It might be a cliché, but the start of a new year is inevitably the time that we start looking forward to getting outside and moving our bodies again. The days are brighter, the weather is warmer, and there’s no better motivation to get up and get out than new workout clothes that look and feel good. After party season we had a lot of fun getting dressed up for nights out, but there’s a lot to be said about forgoing heels for comfortable leggings and trainers as part of your weekend or workout uniform.
Comfort doesn’t mean compromising on style, and with more activewear, loungewear and casual jersey options on the market than ever, we’re ready to start 2025 as we mean to go on—well dressed and feeling our best. As with any ready-to-wear, trend cycles apply to activewear too, remember 2022’s bicycle shorts and 2023’s unitards? Well, if you’re curious to know what will be 2024’s breakout style, you’ve come to the right place, we’ve done the research to find out which trends will be next to hit the gymfloor.
Seasonal trends can often have a steer on the colours, styles and prints we’ll see in the following months, but this year is all about pieces you can wear for years to come too. From a runway inspired colour palette to barre basics, these are the activewear styles worth wearing to the gym and beyond. So, whether you’re debating between running and rowing, pilates and reclining poolside, we’ve rounded up the six biggest activewear trends that are shoppable right now.
1. HIT THE SLOPES
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: No matter how cold it is outside, apres-ski inspired activewear will keep you warm enough to tackle any outdoor activity. You don’t need to fly to the Alps to channel the look, just keep an eye out for long sleeves, mesh panels, gilets and shearling details for early starts and cold nights, it’s all the motivation you’ll need to get started.
Shop the Trend:
Alo Yoga
Airlift Winter Warm Mesh Ski Time Long Sleeve
This is how to layer in style.
PERFECT MOMENT
Printed Stretch-Jersey Base Layer
A base layer that doubles up as a jacket when you need it.
HIGH SPORT
Chester Ribbed Cotton-Blend Sweater
I’d happily wear this snuggled up on the sofa.
Pangaia
Womens DNA Flower-Warmth Gilet
A lightweight gilet to throw on over anything.
FP Movement
In a Bubble Puffer Waistcoat
Something a little more substantial for long winter walks.
Nike
Jordan Flight Cotton-Blend Fleece Sweatpants
The ultimate in fleecy comfort.
Flower Mountain
Mori Mid Shearling Sneakers
These also come in red, but more on that later.
2. BALLETCORE
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: What do you get when you combine Ferragamo S/S ’25, blush pink, and the rise in popularity of barre classes? A ballet-renaissance of course, and from wrap cardigans to pleated skirts, dance studio designs are bridging the gap between active and loungewear, resulting in pieces you can wear during the rest of the week too.
Shop the Trend:
Abercrombie
YPB Active Rib Button-Up Cardigan
Yes, you read that correctly! This really is part of Abercrombie’s active range.
lululemon
Free to Be Bra – Wild Light Support
The strap detailing is so pretty.
Free People
Delaney Ribbed Leg Warmer
Controversial, but undeniably cosy.
PRISM2
Liberated Soft-Cup Bra
There’s no reason your underwear can’t be as pretty too.
LULULEMON
Varsity High-Rise Pleated Swift™ Tennis Skirt
Just so cute.
lululemon
Like a Cloud Bra Light Support
I love this rich shade of garnet.
ADIDAS ORIGINALS
+ Wales Bonner Embroidered Layered Recycled-Shell and Cotton-Poplin Shorts
A great find in the Net-A-Porter sale.
3. UNEXPECTED RED
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: 2023’s biggest colour trend has finally made its way over to activewear, and spicy, hot reds might just be the energetic boost we didn’t know we needed to get our pulses racing. Just about everywhere you look, the market is awash with head-to-toe red and matching accessories, a sure sign that bold brights might be slowing down on the runway, but they’re just getting started on the streets.
Shop the Trend:
Adanola
Ultimate Strappy Racer Romper
Available in sizes XXS to XXXL.
Alo Yoga
Airlift Intrigue Bra
This strong set looks so good together.
lululemon
Scuba Oversized Pullover Wordmark
Perfect for cool-downs.
Fabletics
PureLuxe High-Waisted Crossover Flare
The flare is a fun update on ankle grazing leggings.
Nike
X Jacquemus Half-Zip Minidress
My favourite piece in the Nike X Jacquemus collab.
ASICS
Gel-Kayano 20 Rubber-Trimmed Mesh Sneakers
There’s a good reason these are selling so fast.
FP Movement
Retro Rider Layer
An easy basic that’s anything but… basic.
4. MINI DRESSES
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: It might not seem like an obvious choice, but whether you wear them for low impact workouts, racquet sports, or just pull them on over your crop top and shorts post-exercise, jersey mini dresses are the multi-functional wonder that allows for maximum movement. Expect to see much more of these in spring and summer whether the warmer weather (finally) means scaling back on layers.
Shop the Trend:
Alo Yoga
Cashmere Plush Waffle Dress
Sumptuous cashmere for your downtime.
Adanola
Wide Binding Racer Dress
Adanola always get contemporary design right.
Abercrombie
YPB studioFLEX Slash Wrap Mini Dress
The ruching detail is just *perfection*.
Abercrombie
YPB sculptLUX Bubble Hem Mini Dress
Honestly? I’d happily wear this on a night out.
The Upside
Pasadena Palma Cotton Piqué Tennis Dress
Just imagine this with a tennis bracelet and matching white trainers.
Nike
Dri-Fit Advantage Tennis Dress
Wimbledon-ready.
FP Movement
Easy Does It Dress
This comes in five fun colours.
5. FIFTY SHADES OF BROWN
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: Another colour trend too important to overlook is winter’s luxe approach to chocolate brown. Scroll through the new-in sections of just about any activewear site right now and you’ll see different shades of mocha, greige, putty and camel, but our favourite shades of brown are the deeper hues that are a fresh new alternative to black. For best results, wear layers of the same colour, broken up with white trainers and black accessories, its an effortless outfit that always manages to look expensive.
Shop the Trend:
ON
Performance Recycled Sports Bra
ON aren’t just experts in exceptional trainers.
Varley
Always Warm Base Layer Legging
Stretch, warmth, and comfort. What more could you ask for?
Abercrombie
YPB everydaySOFT Cap Sleeve Top
I’m convinced this would look just as good with jeans.
Sweaty Betty
Super Soft Sculpting Vest
Support and gentle sculpting.
Gymshark
Tricot Joggers
I’d throw these on with an oversized cable knit.
Rains
Hilo Weekend Bag Small – Black / One Size
It’s time to upgrade your gym bag with something a little fresher.
Skims
The Smoothing double-waistband stretch-woven shorts
Shapewear that feels like a second skin.
6. POSH PUFFERS
(Image credit: Who What Wear)
Style Notes: And now something for the cool down, a post-workout layer that you can wear to just about anything—puffer coats are having a moment right now, but particularly the ones that come in sculptural shapes and chic colours. If it’s cropped, belted, high neck or patent, consider your coat a “posh” puffer, and it deserves to be seen outside of part of your kit alone.
Shop the Trend:
Varley
Laona Padded Wrap Jacket
Bravo, Varley.
CORDOVA
Aomori Hooded Quilted Down Ski Jacket
It’s impossible to be cold in Cordova’s snow-ready separates.
Fabletics
Essential Cropped Hooded Puffer
I love the look and colour of this whole kit from the Fabletics X Khloe Kardashian collab.
Sportmax
Beira Oversized Down Jacket
I’d expect nothing less than performance perfection from Sportmax.
Stella McCartney
Altermat Faux Leather Puffer Jacket
How does Stella McCartney make a casual jacket look so good?
ON
Challenger Hooded Quilted Grosgrain-Trimmed Shell and Recycled-Ripstop Jacket
This should be considered a winter wardrobe staple.
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