As January draws to a much anticipated close, we know that athleisure is a permanent look for the next few months. Whether you’re actually a newer fitter version of your 2017 self, or if you've merely discovered the power of the gym legging for other purposes than working out. We've collated our top five sportswear brands for SS18 for everything from fitness to fashion, so you don't have to.
Under Armour
Established in Baltimore in 1996, Under Armour has made its name crafting superior technical sportswear for athletes and sports team’s world over. The brand famously came about when University of Maryland football team captain Kevin Plank noticed the sub-par performance of the teams' T-shirts, which were always soaked and heavy with perspiration.
Plank would go on to develop a moisture-wicking T-shirt made from microfibers that helped keep athletes cool, dry and light, and dispel the myth that cotton was the most relevant fabric for the job and leading the way in the importance of performance wear.
More than 20 years on, Under Armour is still relied upon by international sports stars from Andy Murray, to Anthony Joshua due to its everlasting, reliable and innovation driven line of sportswear.
Varley
Based between offices in LA and London, Varley fuses Californian cool and classic British style to offer a technical performance sportswear range for the contemporary woman.
Combining innovative fabric technology with unique, on-trend designs in keeping with modern fashion trends are at the heart of the Varley philosophy. The patented fabric technologies are designed to enhance every movement of your workout whilst keeping you cool, making them ideal for any yoga bunny on-the-go.
Diadora
Beginning in 1948 with its origins in post-war Italy and the rich Italian leather trade and praised for its classic Italian workmanship, constant stylistic research and a dedication to exclusive materials, Diadora has become one of Italy's foremost more iconic sports sneaker brands from the past half a century.
Bjorn Borg for Diadora, 1980 via Pinterest
Habouring its fame for its sporting associations with stars including Bjorn Borg, Georgia Weah, Roberto Baggio and Francesco Totti among others, in the 80’s & 90’s sports icons relied on the quality of Diadora's sportswear to be support their skills. Up until today Diadora has relied on its roots when re-create clean, contemporary sneaker silhouettes that retain the personality of its heritage and blend seamlessly between sports and casual footwear.
The North Face
Beginning in California back in 1966 with a tiny ski and backpacking brand founded by Doug Tompkins, a philanthropist, agriculturalist, and businessman who assembled and preserved the land which became the largest gift of private land to government in South America.
Throughout the first decade, its revolutionary designs began building a dedicated fan base until in 1977 The North Face secured a lasting partnership with mills and suppliers, and began experimenting with GORE-TEX.
From this point on, The North Face was a dominant force in outdoor clothing, later to dominate streetwear, fashion and sportswear with it’s iconic logo, everlasting weatherproof fabric and timeless style.
Superdry Sport
Pioneers of British casualwear with iconic stylised features, in 2015 Superdry introduced its newly branched collection of premium sports and activewear with Superdry Sport. Crafted with high-quality, technical fabrics, the new Superdry Sport collection offers the perfect blend of performance quality, style and affordability with a broad range of joggers, hoodies, tops and jackets for men and women.
By Alexandra Neilson-Clark
