The concept of “athleisure” has been adopted by college students in pursuit of comfort and convenience, long surpassing the boundaries of the gym. What originally started as a fitness trend exploded into the closets of athletes and comfort-seekers alike.

Story by Ibrahim Tanis

Athleisure’s recent boom has made it a rarity to spot anything other than running shoes topped with shorts or sweatpants and a simple top. Perhaps the most eye-catching athleisure wear are the noteworthy running shoes that rocked the market.

Not long ago, running shoes claimed the sole purpose as being a vehicle for exercise. However, its recent allure as an everyday shoe has been increasingly promoted by athletes and celebrities.

The promise of innovative comfort and performance that running shoes offer has quickly attracted a tide of customers globally, and of course University of Texas at Austin students who cannot afford to be late to class, or sacrifice their style.

Whether you’re going for a jog or grabbing a quick cup of coffee, it’s important to put on a quick outfit and get going. ORANGE has a few tips that will help you achieve your task in no time and get your comfy look spot-on at the same time.

When it comes to shoes, companies like Nike and Adidas compete to provide a new level of footwear designed for everyday use. Nike’s Flyknit Lunar shoes capture simplicity and comfort with a variety of designs and color combinations to choose from. The Adidas Ace16+ Pure Control Ultra Boost is a two-in-one running and soccer shoe that has enticed people to seek the same comfort and touch of professionalism that athletes require to improve their game.

It is evident that athleisure isn’t reserved for working out, but is also an outfit that guarantees comfort. A graphic shirt with shorts underneath is the most elementary athleisure option. The shorts can be accompanied by skin-tight undergarments in the form of full-length tights. The undergarments provide warmth and prevent the shorts from slipping while exercising. The focal point of this athleisure look is the choice of footwear. Try pairing this look with colorful running shoes, which add a pop of color to the neutral palette.

For a different look, try a hoodie paired with fitted sweatpants. To achieve a more composed outfit, wear a hoodie and sweatpants from the same brand. The hoodie can be full-front zippered or slip-on, depending on your workout or the look you want to achieve. 

A third way to mix up your athleisure style is to wear Adidas fitted sweatpants. The zipper allows you to fold up your sweatpants for convenience, depending on activity, weather or preference. The variety of colors of the sweatpants makes them easy to pair with any top in your closet. For shoes, match the color of the pant stripes to your footwear. However, some stripe-less versions of the sweatpants with simpler colors like grey and black can be paired with your choice of trainers or running shoes.

The fourth athleisure combo is choosing your favorite team jersey and wearing it with plain colored shorts, long fitted athletic pants or joggers. Your shoes should match the jersey to create a balanced, cohesive look.

With these new, easy and quick combos, comfy yet chic is the new style. Even if you do slip into something in a hurry, you’ll do so in style.