7 Mins Read
Remember when groups of Lululemon-clad ladies was something you only saw at yoga class? These days, we all live in active wear: at home, on the plane, at the school drop off… And frankly, why not? It’s so comfortable. And versatile. Not to mention trendy. From Topshop teaming up with Beyonce to launch their new line to high fashion priestess Miuccia Prada getting in on the action, athleisure is having its moment.
In fact, 2016 has been deemed the year of athleisure by everyone from Well+Good to Business Insider. And it’s no surprise why. Athleisure, the blanket term for fitness & yoga inspired clothing that is worn in regular life AND at the gym, is a USD 68 billion a year business. In recent months, a plethora of new brands and stores have launched in the 852 to meet the rising demand for fashionable fitwear. Below, we roundup the best of the best.
Pricing Key: Affordable> sports bra below HKD 250; Mid-Range> sports bra between HKD250-350; Higher-End> sports bra approx. HKD 500.
Asia Yogies
Hong Kong based Asia Yogies is an online shop that stocks multiple activewear brands from as far as Brazil and the USA. We like Zobha, their very affordable line of basics, particularly the collection of padded tanks with a variety of necklines and levels of support- some great options for larger-chested ladies. The Brazilian Dona Jo leggings collection, on the higher-end side, have some awesome bright and beach-inspired prints that we love too.
A Day With Fe
A Hong Kong yogawear pioneer, A Day With Fe was founded by Hong Kong mom of three and devoted yogi Fe Valvekens in 2011, way before the athleisure revolution had even begun. The brand is all muted single block colors, think ochres and khakis and cobalts, and romantic lines and collections include a wide variety of tanks with built-in chest support, leggings, harem pants, bras and wraps. We also love A Day With Fe’s yoga inspired maxi dresses- perfect for Hong Kong summers. Shop online or visit their PMQ shop.
Gourami
Founded by two Hong Kong cousins who couldn’t find swimsuits and yoga pants they loved and saw a gap in the market, Gourami offers up mid-priced swimwear and activewear for women and children. Their funky shapes (think cut-out one pieces for those looking to stand out poolside) and fashionable yoga combos (think matching bras and leggings) are made to flatter, with clean lines, poppy colours and clever cutting. Gourami offers up a range of staples including leggings, bras, tanks and jackets. Fun fact: the brand is a favourite of local celebrities! They have shops in Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, or shop online at their e-shop. You can also find them at retailers around town, find the full list here.
Aumnie
Aumnie is an activewear brand all the way from health-conscious Canada with a large selection of clothing for women and men. Aumnie is a winner in terms of sheer number of shapes offered. Want leggings with a cute skirt top? Or a performance mid-riff top? Or how about a slouchy oversize hoodie? We especially love their perfectly-fitted long sleeve tees. They have it all and more in wearable solid colors. Shop online here or visit one of their numerous retail outlets around Hong Kong.
Hokoi Activewear
Designed to be worn both on and off the yoga mat, Hokoi Activewear is a just-launched online global activewear brand for women. Items are priced in the mid-range level and include bras, leggings, capris, shorts and tanks in multi-colored patterns. Their collection is a little limited as they are brand new but expect more to come soon! Shop online here.
M1 Sports
M1 Sports stocks fan favourite 2XU, a sports apparel brand for men and women whose mission is to equip serious athletes with gear that enhances their performance. Whilst they do offer leggings, tops and bras, their specialty triathlon training wear and training wetsuit line are what they have become known for. Their perfomance wear comes a higher price point but many devotees will tell you it’s worth it. Order via M1 Sports’ webshop.
Mimo Brazil
Hong Kong based Mimo Brazil is an online store showcasing a variety of women activewear brands from Brazil, such as KSL, CajuBrasil, Rola Moca, Top Fitness and DharmaBums. For the yogi on a budget, Mimo Brasil are a godsend. You don’t have to sacrifice style for budget- their selection of leggings, tops, bras and accessories come in a variety of affordable price points!
MnD
If prints aren’t your thing and monochromatic variety is what you are after, look no further than MnD. The online shop offers up loads of mid-range bras, tanks and bottoms in a range of bright, solid colors. Their bras are worth calling out too. It can be tough ti find sports bras that make you look good: MnD have many flattering designs. Shop online here though be warned, their site is brand new, so they are still in the process of adding their entire catalogue.
Miss Runner
Another local athleisure upstart, Hong Kong-based Miss Runner is making waves amongst the fashion set for the irresistible digital prints faintly reminiscent of tropical beach stays that brighten their collection of leggings, bras, shorts, tops and yoga mats right up. Their mid-range apparel is available in select gyms in Hong Kong as well as on their online shop.
Pumped
Newly launched local brand Pumped designs brightly colored tees and tanks printed with cheerful, wink-wink designs (like a cheeky hanging monkey or a cheat-day octopus) made with organic cotton and primarily aimed at the Crossfit crowd- though we reckon any hipster fitness fiend would love them. Everything is mid-priced and their tops cater to one and all: men, women and children styles are all available. In fact, the whole family can match if that’s your thing! Shop online here.
Omberry
Travel lover and industrial designer Victoria Fung felt inspired by her many voyages across to world to create Omberry, which offers up two collections: yogawear and resort wear. Omberry is looking to clothe chic global travelers who need flexible sartorial solutions that work seamlessly from the airplane to the yoga studio to brunch. The resort line showcases maxi dresses, flirty camisoles and flairy palazzos in blushing colors and 1960s mod prints. The performance wear is all Art Deco colors and bold lines. Omberry also has a wear it six-ways Robin Tee that is the one piece any frequent traveler should own: it transform from a sleeveless tank to a long-sleeve shawl effortlessly. Shop online here.
Unicorn Yoga Girl Shop
Unicorn Yoga Girl Shop, the yoga wear arm of Unicorn Aerial Yoga studio, showcases a curated selection of international brands such as Beyond Yoga and Onzie at multiple price points. Think bras, pants, tanks and pullovers plus a handy selection of yoga accessories such as mats, back stretchers, swings and blocks. You can visit their retail shop order their website.
Rumi X
Hong Kong-based Rumi X brings a decidedly San Franciscan ethos to their designer leggings and headband collection: their leggings fabric is made from super eco-friendly recycled plastic bottles and their tops are made from upcycled ground coffee beans. Feelgood activewear? Sign us up! Rumi has the creative yogi in mind: their designs are vibrant and colorful. Also good to know: Rumi has a line of maternity yoga pants that many HK mamas can’t live without, or so we are told. Shop online here.
Real Stone Yoga Wear & G-Fit Sports Wear
Sai Ying Pun showroom and shop R-More showcases two Japanese brands: G-Fit, a printed performance wear line of leggings, bras and tanks inspired by the Southern California lifestyle aesthetic, and Real Stone, a softer, pastel-colored resort wear collection with loose pants and floaty tops that has gained a large following thanks to its super fine, high quality textured fabrics. The shop also carries a basics line with single colour shirts, sweatshirts and bras. Find more information here and make sure to visit their Sai Ying Pun showroom.
In Closing…
And lest we forget about the originals: the brand that is credited with inventing athleisure, Lululemon (visit their IFC shop); Under Armour (the company that put performance wear on the map); and old-faithfuls Nike and Adidas, both of whom have retail outlets all over Hong Kong and have heavily invested in activewear of late. Remember that whole Stella McCartney x adidas collaboration? Still a big thing.
Images courtesy of: Miss Runner (lead photo), Gourami, Hokoi Activewear, Mimo Brazil, Rumi Yoga Wear and Omberry.
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