Material or outline, not both

The first secret to office-appropriate athleisure lies in a simple binary rule: material versus outline. 

If your silhouette is relaxed and giving sporty vibes, the fabric needs to look smart (or at least high-end). Conversely – and less commonly – if you opt for technical gym fabrics, try to keep your overall outline formal enough for the office.

Two simple examples:

Joggers and sweatpants are right at the casual end of athleisure for their wide outline – so step away from shiny, rustly polyesters, and stay smart by opting for a knit fabric or a cotton mix that keeps its shape

Donning technical, water-resistant fabrics for your office commute is advisable in stormy conditions – balance out the material with a smart cut (think: tapered chino, sharp mac)

If in doubt, ask: Would I feel too smart waiting outside my yoga class wearing this? If yes, you’re probably on the right track for office-appropriate athletic wear.

Anchor the look with a hero piece

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when deciding what to wear to work. We’ve all been there: shirts strewn across the floor, jackets in a heap on a chair, time ticking. Get ahead of the stress by building an outfit around a single piece. This “hero” item creates an anchor for the rest of your look – preventing an accidental crossover into full gym kit territory.

If you love your sneakers (tip: make sure they’re pristine; no mud in sight for the office), let them be the focal point. Pair with a midi slip skirt or dark, slim-fit trousers.

If you want to wear your favourite fleece – a true hero for those unpredictable office thermostats – choose structure elsewhere in the look, perhaps with an oxford shirt layered beneath, a strong wristwatch, or leather boots.

By starting with your athleisure piece, then surrounding with office staples, you maintain comfort, edge, and enough polish to not raise eyebrows at reception.

The art of camouflage

Athleisure officewear has proven its staying power. In response, some sports brands have stepped into this crossover space to create staple products that are comfy yet versatile. Consider:

Wide yoga pants that double up as office trousers

Ballet flats with sports performance features

Merino roll necks that look equally good on the trail or at your desk

Structured skorts that move with you from spring into summer

By choosing pieces that align with broader fashion movements, you aren’t “getting away” with wearing athletic gear to the office. Instead, you’re opting in to a modern dress code.

Play with contrast

Avoiding the ‘have they just been to the gym?’ suspicions is as simple as adding a loud statement office piece. Add one, two, or even three items to your outfit that would look ridiculous on a squat rack.

If you’re wearing trainers, add a blazer. If your outfit is all-black comfortwear, add gold jewellery and a sleek leather tote bag. Pair those bell-bottom yoga pants with a low heel, and comfy drawstring trousers with loafers.

This contrast means you can never be pigeonholed – and only ever held up as a champion of office style. It’s all about intentionality: master the high-low mix, and your work is done.