When the ageless supermodel Christie Brinkley celebrated being ‘finally happy’ at 70 on Instagram, it wasn’t with a slice of cake and a new cardi, but a smiling mirror selfie in skin-tight sportswear.
Never mind she still has abs that a 25-year-old would be proud of: it was her commitment to fitness gear that matched her own energy that really struck home.
‘Athleisure’ — the trend of wearing athletic wear beyond the gym — is still going strong, nearly a decade after it took over the catwalks.
Look at a celebrity street shot today and the chances are they’ll be wearing an immaculate pair of leggings or joggers, a sweatshirt and some box-fresh trainers. And these aren’t bought in High Street stores or the supermarket — there’s a whole new set of stylish brands to keep up with.
Your bright Sweaty Betty leggings may once have marked you out as part of the gym ‘in’ crowd, but now they’re starting to date. So sling out your saggy sweats and leave the Lululemon at home. These are the It-leisure brands you need to know now…
ALO YOGA
A model wears an Alo Yoga lilac bra, £75, and £140 leggings
Supermodel Christie Brinkley wearing the Splendour bra, £55
Founded in 2007 with yoga at its heart, Alo is the ultimate LA leisurewear brand. Because although its fabrics are designed to give great performance — whether you’re sweating like a pro in a hot yoga studio or just trying not to sleep through your Savasana — it’s most famous for being the legging brand of choice for A-listers from Hayley Bieber to Taylor Swift.
Work-out sets come in a range of colours, including a pretty pastel lilac — one of 2024’s biggest trends. Don’t worry if you’re not ready for that tiny Christie Brinkley bra (below) envelop yourself in an oversized pullover or sweatpants and a parka instead.
www.aloyoga.com
TALA
Models wear a gey Tala tank, £42, grey leggings, £56, navy bra, £38 and navy leggings £56
Fitness influencer Grace Beverley was 22 when she launched Tala, an instant hit thanks to her huge TikTok following.
The idea? To create a sustainable and ethical alternative to the big sportswear brands — but at a price well below the high-end athleisure market, and with inclusive sizing up to 4XL.
Fabrics are largely recycled or natural, and supporting and compressing details mean they not only perform at the gym but look great for brunch, too.
Tala’s ‘scuplt seamless’ collection features a flattering ribbed, racerback tank with an inbuilt bra. With four neutral colours — black, cream, grey and navy — there’s an option to go with every outfit, both in and out the gym. And if you’re not planning on hitting the treadmill, the Everyday Sweats are as comfortable as it gets.
www.wearetala.com
SPORTY & RICH
T-shirts from Emily Oberg’s Sporty & Rich brand cost from £49
While their caps are a splurge at £49, they are a staple of the it-girl athleisure wardrobe
Hands up if you DON’T want to look sporty and rich? Anyone?
Emily Oberg started her Instagram account at 20, sharing images of vintage style.
A decade later she’s running one of the most desirable sports-lifestyle brands on the planet, a sort of Gen-Z Goop, complete with in-store spas, skincare line, coffee-table book and, of course, a fantastically stylish line of retro-meets-minimalist athleisure.
While their caps are a splurge at £49, they are a staple of the it-girl athleisure wardrobe. Sporty & Rich: a brand that does what it says on the label.
www.sportyandrich.com
ADANOLA
The brand is beloved of celebrities such as supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who wears a £46.99 unitard and £14.99 hat
Pack of Adanola socks, £21.99. The leisurewear brand was born in Manchester
Spotted the smart 20somethings out and about wearing oversized sweatshirts, bomber jackets and joggers around town?
Probably worn with a glossy ponytail, a baseball cap and perfect contouring? Chances are they’re in top-to-toe Adanola — a Manchester-born leisurewear label that courts the influencer crowd with huge success.
Sportswear that’s really designed for the street, the brand is beloved of celebrities such as Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague and supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley — who loves it so much she collaborated with the brand on a capsule collection.
Top pieces include a flattering olive green work-out top and matching shorts in a buttery soft fabric.
www.adanola.com
VARLEY
A £70 pink skort from the ultra-luxe brand created by Britons Lara and Ben Mead
A half-zip jumper from Varley costing £125
London meets LA in this ultra-luxe brand created by Britons Lara and Ben Mead, after an inspiring holiday in Santa Monica.
Although the couple’s brand does sell yoga leggings and other sports pieces, it’s more sports-inspired than athletic, describing itself as ‘a fashion brand rooted in movement’.
It’s certainly a fashion brand rooted in richness, with all the cues of affluent America, from après-ski Alpine sweaters to tennis-club skorts, a pared-back palette and easy, understated silhouettes that keep those abs under wraps.
www.uk.varley.com