Over the past few decades, the media has heavily influenced many fashion trends. One common trend seen in the media and the fashion industry is the rise of athleisure. The word is a portmanteau, combining athletic and leisure into one word. Athleisure style is a solution to being comfortable while still looking put together. This style of clothing has taken over sports and closets across the country. Today, two popular athleisure brands include Lululemon and Alo Yoga.

The term “athleisure” was first introduced in the early 2000s. Once being a style only worn in the gym, athleisure clothing quickly became a staple for numerous people to wear in their everyday lives. Additionally, many celebrities were displayed in the media wearing yoga pants and tracksuits. Most notably, Paris Hilton was often photographed wearing a Juicy Couture tracksuit. Hilton and other celebrities redefined the fashion industry into one driven by stylish comfortability. 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the athleisure industry has skyrocketed. With so many people at home, the pandemic led to the shift from officewear to athleisure. In 2021, Lululemon reported that their revenue increased by 61% in the second quarter compared to the previous year. More people were trying to stay comfortable and active in the confining world created by Covid-19. 

Lululemon, first established in 1998, is one of the most popular — and expensive — athleisure brands. They have a wide range of high quality products that are marketed towards women, promoting health and lifestyle improvements. The brand’s most popular items include the Define Jacket, Align leggings, and Scuba. Each of these products come in a wide variety of colors and can easily be matched with different Lululemon items. This encourages customers to purchase an additional piece of clothing that matches the outfit. Lululemon will continue to shape the athleisure industry through their constantly evolving styles and trends. 

Alo Yoga is a more recent athleisure brand that has gained popularity. Alo Yoga is very similar to Lululemon but it has slightly higher prices. The brand originated in California in 2007 and is influenced by Californian lifestyle. While it was established more than a decade ago, the brand caught the public’s eye because of the celebrities styling their clothing. Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift, and Kaia Gerber were all photographed wearing Alo Yoga’s clothing. Their most popular items of clothing include the Accolade Crew Neck Pullover and the Air Lift Line Up Bra. The photographs of celebrities and their trendy clothing resulted in the recent popularity of the athleisure brand. 

Athleisure has taken over the fashion industry. With brands like Lululemon and Alo Yoga, the style will continue to grow and evolve. While fashion trends come and go, athleisure will continue to have a long-lasting impression on the fashion industry.