Effortless Style: Athleisure

Over the years, my style has become balanced. What do I mean? A little edgy and a little feminine. It used to be 100% feminine, and the look started to seem stale and overdone. I would wear outfits that were all pink, ruffles, bows, you get it. No more. Adding juxtapositions to your outfits just adds interest and it looks a whole lot more effortless. And natural.

This ‘style’ has brought me to LOVE the athleisure trend because there is so much masculinity to the trend, but you can totally put your own spin on it with colors and accessories.

So, what is athleisure? The formal definition of athleisure goes something like this: Athletic apparel or casual, comfortable clothing that’s suitable for both exercise and everyday wear.

When I think of athleisure, I think of the Kardashians — I think they made this ‘trend’ happen when they were photographed leaving the gym wearing cute Nikes, leggings, and a flannel tied around their waist.

From there it made its way to Pinterest and the rest is history. Athleisure has evolved into such a popular style because it can be chic, easy, and affordable. And you don’t have to be working out in order to wear these clothes!

My favorite way to wear this ‘trend’ is to wear a ‘normal’ outfit and pair it with one or two athletic pieces. This instantly dresses down your look and gives BALANCE. Some examples of this include: pairing a T-shirt and a denim jacket with athletic pants, or a dress paired with sneakers.

My best tips for styling athleisure looks:

Color coordinate: The #1 easiest way to do this is by dressing monochromatically. Meaning: wear the same color from head to toe. This doesn’t have to mean exactly the same shade. It can be different hues of one color, like hot pink, some blush, and a little nude. Another way to color coordinate is to wear a neutral and add a pop of color.
Wear flattering clothes: This one is HUGE. Stay away from all baggy, ill-fitting pieces because you will look like a hot mess. This look should look effortless, but put some thought into what fits your body well. If you’re wearing leggings, maybe pair them with a boyfriend style denim jacket.

Ok, so here is a list to get started. Think your athleisure starter pack: