Activewear
Fashion Influence — how style shapes, and is shaped by, the people who wear it
Activewear blends athletic function with everyday style. This page explains what activewear is, how it differs from sportswear and athleisure, and why performance fabrics matter.
Activewear
What is activewear?
This is clothing that has a combination of athletic purpose along with stylish attributes for general purpose wearing.
Activewear clothing can be worn to exercise or in casual situations without exercise. Activewear is comfortable yet stylish clothing appropriate for physical fitness or relaxation. Although the clothes can be used for general purposes, the original intention for these garments are for the use during exercise. They are designed with function in mind. For example, they may be made with performance fabrics so that they are appropriate for wicking away moisture, stretch, etc.
Activewear fashion provides style
along with comfort so that the wearer can easily transition from the gym to
other activities.
Wearing activewear allows people to be dress appropriate for multiple activities. For example, active people may wish to go for long hikes or casual bicycle rides and then transition directly into going out to dinner or a movie. The activewear is appropriate for many activities and environments.
People who enjoy leading an active lifestyle often prefer to be casually dressed in activewear. This allows them to enjoy outdoor or indoor activities in both comfort and style.
Activewear also includes fashion accessories and footwear of several varieties.
Read activewear fashion blog posts.
Sportswear is a little different than activewear. Sportswear is designed specifically for sports purposes. Yes, the clothing can be worn for other activities, but the intention is for sports activity.
Sportswear and activewear is clothing, including footwear, worn for sport or physical exercise. Sport-specific clothing is worn for most sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons.
Is activewear different than performance wear and athleisure?
Learn more about activewear on the Apparel Search fashion blog.
Learn about other types of athletic fashion.
You can shop for trendy activewear at stores such as Forever 21, Macy's, Nordstrom, and other apparel retailers.
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What to Look for in Activewear
The fabric does most of the work. Moisture-wicking synthetics pull sweat away from the skin so it can evaporate, stretch blends let a garment move through a full range of motion without bagging out, and flat seams reduce chafing during repetitive movement. Cotton feels pleasant for gentle activity and relaxation, but it holds moisture and turns heavy during hard exercise, which is why dedicated workout pieces are rarely pure cotton.
Fit matters in the same practical way. Activewear should stay in place when you bend, reach or run — waistbands that do not roll, leggings that do not go sheer when stretched, tops that do not ride up. Trying a piece through a few squats and stretches in the fitting room tells you more than the size label does. For outdoor activity, add the weather to the checklist: breathable layers for heat, a wind-resistant outer layer for cold, and visible colors or reflective details for low light.
Care is simple but specific. Wash performance fabrics in cool water, skip fabric softener — it coats the fibers and weakens wicking — and air-dry where possible, since high dryer heat breaks down elastic over time. Treated that way, good activewear keeps its stretch and function through many seasons of workouts and everyday wear alike.
Common Questions
What is activewear?
Clothing that combines an athletic purpose with stylish attributes for general wearing. It is designed with function in mind — performance fabrics for wicking moisture and stretch — but looks appropriate for casual situations too.
How is activewear different from sportswear?
Sportswear is designed specifically for a sport. Activewear is broader: made for exercise, but intended to transition into casual daily activities such as errands, travel or a relaxed meal afterward.
What is the difference between activewear and athleisure?
Athleisure leans furthest toward fashion: athletic-looking clothing worn mainly for everyday style. Activewear sits in the middle — genuinely functional for workouts, and styled well enough for the rest of the day.