from moisture-wicking fabrics that help regulate your body temperature and that you feel confident and comfortable wearing.”
