3 Must-know Trends Shaping The Future Of Athleisure for Spring/Summer 2022

After a year dominated by sweatpants and leggings, Athluxe, Virtual Futures and Ready, Set, Race are the trends to back for the new season

All-day active sales have seen a huge acceleration in 2020, according to NPD the activewear market accounted for 40% of all online sales last year. With vaccine rollouts underway and an air of cautious optimism, thoughts turn to post-pandemic recovery and what this will mean for the thriving category. Many ask will a return to some degree of normality spell the end of athleisure? Quite the opposite. The worlds love affair with the category is set to evolve as consumers become accustomed to comfort and the casualization of dressing prevails. Alex Ingildsen CCO at LTP Group states

“In the same way denim is not a trend, we are reluctant to continue calling athleisure a trend. Rather we think of sports clothing embedded in a fashion setting. Trends will drive this category forward”

As part of the Spring/Summer 22 forecast series, Ingildsen and designer/trend forecaster Chantell Fenton look ahead to Spring/Summer 2022 to discuss the athleisure concepts that will emerge for the new season.

Athleisure Smartens Up To Create Athluxe

As the boundaries between performance and fashion are completely eroded, give athleisure styles a luxury update, with a focus on premium cuts and elevated fabrications.

Combine lustrous satins and sheer mesh to create an interplay of contrasting textures. Incorporate deadstock fabric where possible to create understated sporty blocking whilst also designing out waste. For gym-to-street styles use soft draping and accordion pleating to accentuate form. Soft neutral tones, metallic sheens and lustrous finishes add to the ath-luxe feel whilst creating a sense of movement. For stretch base layers opt for diffused sheens in all-over or panelled renditions.

Athluxe Trend Board, image source www.chantellfenton.com

Usher In A New Look With Virtual Futures

As we move into a digital-first world, look to bridge the gap between real and virtual with athleisure and street-ready styles that draw inspiration from future tech.

Opt for bodycon or loungewear silhouettes with welded details. Use glued tapes to accent stitch-free seams or highlight candy tone colour blocking with an artificial glow. For a sustainable approach to colour use botanical dyes which use less water, are non-toxic and biodegradable. Light reflecting fabrics and holographic finishes are key to creating an immersive IRL experience. Directional brands should invest in digital twins for in game use.

Virtual Futures Trend Board, image source www.chantellfenton.com

Be Bold And Bright With Ready, Set, Race

This season sees the revival of racing as consumers will covet overtly sporty looks in a fashion setting. Draw inspiration from sports sponsorship, branding and race day graphics by splicing oversized numbers and typography for a striking athletic look. Or opt for all-over repeats with a streetwear vibe. Retro tracksuits, jackets and unisex tees are important in this story. Red is the predominant colour, use on solid colour separates or splice with black, white and orange for a dramatic look with gym-to-street appeal.

A Ready, Set, Race Trend Board, image source www.chantellfenton.com

How To Get The Complete Spring/Summer 2022 Sport And Outdoor Forecast

The Spring/Summer 2022 forecast features the must-have trends and insights designed to jumpstart seasonal developments. Existing customers and partners can contact CCO Alex Ingildsen (ali@ltpgroup.com) for their exclusive copy of the Spring/Summer 2022 sport and outdoor forecast. Produced seasonally by trend expert Chantell Fenton.

This resource is created as part of the companies Value Added Services which are strategically developed to provide brands with the tools to drive new and exciting innovations. This suite includes:

Seasonal Trend Analysis for the Sport & Outdoor Industry

Product Design, Creation and Innovation

360° Innovation book

3D Product Creation

The Sport & Outdoor Apparel Network

Meet Your Manufacturer

For more information please feel free to contact Alex at the LTP Group [ali@ltpgroup.com].

Value Added Services by the LTP Group, image at www.ltpgroup.com

About LTP

LTP is a Danish owned garment manufacturer for +60 premium brands within active sportswear, outdoor, athleisure and sustainable fashion. LTP was established in 1991, and is probably the biggest Sport & Outdoor garment manufacturer in Europe with bluesign & GOTS setups in Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Vietnam

LTP consists of two divisions; LTP Garment and LTP Contract Furniture producing in nine fully-owned factories.

About Chantell Fenton

Chantell is an experienced performance sportswear designer and trend forecaster, with a passion for wellness, technology and function-first design. Chantell has an in-depth knowledge of how to spot and translate the must-have trends and macro shifts for the sports and outdoor industry. For more details visit www.chantellfenton.com