Althleisure Brands You Need to Know Now

As the temperature begins to drop here in Evanston, the time has finally come to retire jean shorts and tank tops and snuggle into comfy sweaters, black leggings, Uggs, and big puffy coats that swallow us whole. It seems that, for many Northwestern students, fashion and freezing cold temperatures are not friends. Or at least, they are mutually exclusive, and unless you are willing to risk frostbite in the name of a chic sweater dress and thigh-high boots (UGH killer), you probably end up in leggings. But, my question is, why do leggings, or comfy clothes in general, have to be boring? With reputable brands from Adidas to Tory Burch jumping on the new athleisure trend, it seems that the fashion industry’s definition of comfort has shifted to incorporate complex, interesting new styles that are killing it across the globe.

With the rise of this new comfortably chic era, a plethora of new brands have emerged to compete with our beloved go-tos. You’ve probably heard of a few of them that have already gained global recognition, such as Alo Yoga, founded in 2007 in Southern California with a mission “to spread good: to anyone who is experiencing the transformative power of yoga,” according to their website. I’ll let you in on a secret: I’ve never done yoga and I don’t plan to anytime soon but when I wear these leggings, I seriously consider it and people definitely think I’m a yogi. Alo’s site offers a variety of intricate leggings containing anything from leather to lace, tank tops wowing with cut-out back-action, and sports bras with any type of neckline you could imagine. They even have a men’s line of comfortable leisure wear and two store locations in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Worn by high profile celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Taylor Swift, this athleisure brand is a must to check out when turning comfort into fashion.

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As more and more athleisure brands pop up around the fashion scape, established labels are feeling pressure to launch collections that cater to a comfort-minded customer. Free People is one brand known for its bohemian, cool girl vibe that launched a successful athleisure line called FP Movement. When you first navigate to the page on Free People’s website, there are clear categories for leggings, bras, and hoodies & sweatshirts. The initial impression of the varied collection is that everything just looks SO comfortable. Ribbed leggings, ruched sweatpants, and flowy jackets help FP Movement embody the trademark relaxed Free People vibe, while also catering to the everyday athlete, the stay-at-home mom, and everyone in between.

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I was desperate to try some of the pieces when FP Movement first launched in 2014, but in the beginning they offered very limited options that were pretty bland and not worth the price. I can confidently say that the brand has come a long way since then. A personal favorite piece of mine is the City Slicker Sport Bra, completely impractical for working out, but a super sexy top for going out! It comes in eight different colorways, and has become a statement piece for the FP Movement collection because it blurs the line between athletic and going out apparel. Also, something I always value in sports bras is padding (everyone wants to feel supported every once in awhile, right?), and this bra is perfectly supportive despite its plunging cut.

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If you aren’t looking to break the bank and spend anything near $100 on leggings, don’t worry, you are not alone. I tend to spend a lot on athleisure because I like to blend my athletic pieces with my going out outfits and the new landscape of luxury athletic wear makes this possible. But prices for leggings and tank tops nowadays are staggering, which is why Fabletics is a fan favorite for its affordable, yet super cute and comfortable pieces. From the makers of JustFab and ShoeDazzle, with celebrity endorsements from Kate Hudson and Demi Lovato, Fabletics draws customers in with its attractive VIP program, offering 2 for $24 leggings and monthly “outfit suggestions” with a top, legging, and jacket or bra together only around $50. I became a VIP about a year ago, and have a multitude of leggings, bras, and tops from the site. The quality is amazing for the price. I am a HUGE fan of Lululemon, but when I am looking to buy in bulk, I look to Fabletics where I can get almost ten different pieces for the price of one pair of Lululemon leggings.

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Whether you are on the go, stuck in University Library, or hitting up Chicago nightlife, athletic apparel is the new go-to. Comfort no longer has to mean black leggings and a sweater. Try out a new cut of legging with an intricate mesh top from Alo or joggers from FP Movement with a crop top from Free People. It is okay to mix and match your statement going out pieces with the athleisure trend. When you’re frostbite-free but still looking sleek and feeling comfy, I think you’ll thank me.