I recently studied abroad in Europe and one of my first culture shocks, after all the important things of course, was the fact that no one, no one, wore athletic clothing outside of working out. It’s almost like the United States is under some plague. Leggings in the office. Hoodies on first dates. Clothes that once only belonged when running on the treadmill somehow run our entire lives. So what is it? Just another fashion choice? Or a reflection of our culture?
Athleisure started in the gym but quickly outgrew it. Brands like Lululemon and Nike made it some aspirational attire, one only worn by people with the time to exercise in our overworked culture. Then, when the pandemic hit, it became a stay-at-home essential. If you’re not trekking to the office, why take the time to put on dress pants? It became less about convenience and more about a national identity. It signals a shifting lifestyle, valuing comfort and adaptability – looking just put-together enough for a Zoom meeting or errand run.
The United States put a heavy emphasis on work. Our capitalist society reinforces the idea that the harder and longer hours you put in will eventually reward you with success. So, our obsession with athleisure reflects more than just a love of comfy waistbands. It shows a willingness to wear clothing that is efficient and self-optimizing. We value clothes that move with us during our packed schedule, like attending a PTA meeting and still making your 6 p.m. yoga class.
The normalcy of athletic wear is a way to reclaim time and control in a country that often seeks too much of us in one given day. And, at the same time, it’s sleek, and often expensive, signaling a kind of curated casualness. Even in down time we are dressed to go, blurring the lines between work and rest. It’s comfortable yet ambitious.
So dear Europe, it isn’t about a lack of style, it’s about a willingness to keep up in our fast-paced society. Because, no matter the occasion, stretch pants are our uniform.
