Gym fashion has gone way beyond what it first started out as. In the olden times, people would just wear whatever sporty clothes they could find to the gym – it usually meant you’d put on a vest or T-shirt with some shorts. Slowly, as gym culture started to expand, people realised that it felt good to dress nicely when working out, and this became a complete fashion subculture in its own right.
It would be fair to say that the majority of men spend most of their time in some sort of gym attire, but what are the latest trends in gym fashion right now? Some things haven’t changed that much, while others may take you by surprise.
The Rise Of The Oversized Tee
Why gym fashion and gym culture really started taking off: there was a massive demand for tight tees in the men’s department. Guys wanted to wear the tightest and most fitted T-shirts possible because they wanted to show off their muscles. While you still get a lot of this today, there’s definitely been a shift further in the opposite direction: oversized men’s T-shirts.
Men are recognising that it pays to feel comfortable when you work out, and wearing fitted tops isn’t always the best way to do this – especially when you get all hot and sweaty. You want more airflow around your body, so oversized tees are extremely popular right now. There’s also something to be said about an oversized top and the way it fits on your body when you work out. A lot of guys feel that this style of top makes them look bigger, and therefore they feel more confident.
Layering Your Gymwear
More and more men are starting to layer their gymwear rather than walk into the gym in shorts and a T-shirt. The idea has two benefits, depending on what you prefer:
- It gives you an initial outfit to warm-up in, with the ability to remove layers as you get deeper into your workouts.
- It allows for a better blend between gymwear and streetwear.
You see, a lot of guys like starting their workouts in hoodies or while wearing joggers before transitioning to the main part of their workouts, where they get a bit hotter and sweatier. Layering allows you to simply take off your hoodie if you get too hot, making it easier to control your body temperature and to feel comfortable.
Having said that, it’s probably fair to comment that most men enjoy layering their gymwear purely because it’s a good way to transition from the gym to other parts of their life. You can feel a bit out of place in a coffee shop wearing shorts and a vest – but you look and feel fashionable if you’re wearing some nice joggers or a stylish hoody/jacket.
Retro & Vintage Clothing Makes A Comeback
One of the absolute biggest trends in men’s gym fashion is the re-emergence of retro and vintage sportswear clothing. Some brands will even design new clothes that mimic the look of the classic retro style from the 80s and 90s. We’re talking about boxy track jackets, vintage-style joggers, shell jackets, and so on.
Again, it’s a prime example of how men’s gym fashion has evolved from wearing the first thing you can find to actually looking good. This also blends in with the previous trend in the sense that people think retro sportswear looks better outside of the gym, too. So, it’s a lot easier to go from a workout to a nearby cafe, or to meet someone for lunch.
Shorts Are Getting Shorter
It’s funny because most of the male gym fashion trends have leaned towards the idea of clothing getting more relaxed instead of fitted. However, when shorts are concerned, it’s gone in the opposite direction. Gone are the days when guys would walk into the gym in knee-length, basketball-style shorts; it’s all about the short shorts these days.
The 3-inch inseam is remarkably popular, mainly because men want something with a lot of flexibility when working out. It’s also a reflection of the popularity of leg day! There’s long been a meme that men don’t like training legs, and that was sort of true for a very long time. Over the years, it’s now become more popular to do this as guys realise that having big, strong legs is actually a very good thing after all. As such, shorter shorts allow you to show them off when you’re squatting or doing leg extensions.
Men’s gym fashion is in a different spot now than it was ten years ago, and it’s interesting to see how these trends change with time. We’re definitely living in an era where people want to look good in the gym and see it as a chance to express themselves rather than just a place to work out.
