It’s safe to say that women’s clothing has not always been created with comfort in mind (corsets or heels, anybody?) And that may be why we are so excited about athleisure. Its lasting look of today is just the latest version of American sportswear, which began a century ago, when it included interchangeable separates worn by players and spectators. Fast forward to the 70s when these options were produced in Lycra, spandex, nylon, and other synthetic fibers. Lululemon took the look to another level in late 90s by turning “gym’ clothes into “out-of-gym” fitness status statement. But the real peak of athleisure’s virtues came during the pandemic when brands became more focused on material and function and every woman embraced the idea that casual can be chic. Today, the look is omnipresent though not always easily attainable. “From lunges to lunches, trenches are my “go-to” for looking pulled together in a fashionable flash and dash,” explains Kimmie Sussman, Aventura Mall’s stylist extraordinaire, who shows us how to put together an elevated and contemporary athleisure. “Layer over an easy and simple unitard and pair that with a designer sneaker and some oversized sunnies. There is nothing “locker room” about this look.” Here is how she goes from a downward dog to a lunch with the girls on the fly.
