Athleisure pieces that will actually elevate your looks but keep you comfortable in the hot weather.
Here’s the thing – most athleisure looks great on Instagram and falls completely flat in real life. When you are running around, and trying to look cute in comfortable clothes, athleisure always comes to mind. For a good reason.
But we all know wearing that biker shorts and tshirt (I will pop in a pic of mine from 8 years ago at the end of this post, I did it too) and think we look great. As a 40 year old millennial, we can do better. We are spending so much money on everything else, buying those expensive Lululemon biker shorts, but not on better athleisures that can easily elevate our outfits.
I have style tips on how you can elevate your athleisure looks, but you need to start from the right wardrobe essentials to begin with.
What Makes for a Good Summer Athleisure Essential?
Atleisure clothes are meant to be relaxed and comfortable to wear. They also give you an effortless look. A lot of us think leggings or biker shorts are athleisure and they are not.
I mean, you always wear what you want, no pressure. But if you are reading this post or on this website you are looking for a shortcut to put together style.
But in summer weather a hoodie or a leggings will not account for a good and comfortable summer athleisure piece. They will make you sweat. The key is to find pieces that you can wear and stay cool in the hot weather and also are comfortable in.
Here are some key factors:
- Breathable fabric that will keep you cool throughout all your summer activities.
- Structured style that will look elevated even if its a casual piece
- They need to look nice. You don’t look like you just woke up in it.
- Relaxed fit, because you don’t it to be too tight that you suffocate in the heat. We all know that’s too uncomfortable in the heat.
So, let’s get started with finding the right Athleisure pieces.
Summer Athleisure Essentials That Look Stylish
Rugby Shirts
These are also known as Polo shirts. You will find rugby shirts in long sleeve mostly. They have thicker color blocking stripes and are relaxed fit. But the collar details is what makes it a smart clothing item to wear.
You can wear it with jeans or even shorts and still look put together. The collars are the key.
These also come in narrow stripes, but these color blocking ones look perfect when you are paring them with athleisure bottoms. They add a touch of color to your basic bottoms. And the colors look interesting. I would always prefer relaxed fit ones, but you can also pic fitted ones to create a dressed up look.
Short Sleeve Half Zips
Half zips or famously coined Quarter zips have become every New Yorkers must have after Chanel debut it last year in the Spring Summer fashion show. But there is a good reason these classics still look good. And when the temperatures are soaring simply pick a short sleeve half zip in cotton or open knit fabric.
The half zip style is really versatile and these are my favorite tops when I am in a rush in the morning for a zoom meeting and need to look put together. when you unzip half way, the fabric drops into a collar that instantly elevates your outfit. And if you feel cold you can turn it into a turtleneck.
And the short sleeve version are great summer athleisure essential. Pair it with your favorite casual bottoms to create an elevated yet relaxed look whether you are running errands or working from home.
You can pick Half zip sweats or in other fabric as well.
Henley Tees
If you don’t already own this, now is the time. These are the best casual tees that still look elevated and perfect for athleisure looks that don’t look like you got out of the gym.
The button details look elevated but they are basically just t-shirts. These are perfect athleisure essentials for hot days when your skin wants to breathe. You don’t have to stop there. These also look great for work and your everyday life.
Now you can confidently wear athleisure daily, just kidding.
I love the striped henley tops because they look more polished than the plain one, but if you love athleisure, grab them in all styles. They will be your summer staples, travel staples. You name it.
Wide Leg Stretch Pants
These are amazing leggings alternatives that will elevate your overall look. If you haven’t already bought one, you definitely need to. These are not more pricey than your Lululemon leggings, but they definitely look luxe than them.
And these hug your body like the leggings around places where you want them to. But the wide leg style gives you the effortless style look that a trouser will do.
That is why these have become a staple in every activewear brands collection. Spend the same money on a pair of these from your favorite athletic store and you will thank me later.
And in stretch fabric like leggings these stretch pants are comfortable to wear in the hot weather as well.
Utility Pants
As Millennials we know them as Cargo pants and these are perfect summer athleisure basics that are stylish and actually functional. The reason we all love athleisure clothes is because we want it to functional and these utility pants do that for us.
With the pocket details, the pants look casual but the wide leg style gives you a polished look. I bought a silk pant in this style and I love them. So, don’t hesitate to try them in other fabrics. But if you want to stick with stretchy fabric for summer, that’s also fine.
The only shades I will ask you to avoid are Camo style. While these are trending but they don’t look polished and that’s the goal here.
Wide Leg Shorts
Shorts are an essential for summer and a great athleisure basics. But these are not your biker shorts that feel like you are going to the gym. And honestly ladies while these look amazing on social media photos, we all have seen each other up close wearing them in public. They do not look cute when your turned around or walking bending and all that.
It does not give you a polished look. Instead pick wide leg shorts that are mid thigh length, not longer and not shorter. These have the right length so you can sit and do all activities without the shorts completely rising up.
And the wide leg style adds a polished touch to your outfit. These are perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to wear long pants.
Skorts
We all want to wear skirts and aline skirts look athletic like you are headed to a tennis match. But just the skirt can be a bit revealing if you are not paying attention.
But thank god we have skorts. These have built in shorts that are hidden and have the perfect length to not embarrass you when a strong breeze fly away your skirt.
The aline style looks athletic for all you ladies who want that look. But at the same time they look polished. There is a reason we love how the tennis players look.
Pair them with the tops above and you have an awesome athelisure summer outfit.
Open Knit Jacket
Even though it’s hot out, a third layer completes your outfit and comes in handy when you step into somewhere the air conditioner is blasting. But a hoodie feels too thick to wear. I love the open knit jackets that are perfect summer athleisure outerwear.
The open knit style keeps you cool even if you are wearing knitwear. And the open knit pattern feels casual and laid-back. These are an awesome summer basic for your athleisure looks. You can pick a zipped one, or you can also add cardigans that look chic and yet casual.
You can pair with shorts or add to your pants outfit and dress up the look. And when you don’t want to wear it, just throw it over your shoulders for a laidback leisure look.
Collared Nylon Jacket
The nylon jackets are water repellent and wrinkle resistant and perfect staple for summer athletic looks, but not all of them look polished and sophisticated.
The collared nylon minimal jackets look polished and are really versatile as well. You can wear them to work with your athleisure work outfit. Or you can throw it on a smart casual look.
These are essential for your athletic activities as well. But they also are great for everyday outfits where you don’t want to stress about the jacket getting crushed through when you tie it around your waist or throw it in the backseat of your car while running errands.
The collar details and structured silhouette elevates your athleisure outfits as well.
Sporty Long Dress
Summer time is dress time and the best way to rock athleisure looking chic are wearing dresses. Sporty style dresses are perfect athleisure pieces you can rock whener it’s hot. They are comfortable and are made out of stretch cotton or jersey that feels breathable and comfortable to move around.
But the key is to find dresses that you can easily look put together in, not your basic tshirt dresses. I used to love them too, but there straight silhouette makes it hard for us grown women to look flattering in.
Women often look boxy and if you have a belly pooch, it’s highly visible.
But a fit and flare style dress is perfect. It hides your tummy and looks chic and feminine.
Chunky Slides
Instead of wearing flip flops when it’s too hot to wear shoes, pick these chunky slides that look elevated and with the chunky soles they are comfortable to walk in as well. These are the best athleisure basics to swap your flimsy flip flops with.
Now, I am never going to recommend Birkenstocks because they are really ugly and do nothing for you. And for someone who has tried them, the are not even comfortable. There are plenty of Birkenstocks alternatives that you can pick which look stylish and are comfortable as well.
And you don’t need a lot of them just pick a shade that you will normally always wear and you have an alternative athleisure footwear for days you don’t want to wear sneakers.
Sneakers
I am not referring to your gym shoes or running shoes. These don’t look polished as well. As a grown woman I would only wear them if I am actually doing any physical activity.
And why should you? There are so many comfortable sneakers that are stylish too. I prefer white leather sneakers, they are essentials for all year round and you can wear them anywhere, travel, work and daily wear as well. These are the athleisure basics that elevate your outfits and make them look expensive.
And if you want some patterned sneakers, the a minimal pattern sneakers like Adidas sambas would be great alternative to wear as well.
How to Wear These Essentials Together
You don’t need to just wear these essentials only. The goal is to use these summer athleisure basics with your existing closet to create stylish athletic looks that are polished.
But if you want to wear these essentials only here is how I will wear them:
1 Fitted Piece + 1 Relaxed Piece + 1 Elevated Piece
And you can use this outfit formula to combine these essentials with your everyday closet as well.
What Athleisure Pieces Not To Wear
You already know what I would not recommend you wear outside if you want to look put together, but here is the list for you:
- Biker shorts
- cropped spagetti tops
- Just sports bra
- Running shoes
- Birkenstocks (unless you are going swimming)
- Activewear tops with brand logos
- Itty Bitty shorts
- Flip flops
As promised here is my 2019 outfit with biker shorts. What was I thinking 🙂
