fashion
March 11, 2026
Jess Cartner Morley on fashion: rugby shirts are key to athleisure’s preppy new makeover
No longer under the tyranny of compression fit leggings, today’s athleisure is something looser, with a wink of nostalgia
TL;DR
- Athleisure has transitioned from fashion focused on serious fitness wear to a style emphasizing comfort and leisure.
- The previous era of athleisure was defined by tight, graphic-print leggings and matching sports bras.
- The current trend favors looser pieces like rugby shirts, track bottoms, windbreakers, and fleeces, with a nostalgic and outdoorsy feel.
- Rugby shirts, bridging sport and professional attire, are a key item, symbolizing a move towards preppy chic and institutional references.
- This evolution signifies a broader fashion trend towards conventional power structures, stability, and order, moving away from irony-soaked casual wear.
- Athleisure now prioritizes leisure as the main event, with casual activities like coffee shop visits being central.
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