Woman in a chic activewear ensemble has become standard fare on the streets of New York, but a man? Not so fast. Despite plenty of stylish offerings, guys still tend to favor the tried-and-true (and, we’d add, tired) combination of basketball shorts and loose tees for the gym. Isaora has been working to change that for several seasons with its high-fashion-meets-high-performance parkas, sweats, and tops, and the brand’s latest activewear collaboration with Siki Im’s label Den Im is only going to give men another reason to rethink their outdated gym looks.
“There’s been a big shift in the way health and fitness have become an integral part of a modern lifestyle; it’s more part of the cultural conversation than ever before and more connected to fashion than it has ever been,” Ricky Hendry, Isaora’s creative director, told Style.com. “I do think people want to integrate performance-wear into their everyday wardrobe, and there is a desire for the kind of transitional pieces that make that possible. More than that, though, I think it’s the realization that your workout can be an extension of personal style rather than an exception. That’s something that has been underserved until recently, but I think we’re only going to see more of.”
Im, who just picked up the Woolmark Prize for the U.S. region and whose menswear brand is a cult favorite, added, “Ricky and I both believe that health and casualwear have become integrated for the modern man.”
For their collaborative line, launching via pre-order today and at Barneys New York and Lane Crawford in early August, Hendry and Im created four all-black activewear pieces that mix functionality with a sleek feel. There’s a reversible Drirelease tee and water-resistant jacket for men looking for an easy update. Those a bit more daring can try the low-rise leggings complete with iPhone 6-size pockets at each hip and lightweight fabric around the knees and backside. Don’t worry—the tights come with a note for the style-challenged: “While we can’t prevent you from wearing these sans shorts, we don’t support their independent use,” reads a blurb on the Isaora website. Luckily, the pair’s loose shorts in DWR-treated stretch fabric with laser-cut ventilation at the sides are just a click away.
See the full collection in the slideshow above.
—Steff Yotka
