One of the biggest fashion trends post the pandemic is activewear dominating wardrobes, eclipsing its purpose. Along with athleisure, from celeb airport looks to the runway, activewear is a contemporary hot favourite. Last year saw several designer houses launching their athleisure and activewear collections under their affordable or diffusion line, taking a cue from the stay-at-home wardrobe makeover. Even though people have started to step out now, the trend continues to soar with designer houses and traditional activewear and athleisure brands exploring the comfortable and multipurpose apparels fashionably and aesthetically as streetwear, casual-wear and even occasion-wear style statements. A The Telegraph lookbook exploring the trend with an early morning shoot on Park Street:
Be it a summer brunch with friends or a relaxed evening planned for shopping, Meghna Bose shows how to keep it comfy-chic in Silvertraq’s padded cross-back purple tie-dye crop top made of sustainable cloud fabric, teamed with boxer shorts.
Brand Speak: “The line between activewear and everyday wear started blurring during the pandemic because people preferred clothes that could be functional and fashionable at the same time. People are prioritising their health and that led to the rapid growth of the activewear industry. Silvertraq is exploring the aspects of adding more utility in the clothes with always improving traq technology like providing quick dry, anti-microbal and breathable fabric. While designing, we had to focus on the fact that today athleisure serves more than one purpose and had to be more about functionality as well as comfort, besides being sustainable and body positive,” said Dhriti Badani, founder, Silvertraq.
Diti channelled a stylish streetwear look in House of Masaba’s ivory pearl blooming flower crepe trackee paired with a bucket hat. The black boots and the hair worn open complement the look, and the beautiful Alliance Francaise architecture as the backdrop adds to the frame.
On Meghna, House of Masaba’s mint-green fan flower trackee for a comfy morning-to-evening streetwear look. The multi-purpose outfit is apt as lounge-wear or casual occasion-wear too.
Brand Speak: The trackee collection introduced during last year’s Women’s Day from the House of Masaba is “driven by comfort, inspired by luxury in powerful soothing florals, playful animal motifs. Originally designed for the bride, for the day after to lounge in, the versatile trackees are also for every woman who just wants to stretch, fly, run, sweat or… just be in!” — House of Masaba
On Diti, a vibrant look in Puma International Women’s track jacket featuring shades like pink, yellow, blue and grey, paired with Puma Gloaming women’s slim pants in ombre shades and a Puma Mid Impact bright pink bra that could take you right from the gym to a coffee date with friends or perfect for a comfy airport look too.
If activewear and athleisure are dominating your wardrobe, why should your party wardrobe give it a miss?! Meghna shows the cool-glam look in Puma Ellavate women’s training bra and high-waist tights in black-and-gold teamed with a trendy hot pink Puma Iconic woven track jacket.
Brand Speak: “The desire and the need for a multifunctional and multi-seasonal wardrobe has given rise to the athleisure trend. Athleisure is a perfect amalgamation of comfort and style. Streetwear-influenced wardrobe is inclusive and non-conforming to body types, this appeal is driving the demand for athleisure. Moreover, with people working from home, athleisure has been further thrust to the forefront. Our athleisure and activewear range is fun, comfortable and on point with latest trends. In activewear, our key focus is on creating high-functional products. We have successfully explored and evolved our active space that delivers ‘gym-to-runways’ narrative. With athleisure getting an increasing share of the wardrobe in recent times, we have been quick to forecast and convert fashion trends into fine collections that are aesthetic, on-trend and functional even as we tap into key streetwear, music, art and design narratives,” said Vidushi Thapa, head of merchandising, Puma India.
Meghna cut a comfy-cool frame in Huedee’s tie-dye Spiral the Sun oversized hoodie from their athleisure line, made of recycled knitted cotton fleece. Paired with a pair of denim hot pants and the hair tied into a man bun, the casual-wear look is perfect for the transitioning winter-spring-summer months.
On Diti, a fun-casual look in Huedee’s rainbow tie-dye spiral T-dress from its athleisure line. It is worn with a spiffy twist by pairing it with fishnet stockings, sneakers and a waist bag.
Brand Speak: “People love comfort. Athleisure and activewear are comfortable as well as stylish. With the growth in work-from-home culture, this style of fashion is getting popular day by day. We have always focused on comfort as we believe with comfort comes confidence. Our unisex tie-dye hoodies and T-shirt dresses for women are the bestsellers,” said Yash Agarwal and Ahana Chauhan, co-founders, Huedee
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Models: Diti Saha and Meghna Bose
Styling: Sumit Sinha
Make-up: Bhaskar Biswas
Hair: Kishore Biswas
Location: Hammer and Octa, Park Street
Shoes: Puma and models’ own