Why Quiet Luxury is Reshaping Athleisure in 2025
Athleisure has evolved from a niche trend to a dominant force in modern fashion. In 2025, the latest transformation is the rise of quiet luxury—an aesthetic that prioritizes understated elegance, premium craftsmanship, and minimalist styling over loud branding and fleeting trends. This movement extends beyond traditional tailoring and into high-performance activewear, where luxury is no longer about excessive logos but timeless, well-made pieces that fit seamlessly into a sophisticated wardrobe.
Pairing athleisure with refined accessories, such as gold jewelry, sleek heels, trending sneakers, and structured bags, can elevate an outfit from gym-ready to street-style chic. This styling shift allows for effortless transitions between settings, blurring the lines between fitness, fashion, and function. The key is balancing minimalism with intentional, high-quality statement pieces.
The Foundations of a Quiet Luxury Athleisure Look
Quiet luxury is defined by premium materials, sculpted silhouettes, and a muted color palette. The goal is to invest in versatile, high-quality essentials that enhance movement and style without sacrificing performance. Athleisure staples that align with this aesthetic include:
- Tailored, sculpting leggings and bodysuits in neutral tones such as black, taupe, navy, and deep gray.
- Oversized structured outerwear in luxury textiles like organic cotton, merino wool, or plant-based leather.
- Minimalist, high-quality sports bras and tanks with flattering cuts and refined details.
- Monochrome activewear sets that create a cohesive, polished silhouette.
Akkim’s sculpting leggings and high-performance bodysuits provide the ideal foundation for quiet luxury athleisure. Designed with natural fibers and slow fashion principles, these pieces merge technical performance with high-end aesthetics while minimizing synthetic plastic use.
Elevating Athleisure with Jewelry and Heels
Accessories distinguish everyday gym wear from high-fashion athleisure. Subtle yet luxurious details—such as stacked gold rings, sculptural earrings, and minimalist cuffs—enhance an outfit without overwhelming it.
Key Jewelry Pieces for an Elevated Athleisure Look:
- Gold hoops – Mejuri and Laura Lombardi offer affordable yet ethical options.
- Stacked rings – Monica Vinader and Catbird NYC create understated, sustainably made designs.
- Minimalist cuffs – Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti and Sophie Buhai offer sculptural, timeless accents.
- Sport-luxe watches – The Cartier Tank Française and Larsson & Jennings Norse are ethical, investment-worthy choices.
Footwear That Elevates the Look:
- Pointed-toe pumps – Aeyde's leather pumps provide a chic yet sustainable alternative to traditional luxury brands.
- Kitten heels – Stella McCartney’s cruelty-free heels are a standout choice for ethical luxury.
- Strappy heels with socks – Reformation’s Heeled Sandals provide an eco-friendly take on modern styling.
By pairing Akkim’s high-waisted leggings with a structured blazer, gold jewelry, and Aeyde pumps, athleisure seamlessly transitions from performance-driven to polished sophistication.
Incorporating Caps, Sneakers, and It-Bags for an Edgier Look
For a street-style inspired approach, replacing heels with sustainable sneakers and minimalist caps infuses an outfit with sporty refinement. These elements create an effortless, off-duty model aesthetic, balancing luxury with casual cool.
Caps That Elevate Athleisure:
- Celine Baseball Cap – Minimalist branding with maximum impact.
- Loro Piana Cashmere Cap – The pinnacle of understated luxury.
- Pangaia Recycled Cotton Cap – A sustainable yet affordable choice.
Trending Sneakers That Pair with Everything:
- Veja V-10 Sneakers – Made with fair-trade rubber and organic cotton.
- Løci Eight Sneakers – Crafted from recycled ocean plastic.
- New Balance 327s – An accessible, fashionable sneaker with some eco-friendly models available.
- Yatay Irori Sneakers – Vegan and biodegradable, combining sustainability with luxury aesthetics.
It-Bags That Complement the Aesthetic:
- Bottega Veneta Mini Jodie – The quiet luxury go-to handbag with ethical craftsmanship.
- Loewe Puzzle Bag – Made with LWG-certified leather for sustainable production.
- Nanushka Origami Tote – A vegan leather statement bag perfect for minimalist styling.
- Aesther Ekme Tote – A lesser-known quiet luxury brand with sustainable leather alternatives.
By layering Akkim’s neutral-toned bodysuits with Veja sneakers, a Pangaia cap, and a Nanushka bag, athleisure transforms into an elevated, effortlessly chic statement.
The Final Touch: Sunglasses and Outerwear That Define the Look
To complete the aesthetic, structured outerwear and statement sunglasses provide balance and polish. A tailored trench or oversized blazer adds instant refinement, while sleek sunglasses exude modern minimalism.
Sunglasses That Elevate Athleisure:
- Bottega Veneta Cat-Eye Sunglasses – A subtle yet powerful finishing touch.
- Celine Triomphe Oversized Frames – Timeless and sophisticated.
- Pala Eyewear – An affordable, sustainable sunglasses brand with a luxury feel.
- Balenciaga Wraparound Shield Glasses – A bold fusion of sport and luxury.
Outerwear That Enhances the Look:
- Oversized Blazers – The Frankie Shop Bea Blazer or Totême’s structured wool blazer provide tailored contrast to activewear.
- Luxe Trench Coats – The Reformation Kensington Trench defines timeless appeal with sustainable fabrics.
- Elevated Puffers – Loro Piana’s cashmere puffer or Pangaia’s recycled down jacket blend functionality with quiet luxury.
Akkim’s activewear, layered with a trench coat, sculptural sunglasses, and a Nanushka tote, embodies the essence of modern, elevated athleisure.
Why Quiet Luxury Athleisure is the Future of Fashion
The intersection of quiet luxury and athleisure reflects a larger movement toward intentional consumption and effortless refinement. Rather than relying on logos and trends, today’s discerning consumers prioritize craftsmanship, versatility, and understated sophistication.
By integrating high-end accessories into performance-driven activewear, athleisure becomes an extension of modern luxury—refined, adaptable, and effortlessly chic. Akkim’s minimalist, sculpting silhouettes provide the ideal foundation for this aesthetic, ensuring that wearers look polished, powerful, and poised at all times.
Explore Akkim’s latest collection to redefine your athleisure wardrobe.
References
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WGSN Trend Report. (2024). The Rise of Quiet Luxury in Fashion and Accessories.
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Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2017). A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future.
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Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). (2017). Valuing Our Clothes: The Cost of UK Fashion.
