The SS25 collections are playing for keeps—turning sportswear into high fashion and proving that athleisure isn’t just for the gym anymore
Athleisure has been a mainstay in the fashion lexicon for years, but the Spring/Summer 2025 runways are proving that its evolution is far from over. This season, designers are refining the intersection of luxury and sport, transforming performance wear into high-fashion statements. The momentum isn’t surprising—major sporting events have become just as much about style as competition, with athletes and spectators alike setting new sartorial standards. From the influence of global tournaments to the rising visibility of sports stars in fashion, the conversation around athletic aesthetics is louder than ever. Now, with SS25 collections embracing sleek technical fabrics, dynamic silhouettes, and couture-level craftsmanship, fashion is turning the game into its own kind of spectacle.
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One of the biggest shifts in this season’s athleisure wave is its refined approach to sportswear. Gone are the days when casual comfort reigned supreme—now, luxury brands are taking athletic references and reinterpreting them through an elevated lens. Tory Burch’s Spring 2025 collection exemplifies this transformation with judo-inspired drawstring pants paired with sequined swimsuits reminiscent of the bejeweled uniforms of artistic swimmers and jersey dresses with football-inspired shoulder panels. The venue itself, designed to resemble the interior of a swimming pool, underscored the collection’s high-fashion take on sporty aesthetics, proving that performance-inspired fashion is no longer just about function—it’s a statement.
Beyond the runway, this polished approach to athletic dressing has become a street-style staple. Whether it’s bike shorts styled with an oversized sweatshirt in true Princess Diana fashion or tennis-inspired ensembles à la Challengers, the allure of looking active has taken on a stylish new form. Designers are tapping into this cultural shift with an elevated take on sport-inspired fashion: Akris’ longline baseball jackets paired with wide-leg leather pants, Lacoste’s sheer polo shirts adorned with tennis racquet badges and paired with boxer-style shorts, complemented by a branded water bottle accessory. Avavav took it further with a tracksuit and a daring mix of hybrid bike shorts and a pinstriped skirt, while Kent & Curwen showcased pleated skirts layered over rib-knit pullovers in a preppy sport trend.
Off-White put a fresh spin on sportswear with a cropped baseball jacket and wrap skirt in canvas and chiffon, plus tailored takes on tracksuits. Ganni delivered bold varsity energy with an oversized V-neck sports shirt in black, white, and red, styled over red lightweight pants and a black chiffon scarf. Ottolinger embraced motorsport aesthetics with a white neoprene skirt with black details, paired with a sleek racing jacket and oversized shield sunglasses. Casablanca revved its engines in Paris with a flashy auto-inspired show, then showcasing a rashguard bodysuit with beach shorts and heels. Across the board, the message of the fashion houses is clear: sport-inspired fashion is about the attitude, not the activity.
Photos and Featured Image: TORY BURCH, AKRIS, LACOSTE, KENT & CURWEN, OFF-WHITE, GANNI, OTTOLINGER, CASABLANCA (via Website), ADIDAS (via Instagram)
