While I can't say for sure that I'll be jumping headfirst into a punishing fitness regime (in fact, nope – count me out), it still stands that a new year lends itself to engaging in a spot of gentle exercise after the indulgence of party season.
Feeling confident in your workout gear is beyond important, what you wear can be instrumental in determining the success levels of your exercise sesh.
Think about it – feeling slightly uncomfortable or self-conscious during a workout is never a vibe, and investing in your activewear is actually a great way of giving yourself some extra motivation.
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How we chose:
- Style and quality: Luxury activewear brands deliver on durability, as well as style, using the very best materials and rigorous testing to create pieces that will stand the test of time.
- Variety: All our picks are by luxury activewear brands - perfect if you're looking to invest. The label's we've highlighted offer pieces suitable for a variety of sports, from running and yoga to skiing and golf.
Hello! Fashion shares the activewear brands have on your radar for 2024:
Adanola
Instagram-friendly athleisure label Adanola is all about "everybody's everyday uniform". The brand only entered the fashion sphere in 2015, but has managed to tap into the zeitgeist of people wearing activewear out and about for everyday tasks as well as in the gym. The baseball caps and oversized sweatshirts are giving Princess Diana off-duty, and I'm here for it.
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Lululemon
Canadian activewear stalwart Lululemon has been around forever (okay, the 90s), and yet it remains the pinnacle of luxury leggings for so many fashion obsessives. The brand's core is rooted in yoga, but it also has some extremely stylish, durable options for runner girlies.
Girlfriend Collective
Sustainable label Girlfriend Collective was founded by husband and wife duo Ellie and Quang Dinh in 2016, borne out of Ellie's frustration at not being able to find eco-friendly activewear. The pieces are created from recycled materials, including plastic bottles and fishing nets.
Live The Process
Barre girlies need to get acquainted with Live The Process. Founded in 2013, the label has a wellness angle to its ethos, promising to support your "continual transformation—on an emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual level". The brand is unrivalled when it comes to chic cut-outs and clean-line cardigans, all with a balletic feel. And don't get me started on the leg warmers. Colour me tempted.
Alo
Yoga-centric Alo was founded back in 2007 in Los Angeles by childhood friends Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge with the intention of creating a line that yogis could wear to "elevate" their practice. Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift catapulted the brand into the street style stratosphere, proving that Alo's pieces aren't to be confined to studio.
J.Lindeberg
Since 1996, J.Lindeberg has worked tirelessly to change the golfing fashion landscape and inject the fairways with a splash of pizzazz, shifting away from stuffiness and convention. The brand has partnered with some of the biggest names in the sport, and represents the height of style for many golfers.
Vuori
Inspired by California's coastal lifestyle, this label aims to inspire people to "live vibrant, healthy lives". With a focus on performance and innovation, the brand is committed to developing new fabrics, some of which are created from recycled materials.
Anine Bing Sport
Fashion insider favourite Anine Bing is perhaps best known for its extremely covetable accessories, but its sportswear selection is second to none. The It-girl must-have? An embroidered-logo baseball cap.
Tory Sport
Tory Sport is great if you're into a smart, preppy vibe. Clean graphic lines, minimalist stripes and high-impact chevrons feature across the board. And yet, where prints are concerned, the look is so considered and cool, and each piece is infused with a glamorous, vintage air. The 1920s-esque tennis dresses honestly just hit different - I want one purely so I can feel like an Agatha Christie debutante, if not for any other purpose.
Lucas Hugh
With a focus on design innovation and perfect fit, Lucas Hugh was the first brand to incorporate the fully-bonded seam- used in Olympic-quality swimwear - into activewear. Cast your mind back to the days of The Hunger Games, the brand's founder Anjhe Marcus was even responsible for designing the training outfits. Look no further for quality, performance-driven leggings.
Sefi
Founded by Stef Williams, British activewear brand Sefi was borne out of the belief that "comfort and confidence shouldn't be compromised". It focuses on meticulously tested fabrics and fits to make your workout as seamless as possible.
Vaara
Founded by Tatiana Korsakova, London-based label Vaara is the capsule wardrobe devotee's activewear dream. The cuts are minimalist and luxe, and the colour palette is decidedly understated. And I am pleased to report that I am extremely tempted by its regular 'Daywear' section.
The Upside
Aussie label The Upside is home to some seriously gorgeous prints, in response to its founder Jodhi Meares' dissatisfaction with "limited, bland" yoga clothing. The prints are lively and luxe, but the brand also excels in mid-priced preppy.
Varley
Founded back in 2015, Varley specialises in pieces that blur the boundaries between everyday pieces and activewear. If your sport of choice involves battling against the elements, you 100% need to check out its extensive outwear, spanning from cosy fleeces to heavy-duty puffer jackets.
Perfect Moment
In my humble opinion holidays are supposed to be hot and languid - the idea of a ski trip sounds hideous. The only factor that could possibly cause me to reconsider? A Perfect Moment après 'fit. Bold, graphic and categorically high impact, a holiday wardrobe packed with its base layers, patterned ski separates and all-in-ones would turn any snowy getaway into an achingly chic affair.
Adidas by Stella McCartney
Sportswear giant Adidas' partnership with Stella McCartney is brilliant for pieces that have an interesting edge. Plus, for eco-warriors, many of its pieces are made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste - plastic bottles for instance - enabling "the highest impact performance" to coincide perfectly with a minimised environmental impact.
Why you should trust me:
Orin Carlin is Hello! Fashion’s SEO Content Writer. Promising to leave no stone unturned in the name of fashion and beauty journalism, she is the proud creator of our ‘Try The Trend’ series. With a particular interest in formula innovation, microtrends, royal and bridal beauty, perfume, rituals, treatments, fashion history and vintage icons, she can either be found interviewing major industry names (previous subjects include Georgia May Jagger, Mary Greenwell and Sam McKnight) or scouring the internet for must-have pieces. It's not just a job; it's a personal quest to unearth noteworthy pieces that resonate with style and beauty enthusiasts.
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