When fashion industry insiders first observed an increase in athletic apparel sales back in 2014, they weren’t sure whether consumers’ newfound obsession with activewear-as-daywear would last. Fast-forward to this year, and the athleisure trend is still going strong. Athleisure sales grew by 16% from 2014 to 2015 (compared with a mere 2% growth in the same period in overall apparel), and Morgan Stanley predicts 30% growth in the activewear industry by 2020. As shoppers continue to overlook the jeans aisle in favor of stocking up on chic leggings and joggers, high-end designers like Alexander Wang and mass retailers like Target and H&M are getting in on the elevated workout apparel movement.
With so many options available, overwhelmed shoppers may be tempted to stick to familiar fitness apparel standbys like Lululemon and Under Armour. But if you’re feeling adventurous, check out one of these four rising stars of the athleisure market. Sweaty Betty
An import from London, Sweaty Betty has been expanding in the U.S. since 2015, selling merchandise through Bloomingdale’s and opening brick-and-mortar stores in upscale neighborhoods like SoHo in Manhattan and WeHo in Los Angeles. Sweaty Betty’s items are luxe, with prices closer to the Lululemon end of the athleisure spectrum than the C9 by Champion end (the cheapest pair of leggings available on their website is $70 compared to $88 at Lululemon). And like Lululemon, Sweaty Betty offers in-store...