The Ultimate Guide to High-End Athleisure: How to Style It and Is It Worth the Money?

Athleisure has evolved. What started as yoga leggings and hoodies has transformed into an elite fashion category—with premium fabrics, designer collaborations, and runway crossovers. But is high-end athleisure worth the investment? And how do you wear it without looking like you just left the gym?

This guide breaks down the styling principles, functional value, and key designer brands that define luxury athleisure—and how to use Tellar.co.uk to ensure the perfect fit for every piece.

What Is High-End Athleisure?

High-end athleisure blends performance wear with luxury detailing, premium fabrication, and considered tailoring. These are pieces built for movement—but styled for everyday wear, travel, work-from-home, or casual events.

Key Features:

Premium technical fabrics (nylon blends, modal, stretch cashmere)
Sculpting, breathable, sweat-wicking construction
Elevated silhouettes—fewer logos, cleaner lines
Often includes smart-casual pieces like ribbed polos, tailored joggers, sleek hoodies

Is It Worth the Money?

✅ Fabric Technology

You’re paying for performance materials that last longer, hold shape, and resist fading or pilling. Look for:

4-way stretch
Odour-resistance or antibacterial tech
Moisture-wicking microfibres
Flatlock seams to prevent rubbing

✅ Fit & Longevity

Unlike fast fashion, high-end athleisure often retains shape after 50+ washes. Some use compression panels to sculpt the body or adjust to movement dynamically (especially in leggings or fitted tops).

✅ Cost Per Wear

If you rotate pieces like leggings, hoodies or tanks daily, your price per wear can rival denim or tailoring. Brands like Vuori, Pangaia and Ernest Leoty offer hybrid items that move from studio to street to office.

How to Style High-End Athleisure

Athleisure doesn’t mean head-to-toe gymwear. It’s about balancing function and polish.

1. Style with Tailoring

Pair sculpted leggings with a structured blazer
Add a crisp white shirt over a racer-back sports bra
Tapered joggers + trench coat = smart off-duty

🧵 See our guide:

🔗 Smart-Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

2. Elevate with Accessories

Opt for leather trainers, minimal crossbodies or oversized sunglasses
Fine jewellery or layered gold elevates even a basic ribbed tank
Scrunchie in hair = gym; claw clip or slick bun = street style

3. Use Monochrome or Neutral Palettes

Most high-end athleisure brands work in:

Soft neutrals (moss, beige, charcoal)
Deep tones (navy, chocolate, olive)
Monochrome (all black, all cream)

It looks elevated and aligns with the quiet luxury trend.

4. Incorporate Textures

Ribbed tanks + matte leggings
Scuba or tech-jersey jackets
Modal hoodies with silk or leather accessories

This adds visual interest without needing bright prints or logos.

Best Investment Athleisure Brands (UK & USA)

Brand	Known For	Price	Fit Tips
Alo Yoga	Sculpting sets, oversized layers	££	Size up for oversized fits
Vuori	Ultra-soft joggers, performance basics	££	True to size, gentle stretch
Pangaia	Eco-fabrics, minimalist sweats	£££	Unisex sizing, slightly boxy
Ernest Leoty	Corset-inspired sportswear	£££	Sculpting, fashion-forward
The Upside	Stylish prints, pilates-focused	££	Fitted waistbands, true to size
Live The Process	Balletcore, luxury textures	£££	Runs small—check waist-to-hip
Lululemon Lab	Elevated minimal capsule line	£££	Tailored performance, size-specific

What’s Worth Buying First?

Start with hybrid essentials—items you’ll wear outside the gym.

🔹 Sculpted leggings or flared yoga trousers

Great for layering, errands, WFH or styling with coats.

🔹 Oversized zip hoodies or cropped bombers

Can be paired with jeans, tailored trousers or wide-leg pants.

🔹 Ribbed tanks and modal long sleeves

Serve as luxe underlayers—far more elevated than basic cotton.

🔹 Sleek joggers

Look for structured cuffs and mid-weight fabrics. Avoid anything too baggy unless styling intentionally.

What to Avoid

Cheap logo-heavy sets trying to mimic premium design
Ill-fitting leggings—baggy knees or saggy waistband = poor performance
Too much shine or sheen unless it’s intentionally styled (e.g. high-gloss latex leggings)
Flimsy sports bras—support and quality matter more than branding

Fit Matters in Athleisure—Don’t Guess

Compression leggings, cropped tanks, or oversized silhouettes all rely on precise fit for performance and polish. Enter: Tellar.co.uk.

Tellar.co.uk: Get Your Perfect Fit for Athleisure

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s #1 Sizing Tool, matching your body to 1,500+ brands instantly—activewear included.

Whether you're trying Alo, Pangaia, Vuori or Ernest Leoty for the first time, Tellar eliminates size guesswork.

🔧 How It Works:

Input your bust, waist, and hip OR select a brand you already wear
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to get exact size recommendations
View your match across multiple brands—even for compression or technical fits

✅ Works in-browser

✅ Always free

✅ Create your free profile here

✅ Download a printable tape to measure at home

Perfect for activewear, loungewear, or tailored hybrids.

Explore More: Tellar Fashion Hub

Want to know which leggings suit your body shape? Or the best wide-leg joggers for petites?

The Tellar Fashion Hub is your go-to for free, stylist-written content:

Always honest. Always unbiased. Always free.

Follow Tellar for More Styling & Fit Tips

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Verdict: Is High-End Athleisure Worth It?

If you live in your leggings, joggers or sweatshirts, then yes—premium athleisure is a smart investment. The fabric, fit, and finish outperform fast fashion. And when styled right, you’ll look polished, purposeful, and modern.

But fit is everything. Use Tellar.co.uk to make sure each piece works with your body—not against it.