WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Call us materialistic, but nothing makes us want to workout more than new gym gear, especially if the pieces are as flattering as they are practical. But with such an abundance of activewear choices available, shopping for performance apparel can often be an overwhelming experience.
Enter our list of the 10 best designer activewear brands for 2022, designed to give you a little push, nudge and shove in the right direction.
SOAR
SOAR – a brand founded in 2014 by British multihyphenate Tim Soar – follows the form follows function design principle to form some of the most innovative activewear pieces on the market.
From merino wool-lined elasticated track pants to sweat-wicking 3D-textured weave jackets, each performance piece released by the label is just as suitable for an inner-city marathon as it is for a mountainous hike. In sum, you’re guaranteed to fall in love with Mr Soar’s eponymous label if you're constantly on the move.
Off-White
Contrary to popular belief, Off-White has always been more than a streetwear brand. Under the ever-expanding Off-White umbrella, there are garments for all kinds of purposes – including workout-appropriate pieces.
Naturally, the activewear collection espouses the salient Off-White house codes to add a touch of industrial flair to the practical apparel. In other words, the Milan-based label’s activewear range is embellished with arrows, futuristic fonts and quotation marks.
Reebok x Victoria Beckham
The Reebok x Victoria Beckham collaboration combines the best of both worlds: the former brand brings tried and trusted sports silhouettes, materials and details whilst the latter provides an element of elegance that’s often missing from activewear collections. Together, the two labels have designed a line that one can wear whilst running errands in the AM and running on the treadmill in the PM.
Sweaty Betty
Whether you’re a fan of fun, flamboyant gymwear or low-key activewear looks, Sweaty Betty has you covered. The British brand has kept customers happy ever since it set up shop in 1998 by creating exceptionally made, long-lasting pieces to suit every body type. Talk about an all-rounder.
2XU
2XU is an Oceania-based, Kanye-approved activewear label that creates sleek, sophisticated and resilient performance pieces for amateur and professional athletes. Each cutting-edge garment is designed to pair well with the rest of the collection which makes shopping 2XU a stress-free experience.
Versace
From high fashion fits to hotels to homeware, the Versace empire stretches across manifold realms, and, in recent years, the brand has been paying a lot of attention to its activewear department. Naturally, each motif-adorned, fitness-focused piece screams luxury – from the track jackets to the sports bras to the high-waisted leggings.
P.E Nation
Activewear from Oz has a reputation for being sleek, chic and dependable. Sydney-based brand P.E Nation certainly doesn’t let the team down.
Formed in 2016 by designers Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning, the label has quickly and effectively cemented itself within the world of fashion, and the apparel, usually bold and vibrant, just keeps getting better and better. Who knew gymwear could be so exciting?!
Pas Normal Studios
Pas Normal Studios has all the gear and all the ideas. The Copenhagen-based activewear label employs technical fabrics to create unfussy yet modish pieces that may have been designed with cyclists in mind, but work for anyone who enjoys partaking in physical activities. Clean thoughts only, please.
Fendi
Fendi activewear may have come out of nowhere, but it’s a welcome addition to our lives and our wardrobes, as it provides something for every fitness enthusiast.
Want to brighten up your activewear ensembles? Take a look at the Fendi x K-Way reversible jackets, perfect for injecting some color into your workout style. Looking for something more versatile? Perhaps Fendi’s fish-eye monogram collection is a little more up your alley.
No Ka’ Oi
No Ka’ Oi is a luxury Italian fashion brand with a Polynesian name (No Kai’ Oi means ‘excellent' in Hawaiian). Aptly, the label founded by Simona Finelli amalgamates luxury craftsmanship with wellness ideologies. The result? Pieces that inspire individuals to set aside time in their day for fitness and mindfulness practices.