athleisure
ath-LEEZH-er
/æθˈliːʒər/
A style of casual clothing designed to be worn both for exercising and for general everyday use.
Blends athletic functionality with casual, everyday style, emphasizing comfort, versatility, and modern aesthetics.
The story behind the word. A modern portmanteau combining 'athletic' and 'leisure.' The term first appeared in a 1979 issue of a business journal to describe athletic shoes, but it exploded into the mainstream fashion lexicon during the 2010s to describe the cultural shift toward wearing gym clothes in daily life.
Word relationships
- activewear: Activewear refers generally to clothing designed for physical activities, whereas athleisure specifically emphasizes wearing these clothes in non-sporting, casual social settings.
- formalwear: Formalwear consists of highly structured, traditional clothing worn for official, ceremonial, or professional events.
Commonly confused with
- sportswear: Sportswear historically referred to casual, coordinated daywear, whereas athleisure specifically incorporates high-tech gym clothes into daily fashion.
Collocations
- athleisure trend
- athleisure brand
- athleisure wear
- luxury athleisure
Example sentences
- "The rise of remote work has accelerated the acceptance of athleisure, with many employees choosing comfortable leggings and stylish hoodies over traditional suits." Discussing modern workplace fashion trends.
Memory hook
Combine 'athlete' (someone who works out) and 'leisure' (someone who is relaxing) to get 'athleisure'—the perfect clothes for doing both. Athletic gear for leisure time.
When not to use
Do not use to describe formal business attire, evening wear, or highly specialized, non-casual athletic gear like scuba suits.
Fun facts
- In 2016, the word 'athleisure' was officially added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, cementing its status as a permanent cultural shift rather than a passing fad.
Related words
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