January 20, 2018
GAME ON!
A slew of homegrown fitness labels are making sure that your gymwear looks trendy and comfortable, says Sushmita Biswas
A New Year and a resolution for a new start! Yes, now that you have already taken that fitness resolution, make sure you stick to it and not leave it half undone. And never mind if you are a gym junkie or a pilates lover, you love to splurge on fashionable activewear (casual clothing suitable for exercise). Fitness clothing has come a long way— from boring T-shirts and track pants to clearly interesting silhouettes and designs. Being fashionably fit is top priority for fitness enthusiasts. From breathable organic fabrics to wrinkle and odour resistant clothes, the athleisure category is surely on a high-growth path. So whether it is Deepika Padukone’s sports bra trend to Kareena Kapoor’s track pants and racer back tee avatar, our celebs too love to pose for the shutterbugs in trendy gymwear.
Here’s looking at some of the desi fitness brands which are making all the right fitness noises:
Uber-chic swimwear
This fashion brand by Akriti Grover is a sport- meet-swim cum gym wear and is called Flirtatious. Her line has pop colours and breezy vibes consisting of T-shirts, tank tops, sports bra and shorts. Comfortable yet multi-functional is her forte and her target buyers are young independent urban professionals.
Style check: Splash in the pool or lounge by the poolside in a Techno Tribal bikini or do the squats in the gym in City Slicker leggings or mesh style leggings.
For the Nature Lover
Being Zen is the need of the hour. And yes, yoga can help you achieve that state of mind. But what if you are in the wrong yoga gear? Urban yoginis love to stretch out in style in breathable yet cool yoga outfits. Stretchery by Delhi-based Jeenie Madan and Nirali Mehta is making all the right fitness noises by bringing sustainability to sportswear. Organic cotton forms the base of their fashionable activewear line that comprises of gym T-shirts, stretchable pants for running and cardio for women and relaxed polo tees and long-sleeved T-shirts for men.
Style check: Luxuriously soft, allergy free activewear is their forte. Get on the treadmill in workout crop pants with a bright tank top or break into an aerobic dance movement in a body-hugging stretch T-shirt.
Boho-chic
Have you ever thought your humble track pants could replace your jeans and be a fashionable trend? Take for instance Sunikha Goenka’s label Myriad Activewear who has everything fashionable in her gym-kit for millennial sports-fanatics. Think functional gymwear which has a heady mix of urban quirk, fitness zen and comfortable everyday wear. Her activewear is made in spandex, nylon and organic cotton keeping in mind the comfort of the wearer and comes in bright colours and graphic prints. Her sports-luxe line has multipurpose leggings with flower embroidery on waist to knee length skirts, sporty dresses and jackets.
Style check: Hit the pilates class in side-slit track pants paired with a cold shoulder crop top. Head straight to your office meeting by throwing over a blazer and comfy sneakers.
Get up and Run!
We all know flamboyant cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s grit and determination on- field. Outside the cricket field too Singh’s fitness mantra is to ‘Live to Inspire.’ A fitness freak, Singh constantly motivates fitness enthusiasts to go and play a sport. He has launched a trendy sportswear line called YWC Fashion (You We Can) for men, women and kids that consists of leggings, hoodies, shorts, baseball T-shirts and jackets.
Style check: Stock up on cool and quirky jogger capris teamed with crop tops. For extra protection slip a navy shrug or a jacket.
Sushmita Biswas
Sushmita Biswas, is a journalism professional with 15 years of work experience in Indian media houses including The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. Have commendable reporting and editorial skills on varied subjects like films, fashion, health, beauty, lifestyle, culture, travel and entertainment.
She interviews people from various walks of life — actors, directors, chefs, authors, start-up founders, festival organizers, human resource managers and even sportspersons. Her key strengths include well-researched lifestyle and human interest articles.