Athleisure Is the New Black

Comfortable activewear continues to top the shopping charts

By Jillian Manning | Oct. 15, 2022

The last few years have had more than their share of woes, so it’s only right we get a win: the rise of athleisure.

These are the clothes that can go from bed to the gym, Zoom meetings to errands, and heck, even a night out (or in) with friends. There are no buttons or zippers, no underwire or shapewear. The waistbands are elastic, the pullovers are cozy, and the living is easy.

“During the pandemic, we ended up producing and leaning more into casual athleisure [styles], knowing people were going to be staying home more,” says Nick “Mox” Madrick, chief operating officer for the M22 lifestyle brand. In fact, M22 created its largest product line ever this year, and it’s full of home-office-to-yoga-class staples.

Athleisure is a trend that—thankfully, for us legging lovers—shows no sign of slowing down. Here are the looks local retailers see flying off the shelves, as well as some of the styles they’re anticipating for 2023.

No. 1: Not-So-Fancy Pants
According to Katy Wiesen, co-owner of Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District in Glen Arbor, “Leggings are huge for us. Jogger pants are huge for us … If [women are] going to go shopping, they are in leggings. And then they come in and look for more. ”

Emily Keen, store merchandiser at The Outfitter of Harbor Springs, agrees. “[We] can’t keep enough leggings in stock for our customers.”

The summertime counterpart to leggings, bike shorts, have also been a game changer. Madrick says M22 has seen strong sales for both womens’ leggings and bike shorts, and a quick glance at their website shows the Arcadia Bike Shorts are available, though the Arcadia Legging is out of stock online. (Don’t worry—you can often still find them in stores.)

And if you do want to dress things up a bit, the skort is cooler now than ever. No longer the mullet of bottoms—with business in the front and a party in the back—skorts of the 21st century are styled more like tennis skirts.

“Skorts are huge because they are practical. You have the shorts under so you’re able to go out and do something in them and still look cute,” Keen says.

The appeal for all of the above, according to the experts? Comfort, versatility, and more functionality than a sundress or pair of slacks. Especially when paired with style No 2…

No. 2: Don’t Call It a Fanny Pack…Call It a Comeback
You might still have your neon fanny pack from the ’80s, but it doesn’t look much like what’s on the market today. Sleek, sophisticated “hip packs” or “belt bags” are all the rage.

“They rebranded,” Keen says with a laugh. “People absolutely love those. They kind of stand unmatched, whereas before we’d see lots of backpacks or cute purses. Now it’s all about the belt bag, and I think it stems from people being able to spend more time outside.”

These bags don’t just carry essentials like wallets, phones, and keys, but have been upgraded with more pockets and zippers while still looking…well, stylish. Perhaps that’s why designers took the “fanny” out of “fanny pack.”

“They’re not [wearing] it in the traditional way around their waist anymore. They’re [wearing it like] the crossover body bag, and it’s probably to dress it up a little bit more,” Wiesen adds.

No. 3: Something Cozy
For M22, their biggest seller continues to be their hooded sweatshirts, no matter the season. Madrick says that even their heavyweight Legend Hoodie—a must-have for chilly fall nights—sells throughout the summer.

“We ended up producing more hoods over the past two years … and sales are really strong,” he says. Certain colors of M22’s Classic Hood have been hard to keep on hand thanks to their popularity (and those pesky supply chain issues).

This fall, Keen is already seeing folks stocking up on snuggly wear that can transition from the couch to the trails.

“For fall and winter, we’re seeing a lot of cropped, boxy—you know, a lot less fitted—big, chunky fleeces,” she says. “People are buying these big, cozy fleeces just because [they] want comfort.”

No. 4: Bye-bye, High Heels
Speaking of comfort, few of us are sad to say farewell to sky-high wedges or flat-as-a-board sandals. (Nobody has the arches for those!) Now, footwear makers are adding a little bit more support to their products, Wiesen says.

“The trends in flip-flops and sandals used to be more leather fashion sandals. Now, what do you see people wearing? The more padded sandals with the thicker soles and more comfort.”

Sneakers are keeping pace, with brands like Sorel branching out of boots and OluKai expanding beyond sandals. “They’re saying they’re actually seeing more sales in sneakers than anything else,” Wiesen says of the latter.

At The Outfitter of Harbor Springs this summer, sporty looks went so far as to overtake flip-flops.

“Before, we’ve done more sandals in the summer. It’s been running shoes and other athletic shoes that have just blown up [this past season],” says Keen.

What to Watch
Leggings and bike shorts are here to stay, all our sources agreed. Both Keen and Madrick say walking shorts and hiking shorts are getting a makeover for 2023 to be more stylish while still letting you climb to new heights. Keen is also predicting the skort will give rise to dresses with shorts built in, with designers already showcasing the look for next spring. (Yes, this will be a jumpsuit situation when you have to use the bathroom, so prepare accordingly.)

Next summer, be prepared for more headwear too. Wiesen says trucker hats are back, while Keen points to a resurgence of sun hats, which she says have become “a conversation piece” rather than “the nerdy thing your bald grandpa wears.”

On the sunny side, Madrick mentions that M22’s UPF 50 sun shirts were a big hit this season, and that he expects more “technical” clothing that has both style and function to reign supreme in the year to come.

The bottom line appears to be that shoppers are seeking more laid-back and practical purchases…with a side of softness and stretch. “It seems like comfort is more important. Obviously, we all want to be comfortable,” Wiesen says.

Photo courtesy of M22 and Emily Tewers Photography.