What Is Activewear Clothing？
16 Oct 2023
The first clothing women adopted as activewear was a beach ensemble of a short dress without a corset and loose pants. A little later came the pant skirt, designed for cycling. Gradually, girls began to wear workout clothes in everyday life, as well as tights, voluminous T-shirts, headbands, and baseball caps. Ten years later, suits came into fashion — it was almost a universal wardrobe item that went to work, to friendly meetings, and to the store. Girls preferred tights and colored tights, sweatshirts, and bandanas. Men happily wore slouchy t-shirts, T-shirts, jeans-waistcoats, and sneakers.
The middle of the 19th century was a turning point in forming sports - communities and different directions appeared. Both men and women became interested in sports. And if the clothes of the first were allowed to creep around the stadium or field, the girls had a hard time—puffy dresses were not comfortable, restrained movements.
Activewear plays an important role in the lives of active people, whether they are professional athletes or lovers of a healthy lifestyle. Its features and functionality allow you to achieve comfort, support, and safety during physical activity. Let's explore what sportswear is and more!
The middle of the 19th century was a turning point in forming sports - communities and different directions appeared. Both men and women became interested in sports. And if the clothes of the first were allowed to creep around the stadium or field, the girls had a hard time—puffy dresses were not comfortable, restrained movements.
Activewear plays an important role in the lives of active people, whether they are professional athletes or lovers of a healthy lifestyle. Its features and functionality allow you to achieve comfort, support, and safety during physical activity. Let's explore what sportswear is and more!
Activewear Defined
Activewear clothing is special clothing and footwear designed for sports activities that provide comfort, support, and safety when performing physical activities. The main purpose of activewear clothing is to improve athletic performance and prevent possible injuries. It should be comfortable, allowing free movement and a variety of movements, as well as wicking moisture away from the body to maintain optimal temperature.
Depending on the sport, activewear clothing may have different characteristics. For example, for athletics, lightweight and stretchy clothing is often used to maximize the athlete's potential. For swimming, a swimsuit or trunks made of a material that provides less resistance in the water are usually used. Activewear clothing can also be a distinguishing feature of a team or group of athletes. Often the team name, sponsor logos, and the athlete's last name can be seen on the uniform.
The seasonality and conditions of sporting activities are also of great importance when choosing a sports uniform. In summer, lightweight and breathable clothing is preferred, while in winter, warm and protective against cold and moisture. When choosing a sports uniform, pay attention to its quality, look for the presence of the necessary accessories (e.g., pockets or hoods), and make sure that it has the right size and does not constrict movements.
In general, activewear clothing is an important part of a sporting lifestyle and helps you not only look professional but also feel confident and comfortable during training and competition.
Depending on the sport, activewear clothing may have different characteristics. For example, for athletics, lightweight and stretchy clothing is often used to maximize the athlete's potential. For swimming, a swimsuit or trunks made of a material that provides less resistance in the water are usually used. Activewear clothing can also be a distinguishing feature of a team or group of athletes. Often the team name, sponsor logos, and the athlete's last name can be seen on the uniform.
The seasonality and conditions of sporting activities are also of great importance when choosing a sports uniform. In summer, lightweight and breathable clothing is preferred, while in winter, warm and protective against cold and moisture. When choosing a sports uniform, pay attention to its quality, look for the presence of the necessary accessories (e.g., pockets or hoods), and make sure that it has the right size and does not constrict movements.
In general, activewear clothing is an important part of a sporting lifestyle and helps you not only look professional but also feel confident and comfortable during training and competition.
What Pieces Of Clothing Are Made As Activewear?
Activewear clothing includes various elements that meet the needs of different sports. For example, for running, lightweight and breathable T-shirts, moisture-wicking shorts and cushioned sneakers are important. For training in the gym, elastic leggings, T-shirts with reinforced seams, and special sneakers for foot support are useful. Winter sports require warm, hard-wearing jackets, pants, and accessories that will protect against cold and moisture. Let's take a closer look:
T-shirts and tops: T-shirts and tops for sports activities are usually made of lightweight and breathable materials such as polyester and nylon. They provide ventilation and moisture wicking, allowing your skin to breathe and stay dry during workouts. Some sports shirts also have technologies that help cool the body and reduce sweating.
Shorts and leggings: Athletic shorts and leggings are usually made of stretchy and quick-drying materials such as spandex and polyester. They provide freedom of movement and muscle support and have built-in technologies that improve ventilation and comfort.
Jackets and vests: Jackets and vests for sporting activities, known as activewear, often have water-repellent and wind-proof properties. They are made of lightweight and insulating materials such as polyester and nylon and may have insulation to protect against cold. Jackets and vests also often have special vents to regulate temperature during activity.
Sneakers and shoes: Sneakers and athletic shoes are designed to provide comfort, support, and protection for the foot during physical activity. They usually have cushioning and soles with good traction to prevent slipping and injury. The upper of the sneakers may be made of breathable and stretchy materials such as textiles and mesh to provide ventilation and comfort.
Accessories: Sports accessories include headscarves, gloves, socks, support belts, and other additional items. They may be made of special materials with ventilation, wetting, and usability properties.
Activewear clothing is suitable for different places and situations related to physical activity. It can be a gym, stadium, swimming pool, jogging trail, or just a street workout. Due to its functionality and style, activewear clothing can also be comfortable and suitable for everyday use, especially in the case of an active lifestyle.
T-shirts and tops: T-shirts and tops for sports activities are usually made of lightweight and breathable materials such as polyester and nylon. They provide ventilation and moisture wicking, allowing your skin to breathe and stay dry during workouts. Some sports shirts also have technologies that help cool the body and reduce sweating.
Shorts and leggings: Athletic shorts and leggings are usually made of stretchy and quick-drying materials such as spandex and polyester. They provide freedom of movement and muscle support and have built-in technologies that improve ventilation and comfort.
Jackets and vests: Jackets and vests for sporting activities, known as activewear, often have water-repellent and wind-proof properties. They are made of lightweight and insulating materials such as polyester and nylon and may have insulation to protect against cold. Jackets and vests also often have special vents to regulate temperature during activity.
Sneakers and shoes: Sneakers and athletic shoes are designed to provide comfort, support, and protection for the foot during physical activity. They usually have cushioning and soles with good traction to prevent slipping and injury. The upper of the sneakers may be made of breathable and stretchy materials such as textiles and mesh to provide ventilation and comfort.
Accessories: Sports accessories include headscarves, gloves, socks, support belts, and other additional items. They may be made of special materials with ventilation, wetting, and usability properties.
Activewear clothing is suitable for different places and situations related to physical activity. It can be a gym, stadium, swimming pool, jogging trail, or just a street workout. Due to its functionality and style, activewear clothing can also be comfortable and suitable for everyday use, especially in the case of an active lifestyle.
Which Materials / Fabrics Are Used To Make Activewear?
Special requirements are imposed on fabrics for the manufacture of activewear clothing for professionals and amateurs. Materials must have a set of special properties and characteristics. Let's understand in detail what fabric is used to sew tracksuits. Materials are selected in accordance with the following requirements:
1.Elasticity. Active movements accompany all types of training. It is because of this that fabrics should have sufficient stretchability.
2.Hygroscopicity. Under heavy loads, the human body releases moisture. To make training comfortable, fabrics should absorb excess moisture and remove it from the outside for further evaporation.
3.Breathability. The material should easily allow air to pass through so that the athlete's body can breathe even under conditions of intensive training.
4.Thermal insulation. During training outdoors or in the water, it is important to responsibly protect the body from hypothermia.
5.Durability. The tracksuit should not lose its shape under any, even very heavy loads, and be resistant to tearing and abrasion.
6.Unpretentiousness. The properties of the material should allow you to easily remove dirt, dry quickly, and do not require frequent ironing.
7.Aesthetic. The fabric should look attractive, have a beautiful color, and be pleasant to touch texture.
1.Elasticity. Active movements accompany all types of training. It is because of this that fabrics should have sufficient stretchability.
2.Hygroscopicity. Under heavy loads, the human body releases moisture. To make training comfortable, fabrics should absorb excess moisture and remove it from the outside for further evaporation.
3.Breathability. The material should easily allow air to pass through so that the athlete's body can breathe even under conditions of intensive training.
4.Thermal insulation. During training outdoors or in the water, it is important to responsibly protect the body from hypothermia.
5.Durability. The tracksuit should not lose its shape under any, even very heavy loads, and be resistant to tearing and abrasion.
6.Unpretentiousness. The properties of the material should allow you to easily remove dirt, dry quickly, and do not require frequent ironing.
7.Aesthetic. The fabric should look attractive, have a beautiful color, and be pleasant to touch texture.
Natural Materials
Cotton. Activewear clothing made of cotton is durable, well transmits air, looks nice, and does not irritate the skin. But for active training cotton is still not suitable. It absorbs moisture like a sponge and takes a long time to dry: after 10-15 minutes of exercise, the fabric will become wet. Moreover, cotton will be so soaked with sweat that it will be very difficult to "wash out" the unpleasant odor. Plus cotton quickly wrinkles, stretches, loses color, and "grows" lint.
Wool and cashmere. Wool and cashmere are also used for sewing activewear clothing. These are mostly super soft and cozy suits and leggings for yoga. Such things are very pleasant for the body and provide the necessary thermoregulation and ventilation, but they are not suitable for intensive training. Also, wool and cashmere are always expensive and difficult to care for.
Silk. In pure form for activewear clothing, silk is not used. But it is often added to other materials for an attractive appearance.
Wool and cashmere. Wool and cashmere are also used for sewing activewear clothing. These are mostly super soft and cozy suits and leggings for yoga. Such things are very pleasant for the body and provide the necessary thermoregulation and ventilation, but they are not suitable for intensive training. Also, wool and cashmere are always expensive and difficult to care for.
Silk. In pure form for activewear clothing, silk is not used. But it is often added to other materials for an attractive appearance.
Synthetic Materials
Polyester. In fact, the most popular sports fabric. It cannot be otherwise: polyester is "unkillable": it does not wrinkle, does not fade, dries instantly, is resistant to stains and wear, and holds its shape to the last. Clothing made of polyester is maximally attractive: soft, light, pleasant to touch, and bright. No wonder 90% of the sports range is polyester.
Elastane (lycra or spandex). Elastane (other names – spandex, lycra) is a synthetic polyurethane material with properties similar to rubber rubber. That is, it is very elastic and flexible – it can stretch several times and return to its initial shape in seconds. During training, activewear clothing made of elastane does not constrict movements, fits like a mold, breathes well, and removes moisture. And after exercise, it's ready to withstand multiple washings.
Nylon. Nylon has a very high resistance to wear, does not wrinkle, dries quickly, does not burn, and repels moisture. However, nylon is completely impermeable to air, so it is sewn mainly in outerwear.
Polyamide. Another very pleasant material that guarantees complete comfort during your workout. Polyamide is durable (it does not know what scuffs are), it is breathable, does not cause discomfort in contact with the skin, holds its shape (you do not have to worry that your knees will stretch out), stretches well, and can be washed obediently. The only disadvantage of polyamide is the accumulation of static electricity: the fabric sometimes "sparks".
Fleece. Fleece is a synthetic analog of wool. Hence the name fleece, which means "wool", "sheepskin", and "or fleece". Inventing fleece in 1979, the inventors set the task to create a material that would keep warm as well as real wool. As a result, fleece exceeded all expectations: it turned out to be unpretentious, quick-drying, elastic, hypoallergenic and has insulating properties even when wet. Therefore, it is used to sew comfortable sweatshirts and sweatshirts.
Elastane (lycra or spandex). Elastane (other names – spandex, lycra) is a synthetic polyurethane material with properties similar to rubber rubber. That is, it is very elastic and flexible – it can stretch several times and return to its initial shape in seconds. During training, activewear clothing made of elastane does not constrict movements, fits like a mold, breathes well, and removes moisture. And after exercise, it's ready to withstand multiple washings.
Nylon. Nylon has a very high resistance to wear, does not wrinkle, dries quickly, does not burn, and repels moisture. However, nylon is completely impermeable to air, so it is sewn mainly in outerwear.
Polyamide. Another very pleasant material that guarantees complete comfort during your workout. Polyamide is durable (it does not know what scuffs are), it is breathable, does not cause discomfort in contact with the skin, holds its shape (you do not have to worry that your knees will stretch out), stretches well, and can be washed obediently. The only disadvantage of polyamide is the accumulation of static electricity: the fabric sometimes "sparks".
Fleece. Fleece is a synthetic analog of wool. Hence the name fleece, which means "wool", "sheepskin", and "or fleece". Inventing fleece in 1979, the inventors set the task to create a material that would keep warm as well as real wool. As a result, fleece exceeded all expectations: it turned out to be unpretentious, quick-drying, elastic, hypoallergenic and has insulating properties even when wet. Therefore, it is used to sew comfortable sweatshirts and sweatshirts.
Combination Materials
Cotton+ polyester. For decades, sports manufacturers have ignored cotton because it absorbs moisture. But modern technology has allowed this fabric to still fit into activewear. When polyester fibers are added to cotton, the resulting material no longer retains moisture: it evaporates quickly and the body breathes. The combination of cotton and polyester gives that feeling of comfort that is so important in a workout.
Stretch Cotton. This is a blend of the same cotton but with elastane, which adds elasticity and strength to the natural fabric and helps it wrinkle less.
Stretch Cotton. This is a blend of the same cotton but with elastane, which adds elasticity and strength to the natural fabric and helps it wrinkle less.
How To Style Activewear?
One of the most winning options in the fashion world is the combination of casual style with sporty style, also known as activewear clothing. For example, the latest fashion trend is hoodies. An incredibly comfortable loose-fitting hooded sweatshirt that can be combined with simple jeans, sports pants, or worn over a dress. A kind of sport-chic creates the image of a fashionista who carefully follows fashion trends.
Modern sports style does not limit fashionistas in choice, successfully combining different styles, which will be appropriate both in the office and at the party. The main features:
1．All clothing and shoes are characterized by practicality and comfort.
2．Layered outfits are used.
3．Carelessness, as if you just got out of bed and were in a hurry.
4．Use of multicolored outfits.
5． Mandatory use of accessories – from caps to patch pockets.
There are a few activewear fashion rules that should be adhered to:
1．Combining a dress with a floral pattern and sneakers, try to make sure that the shoes are in the tone of the dress: monochrome or with a pattern.
2．Sports jackets should always be fitted and tightly fitted.
3．For tights, breeches, and leggings, choose a top of such length that covers the hips.
4．One part of the image is chosen in a sporty style, and the rest – any style direction to your taste.
5．If there is one bright thing in the bow, it must be diluted with monochrome elements.
6．Do not forget to combine fabrics, so that the image of fashion does not turn into ridiculous.
7．Do not wear too many massive accessories.
Sporty images can skillfully combine beauty, practicality, and convenience by wearing activewear clothing. This style will be appreciated by those who love comfort and convenience in everyday life. Introduce sporty elements into your closet and your look will be completely transformed.
Modern sports style does not limit fashionistas in choice, successfully combining different styles, which will be appropriate both in the office and at the party. The main features:
1．All clothing and shoes are characterized by practicality and comfort.
2．Layered outfits are used.
3．Carelessness, as if you just got out of bed and were in a hurry.
4．Use of multicolored outfits.
5． Mandatory use of accessories – from caps to patch pockets.
There are a few activewear fashion rules that should be adhered to:
1．Combining a dress with a floral pattern and sneakers, try to make sure that the shoes are in the tone of the dress: monochrome or with a pattern.
2．Sports jackets should always be fitted and tightly fitted.
3．For tights, breeches, and leggings, choose a top of such length that covers the hips.
4．One part of the image is chosen in a sporty style, and the rest – any style direction to your taste.
5．If there is one bright thing in the bow, it must be diluted with monochrome elements.
6．Do not forget to combine fabrics, so that the image of fashion does not turn into ridiculous.
7．Do not wear too many massive accessories.
Sporty images can skillfully combine beauty, practicality, and convenience by wearing activewear clothing. This style will be appreciated by those who love comfort and convenience in everyday life. Introduce sporty elements into your closet and your look will be completely transformed.
This season's new products keep the fabric thin while increasing warmth, making your outfit less bulky and more relaxed. The classic color scheme and perfect fit are more in line with the structure of the human body, making it a timeless jacket that will stay with you for a long time.
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