Men's sportswear no longer lives only between the weight room, the track and the playing field. Joggers, sweatshirts, T-shirts, wide trousers, shorts, technical garments and sneakers have firmly entered the daily wardrobe. But wearing a sports garment outside the gym is not enough, on its own, to create a real masculine athleisure look.
The difference lies in the way garments are chosen and combined. Athleisure works when comfort and functionality meet careful proportions, coherent materials and details capable of moving the outfit from pure sportswear towards a more refined style.
In FGM04 this double dimension finds space in a men's collection that includes garments intended for sporting activities and more versatile proposals for free time: leggings and technical cyclists, shorts, Bermuda shorts, joggers, soft trousers, sweatshirts, T-shirts and cotton garments can be combined to create different outfits based on the occasion.
The objective of this guide is therefore not simply to explain how to dress sporty, but to understand how to build an elegant sports outfit for men without giving the impression of having just left the gym.
What men's athleisure really means
The word athleisure arises from the union of English terms athletic e leisure: sporting activity and free time. Two concepts that explain the origin of this style well, but do not exhaust its meaning.
Men's athleisure uses elements from sportswear - joggers, sweatshirts, T-shirts, shorts, sneakers and technical garments - and inserts them into outfits also designed for everyday life.
The sports garment therefore loses its exclusive use for training and becomes part of a more versatile wardrobe. Drawstring trousers can be worn with a T-shirt and sweatshirt for a relaxed look, but can completely change character if paired with a basic sneaker and more structured outerwear.
The real key to athleisure is therefore not the single garment, but the contamination between different codes. Sporty and casual coexist in the same outfit without one of the two completely dominating the other.
Athleisure, activewear and sportswear: what are the differences?
These terms are often used synonymously, but they describe different concepts.
With activewear we mainly indicate garments designed for physical activity. In this case, freedom of movement, elasticity, breathability, wearability and technical characteristics consistent with the discipline practiced become central.
Lo sportswear instead it includes a broader universe of garments inspired by sport but which have now entered the casual wardrobe: sweatshirts, soft trousers, T-shirts, bomber jackets and sneakers are common examples.
Theathleisure it concerns above all the way in which these elements are inserted into everyday life. A tight-fitting technical shirt used during a workout belongs to activewear. The same type of garment, used as a first layer under a soft sweatshirt or casual outerwear, can fit into an athleisure outfit.
Are athleisure and casual chic the same thing?
No, although they can meet.
In the casual chic for men the starting point is usually everyday clothing, made more refined through materials, colors, footwear and structured garments.
In athleisure, however, the reference to sport remains recognisable: the trousers can retain the drawstring and soft construction, the sweatshirt retains the hood and volume, while the sneaker remains an important component of the ensemble.
A Elegant sports outfit for men it often arises precisely in the meeting area between these two worlds.
The essential items for a men's athleisure wardrobe
An effective athleisure wardrobe doesn't have to be very large. It is more useful to have some versatile items that can change character through combinations.
| Boss | Function in the look | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Joggers | Versatile sports base | With a T-shirt, sweatshirt, bomber jacket or more structured outerwear |
| Wide or baggy trousers | Create volume | To be balanced with a more linear upper part |
| T-shirts | Essential base | Smooth for clean looks, graphics for a street feel |
| Sweatshirt | Main layer | With soft trousers, joggers or over a technical garment |
| Shorts and Bermuda shorts | Summer alternative | To be chosen based on the technical or lifestyle component |
| Leggings or technical cyclist | Base layer | For sports, running, layering or strong performance looks |
| Outerwear | Contrasting element | It can make the look less like a gym outfit |
Jogger: the bridge between sports and everyday clothing
The jogger is one of the garments that best interprets men's athleisure. It retains typical elements of sportswear, such as the elastic waistband and drawstring, but can be used well beyond training.
The FGM04 joggers are made of cotton, a choice that underlines their comfortable and lifestyle component. In particular, the Ikonic joggers it can become the basis of a relaxed look with a T-shirt and a sweatshirt, but it can also be worn with a clean sneaker and a jacket with a clearer construction to reduce the "tracksuit" effect.
The point to observe is above all the silhouette. When the trousers are soft at the top and more controlled towards the bottom, the eye still perceives a defined shape. This makes it easier to insert the jogger into contexts other than sport.
Baggy trousers: when volume becomes part of the style
A men's athleisure wardrobe doesn't necessarily have to be built around slim-fit trousers. On the contrary, wider shapes allow you to get closer to streetwear and create more interesting proportions.
Baggy or barrel trousers concentrate a good part of the volume in the lower part of the outfit. For this reason it is often effective to combine it with a relatively clean T-shirt, a tight technical shirt or a sweatshirt whose width is intentional and not simply casual.
The Baggy Men's Trousers FGM04, made of cotton, lends itself well to this logic: its soft construction distances it from the classic tight-fitting training trousers and brings it towards urban and informal use.
Sweatshirts: the most versatile layer
The sweatshirt occupies a central position in the athleisure wardrobe because it is easy to layer, maintains a clear sporty identity and allows you to quickly change the volumes of the outfit.
The oversized models with hood are particularly suitable for a street and relaxed aesthetic. They can be used over a T-shirt, a tank top or a more fitted technical garment, creating a contrast between the first and second layer.
The Men's Short Sleeve Oversized Sweatshirt FGM04, 100% Made in Italy and made of 100% cotton, offers a soft fit and raw cut finishes. The construction makes it interesting especially as a layering element in the mid-seasons or over a tight-fitting shirt.
It too Ikonic Men's Vest with Hood, in 100% cotton and Made in Italy, works well on layering: it has a soft fit, a large front pocket and a raw cut hem. It can be used to leave the underlying layer visible and give more depth to the look.
T-shirts and sweaters: the basis that defines the character of the outfit
The T-shirt is often the least flashy item of a look, but it has an important function: it establishes how essential, street or technical the ensemble should be.
A clean-cut cotton T-shirt makes it easier to combine wide trousers, statement sneakers or structured outerwear. A clear graphic, on the other hand, shifts the look more towards streetwear.
Technical shirts perform a different function. The generally tighter fit and physical activity-oriented design make them suitable for both sports and other sports base layer under sweatshirts, vests and jackets.
It is precisely through this overlap that a garment created for performance can fit into a leisure outfit without being used as if it were a simple T-shirt.
Shorts and Bermuda shorts: not all have the same intended use
When building a summer athleisure look it is important to distinguish the more lifestyle shorts from the more technical ones.
The Ikonic Men's Shorts they are 100% Made in Italy and made of 100% cotton. They have an elasticated waist with adjustable drawstring, side pockets with raw cut edge, back pocket and raw cut bottom. The softness of the cotton and the casual construction make them particularly easy to use even in your free time.
The Men's Power Running Shorts e Pro Men's Running Shorts they use 88% polyamide and 12% elastane. In an athleisure outfit they can work when you want to intentionally keep a clear technical component, for example with essential T-shirts, light sweatshirts and sporty sneakers.
The difference is therefore not between a "right" model and a "wrong" one, but between different intended uses. Cotton tends to move the ensemble towards casual; a technical fabric instead makes the performance origin of the garment more visible.
Leggings and men's cyclists as a base layer
I leggings and technical cyclists for men they can enter athleisure especially through the concept of layering. The FGM04 models with FIR technology can be used during sporting activities or as a first layer under shorts and other garments.
In this case the technical component remains evident, so the balance with the rest of the outfit becomes even more important. A soft sweatshirt, a long T-shirt or an overlapping short can completely redesign the proportions.
How to choose the right fabrics for an athleisure look
The fabric influences the way a garment falls on the body, the volume it creates, the sensation during use and above all its destination.
This is why an athleisure wardrobe should not be built by choosing exclusively technical materials or exclusively cotton. It is precisely the contrast between different surfaces and characteristics that makes the whole interesting.
Cotton: softness and lifestyle vocation
Cotton is particularly suitable for sweatshirts, joggers, T-shirts and leisure trousers. It offers a soft and familiar sensation and immediately makes the perception of the garment less "performance-like".
In athleisure looks it can therefore be used as an element of balance when another garment has a more technical character. Cotton trousers combined with a tight sports shirt, for example, produce a very different result than an outfit made entirely of technical fabric.
Polyamide and elastane: when you need a technical component
Polyamide and elastane are frequently used in sportswear because they allow you to obtain elastic, adherent fabrics suitable for following movement.
In an athleisure look these materials can be left clearly visible, if the goal is to maintain a strong sporty identity, or be used as a base under more casual layers.
It is important not to confuse the material with the fit: a technical fabric can be used in different garments and does not automatically determine whether a model will be slim, regular or soft. It is the construction and design of the individual garment that defines the final result.
Technology and style are not the same thing
Technologies applied to fabrics must also be evaluated separately from aesthetics. A technical garment can have an essential line, while a cotton product can have strongly street constructions.
When you choose an FGM04 garment with FIR technology, for example, you must distinguish the textile characteristic from the function that garment will have in the outfit. If it is used as a first layer, its fit will visually interact with the sweatshirt, trousers or outerwear worn on top.
Combining sporty and casual clothing: practical tips for dressing elegantly sporty
The transition from the total gym look to a real one elegant men's sporty outfit It happens above all through combinations.
The most useful principle is simple: it is not necessary for every element of the outfit to be sporty.
Inserting a casual or more structured element creates contrast and communicates that the athletic pieces were intentionally chosen for everyday life.
1. Balance the volumes
If you wear baggy or very soft pants like i City trousers, rate a relatively clean top. A regular fit T-shirt or a fitted shirt keeps the silhouette legible.
If you choose an oversized sweatshirt, you can achieve a more balanced effect by using a less bulky jogger.
This doesn't mean that total oversize is prohibited. It can be a precise choice, especially in a street look, but it must seem intentional: lengths, widths and footwear must communicate with each other.
2. Avoid the full training effect
Sports sweatshirt, technical trousers, running shoe and gym accessories can be perfectly coherent during training, but outside of that context they risk communicating exclusively performance.
To obtain a more versatile result, simply replace one of the elements. For example: track pants, basic T-shirt, clean sneaker and casual jacket.
3. Use layering
Overlaying layers is one of the most effective tools of men's athleisure.
A fitted technical shirt can become the basis of a sleeveless sweatshirt. A T-shirt can emerge under a cropped sweatshirt or jacket. A hoodie can be worn under a bomber jacket, a casual trench coat or a clean-cut coat.
The layers create depth and, above all, make the outfit perceive as constructed and not as simple sportswear.
4. Maintain a consistent palette
Black, grey, white, blue, dark green, beige and natural shades allow you to easily combine items with different functions.
A neutral base also allows you to insert a more obvious element — a graphic, a sneaker, an accessory — without making the look too busy.
However, if many prints, logos, colors and textures are used at the same time, the sports component risks becoming excessively dominant.
5. Introduce at least one non-sports element
It is one of the simplest formulas to get away from the gym effect.
It can be an essential bomber jacket, an open shirt, a coat, an unstructured jacket, an overshirt or simply a less technical sneaker.
There is no need to transform the look into an elegant suit. All it takes is an element capable of changing the visual context.
How to create an athleisure outfit based on the occasion
Athleisure becomes really useful when it stops being just a style and starts solving concrete wardrobe needs. The same boss can be reinterpreted in very different ways based on where you need to go.
Men's athleisure look for free time
For a casual day you can start with a cotton jogger, add a T-shirt and complete with a sweatshirt. It is the formula closest to sportswear, so it will above all be shoes and accessories that define its character.
An essential sneaker and a compact bag make it more urban; a highly technical shoe and a gym backpack bring him back towards activewear.
Street athleisure look
If you want to emphasize the street component, work on volumes.
Baggy trousers, T-shirt and oversized sweatshirt are an effective combination. In this case you can choose whether to keep the entire silhouette soft or create contrast through a more fitted upper part.
Graphic prints can find space, but it is preferable to identify only one visual protagonist.
Elegant sporty look for men
To obtain a more refined result it is useful to reduce the clearly performance elements.
Start with a jogger or soft cotton trousers and pair them with a solid color T-shirt. On top you can add a minimal bomber jacket, an overshirt, an unstructured jacket or an essential coat in the colder seasons.
Footwear also plays a decisive role: a clean and non-technical sneaker tends to make the ensemble closer to casual chic.
Men's athleisure for travel
Travel is one of the contexts in which athleisure best expresses its potential. Comfort and freedom of movement are important, but at the same time you may want a look that is also suitable for arriving at your destination.
Jogger, T-shirt, sweatshirt or vest represent a simple base. Layering allows you to easily adapt to temperature changes without giving up a coherent silhouette.
From the gym to the city
If the outfit must accompany you before or after training, the starting point can be an authentic technical garment.
Men's leggings, cycling leggings or technical shirts can be left as the first layer and completed with shorts, soft trousers, oversized sweatshirts or other lifestyle elements.
It is one of the cases in which the original concept of athleisure becomes more evident: not to completely replace the sports wardrobe, but to make it more easily integrated into the day.
Athleisure in summer
During the warmer months the outfit naturally becomes simpler and for this reason every choice takes on greater importance.
Cotton shorts, T-shirts and sneakers create a more lifestyle look. Instead, using technical shorts, performance shirts and running shoes remains closer to training clothing.
If you want to maintain the technical component without looking ready for a running session, include at least one casual element: a cotton T-shirt, a light shirt worn open or a less specialized sneaker.
Accessories that complete your athleisure look
Accessories can change the interpretation of the entire outfit more than it seems. In particular, they allow you to choose whether to move the result towards sport, streetwear or casual.
Sneakers
They are almost always the most natural connection point with the sporting universe.
A running sneaker with a large sole increases the performance component. An essential and monochromatic model makes it easier to combine joggers and soft trousers with casual garments.
This is why there is no universal athleisure sneaker: it depends on the effect you want to achieve.
Caps and caps
They work well especially in street and informal looks. If the outfit already contains important logos or graphics, a simple accessory avoids overloading the whole.
Backpacks and bags
A highly technical backpack immediately communicates sport and outdoors. A clean backpack, a messenger bag or a compact bag can instead make the look more urban.
Clock
Even the clock can change the tone of the whole. A smartwatch maintains a strong connection with sport and technology, while a more essential model can create contrast with sweatshirt and sports trousers.
Socks
Visible socks can be used as a graphic detail, especially with shorts and sneakers. In more minimal looks, however, shades coordinated with the trousers or shoe maintain greater visual continuity.
Mistakes to avoid when creating a men's athleisure outfit
Athleisure seems simple precisely because it uses familiar pieces. In reality, some mistakes can quickly transform a studied outfit into a simple sports outfit.
Wear only workout clothes
Total technical look, running shoes, bag and performance accessories have their own coherence, but mainly communicate sporting activity.
If the goal is athleisure, try replacing at least one element with something more casual.
Confusing oversize and wrong size
The oversized fit is a design choice. An excessively large size does not necessarily produce the same result.
Shoulders, lengths, sleeve volume and relationship with the trousers must create an understandable silhouette.
Ignore the aspect ratio
Very wide trousers combined with an equally voluminous sweatshirt and a statement sneaker can work in a strong street look, but it is not automatically balanced.
Before leaving, look at the figure as a whole, not the individual items separately.
Using too much visual information
Maxi logo, decorated trousers, multicolored sneakers, graphic cap and very visible accessories can compete with each other.
Identify one or two key elements and let the others build the base.
Choosing an item just because it's comfortable
Comfort is central to athleisure, but it is not enough.
A garment can be soft and pleasant to wear without fitting properly into the desired proportions. Comfort, fit and style must be evaluated together.
Don't consider the context
The same outfit is not suitable for every situation.
Athleisure can work perfectly on a trip, on the weekend, in the city or in many informal settings, but it does not automatically replace a formal or professional dress code.
Men's athleisure trends: where sporty style is going
The evolution of men's athleisure shows above all a progressive reduction of the boundaries between categories.
An item no longer necessarily has to be identified as "gym wear" or "city wear". Increasingly, construction, styling and context determine their final function.
Larger volumes
Joggers and slim trousers are no longer the only reference. Baggy, barrel and softer silhouettes allow you to create sporty outfits with a more street and urban character.
The consequence is greater attention to the proportion between the top and bottom.
Technical and casual layering
One of the most interesting directions is using performance pieces as a base layer.
Tight-fitting sweaters, leggings and other technical elements don't necessarily have to be the protagonists: they can emerge under sweatshirts, shorts, vests and more casual outerwear.
Cleaner streetwear
Streetwear doesn't necessarily mean an accumulation of graphics and oversized shapes. Wide trousers, hoodies and sneakers can be combined while maintaining simple palettes and controlled details.
The result is a sporty style that is easier to use on a daily basis.
Sport and tailoring in the same outfit
Another interesting area is the dialogue with more structured leaders. Jogger with coat, hoodie under an informal jacket, sports trousers with overshirt and minimal sneakers are examples of how two apparently distant languages can coexist.
It is not necessary to make a sports garment elegant: it is sufficient to insert elements into the outfit that change its context.
Functionality increasingly integrated into the daily wardrobe
Comfort, elasticity and freedom of movement are no longer perceived as characteristics reserved for training. They have also become important criteria in the choice of many garments intended for everyday life.
This is probably the most important transformation of athleisure: not the idea of always dressing like you do at the gym, but the possibility of bringing some qualities of sportswear into the rest of the wardrobe.
FAQ on men's athleisure
What does athleisure mean?
Athleisure is a term formed by the union of athletic e leisure. Indicates a style that integrates garments from sportswear into outfits also intended for everyday life. Joggers, sweatshirts, sneakers, T-shirts and technical garments can therefore be used outside the sporting environment through combinations designed with casual or more structured elements.
What is the casual chic dress code for men?
Casual chic for men combines informal garments with more refined elements. Some examples are soft trousers with a basic T-shirt and an unstructured jacket, or minimal sneakers combined with clean-cut trousers and simple outerwear. Compared to athleisure, casual chic generally has a less obvious sporty component.
How to dress sporty without looking like you just left the gym?
The simplest way is to avoid that every element of the outfit belongs to technical clothing. A jogger can be paired with a clean T-shirt and casual outerwear; a sweatshirt can be worn with trousers of a less sporty construction. Shoes and accessories also contribute a lot to the final perception.
How to make a men's jogger elegant?
Better to talk about a more refined result than about the transformation of the jogger into formal trousers. Pair it with a basic T-shirt, a clean sneaker and structured but informal outerwear. Neutral colors and a limited number of logos help make the whole look tidier.
Can you wear a sweatshirt with a jacket?
Yes, as long as the volumes are compatible. A relatively clean hoodie can be used under bomber jackets, unstructured jackets and other outerwear. However, it is necessary to check the thickness of the fabric, the width of the sleeves and the length of the sweatshirt to avoid excessive accumulation.
Which trousers to choose for a men's athleisure look?
It depends on the desired effect. A jogger maintains a strong sporting identity and is easy to use in your free time. Baggy trousers instead create a wider and more street silhouette. Technical trousers are indicated when you want to keep the link with performance more evident.
What is the difference between athleisure and activewear?
Activewear is designed primarily for physical activity. Athleisure, on the other hand, concerns the way in which sporty and casual garments are combined in everyday life. The same technical garment can therefore belong to activewear during training and become part of an athleisure look when inserted into an urban outfit.
Is men's athleisure also suitable after 40?
Yes. Athleisure is not tied to a specific age. For a more sober result you can favor neutral colours, essential T-shirts, joggers with clean lines, sweatshirts with few graphic elements and less flashy sneakers. The main criterion always remains coherence between fit, proportions and context.
Can athleisure be used in the office?
It depends on the dress code of the workplace. In very informal environments some athleisure elements can be integrated into the professional wardrobe, while in contexts that require formal clothing they do not necessarily represent an adequate choice. If in doubt, it is best to keep the sporting component discreet.
Male athleisure look: the secret is balance
Building a good men's athleisure look doesn't mean wearing gym clothes all day or even trying to turn every piece of sportswear into something stylish.
It means learning to use elements with different origins in the same wardrobe.
A cotton jogger can dialogue with more structured outerwear. A technical shirt can become the first layer under a sweatshirt. A baggy trousers can be balanced by a more linear T-shirt. A technical short can be made less specialized through the other elements of the outfit.
Fabric, fit, construction and intended use must be considered separately: it is their combination that determines the final result.
Before choosing what to wear, it may therefore be useful to start not from the single product, but from three questions: where should I go, what level of comfort am I looking for and how visible do I want the sporting component to be?
From these answers it becomes much easier to decide whether to move towards joggers, wide trousers, cotton sweatshirts, lifestyle shorts or more technical garments.
It is this balance between function and style that makes athleisure one of the most versatile interpretations of the men's wardrobe.
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