Why athleisure could be the ultimate power move for your wardrobe and your workout

“Pilates Princess” and “Ballet Core” may not be fresh off the trend cycle, but their grip on the internet (and our wardrobes) is stronger than ever—because, let’s face it, we’re living through a full-blown fitness era. In a world where muscle rules the runways (see: Duran Lantink’s Fall 2025 ab armour top) and nutrient-dense, protein-packed alternatives crowd grocery store aisles, working out has officially become a lifestyle—or at least looking like we do has.

Though Pilates has existed since the 1920s, the “Pink Pilates Princess” emerged on Instagram and TikTok in late 2023. The hashtag refers to someone who enjoys Pilates, fitness, and self-care, and often spends exorbitantly on looking cute while embracing the ideal healthy lifestyle. Think iced matcha lattes, gua shas, and yoga mats; she embodies everything the clean girl trend promotes, both inside and out. While microtrends often die a catastrophically quick death, the Pilates Princess has stuck around. This perseverance is perhaps due to sister trends like run clubs and yoga workshops, or the unexpectedly fashionable tone surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics—all highlighting the bond between fitness and style.

Brands not even remotely related to fitness have begun subscribing to this craze—and smartly so. Searches for “Pilates” and “Run Clubs” have seen a 25 per cent and 22 per cent rise in interest, respectively, since the end of 2024. Marketing campaigns now include partnerships with run clubs and yoga centres to push new launches and get people talking. From dating apps to skincare, every other brand with even a remotely young demographic is making celebrities and customers break a sweat. Why? Because of a key consumer group willing to spend big on both fitness and beauty, and every brand’s desperate attempt to capture their attention.

From track jackets at Miu Miu to sweatpants at The Row, and even spandex at Ferragamo and Tod’s, the Summer 2025 runways reflected a distinct athletic allure. Louis Vuitton dropped the “Sneakerina”—the latest frankenshoe to capture everyone’s attention. Neither a sneaker nor a ballerina, the shoe fused sportswear with femininity. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Malaika Arora continue to be spotted in gymwear even while running errands around the city, and every brand selling sportswear, from homegrown labels to global giants, is at the forefront, forcing us to embrace the summer of athleisure.

But perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. With skyrocketing temperatures and unforgiving sunlight, breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics truly come to our rescue. And for our fashion-conscious readers, if the Sneakerinas above are anything to go by, athleisure has officially transcended all expectations. Sportswear is no longer limited to tights and sweatpants, with figure-flattering silhouettes like tennis-inspired skorts entering the mainstream market. Ballet-style wrap cardigans are slowly becoming a staple in every girl’s closet, and cycling shorts are no longer limited to spandex.

Plus, it’s psychologically proven that the phrase “look good, feel good” holds some weight. This refers to enclothed cognition—the influence that clothing, whether worn by you or observed on someone else, has on a person’s emotions. In other words, cute workout clothes can actually motivate you to get on that treadmill. 

The fact of the matter is this fitness-fashion crossover reflects more than just a fleeting internet aesthetic—it marks a cultural shift. Fitness is no longer limited to a personal goal; it's a lifestyle statement, a marketing strategy, and a fashion movement all rolled into one. As brands innovate to (literally) keep pace with this momentum and wardrobes adapt to meet both comfort and cool, one thing is clear: looking fit has never been so fashionable—and dressing the part might just be the motivation we need to live it too.

Lead image: Getty Images 

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