We live in an age where comfort is weighed evenly with style when choosing most of our outfits. Long gone are the days of the 1950s when men wore suits every time they stepped foot outside the house. The rise of athleisure - athletic apparel designed specifically for leisure activities - over the past decade was solidified into our fashion zeitgeist by the Great Quarantine. It is a fundamental part of every fashion subset from streetwear to formalwear.
Clothes that were originally designed for playing sports and exploring the great outdoors are now worn for grocery shopping and grabbing a drink with friends. This is a good thing, we should count ourselves lucky that we don't have to put on slacks and a blazer just to go get a cup of coffee. So to help you make the most of the age of athleisure, we put together a list of the best athleisure brands to shop this summer. It seems like every brand has gotten in on the trend so we narrowed it down to the best of the best for you.
Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder, the man, has been obsessed with athleisure since before the term existed. He collected vintage Champion gear starting back in the 1990s during his days at Ralph Lauren. He brought that mid-century athletic wear to J.Crew during his time as Men's Creative Director. Then he struck a deal with Champion when he launched his eponymous brand to create a signature line of elevated athletic wear that works equally well with a suit as on the field. Todd Snyder, the brand, has expanded their offerings of fashionable athletic gear beyond just the Champion collab since then.
All in Motion
Target is dangerous. It is a real challenge to leave Target with only the items you intended to buy when you entered. Case in point: All in Motion, their in-house athleisure brand. This line of no-frills athletic wear offers fits and silhouettes comparable to high-end streetwear brands at a fraction of their prices. They’re able to keep prices low without sacrificing quality thanks to the guarantee of Target’s enormous market share and financial resources. You can mix and match All in Motion with high-end brands and no one will know the difference.
Champion
You've probably heard that Champion invented the hoodie (though Russel challenges that claim). So you could argue that they invented athleisure since the entire movement kind of revolves around hoodies. Regardless, they have been making high-quality, no-frills athletic wear for a century. The 1960s-style athletic gear that has been intermingled with workwear and formalwear for over a decade is pretty much all based on Champion. The Champion reverse weave hoodie is arguably the best hoodie in the world and certainly the best value.
Chubbies
Chubbies started out making short shorts years ago when most hemlines sat somewhere around the knee. As our shorts have gotten shorter, the brand has expanded to offer swimwear; a full range of shirts, pants, outerwear; and occasional quirky experiments like men’s rompers. The brand is all about having fun with bold colors and textures while retaining the comfort of athleisure. Their swimwear innovation of replacing traditional mesh lining with compression shorts is a game-changer.
Lululemon
Way before athleisure was a thing, Lululemon was already making a name in the sportswear scene. The Canada-based brand provides high-quality yoga pants and
Patagonia
You may have heard of GORP Core (Good Old Fashioned Raisins and Peanuts) recently. The old term for a classic trail snack has been repurposed to describe the influx of outdoor athletic apparel into popular fashion. The definitive GORP Core brand is Patagonia. They originated outdoor athletic apparel, along with North Face, and they still make some of the most stylish and functional apparel out there. The brand’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is another reason to feel good about supporting them.
Proof
Huckberry has become one of the most trusted sources for finding cool new brands. So when they set out to create their own line of everyday essentials built for optimal performance, you knew they would nail it. The result is Proof, Huckberry’s in-house athleisure brand. Every piece is stylish but understated, with built-in earth tone colors. They make an ideal foundation to start an outfit or an entire wardrobe.
Reigning Champ
One of the more consistent purveyors of athleisure out there is Reigning Champ. In fact, this Canadian brand defies trends and continues to make some of the best gym and lifestyle gear around. We love the classic crew-neck sweaters and pullover hoodies, both made with quality fabrics in neutral, easy-to-style colors.
Ten Thousand
If you’re more concerned with use than style, Ten Thousand may be the brand for you. This company has been churning out quality products for a couple of years now, and it puts a tight focus on function. That’s not to say the pieces don’t look good — they do! — but they’re built with performance in mind. We especially like their trio of activewear shorts, which range from the lightweight Session to the ultra-durable Foundation.
Tracksmith
What do you get when a group of very serious runners with very respectable styles create the best running apparel brand they can? You get Tracksmith, the Boston-based high-end athletics brand. They can certainly be categorized as athleisure because their gear has a vintage sportswear vibe that fits in perfectly with preppy or streetwear style. However, Tracksmith is designed for serious running first and foremost.
William Murray
The eponymous brand by comedy legend and golf enthusiast Bill Murray makes some of the most stylish apparel you’ll find on the links or at the club bar. Golfing apparel was stuffy and by no means athletic wear for most of the sport’s history, but over the past decade, the sport has embraced performance-enhancing gear. William Murray Golf mixes classic preppy with fun patterns and colors, often referencing some of Bill’s classic films like Caddyshack and The Life Aquatic.
Look good and feel comfortable doing it, that's the name of the game. Whether you're actually playing a game or not, athleisure is a fashion trend everyone can get into. They're designed just as much for 18 holes with the guys as for binge-watching on the couch. The brands on this list are doing it best and will certainly help you update your summer wardrobe.
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