It’s official. The greatest thing since leggings has happened to the fashion world. Do you remember the days of having to wear jeans or a business casual outfit everyday just to look acceptable and presentable in public? Well, those days are long over.

Athleisure, a style that typically prioritizes athletic wear or gym attire in everyday street style looks, made it a fashion statement to take your favorite athletic look outside of the gym. Plus size athleisure has been worn by every off-duty model and some of our favorite plus size fashionistas.

When it comes to embracing the athleisure trend, there are two types of people; one says, “Gym attire outside of my favorite yoga class? No way.” The other says, “Who said wearing sweatpants in public was not a fashion statement?”

No matter what camp you are in, we’ve got you covered with a little bit of background information on the athleisure trend, as well as some tips to make the trend fit your life and style.

Are you ready to make your life a whole lot more comfortable? Let’s dive in!

So What is Athleisure?

While the word athleisure was officially added to the dictionary in 2016, the trend has been around for a while. In the 1980s, people began to wear athletic clothing more often, which often blurred into their everyday looks. In the 2000s, tracksuits became extremely popular, which boosted the style’s profile. And then, as leggings rose to prominence as a better and more acceptable alternative to wearing jeans, this paved a way for more casual, athletic attire to be worn for multiple occasions. Once the trend hit the high fashion runways, brands like Dior, Chanel, LUCKY PLUS SIZE and other major fashion houses cemented the style as a staple among today’s top trends. While some of the most common athleisure looks you may see on a daily basis are tracksuits, the style has also evolved to mix in other garments that add a touch of class and chicness. For example, sweatpants joggers paired with strappy heels or a head to toe gym look topped off with a leather jacket. 

Now that you know more about trends, let's explore some style tips to help you style your own trend and elevate it to boost your confidence. The plus size boutique at lucky Plus Size offers a variety of styles to complement your next athleisure look. From trendy sports bras to curve-fitting yoga pants and structured pieces, elevate your style and boost your confidence.

Your Go-To Gym Look

Whether you do yoga frequently or haven’t seen a gym in months, every girl has their favorite pair of go-to activewear that they can turn to on their days off or a hectic schedule that has you running errands, etc. Since we are all about creating outfits that enhance your confidence, let’s set aside the baggy sweats or the T-shirts that are a little bit on the dingy side. Think of an athletic look that makes you feel sharp and sleek. These outfits could be a matching set or a pairing of your favorite T-shirt or hoodie and yoga pants. If nothing comes to mind, maybe it’s time to stock up on athleisure items that can help you pull off the style. When shopping, keep an eye out for these staples. 

• Yoga Pants or Joggers–Every girl loves a good pair of yoga pants because they are extremely flattering and comfortable. On the opposite end, sweatpants could be too bulky or baggy. However, joggers are a sleeker, better fitting version of the sweatpant, and they are wildly popular when it comes to the athleisure trend. Find bottoms that fit you well and can be paired with anything. 

• Neutral tops–Whether you’re a T-shirt or hoodie kind of girl, the tops you’ll wear when styling an athleisure look need to pair well with just about everything. That’s because, oftentimes, there is a lot of layering that happens when you elevate a gym look. Prioritize hoodies and tops that are neutral or black. That doesn’t mean that you can’t keep cute plus size graphic tees on hand to add emphasis to your new athleisure looks. 

• Non-Athletic Sneakers and Other Must Have Shoes–Sneakers—of all styles—are definitely having a huge moment right now, but when we talk about dressing up an athleisure look into a chic statement, we recommend investing in non athletic sneakers that are simple and can transform your gym look to street style in a matter of seconds. Another pair of shoes that may not immediately be an obvious choice to pair with athletic attire is a pair of simple strappy heels. These can dress up joggers with the snap of a finger. This look is commonly seen on celebrities and influencers, and may take some extra confidence to pull off. So if you’re an athleisure expert, this may be one way to up your game, but if you’re just starting to explore the trend, we’ll take baby steps for now.

• Overcoats and Jackets–Jackets and coats are single-handedly the easiest way to completely change a style in one simple step. For the athleisure style, jackets do the heavy lifting of elevating an outfit and taking it beyond yoga class. From plus size windbreakers and leather moto jackets to duster pea coats, you’ll need these heavy hitters in your wardrobe. 

Now that we have the foundation laid for athleisure, let’s explore some of the ways you could style your gym attire for certain occasions. 

Women Plus Size Cartoon Bear Print Sports Suit Do you feel the need to update your clothing but don't know where to start? Look no further! Whether you're a millennial mom or just looking for some fashion ideas, LUCKY PLUS SIZE has something for everyone. You don't need to break the bank either—these comfortable casual looks are easy and inexpensive, allowing you to stay stylish without breaking the bank.

Lucky Plus Size

The Lucky Plus Size brand is designed by a team of women who have worked in the company for more than ten years. They know and grow with the brand. They thoroughly understand brands, consumers and products. They've been working hard to make the brand better, a brand that's truly designed by women for women.

When asked what three words would describe Lucky Plus Size, our team immediately answered "beautiful, sexy and inclusive". When you buy Lucky Plus Size, you buy quality and inclusion. Our designers are dedicated to listening to what our customers want and how they feel when they wear a piece of underwear.

Why you should trust us

As a senior writer for the luckyplussize family team, I've written guides for robes, dresses, babydolls and onesies, among many other categories. With 15 years of sewing experience, including published quilt patterns, I know a lot about textiles and I can find the coziest and most comfortable fabrics for sleeping and lounging. I'm also a plus size woman, so accommodating sizing and a slim fit are very important to me and they form the heart of this guide.