Imagine a Monday morning where getting dressed isn’t a dreaded task, but a joy! The YMCA style movement blurred the lines between smart casual and business formal, proving you can be both stylish and comfortable. In recent years, the concept of ‘work leisure’ has gained traction, challenging the old-school distinctions between gym wear and office attire.
While athleisure has infiltrated the workplace, this says more about the current and future state of the culture in those environments. More and more, it is not only the processes used in business but also the appearance of workers that are becoming more relaxed. People can no longer afford to dress up for work like wearing a suit and a tie to work. When the circumstances of the world meant that the traditional office setting changed drastically, so too did people’s perception of what was considered appropriate attire for the office environment. Earning became important, especially the comfort of employees where they wanted their clothing at the workplace to be as comfortable as what they would wear at home as they questioned their working from home apparels by going back to their official workplaces.
Many brands, including Nike, Lululemon, and Vuori, recognize this change, which has made it easy for the production of versatile attire. These brands know that the current worker requires clothing that is flexible enough to fit an active lifestyle yet remains professional. For example, the Nike Sportswear Phoenix Plush Fleece Half-Zip Top offers you an easy change from a morning workout to business. The shaped form and soft upholstery give it the perfect combination of comfortable and stylish.
The above trend is, however, more profound than just the comfort aspect but has aspects to do with personalities as well as functionality. Athleisure enables people to wear appropriate clothes to work while having comfortable wear that represents their life interests. The G4Free Wide Leg Yoga Pants with upper thigh contour provide supreme stretch and a buttery touch, perfect for this dual-purpose design. It’s hard to describe them as anything but a cross between tailored trousers and your coziest sweatpants – perfect for work leisure dressing.
Check out these G4Free Yoga Pants: priced at $25.91 with a 4.3-star rating from over 3,700 reviews on Amazon. Made from a blend of 81% polyester and 19% spandex, these pants are hand-washable and designed for comfort. One delighted customer raved, ‘Wow – that is the best way to describe these pants. The quality is 10/10. The feel is buttery soft, even my yoga pants aren’t this soft.’ They also noted how versatile they are, perfect for dressing up with heels or down with sneakers, and praised the deep, rich black color that doesn’t look too shiny. She wore them to work, and ‘Nobody could tell they were not dress pants. Plus I was comfortable all day!!’ She found the medium size to be a ‘perfection’ at 140 lbs.
However, athleisure isn’t only a question of clothing look but also one of health and fitness. Many organizations are suggesting the idea of making people at work get up and move around more often. This is because employees who dress in such samples as the hikerkind Ribbed Merino Turtleneck, which can be worn in a working environment and equally on a hike, are encouraged to embrace health-enhancing activities such as trafficking or cycling to work.
The idea of work leisure is not limited to individual items of clothing but to all outfit pairings, so a mix between casual and business formal is acceptable. For instance, a Quince Tencel Jersey Ruched Waist Dress worn with a blazer suits the corporate world’s casual Fridays best. This dress is not only fashionable, but I also like its versatility, some of which is the incorporation of a pocket that appeals to the office culture. Likewise, the Beyond Yoga Featherweight At The Ready Square Neck Dress can be easily transformed and worn to the office with just a cardigan and flats.
Before we leave work leisure fashion, here are five garment types that a modern professional should not live without. It also continues a suitably office-appropriate, clean, and polished look while also providing comfort in those items. So let’s discuss some key items and ways to wear work leisure that protect this world from too sudden a transition from casual to professional.
Landing first on the list are the versatile slacks, blazers, and trousers that can be dressed up but have the comfort of sweatpants. You can take an example with Spanx, the perfect pant wide leg. These pants are meant to give you smoothness in all the appropriate areas, but unlike regular leggings, they are similar to sweatpants. It is available in various sizes, and an individual is guaranteed a good fit without having to get it tailored. Coupled with a form-fitting blouse or a well-fitted blazer and some simple flat shoes – and voila – you have yourself an elegant and put-together outfit that’s perfect for the casual workplace.
Dresses are another great piece that you could incorporate into your work and wear some for athleisure. For instance, the Beyond Yoga Featherweight Square Neck Dress is comfortable like your pajamas but appears like you are dressing professionally. Its square neckline makes it a little formal and, therefore, appropriate to be worn at workplaces. Throw on a cardigan or blazer, and you will be ready for an office in style while not appearing too flashy.
Another must-have is versatile tops—the kinds that can be worn from swimming or cycling to the office. The Hikerkind Ribbed Merino Turtleneck is an excellent one. It is crafted from a superfine Merino wool blend, so you will feel fresh and comfortable all day. This turtleneck is best worn with a skirt or some tailored pants teamed with a bright blazer for a smart work look that can easily be translated to a relaxed dining affair.
Introducing the Hikerkind Ribbed Merino Turtleneck for $98.00, crafted for ultimate cold-weather comfort. This durable turtleneck is made from a superfine Merino wool blend (32% Merino wool, 65% CDPL, 3% elastic), offering natural moisture-wicking and temperature regulation. Its high neck, long sleeves, and close fit make it ideal for layering, whether you’re on a rugged trek, exploring the city, or anything in between. The fabric feels super soft and non-scratchy, is machine-washable, and boasts impressive resistance to abrasion and pilling. Plus, it features natural antimicrobial and odor-controlling properties, all within a 6.9 oz midweight shirt made from OEKO-TEX® certified Sportwool™ material.
Jackets and coats will also always come in handy for those fluctuating office temperatures or that morning traffic heat. This Vuori piece will serve you right when it comes to layering clothing; this is the Mackenzie Shirt Jacket. It is made from 100% cotton, and the style is described as an ‘On-Trend Relaxed Fit’, which means you’ll be able to remain as comfortable as you’ll be warm. This can be worn over just any clothing and gives you expensive looks without the Independent Sixties feel of the heavy corduroy material.
Never does the adage ‘shoes can change an outfit’ ring more accurately, and in the world of work leisure – comfort is queen. Ideally, try to find sneakers that are white and not very overt in their design – some options produced by Cole Haan will do nicely. There is support for walking through a long day in them while looking entirely professional through their leather-faced GrandPro Topspin Sneakers, complete with cushioned soles.
So before you style these pieces for the office, there are a few things to consider to avoid bordering on improper business casual attire. Stick strictly to plain neutrals like black, grey, navy blue, etc. it makes them look neat and professional. Layering is also essential; underneath a blazer or a button-down shirt, a casual hoodie or joggers can become appropriate for work. A fashionable watch or a neat belt could also make the outfit more business-like, effectively finishing off the ensemble.
Mastering work leisure is all about finding that perfect balance between your professional responsibilities and personal comfort. You want to feel polished and ready to tackle any challenge the workday throws your way, and these tips will help you rock athleisure wear in the office with confidence and flair.
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