sportstyle

How Casual Became Functional & Functional Became Casual. By Emily Walzer 2.0 T he phrase "Wardrobe Casualization" is having a moment, yet when you scratch the surface even just a tiny bit it becomes clear that today's hottest cultural trend has actually been taking shape for decades. e outdoor market is a perfect example: Remember when brands started pitching a new concept for performance outdoor product that would seamlessly crossover from "trails to cocktails?" at was around 15-20 years ago. And even earlier, back in the 1990s, functional fabrics had already begun to shrug off their conventional identity as being tough, rugged, and hard-core to try on new features like comfort, soness and drape. Versatility was in, extreme was out; First we welcomed "Mountain Lifestyle" and from there it was a slippery slope to "Active Lifestyle," and "Athleisure," with performance textiles driving this evolution every step of the way. What makes Wardrobe Casualization seem fresh in 2022, is that it's universal. While the outdoor market may have had a head start, other industries have caught up, further blurring the lines of how we dress to a new level with an ability to cross over to all aspects of street, sport, work and everyday life. e pandemic accelerated this latest transformation of wardrobe casualization with the advent of Work From Home (WFH), and the changing nature of work in general. Commuter wear? Career wear? No longer relevant. However, fabrications that put these and other niche sectors on the map, materials with engineered comfort and functionality, are more important than ever. Another key to unlocking today's casual lifestyle phenomenon LIFESTYLE sportstylemag.com • sportstyle September/October 2022 • 37

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