The old “yoga pants and go” trend of dressing has been around for a while now. Called athleisure wear, when this relatively recent fashion category showed up, it was suddenly perfectly acceptable to show up anywhere from restaurants to the mall and—obviously—the gym in your sweats, leggings or other pieces of easy, comfy clothing.

Recently, though, athleisure’s popularity has exploded, due in no small part to 2020’s shutdowns. But, as the world emerged from lock down, athleisure brands noticed a new demand for edgy, stylish athletic wear that could rule the night as well as the day.

Now that the definition of athleisure wear has expanded so broadly, it’s easy to mix and match dressy pieces like a classic leather jacket with designer leggings and a pair of platform sneakers. And, while this combination is now completely welcome at dinner parties or even more formal events, the basic core of athleisure is still athletic wear. Which is why this post highlights the athletic wear and athleisure trends that will help everyone keep their New Year’s resolutions, hitting the 2022 workout scene with a whole new stylish swagger.

As athleisure spills into every area of fashion, material options have expanded. It’s not unusual to see velvet leggings, shearling-lined sneakers and so many more luxe options for athleisure wear. Want to steer clear of spandex, but still rock athletic wear that will hold up to intense workouts? Try these seamless high waisted leggings from Aoxjox, made from a high-end blend of polyester, nylon and elastane that stands up to squats while delivering a finish that’s more brunch than locker room.

Jogging sets and paired bralettes and yoga pants were all the rage in 2021, and show no sign of dropping in popularity in 2022. What does that mean for people who want to stay on trend in the gym while working on those New Year’s resolutions? Playing with matching—whether that’s in color, print or buying in sets—will still be a haute choice. Not ready for head-to-toe tie-die or camo? Stick a toe into this trend and grab a 3 pack of Sykooria strappy sports bras, available in 10 different color combinations to pair easily with your existing legging collection.

These days, it’s safe to ask, did a workout even happen if it wasn’t recorded on a step counter or iPhone? Luckily, thanks to design advances in athletic wear, no one has to choose between getting their sweat on and carrying a phone. Because today’s best athleisure wear comes with built-in phone pockets that incorporate seamlessly into the design concept. 

Case in point? Check out these HLTPRO leggings, available in a budget-and-closet friendly 3 pack. The high-waisted design and intricate crisscross seam stitching are both figure flattering and fashion forward. And, thanks to not one but TWO deep pockets, it’s easy to stash a phone, credit card and keys, and head straight from the gym to the day’s next destination. Translation? There’s no excuse not to keep that daily-workout New Year’s resolution.

Don’t want to track movement with a bulky cell phone? Try one of the sleek new wearable fitness trackers, like this Donerton Smart Watch. Equipped with a highly sensitive fitness tracker, as well as a heart rate and sleep monitor, this sample from the next generation of smart devices is the perfect addition to an athleisure look, thanks to its pretty pink watch band.

Skirts and dresses are getting the athleisure treatment for 2022, so expect to see plenty of tennis-style dresses popping up miles away from the court. Want to bring femininity back to workouts, without worrying about big breezes leading to Marilyn Monroe moments? Choose flirty styles like these draped, skort-style running shorts from AZOSUN. In addition to their appealing design, these shorts offer a seamless, slip-resistant waist band for maximum comfort. And the hidden pocket design means, once again, these athletic shorts make it easy to bring that phone along for the run.

Flashing skin—either with crop tops or all-over cutouts—is a big part of getting dressed in 2022. After almost a full year at home in shapeless sweats, sexy is back. And it’s taking over athleisure wear, as well. 

How can this concept translate to athletic wear? It’s super simple. Skip the tank top or tee for workouts. Instead, rock a bra-top as top, enjoying a bit more coverage with styles like these HeathYoga High Impact Racerback Sports Bras.

Athletic wear has morphed to reflect how many people are now taking their workouts outdoors. Whether walking, running, or even taking a boot camp en plein air, athleisure wear now must accommodate fluctuating (and quickly dropping) temperatures. Gear up and get ready for any occasion with these thermal gloves from TRENDOUX, then top everything off with a TrailHeads fleece ponytail hat, complete with drop down ear warmers for chilly morning runs.  Then, when the weather heats up and the sun returns, keep moving seamlessly (without any squints) in these polarized sports sunglasses from Amazon.

Now more than ever, athleisure is a head-to-toe dressing concept. Which means accessories matter as much as leggings, tanks and other pieces of athletic wear. Play with fun, sport-inspired bags by choosing styles like this Herschel Cruz cross body, perfect for dashing into the gym for a quick class. Or, keep things more firmly in street style territory with never-full styles like this ClaraNY lightweight quilted tote.

Once all the other details have been taken care of, it’s ok to apply athleisure sensibilities to the equipment used to make workouts happen. What does that look like in real life? It could mean a FILA set of wearable wrist weights in an attractive shade of mauve. Maybe it’s a pair of blue, bracelet-style wrist weights from TOSAMC. Heck, it could even be this set of pastel-colored resistance bands. Whatever the workout gear, when it looks this cute, it’s going to make sticking to New Year’s resolutions that much easier.

Which pieces of athleisure wear will you be adding to your collection this season? How are you sticking to your New Year’s resolutions? Comment below!