Kayla Itsines, the insta-famous Australian fitness guru, said, "Either I'm going to the gym, or I look like I'm going to the gym!" Today, everybody wears fitness clothes, everywhere. It is more than a trend, more than a fad, it is a way of life. Unlike most fashion trends that pop, fizzle and then fade, Athlesiure is here to stay. 
The term Athleisure, combination of the words athletic and leisure, started out as a buzzword, then became a trend word, and is now officially in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Athleisure refers to the style of wearing yoga pants, sweatpants, sports bras and sweatshirts throughout the day, no matter what activity you intend to do. It allows people who work out all the time to always be ready to get their sweat on. And it allows people who have never set foot within a five block radius of a gym to appear as though they are avid gym goers. Athleisure also gives people the freedom to more easily integrate fitness into their busy lives. Athleisure makes it possible to squeeze in that spin class in between your 9 and 11 o'clock meeting or class. Or, in Kendall Jenner's case, hop on a plane and then hop to the gym.
Although we think of Athleisure as a word and style of today, the term actually dates back to 1979, when it was said by John Gehauer, director of advertising for thee Sports Goods Manufacture's Association. In a statement, Gehauer said, "The booming popularity of fitness has given birth to a similar boom in apparel and footwear designed for those who actually participate in sports — and those who just want to look as if they do...The whole Athleisure market is in a state of tremendous growth." So as it turns out, Athleisure has been brewing for quite some time now.
It is rare for a fashion trend to be so popular among so many audiences. Most trends are endorsed and perpetuated by a specific audience, and then goes away once that audience outgrows it. Athleisure however, is different, because it is endorsed by men and women, both young and old. It is unlikely for a millennial and a baby boomer to be shopping at the same stores, but both moms and daughters can be spotted endorsing the lulu logo every day.
It is a phenomenon in fashion, and it can be attributed to our society's cultural shift in being a lot more health conscious and fitness aware. The wearable technology that exists today such as the Apple Watch and the FitBit that have become part of our every day lives. And, let's be real, our FitBits really only look good when we're dressed in workout gear.
The way of life opened up sneakers to the runway. Fashion icons would roll over in their graves if they knew that Chanel had sneakers and sweatshirts in its runway shows. But Ahleisure has infiltrated and thrived in the fashion markets today. You can now buy a $5000 designer hoodie to add to your closet of Athleisure wear.
