Think of Athflow as the welcome evolution of Athleisure, with all the relaxation and range that motion activewear offers, yet forgoing form-fitting Lycra.
This trend combines comfort and elegance, using soft tailoring, oversized loungewear shapes, wide drawstring trousers and flat, comfortable footwear. It’s professional enough to wear to the office, yet snug enough to wear curled up on the sofa.
For many around the world, workwear in 2020 consisted of tracksuits, PJ bottoms and socks as they filled their days with Zoom calls from kitchen tables. So it’s no surprise that when the covid lockdowns eased, a large chunk of people sought to take back to the office some of the sartorial convenience they had got used to at home.
Designers responded with collections full of softer, less-structured pieces, and if the past few seasons are anything to go by, this trend is set to stay around for quite a while.
Juliette Hogan Lounge V-neck T fine cotton cashmere in pink clay marle, $229
JH Lounge is a succinct collection of cotton cashmere knit basics that perfectly straddle on- and off-duty roles. Everything in the range could be worn for Athflow. It was the simplicity, soft hue and relaxed neckline of the V-necked long-sleeved T that jumped out for me. Shop
Wynn Hamlyn zipper ribbed knit polo, $450
A thin nylon-merino-yarn turtleneck with sealed waterproof contrast zip, this piece takes its cues from tech activewear while presenting a high-fashion aesthetic. It’s another banging collection from Wynn Hamlyn, who seems to be hitting six after six. Shop
Harris Tapper Marshall trousers in rose gold, $389
Relaxed elegance is what design duo Sarah Harris and Lauren Tapper do best. Known for their voluminous dresses and free-flowing trousers, Harris Tapper seem to have been ahead of this trend before it was even created. Pair these elevated tracksuit pants with a three-quarter-length duster coat for maximum effect. Shop
Anine Bing Kaia blazer in sand, $579
Soft and oversized, this blazer would make an amazing layering piece paired with a neutral knit T-shirt and easy-care wide-legged triacetate trousers. Anchor the look with simple white-laced trainers. Shop
Dear Dylan ribbed longline bralette in french vanilla, $89.95
If freedom of movement is the name of the game, you’ll be wanting to park the underwire. Designed in New Zealand and made from a cotton modal rib weave, these non-seasonal pieces are designed with comfort in mind and come in a number of shapes to suit your base-layer preferences. Shop
Paris Georgia elemental 02 bodysuit, $365
Bodysuit converts will agree: once you grasp the idea of the all-in-one and how to navigate it, it’s hard to go back. A sleek fit to the form, this bodysuit is the perfect foundation for floating trousers and coats. Shop
Maggie Marilyn The Beyond Puffer, $495
Crafted from recycled material and cloud-like reclaimed down, The Beyond Puffer combines style with practicality. It would be equally appropriate on the sideline supporting the kids at Saturday-morning sport as it would be as a final outer layer for the commute to the office. Sporty and luxe. Shop
Camilla and Marc Mali hooded parka, $780
Sporty and ready for whatever the day brings, add something fitted first and then your perfect wide-legged pants for the dream Athflow combination. The ivory hue makes this feel luxe and expensive. Shop
La Tribe twisted moulded slide in sand, $239.90
Crafted in a supple suede-and-leather combination and boasting a moulded footbed for support, this has a look that is chic and polished but a comfort factor that is 11/10. Kinda feels like cheating, right? Shop
Kathryn Wilson Circular trainer, $299
Two years in the making, the new Kind collection from Kathryn Wilson uses lower-impact materials such as recycled leather certified as meeting the Global Recycling Standard, and fly-knit uppers made from recycled bottles. It’s the start of the brand’s sustainability journey, with more to come. With each pair purchased, Kathryn Wilson donates $10 to a project in Kaikōura to conserve and replant 99 hectares of lush native bush. Shop
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