Athleisure is no longer a passing trend—it's a global wardrobe staple that merges comfort, function, and street-level cool. Whether you're dressing for a coffee run, a flight, or a casual office, athleisure blurs the line between fitness and fashion with versatile pieces that look polished yet feel relaxed. This guide dives into what athleisure truly is, UK vs USA trends, the best high street and designer options, styling tips, and how to find your perfect fit with Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool.
What is Athleisure?
Athleisure refers to multi-functional clothing designed for both athletic activity and everyday wear. Key characteristics include:
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Stretch and movement: garments often made from technical fabrics like elastane, modal, lycra, or dry-fit polyester.
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Minimalist silhouettes: leggings, tanks, soft hoodies, structured joggers.
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Layering: outerwear like bomber jackets, gilets, and trench coats complete the look.
🇬🇧 UK vs 🇺🇸 USA Athleisure: Key Differences
UK Athleisure Style:
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Typically more minimalist and fashion-forward.
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Common brands: Sweaty Betty, Gymshark, Adanola, M&S Goodmove.
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Focus on neutral palettes (black, beige, grey, olive).
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Often styled with trench coats or oversized outerwear.
USA Athleisure Style:
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Bold logos and prints (e.g. Alo Yoga, Lululemon).
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Crop tops and matching sets dominate.
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Often worn with baseball caps, puffer vests, chunky trainers.
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More athletic-focused origins, now widely adopted as everyday wear.
🏷️ Best High Street Athleisure Brands (UK & USA)
UK High Street:
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Adanola – Seamless leggings, clean neutral colourways.
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M&S Goodmove – Accessible, functional, and great quality.
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Next Activewear – Includes plus sizes and maternity options.
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Primark Move – Affordable and fashion-led, ideal for layering.
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Sweaty Betty – A pioneer in UK women’s athleisure; known for bum-sculpting leggings.
🔗 Check out:
What Size Am I in Next? The Ultimate Guide to Next Clothing Sizing
UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts
USA High Street:
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Old Navy Active – Affordable, colourful, and widely size-inclusive.
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Athleta (by Gap) – High performance and lifestyle combined.
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Target All in Motion – Basic but reliable gym-to-coffee looks.
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Aerie OFFLINE – Comfy lounge meets athleticwear.
Best Designer Athleisure Brands
Global Designer Athleisure Picks:
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Alo Yoga – Fashion-led yoga and loungewear, beloved by influencers.
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Lululemon – Technical excellence, perfect fit, premium feel.
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Varley – UK/US hybrid; soft muted tones, feminine silhouettes.
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P.E Nation – Bold colours, athletic retro aesthetic.
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Erin Snow – Sustainable, luxury skiwear meets urban athleisure.
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Nagnata – Zero-waste, luxury knit athleisurewear.
🔗 Read:
The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide
Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts
How to Style Athleisure
Casual Daywear:
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Leggings + oversized shirt + denim jacket + trainers.
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Bike shorts + hoodie + blazer + white sneakers.
Smart Athleisure:
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Ribbed trousers + fine-knit zip-up top + tailored coat.
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Structured joggers + boxy tee + gilet or trench.
Cold-Weather Athleisure:
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Layer base thermals under matching co-ords.
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Add a cropped puffer, wool beanie, and high socks.
🔗 Related:
The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types Instruction on Posts
Fit is Everything – Why Athleisure Demands Precision
Athleisure pieces—especially leggings, bike shorts, and crop tops—are form-fitting. Incorrect sizing can lead to sagging waistbands, sheer fabric under tension, or restricted movement. That’s where Tellar.co.uk steps in.
🔍 What is Tellar.co.uk?
Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool that matches your exact body measurements to the correct size in 1,500+ brands across the UK, USA, and Europe.
Whether you're buying:
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Alo Yoga from the USA
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Reiss athleisure-inspired tailoring
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M&S joggers
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Next sculpt leggings
…Tellar tells you your correct size—based on bust, waist, and hip, not guesses.
🧩 How Tellar.co.uk Works
✔️ Measure once using bust, waist, hip, or a known size from any brand.
✔️ Use the Store Size Lookup to check your precise size for every brand.
✔️ Instant, real-time sizing for COS, Reiss, Adanola, Lululemon, and 1,500+ others.
✔️ Fewer returns, better fit, no guessing.
✔️ Always free, works in-browser—no downloads.
📌 Get started:
– ➡️ Create your free Tellar profile
– ➡️ Use the Store Size Lookup
– ➡️ Download a free printable measuring tape Instruction on Posts
Explore the Free Tellar Fashion Hub
Tellar isn’t just about sizing—it’s a complete fashion content library. Access thousands of free expert posts, covering:
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Sizing advice
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Brand guides
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Body shape styling
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Wardrobe tips
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Material & garment care
All honest. All unbiased. Always free.
Browse the Fashion Hub here:
https://tellar.co.uk/blog/ Instruction on Posts
Further Reading You’ll Love
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The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Tuxedo Suits: Styles, Brands & Fit Instruction on Posts
📲 Stay Connected
Join the Tellar community for:
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Daily fashion insights
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New styling trends
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Fit science updates
Follow us on:
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Instagram: @Tellarsizing
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Twitter/X: @Tellar100
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Facebook: Tellar Sizing
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Pinterest: TellarUK Instruction on Posts
🏁 Final Word
Athleisure isn't just about leggings—it's a lifestyle that blends form, function, and flexibility. Whether you prefer bold American gymwear or sleek British tailoring, there's an athleisure look for everyone. But to wear it well, fit is everything. Use Tellar.co.uk to find your real-time size across every brand you shop, and discover a fashion hub full of expert advice—free, honest, and always unbiased.