With the likes of Kourtney Kardashian and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley promoting the ‘strong is the new skinny’ mantra, a new breed of female fitness fanatics are taking over gyms.
Thanks to these glamorous stars, a trip to the gym has become akin to a strut down the catwalk – and clothing brands are trying to cash in.
But what if you can’t afford an A-list gym uniform courtesy of Lululemon and Nike? Fear not! High street brands are now offering budget workout kits from as little as £10 for a top and leggings – so can you spot the difference between workoutwear from Asda and that designed by Matthew Williamson?
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON VERSUS PRIMARK
One of the most luxurious sportswear brands on the market is British fashion designer Matthew Williamson’s collection of active and yoga wear in collaboration with sportswear brand USA PRO. The ten-piece capsule collection includes leggings, zip-up jackets and crop tops, ranging across three prints.
Each print taps into the Matthew Williamson DNA – referencing nature, exotic travels and artisanal influences.
One of the most luxurious sportswear brands on the market is British fashion designer Matthew Williamson’s collection of active and yoga wear in collaboration with sportswear brand USA PRO, left, with a zip top costing £140, a hoody £150 and capri pants £110. On the cheaper end of the spectrum is purse-friendly store, Primark, right, which offers a top for £5 and leggings for just £7 in comparison
The colour palette is vibrant – particularly when contrasted against block colour trims – and the prints are designed to be styled boldly with garments contrasted against each other.
As well as looking good, the collection prides itself on quality and is made with polyamide – a stable yarn known to be hardwearing and durable yet also soft to the touch. It requires an intensive printing process to achieve depth of colour – taking a day to produce just 50 metres of fabric.
The base fabric is double-bonded with flexibility, stretch recovery, muscle-compression, moisture management and durability are all addressed at this stage of development.
But with good quality comes a hefty price tag. The collection ranges from a high neck bra (£65) to a zip up hoodie top (£150).
On the cheaper end of the spectrum is purse-friendly store, Primark, who say you can stand out from the crowd in their colourful array of kit.
With tie-dye prints, neon trainers and galactic-inspired graphics, the collection is bold and colourful.
As for the fabrics, whilst it’s highly unlikely that the same time was spent creating it as Matthew Williamson’s, the brand say its fabrics are fast-drying and breathable, meaning they’ll ‘work as hard as you’.
Left: Matthew Williamson’s range costs £75 for a top and £110 for colourful leggings. At Primark, you can get a crop top for £3.50 and shorts for £4, right
FREYA ACTIVE VERSUS GEORGE AT ASDA
Freya is known for its clever bras and now the brand has expanded into sportswear they say offers the same high quality support.
The brand says its sports bras have been made to support breasts, holding them firmly in place.
Likewise, their sports tops come with built-in support and are made with microfibre to wick away moisture.
George at Asda, meanwhile, offers a much cheaper array of fitness wear in a selection of vibrant colours.
Many of their leggings have been crafted using Dri More technology to help you to stay cool and dry during a workout and cost around £12 a pair.
George at Asda offers budget workout wear with a sports bra costing around £10, leggings costing around £12 and jumpers £8. Freya, right, is known for its clever bras and now the brand has expanded into sportswear they say offers the same high quality support with leggings costing and bras costing around £36 and leggings setting you back £42
LIVE! VERSUS HM
LIVE! was launched in 2002 with the aim of becoming synonymous with exclusive quality, says the brand loved by Millie Mackintosh. LIVE! wants to be known for high quality technology in its products, with a focus on comfort and performance.
The collection, which costs around £80 per piece, was designed to be worn in gyms, dance classes, Pilates and yoga studios but also around town, too.
On the cheaper – but equally stylish – end of the spectrum is HM’s new collection, For Every Victory. The range, which launches on July 21, has been developed in collaboration with the Swedish Olympic team and costs between £7.99- £39.99.
The collection combines high-fashion styles with the help of technical expert knowledge, focusing on core sports and training pieces that have all been tested by the Swedish Olympic team. The athletes advised on design, performance and wearability.
The technical benefits apparently include quick-drying, breathable materials that help to optimise performance, while recycled polyesters prove that high-function sportswear can also be conscious and more sustainable ? all showing that there’s no compromise on either fashion or performance.
LIVE! was launched in 2002 with the aim of becoming synonymous with exclusive quality – these leggings, left, are £96, left. HM’s new collection, For Every Victory, right, has been developed in collaboration with the Swedish Olympic team. The range, which launches on July 21, does, however, come with reasonable price tags of £14.99 for a crop top and £29.99 for leggings