Gone are the days when fashion and function are considered two separate things. In today’s world, fashion and function regularly come hand-in-hand, creating a middle ground for relaxed styles that easily pass the dress code.
Enter athleisure - a hybrid of activewear and casualwear that has taken Australia by storm. Think comfy clothing with the mobility of sports kit, plus the trendiness of streetwear. In other words, perfect for the gentleman who’s always on the go.
How to wear athleisure
The anatomy of athleisure consists of three key factors—fabric, fit and functionality—as these make up and dictate the style. Above all, it’s about balance and understanding what to mix and match, and what not to.
The best thing is that athleisure is a transeasonal style that you can always fall back on. No matter what the season is, with the right combinations, you’ll feel comfortable and look stylish. To help get you started we’ve put together a few of our favourite athleisure outfits for men.
Style #1: Keep it casual
Planning a chill weekend with friends or need to head to the shops? Athleisure outfits are the ultimate laid-back look - on-trend yet practical - and you might already have some suitable pieces in your wardrobe.
Try the look:
Exude the sporty vibe with your outfit by pairing our soft sweat shorts with a basic tee and a loose-fitting Academy crew sweat. With this combination, you’re all set for a road trip, to head to the pub or even go for a quick jog in your local park. You can sling a canvas tote bag or rucksack over your shoulder to carry your essentials and finish the outfit in style.
Worried that you may look too casual? You can play around with colours and prints to make outfits stand out more. Either wear colour-coordinated, matching sets or contrasting colours, such as a pink top with navy bottoms, and you're good to go.
Style #2: Layering is King
Styling your athleisure is all about building layers. Plenty of cosy layers plus thick outerwear, such as coats or shackets, is perfect for keeping you toasty and dry during the colder seasons. For lightweight alternatives on warmer days, think simple t-shirts and thinner layers.
Try the look:
Team up our Edmund Puffer Vest with a light-coloured Academy Brand half-zip sweatshirt or long sleeve tee and Academy sweat pant for a simple style that makes looking good on a cold morning a breeze. Sleeveless puffer vests or gilets are the perfect choice for those in-between days when a jacket is too much but a jumper isn’t quite enough.
Going for a more playful but edgy vibe? We suggest swapping the puffer vest with our checked jacket to achieve the look. The checked jackets in our catalogue are made from wool blend fabrics that will keep you snug even during winter.
Style #3: From desk to dinner
Working business as usual but don’t want to be late for after-work drinks? Athleisure can quickly get you from the desk to dinner or even the dancefloor with its versatility, and you will never have felt more relaxed while doing it.
When it comes to all-day comfort, it's all about loose-fitting, flowy fabrics. However, while we love oversized, to keep you looking sharp in a business setting, more fitted athleisure is your friend and will give you a slightly more refined look.
Try the look:
To ace the casual Fridays at the office or look presentable for a client meeting, start off with a white Varsity crew tee and pair it with neutral-toned tapered joggers or Beach pants.
When it's time to shut the laptop down, add an overshirt, such as our Essential Overshirt or the Austin Shirt for something a little lighter. This look is one of the easiest to transform to fit lots of situations - we recommend a pigment-dyed baseball cap to finish your look and ease you into your evening out.
It’s all about how you wear it
Athleisure is first and foremost about the comfort it provides you whilst staying on-trend. With a few staple joggers, tees and jumpers you can be ready to walk the streets like it’s a fashion runway, no matter the season.
With that being said, learning how to mix and match to adjust your athleisure style is essential—from super casual to business casual, the difference is in the fit, layering and colour combinations. Start building your athleisure ensemble with basic hues that can be easily paired with lots of colours and which fit nicely with your body type.
Explore the Academy Brand men’s collection and start experimenting with tops and bottoms to find your favourite athleisure outfits. Don’t forget sign-up to Academy Rewards to keep up to date with all of our latest tips and to access exclusive promotions.
