Is Athleisure the New Menswear Staple?
When the weekend comes around, it’s time to unwind—and for many celebrities, that means dialing into laid-back, sports-inspired style. Combining comfort with flair, the athleisure aesthetic has become a go-to off-duty uniform, effortlessly merging casual ease with modern fashion sensibilities. But how exactly do you infuse athletic elements into your everyday wardrobe without sacrificing style?
In recent years, sport-infused fashion has evolved into a full-blown trend, particularly the fashion-forward “athleisure” wave that seamlessly bridges gym wear and streetwear. Its popularity lies in its incredible versatility. Whether it’s a hoodie layered under a windbreaker or a sweatshirt paired with a classic cap, male stars are making this relaxed aesthetic work beyond the gym—adding intentional layering, thoughtful color palettes, and a touch of streetwear swagger.
Take BTS’s Jin, for instance—global ambassador for Alo Yoga—who keeps it sleek with a monochromatic charcoal workout set. The uniform color palette lends a streamlined vibe, while low-top sneakers ground the look in casual chic. Or consider a simple combo like a beige tee under a black leather jacket, finished with a grey-and-black cap—clean, minimal, and subtly edgy.
If black, white, and grey feel too predictable—especially for those rocking lighter hair shades—look to TXT’s Beomgyuand his mint-green Adidas windbreaker, a bold choice that makes blonde hair pop. Seventeen’s Mingyu offers another lesson in tonal contrast: his all-black ensemble provides the perfect canvas for highlighting vibrant hair color.
Byeon Woo-seok, the South Korean’s heartthrob, leans into warm tones with an oversized embroidered sweatshirt layered over a plain white tee, paired with baggy jeans. The overall vibe? Low-maintenance, high-impact. No need for overly styled hair—just effortless charm. Meanwhile, Eric opts for American cool with a bold black logo hoodie and a backwards cap, both staples of the boyfriend-aesthetic playbook.
For a more streetwise edge, Hyunjin brings serious urban energy, pairing a black-and-white windbreaker with washed-out denim and a knit beanie. A scarf adds an extra layer of depth and warmth, pulling the look together.
Comfort and cool remain at the core of athletic-inspired fashion—and high fashion has taken note. At the Fall/Winter 2025 menswear shows, major houses injected fresh energy into their collections with sport-luxe pieces. Think: Balenciaga’s black-and-white fitted zip-up hoodies, Rick Owens’ artfully distressed oversized sweatshirts, or Egonlab’s dramatically ruched windbreaker suits. Each label offers its own spin on sporty style, proving that function and flair can—and should—coexist.
Whether you’re running errands or sitting front row at Fashion Week, the new sportswear ethos is clear: Stay comfortable, stay stylish, and make it look effortless.
