Many people enter the new year with ideas about transforming their exercise regime and getting fit. After a heavy festive period, you can often find gyms packed every day throughout January.
It can be hard to get the motivation to move more, but something that can help in more ways than one is your clothing. Activewear is playing a bigger role than ever in fitness – and beyond.
Today’s activewear isn’t just about performance. It’s about merging style and function, seamlessly blending gym looks into everyday fashion. Gone are the days when sportswear was confined to workouts.
Modern activewear is designed to look just as chic paired with a trench coat as it does on a treadmill. With celebrities like Khloe Kardashian teaming up with Fabletics and Hailey Bieber launching her Fila collection, gym gear is stepping up its fashion game.
From sleek pilates pants to retro 80s-inspired unitards, 2025 is set to bring exciting trends in activewear that look as good as they perform.
So whether you are wearing them at the gym, while out for a power walk, or just while having a nice stroll, here are some of the looks to watch out for this year.
1. Wide-leg leggings
Wide-leg yoga pants made their debut in the loungewear scene in 2024, quickly gaining popularity. Now, designers are taking the trend further, introducing wide-leg leggings to keep the style going strong.
“There’s a growing shift away from classic leggings to a wider variety of pant styles for activities such as Pilates and yoga, embracing volume and exaggerated shapes,” says BAM‘s head of design, Natalie O’Connell. “Expect to see silhouettes like wide-leg and barrel-leg yoga pants gaining popularity.”
This trend blends comfort and style, drawing from last year’s love for relaxed silhouettes. Wide-leg leggings are rising in popularity, rivaling slim-fit leggings and tracksuit bottoms, making their mark both in the gym and at the supermarket.
Pair them with oversized knitwear or cozy sweatshirts, and you’ve got effortlessly chic off-duty fashion that doesn’t compromise on freedom of movement.
BAM Mallea Crossover Flare Leggings, Fog – £55
2. Turn back time with varsity-prep
The varsity trend is redefining sportswear in 2025, blending nostalgia with gymwear essentials. Inspired by Miu Miu’s iconic 2024 runway, this preppy aesthetic has firmly taken root in the fashion world, adding a retro charm to workout gear.
“Stripes and colour blocking will tap into the varsity trend, complemented by yacht club-inspired graphics and embroideries,” says The Couture Club‘s product lead, Ashley McPherson.
This Ivy-League look inspired by the vintage Ralph Lauren catalogues of the 90s will also show up in the trending colour palette. “We expect bold pops of colour – navy, vibrant blues, emerald green and butter yellow – to play a key role,” says McPherson.
Adanola ADA Cap, Classic Red/Navy Blue – £19.99
The Couture Club CTRE Oversized Hoodie, Navy – £42 (was £60)
3. Burgundy and beyond
While burgundy and chocolate brown dominated gym floors and Pilates studios in 2024, 2025 is all about change. With ‘Mocha Mousse’ being named Pantone’s colour for 2025, “chocolate brown remains a staple for us – now considered a core colour due to its versatility,” says McPherson.
“However, burgundy has been the standout colour this season, evolving into deeper plum tones as we move into 2025.”
Although these rich, warm hues will likely be the most popular, vibrant pastels are also becoming more popular for spring and summer. “For SS25, expect to see pinks, lilacs, lemon yellows and a new shade ‘blueberry milk’,” says O’Connell.
These vibrant hues bring a refreshing twist to gymwear, perfect for keeping you motivated during the darker months.
Fabletics Boost Low Impact Bra, Electric Orchid – £49
Lovall Everyday High Waisted Leggings, Burgundy – £28
4. Eighties lightweight layering
In the 2010s, leggings and sports bra co-ords reigned supreme in gym fashion, but 2025 is set to shake things up with the return of unitards and bold 80s-inspired layering.
“Activewear is increasingly about layering versatile pieces like lightweight jackets, oversized sweats and breathable long-sleeve tops over leggings or yoga pants,” says O’Connell.
Textures are taking over workout gear, with waffle knits, ribbed fabrics, and brushed finishes leading the trend. These details add depth and dimension, making your activewear both stylish and functional. “Playing with proportion, length, and texture can create looks that make you feel fabulous,” says McPherson.
Pangaia Women’s Plant-Stretch Compressive Unitard, Black – £50 (was £100)
Sweaty Betty Mission Waterproof Jacket, Navy Blue – £63.50 (was £210)
5. Go high-tech
In 2024, the obsession with tracking fitness activities reached new heights, with tech-savvy tools like Apple’s activity rings, Whoop bands, and Oura rings becoming staples for many. But fitness tech isn’t stopping at trackers.
Activewear brands are stepping up, exploring innovative and sustainable alternatives to synthetic fabrics. The goal? To create gear that’s not only more breathable and comfortable but also kinder to the planet, making your workouts better for you and the environment.
“Thermoregulating fabrics that adapt to body temperature offer cooling during intense workouts and warmth when you need it,” notes TLC Sport‘s CEO Sara Hanna. These materials include bamboo, cotton, and microfibre.
In 2025, sportswear crafted from plant-based materials and enhanced with Gore-Tex is set to dominate. Offering top-notch performance and durability, this innovative activewear is designed to withstand all weather conditions while staying eco-friendly and stylish.
Salomon SENSE AERO Women’s Short Sleeve T-Shirt, Rum Raisin – £42 (was £60)
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