Seasonless Staples in Athleisure

The athleisure category became the silent killer during the pandemic and lockdown years, slowly culling jeans and other garments that weren’t entirely accommodating for relaxing or made from materials soft and pliable like feathers. We forsook anything that remotely could make us feel uneasy or didn't need to look a certain way because, let’s be honest, even our most formal and social appearances had been reduced to a thumbnail on a tiny screen at best.

And that era put everything into the line of questioning – from fancy haircuts to perfumes to accessories like cufflinks and handkerchiefs to leather shoes and ties – and everything went upsized and baggy. 

Fast forward a bit to the pre-vaccine era, and things had largely returned to the old but, pun intended, with some room for experimentation. We retained baggy fits – oversized, as they were now christened – but they weren’t shabby and slack like back in the 80s. Now, it stood as a rebellious take on conformity, trying to highlight individuality over corporate uniformity. In other words, dressing down became a style (and political) statement in its own right and came to acquire (or follow) a set of unsaid, unwritten rules. Seems counterintuitive – to rebel against rules by forming a new set of rules – but these new rules are what have defined athleisure wear as we know it today.

1. Must be comfortable yet smart enough to walk out of the house. That’s where XYXX comes into the picture. It is one of the leading brands disrupting the industry with its seamlessly comfortable men's clothing. Their Cotton Modal Joggers are a good example of what to expect when one wishes for comfort and yet, they are built for getting around, at least the neighbourhood for short errand runs. The zipped pockets certainly help in stowing car keys and a handy wallet for just jaunts.

2. Should be made with fabrics which are imbued with superior qualities for daily performance – from ventilation to seat wicking and maybe even some level of water resistance. The XYXX Lazy Lounge Pyjamas perfectly fit the bill as they are made from modal. You can wear modal clothing all day without experiencing any irritation because it is more breathable and the fabric feels incredibly soft on the skin. 

3. Must fit in length and width while allowing ample room for movement and downtime (i.e. rest). This is crucial and many foreign brands are just not built for the Indian body type and get our torso-to-limb ratio wrong. Many brands have a special Asian fit as opposed to a European fit but sadly for us, we fit into neither too well. Well, not anymore! Enter XYXX – a homegrown brand made primarily for the men of today. They have a wide range of size options available and one can choose as per their preference.

4. Should not get in the way or impede functioning in a way that can cause injury. The Weekend shorts are a good example here, great to lounge about but absolutely at ease if worn on a casual outing with friends.

5. Must not fade, shrink or wither after a few wears and/or washes. This can only be known after owning a garment and I can personally vouch for my stash of XYXX gear that neither have the tee-shirt collars gone limp, nor the waistband gotten stretched even after multiple wash and dry cycles. This ease of maintenance reduces the need to replace gear and contributes significantly towards cutting down on unnecessary future purchases.

In short, athleisure has grown beyond its pandemic origins to become a go-to style that balances comfort with a cool and laid-back look. It’s more than just a trend – it's a way of dressing that fits into our new, more flexible way of living. Whether we are working, relaxing, or running errands, athleisure pieces like those from XYXX make sure we are comfortable and ready for anything. As we continue to move through life, this mix of ease and style is what we’ll keep reaching for, proving that athleisure staples are here to stay.