At this point it’s safe to say that luxury fashion has seen a revolution of sorts within the past half decade. From the constant shakeups in creative direction at storied Parisian fashion houses to the advent of online retail, ideals have gradually been shifted and it may not be so much of a bad thing.
One major shift in luxury fashion would definitely be the rise of athleisure clothing and streetwear as the new normal way to dress everyday. Now this shift may be as a response to high fashion fatigue or even the infiltration of hip-hop culture in mainstream media but it’s undeniable that this is a trend that just might be here to stay. It’s such a unique market that finds Valentino and Bottega Veneta competing in the high end sneaker market with Adidas, Nike and Puma.
However, stats aside, the comfort found in loungewear, streetwear and athleisure can actually be in some ways luxurious in the sense that these pieces actually promote an effortless lifestyle; which in a sense is one of the many facets of luxury if not the main one. Making a case for athleisure clothing, it helps that fashion and sportswear brands alike are opting for sleeker styles that not only sport high end designs but also remain functional and responsive to the environment at the same time.
With a focus on comfort and a look of style, athleisure has now become somewhat that mix of aspirational and cool, a lifestyle that encompasses workwear, travel style and relaxing on the weekend.
