New Year, New Gear!
How to choose the best gear and where you can find it.
Ok, so the new year is definitely in full swing. By now, you have probably settled into your new routine and hopefully, your bank balance looks a bit healthier now that you have recovered from Christmas and the party season. It definitely feels like a good time to splash out on some new kit to keep you motivated and moving.
Activewear is a billion-dollar industry that is showing no signs of slowing down. There are so many brands out there and most of them are producing quality apparel engineered to suit a FitHer lifestyle. Lots of brands means lots of competition which is great for us as consumers. Every label is striving to create its niche and be the best at it, which means we get the latest technology and on-trend styling that can be curated into your perfect active wardrobe.
With so much active apparel out there that it can get a little overwhelming and it's easy to get distracted by gorgeous colours and pretty designs. The FitHer team has scrolled through the latest and greatest in search of fabulous new arrivals that you can get your hands on right now. We’ve also included some tips to keep your shopping on track. And we may have accidentally dropped a few things in our own shopping carts along the way.
So Hot Right Now!
Where to Wear Athleisurewear
The pandemic-driven work-from-home era left us feeling very comfortable in our activewear. We are all super happy to be back out in the world again but we have come to appreciate a new level of comfort. It is no surprise then, that the major activewear trend this year is active-to-everyday. Pieces that move seamlessly between the studio or gym and the office or cafe without requiring a costume change are a must-have on your shopping list. The Upside has come out swinging with their Tennis Club athleisure wear edit. We are loving the preppy stylings of the Love Charlie Skirt and matching Love Rory Bra teamed with a Palmer Louie Sweater, cute for the court and the cafe. A long-term proponent of activewear in the office, Aussie retail giant Lorna Jane, has launched International Activewear Day, she says “pop a blazer on” over tights and tees and you are good to go.
International Activewear Day featured on Today Show Extra - YouTube
Dress It Up!
Athletic dresses and skirts with hidden shorts are everywhere right now. Relaxed, comfortable, and pretty everyday wear that is also great for those of us who are yet to make friends with contouring shorts and leggings. Think feminine styling inspired by tennis dresses and ballet skirts. Most brands have at least one skirt or dress in their 2023 range, our favs so far are The Nike Club Skirt and NikeCourt DriFit Victory Dress, or take it up a notch with AloYoga Mesh Haute Summer Dress or The Upside Palmer Elsa Mini Dress.
Add a Little Flare to Your Wear
Every ten years or so, the flare makes a comeback in some form or another. This year we are seeing flared sweats and tights both on the street and in the gym. The Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant from Lululemon has already become a best-seller. With a firm, high, pocketed waistband, the Groove flared pant promises comfort for low-impact workouts and everyday activities.
Matchy-Matchy
Carrying over from last year, the two-piece set remains a winner. From shorts and crops to tracks and sweats, the matching two-piece feels effortlessly chic.
Got It In One!
The all-in-one, think leotard or unitard in both long and short styles, is definitely something new. Its momentum is growing and it looks like it is here to stay. And why not? Choosing one piece, instead of two, definitely makes packing your gym bag that little bit easier. In keeping with their unique style Free People Movement has delivered an eclectic suite of one-pieces or try Nimble for a pretty and purposeful all-in-one.
Fit for Purpose
Not all activewear is created equal. That’s not a bad thing, because it means there is the right style for the right activity for the right body. It does mean though, that you need to choose wisely. If you have ever gone for a run in a low-impact sports bra or done restorative yoga in a high-impact one, you’ll know exactly what we mean. Sometimes, a piece may look great but just isn’t quite right for your chosen activity.
Alot of R and D goes into engineering fabrics and designs to optimise your performance, get the most for your money by taking the time to think about your needs and be prepared to have more than one type of outfit if you are partaking in more than one type of exercise (which btw, you should be, but that's a story for another day).
We are a bit obsessed with Cleo Harper right now, we love the Tatiana KW Bralet, the one-shoulder design, it is perfect for Yoga on the beach followed by a quick dip, but it’s probably not our first choice for running 10km. Instead, try the gorgeous Maze Bralet for your run and you can even glam it up for your night out on the dancefloor!
Alternatively, OG’s Nike and Lorna Jane have a sports bra for every fit and every purpose.
Activewear technology has come a long way so take advantage of the science and choose pieces that will work with you not against you. Choose sweat-wicking and quick dry fabrics for high-intensity workouts, stretch and mobility for low-impact, and support and compression for strength and recovery.
Originally designed by weightlifters, for weightlifters, Ryderwear is designed to sculpt and support a muscular athletic body. Ryderwear has leveled up its styling without compromising its original goal of comfortable performance-driven activewear. Check out the Honeycomb Scrunch Seamless Leggings for a cool twist on an old favourite. Available in 11 great colours the tights have a scrunch bum and no front seam, so you can accentuate the curves and creases you want and hide the ones you don’t want.
Suit Yourself
The most exciting thing about having a huge activewear industry is the breadth of choice it provides. It makes it easier than ever to choose pieces that fit your purpose and fit your style. There’s no need to “wear what she’s wearing” choose what feels authentic to you.
This year’s trends provide something for everyone from bold colours, to earthy neutrals and your fav brand will more than likely be offering a little of both. Dial up your basics with one-off highlights in great prints and patterns from Running Bear and P.E.Nation.
Dive a Little Deeper - What’s important to you?
The market is so wide that there is space for everyone to do things their way. Many brands are aligning themselves with philosophies and practices that are important to them and may well be important to you. Take some time to explore the About pages of your favourite labels, it may just seal (or unseal) the deal for you.
For us here in Australia, buying local is pretty easy. As one of the world’s most active countries, we have birthed countless great brands like The Upside, Running Bare, Echt, and the queen of activewear herself, Lorna Jane.
Lululemon is openly committed to inclusion, diversity, and equality in all areas of its business and customer engagement. The Lululemon Center for Social Impact was established to remove barriers to wellness for marginalised individuals. Part of their profit goes towards continuing this work.
Sydney brand Nimble set out to create quality, comfortable activewear that puts the planet first. From sustainable packaging and manufacturing to high-tech fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, Nimble is absolutely committed to sustainability. Their MoveLite fabric has saved nearly 2,000,000 bottles from landfill (and counting). Crafted into stunning designs MoveLite is versatile, breathable, and quick dry. Now also available in reversible styles, it's like buying two-for-one, all while you help save the planet.
Also hailing from Sydney, Dharma Bums is another conscious Aussie company. Dharma Bums utilises sustainable high-performance fabrics and works only with Australian and international manufacturers who are themselves committed to ethical work practices.
LNDR is a UK brand committed to performance and quality. Their ethos is to buy right, buy less. They promise to defy the fast fashion culture by producing quality activewear that lasts. They are so committed to getting it right that they offer a 30-day sweat test guarantee on all leggings.
No Need to Break the Bank
If there’s not as much room in your budget as you’d like, consider investing in one or two quality staples that will wash and wear for years to come. Team them with cheaper on-trend pieces to switch up your look. Cotton-On Body has been a gym staple for years and can be relied on for cheap buys, as can H&M. Also, stay on the hunt for sales and online outlet stores. Many labels are currently running out their 2022 stock at awesome discounts, check out Echt and Jaggad for some amazing bargains.
Have Fun!
Have fun and don’t be scared to express yourself. Remember you can always start saving now and shop up a storm at FitHer Sydney on 7-8 October this year.
A note from the Author:
I didn’t think it was possible because I am obsessed with activewear, but even I got overwhelmed while I was writing this article. My Facebook and Insta feeds were inundated with Ads from exciting brands, some I had never heard of. I legit can’t wait until Sydney FitHer Expo on October 7-8, 2023 - everything in my feed IRL for me to touch and feel, compare and purchase!