Athleisure vs Athluxury, What's The Difference?

In the not-so-distant past, one wouldn’t have dreamt of wearing their gym attire to attend a dinner party or night out, yet in 2022 this has become a near societal norm. It’s no secret that athleisure has taken the fashion industry by storm. With a global market valuation of over $306 billion in 2022, it remains one of the hottest trends in recent years. Many would consider athleisure’s place in the fashion industry as solidified. However, the utmost luxury brands have been dipping their feet into the realm of activewear, establishing a style deemed athluxury.

What is Athluxury?

Athluxury (as you may have guessed) is an upscale take on the athletic style created to bridge the divide between athletic wear and luxury wear. These products are chic and versatile enough in design to be worn to any occasion without being mistaken for one’s gym attire. Unlike the styling you see from prominent athleisure brands like Rhone or Legends, there is a noticeable designer influence when it comes to athluxury despite the somewhat minimal nature of certain pieces. 

Despite being somewhat late to the party, brands like Hermès, Gucci, and Dior, have been expanding into the realm of activewear with astonishing results. As indicated by the fact that a Dior x Jordan basketball shoe collab (with a whopping $2200 price tag) sold out within minutes of release, there is a real market for luxury brands that create upscale activewear.

How Does Athluxury Compare to Athleisure?

Versatility

Athluxury flaunts the athletic style, but the injection of designer flair and price have hindered its use case as true activewear. You would be hard-pressed to see someone wearing a $500 hoodie from the Boss x Russell collection during their morning cardio.

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Exclusivity

As with any luxury item, athluxury carries with it an air of prestige, and exclusivity never before found in athletic apparel. These pieces not only carry much higher price tags than athleisure but are also produced in much smaller quantities.

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Cost

Naturally, athluxury apparel carries a much steeper price than athleisure. This is not without cause however as the manufacturing processes, materials used, and brand equity associated with these pieces all contribute to the final price.

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Trendiness

While athleisure still dominates the wardrobes of both men and women across the globe, the noticeable shift towards athluxury is not to be ignored. The biggest names in activewear (such as Nike and Adidas) have been honing in on a more luxurious vibe with their offerings and collaborations, a trend that shows no signs of stopping. It’s also worth mentioning that some of the biggest names on the red carpet (such as Cara Delevigne and Kaia Gerber) are also rocking the athluxury style. 

Is It Worth Taking The Plunge Into Athluxury?

Despite the alluring nature of athluxury, one must consider the use case for such products before taking the plunge. For example, if you are looking for apparel that boasts contemporary designer looks and quality but with effortless comfort, athluxury may be for you. However, if your goal is to stock your wardrobe with performance-built activewear that can be worn both during your pilates class and on an impromptu coffee run, athleisure may be more your speed.   

Final Thoughts

While the days of athleisure are far from over, athluxury is poised to cause significant disruption within the world of fashion. It’s an exciting transition with immense staying power as shoppers no longer need to choose between designer flair and everyday comfort. 

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