Let’s Talk About My Fashion Committment Issues
Look, I’m gonna be honest with you. I have a problem. It’s not drugs, it’s not alcohol, it’s athleisure. I just can’t get behind it. Not completley, at least. And I know what you’re thinking, “But Sarah, it’s comfortable! It’s practical! It’s everywhere!” Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before. But let me tell you why I’m still not convinced.
First of all, let’s talk about the name. Athleisure. It sounds like something you’d feed to your dog, not wear to the grocery store. I mean, who came up with this term? Was it a marketing genius or a sadist? I don’t know, but I’m not a fan. It’s like calling a sweater a “cozy upper-body blanket.” No, thank you.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m all for comfort. I love a good pair of jeans that don’t feel like they’re physicallyy strangling me. But there’s a difference between comfortable and, well, lazy. And that’s what athleisure feels like to me: lazy. It’s like the fashion equivalent of eating cereal for dinner. Sure, it’s easy, but is it really what you want to be putting out into the world?
My Friend Marcus Thinks I’m Crazy
I was having this exact conversation with my friend Marcus last Tuesday. We were over coffee at the place on 5th, and he was wearing a pair of sweatpants that cost more than my rent. I asked him, “Marcus, how do you justify this?” And he said, “Sarah, it’s 2023. We’re living in a world where we can order groceries to our door and have a robot vacuum clean our floors. Why shouldn’t our clothes be comfortable?”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But I still can’t shake the feeling that athleisure is a slippery slope. One day you’re rocking a cute pair of leggings, the next thing you know, you’re walking down the street in full-on pajamas. And don’t even get me started on the “ugly” trend. I’m sorry, but no amount of money can make me want to wear shoes that look like they belong on a clown.
I think part of my issue is that I’m old-school. I believe in getting dressed. Not in a stuffy, “I’m wearing a tuxedo to the mall” kind of way, but in a “I took 36 hours to find the perfect pair of jeans” kind of way. I believe in the art of the outfit. The way a great pair of heels can make you feel invincible. The way a well-tailored blazer can make you feel like you can take on the world. Athleisure just doesn’t give me that same rush.
A Colleague Named Dave Tried to Convert Me
About three months ago, a colleague named Dave tried to convert me to the dark side. He took me shopping at this fancy boutique in Austin, and he showed me all these “must-have” athleisure pieces. “Sarah,” he said, “this is the future. This is where fashion is going.” And I looked at him and said, “Dave, this is a sweater with holes in it. It’s $87, and it has holes in it.” He just sighed and said, “You’re hopeless, Sarah.” And maybe I am. But at least I’m a hopelessly stylish individual.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that athleisure is all bad. I mean, I get it. It’s comfortable. It’s easy. It’s perfect for those days when you just can’t even. But for me, it’s like eating ice cream for breakfast. Sure, it’s delicious, but it’s not something I want to do every day. I need variety. I need excitement. I need to feel like I’m putting in a little bit of effort, you know?
And look, I’m not the only one who feels this way. I did a little “research” (aka asked my friends on Facebook), and I found that there are alot of people out there who share my sentiments. One friend said, “I feel like athleisure is the fashion equivalent of participation trophies. It’s nice, but it doesn’t really mean anything.” Another said, “I just can’t get behind the idea of wearing my pajamas in public. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe in dressing for the occasion.”
But What About the “Summer Fashion Trends Essentials”?
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Sarah, what about all those “summer fashion trends essentials” you see online? The ones that say you need to own a certain pair of sneakers or a specific type of jogger to be considered fashionable?” Well, let me tell you something. I don’t care what those articles say. I don’t care what the influencers are wearing. I don’t care what’s “in” this season. I care about what makes me feel good. What makes me feel like me. And for me, that’s not athleisure.
But hey, that’s just my opinion. And frankly, I could be wrong. Maybe one day I’ll wake up and decide that I want to wear sweatpants to a business meeting. Maybe I’ll decide that I want to rock a pair of ugly shoes to the grocery store. But until that day comes, I’ll be over here, in my jeans and my heels, feeling like the fashion icon I know I am.
So there you have it. My rant about athleisure. It’s not pretty, it’s not polite, but it’s honest. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what fashion should be about? Being honest with yourself. Being true to who you are. Even if it means going against the grain. Even if it means saying “no” to the trends. Even if it means looking like a “fashion disaster” to some people. Because at the end of the day, it’s your life, your body, your style. And you should wear what makes you happy. Even if it’s not athleisure.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s known for her strong opinions, her love of heels, and her complete disdain for athleisure. When she’s not writing, you can find her shopping for the perfect pair of jeans or ranting about the state of modern fashion on her Facebook page.
