March 16, 2023
By Caila Barreiros
Staff Writer
Did you know the U.S. athletic apparel market is the largest in the world? In fact, it is expected to grow to 69.2 billion in 2023…. But why?
What’s so appealing?
Americans love their athletic wear because of its comfort, reliability and versatility. A good pair of leggings never fails to complete an outfit. Leggings can be paired with a cute sweater or a sweatshirt, and my current favorite is matching sets.
Who’s the best?
Nike used to be hard to beat, and the brand has stayed true to its workout-oriented style. For example, a brand like Alo Yoga makes clothing that is comfortable and looks like athletic wear but can be worn out to dinner or to brunch, whereas Nike has stayed true to its workout-only identity, meaning Nike clothes are really meant for the gym. Other brands are now marketing athletic wear as appropriate to wear anytime and anywhere. According to InStyle.com, the top three brands for athletic wear are Girlfriend Collective, Lululemon and Alo Yoga. Personally, I would add Fabletics and Gymshark to that list.
How can one identify the perfect brand?
I used to love all Nike products. I would wear them to dance class and athletic workouts. However, once I tried other brands, I realized Nike products weren’t the best fit for me. My favorite brand right now is Fabletics, which has a wide range of products and styles that fit just about everybody.
Americans love their athletic wear because of its comfort, reliability and versatility.
For example, I only wear high-waisted leggings, but my sister likes low-rise leggings, and we both shop at Fabletics together. Now, this opinion may be unpopular, but I don’t like Gymshark leggings or shorts. They are very tight because they are more like compression-style leggings, which makes them unflattering on me and just uncomfortable to wear in general.
Also, I stay away from Lululemon. Although it has great products, Lululemon is wildly overpriced. I have only had one pair of Lululemon pants, and after a year, they began to pill and were just not practical anymore. Lululemon has a great warranty, so I was able to exchange them, but the replacement pair pilled as well.
What’s trending?
Bright colors and bold patterns are in style for both male and female athletic wear. A personal favorite of mine is Fabletics, which does a great job producing bright colors that last for many washes. For men, YounglA has gone viral for its outlandish patterns and prints.
One of the biggest trends in women’s fashion is a colored pair of leggings, a crewneck or matching top and a cropped vest. This is the effortless style that has been so popular for the past few seasons.
I can’t wait to see what’s next in athletic wear, because I love this popular category of clothing.
