The Ultimate Guide to Athleisure (UK & USA): Best Brands, Styling Advice & Fit Tools

Athleisure—once a trend, now a lifestyle. It’s the fusion of athletic wear and casual fashion, designed to move with you from morning yoga to midday errands to evening social plans. But not all athleisure is created equal. Whether you're shopping from the UK high street or exploring premium US brands, getting the right fit, fabric, and function matters.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore what makes athleisure technically different, which brands offer the best options, how to style your athleisure wardrobe with intention, and why Tellar.co.uk is your essential fit tool for navigating inconsistent sizing across 1,500+ brands.

🧬 1. What Is Athleisure?

Athleisure combines performance fabrics (like spandex, modal, lyocell, and technical knits) with lifestyle-friendly silhouettes. It’s designed for movement, comfort, and everyday style. Think of it as yoga leggings you can wear to brunch or a hoodie that looks tailored enough for a café meeting.

Key Features:

Moisture-wicking and quick-dry
Four-way stretch
Minimal seams and tags
Breathable yet structured
Designed for both workout and casual use

2. Best UK High Street Athleisure Brands

Sweaty Betty (UK)

Functional and fashionable activewear
Famous for their Power Leggings and After Class Sweatshirts
Eco-conscious and inclusive sizing
📌 Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide

M&S Goodmove (UK)

Affordable performance wear with seamless basics and brushed joggers
Great for layering pieces and stretch-knit tees

H&M Move

Trendy silhouettes like cropped tanks, flared leggings, and mesh-panel bras
Soft, comfortable fabrics with a fashion edge

Adanola

Known for muted colour palettes, soft brushed sets, and lifestyle-first fits
Fits more like streetwear with performance capabilities

🇺🇸 3. Best USA Athleisure Brands

Alo Yoga

Known for contouring fabrics and clean silhouettes
Ideal for yoga-to-street outfits—leggings, cropped tanks, and wrap layers

Lululemon

Leader in technical excellence—Align, Wunder Train, and Scuba ranges are icons
Wide sizing spectrum and global reach
📌 Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

Outdoor Voices

Earth-tone palettes and soft ‘CloudKnit’ fabrics
Great for hiking, walking, and casual daywear

Vuori

California-based, known for their DreamKnit joggers and performance tees
Ideal for those who want activewear that feels like loungewear

4. Designer Athleisure Brands (Luxury Options)

The Upside

Australian brand blending high fashion and performance wear
Statement prints, technical fabrics, and elevated sports bras

Varley

UK/US hybrid label offering ribbed knit sets, fleece vests, and fashion-forward pieces
Ideal for layering athleisure into smarter wardrobes

Erin Snow / Live The Process

Premium brands with performance credentials, often worn by fashion insiders

Totême / The Row (Elevated Athleisure)

These designer labels are blending cashmere, silk, and performance into relaxed yet ultra-luxurious silhouettes

5. Athleisure Styling Advice: Function Meets Fashion

Athleisure is more than throwing on leggings. To master it, consider fit, balance, and layers.

✅ Styling Tips:

Mix fitted and oversized: Pair snug leggings with a boxy sweatshirt or cropped hoodie.
Add structured outerwear: A tailored blazer or trench over joggers elevates the entire look.
Stick to one colour family: Monochrome or tonal outfits feel chic and pulled-together.
Add minimal accessories: Crossbody bags, sleek trainers, and matte sunglasses make it intentional.
Blend with other capsules: Layer athleisure with denim, leather, or smart coats.

📌 Read: The Ultimate Guide to SmartCasual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

📌 Explore: The Ultimate Guide to Jeans for Petite Women

🧵 6. Fabric Technologies That Matter

✔️ Performance Fabrics to Look For:

Nulu / Nulux (Lululemon): Ultra-light and buttery
Spacedye (Beyond Yoga): Cloud-soft and smoothing
Tech Sweat (Everlane): Structured and breathable
Modal & Lyocell Blends: Soft, plant-based, and breathable

✔️ Fabric Features:

Moisture Wicking
Odour Control
4-Way Stretch
Breathable Panels
Brushed Interiors (ideal for cool-weather layering)

🧍‍♀️ 7. The Sizing Problem in Athleisure

Here’s the truth: athleisure sizing is wildly inconsistent.

A size M in Lululemon might feel like an S in M&S Goodmove.
Alo Yoga leggings are often shorter in rise than Sweaty Betty.
Old Navy’s XL ≠ Arket’s XL ≠ Adanola’s L.

And this is where Tellar.co.uk makes all the difference.

✅ Introducing Tellar.co.uk

What Is It?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool, matching your unique body measurements to the correct size in over 1,500 fashion brands, in real time.

Why It Works for Athleisure:

Athleisure brands differ in rise height, leg length, stretch %, and compression.
Tellar adjusts for brand quirks, so you get the right fit the first time.

How It Works:

Go to https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/
Enter your bust, waist, and hip measurements or known brand size.
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool → https://www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/
Get your correct size instantly—for brands like Lululemon, COS, Arket, Alo Yoga & more.

📌 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

📌 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide

🎓 Why Tellar Is Different

Always free – no subscriptions or downloads
Honest & unbiased – no affiliate links, no brand bias
Real-time results – works in your browser instantly
Built for women & men – across all shapes and style goals

You shop smarter. You return less. You feel more confident in every fit.

📚 Free Fashion Hub by Tellar

Explore thousands of free posts from stylists on:

Smart layering with athleisure
Sustainable brand comparisons
How to dress your shape confidently
Blending activewear into travel wardrobes

📌 Start with:

Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate Guide

Capsule Wardrobe Essentials

UK vs USA Sizing Guide

📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Styling & Fit Advice

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @Tellar100
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarUK

🔚 Final Word

Athleisure is more than a wardrobe trend—it’s a lifestyle staple. But fit is everything. Whether you prefer high-street joggers or designer technical knits, Tellar.co.uk ensures you get the right size every time.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Try it now: https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/ Instruction on Posts