When ageless supermodel Christie Brinkley celebrated being “finally happy” at age 70 on Instagram, it wasn’t with a slice of cake and a new cardigan, but with a smiling mirror selfie in skintight activewear.
No matter, she still has abs that a 25-year-old would be proud of – it was her commitment to fitness equipment that matched her own energy that really caught my attention.
‘Athleisure’ (the trend of wearing sportswear beyond the gym) is still in force, almost a decade after it took over the catwalks.
If you look at a street photo of a celebrity today, chances are they’re wearing a pristine pair of leggings or joggers, a sweatshirt, and some new sneakers. And these aren’t bought in High Street shops or the supermarket – there’s a whole new set of stylish brands to keep up with.
Your shiny Sweaty Betty leggings may have once marked you as part of the ‘in’ crowd at the gym, but now they’re starting to come out. So take off your sagging sweats and leave the Lululemon at home. These are the It-leisure brands you need to know now…
HELLO YOGA
A model wears a lilac Alo Yoga bra, £75 and £140 leggings
Supermodel Christie Brinkley in the Splendor bra, £55
Founded in 2007 with yoga at its core, Alo is Los Angeles’ quintessential casual clothing brand. Because while their fabrics are designed to deliver great performance, whether you’re sweating like a pro in a hot yoga studio or just trying not to sleep during your Savasana, they’re most famous for being the legging brand of choice for celebrities. Hayley. Bieber to Taylor Swift.
Training sets come in a variety of colors, including a pretty pastel lilac, one of the biggest trends of 2024. Don’t worry if you’re not ready for that little Christie Brinkley bra (below), wrap yourself in a jumper or pants from oversized tracksuit and, in its place, a parka.
felling
Models wear a Tala gey tank top, £42, gray leggings, £56, navy bra, £38 and navy leggings £56
Fitness influencer Grace Beverley was 22 years old when she launched Tala, an instant hit thanks to her large following on TikTok.
The idea? Create a sustainable and ethical alternative to the big sportswear brands, but at a price well below the high-end sports market and with inclusive sizes up to 4XL.
The fabrics are largely recycled or natural, and the support and compression details mean they not only work in the gym but also look great for brunch.
Tala’s ‘scuplt Seamless’ collection features a flattering ribbed racerback tank top with a built-in bra. With four neutral colors (black, cream, gray and navy), there’s an option to match every outfit, both in and out of the gym. And if you don’t plan on hitting the treadmill, the Everyday Sweats are as comfortable as they come.
SPORTY AND RICH
Emily Oberg’s Sporty & Rich brand t-shirts start at £49
While their caps are a splurge at £49, they’re a staple of the it-girl’s sporty wardrobe.
Raise your hand if you DON’T want to look sporty and rich? Someone?
Emily Oberg started her Instagram account at age 20, sharing vintage-style images.
A decade later, she runs one of the most desirable fitness lifestyle brands on the planet, a sort of Gen-Z Goop, with in-store spas, a skincare line, coffee table books, and, of course, a fantastically elegant line of products. Retro-minimalist athleisure.
While their caps are a splurge at £49, they’re a staple of the It-girl’s athleisure wardrobe. Sporty & Rich: a brand that does what it says on the label.
ADANOLA
The brand is loved by celebrities such as supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who wears a £46.99 jumpsuit and a £14.99 hat.
Adanola Sock Pack, £21.99. The casual clothing brand was born in Manchester
Have you seen the smart twenty-somethings walking around town wearing oversized sweatshirts, bomber jackets, and joggers?
Probably worn with a shiny ponytail, a baseball cap and a perfect contour? Chances are they’ll be dressed head-to-toe in Adanola, a Manchester-born casual wear brand that courts influencers with great success.
Truly designed sportswear for the street, the brand is loved by celebrities such as Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague and supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who loves it so much she collaborated with the brand on a capsule collection.
Tops include a flattering olive green sports top and matching shorts in a buttery soft fabric.
VARIETY
A £70 pink skort from the ultra-luxe brand created by Brits Lara and Ben Mead
A Varley half-zip jumper that costs £125
London meets Los Angeles in this ultra-luxury brand created by British Lara and Ben Mead, after an inspiring vacation in Santa Monica.
Although the couple’s brand sells yoga leggings and other activewear, it is more sports-inspired than athletic and describes itself as “a fashion brand rooted in movement.”
It’s certainly a fashion brand rooted in wealth, with all the hallmarks of wealthy America, from après-ski alpine sweaters to tennis club skorts, a minimalist palette and simple, understated silhouettes that keep those abs in. secret.