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Whether you like it or not, you’re being judged by those around you every time you step out of your house. How you act, who you’re with, and yes, how you’re dressed. We do a fair amount of talk about clothing ’round these parts, whether you’re being chastised for wearing jeans and a button down when you’re out, or when we’re plugging Man Outfitters in order for you to stock your wardrobe with fire fits.
I don’t feel too strongly about what you’re wearing one way or the other. As long as what you’re wearing won’t turn me blind, I say rock it with confidence and I’ll tip my hat to you. I can totally sympathize with people who may “play it safe” when they go out by not taking too many risks and wearing simple yet sensible clothing. With this approach you know you won’t stick out, either in a good way or a bad way, and that’s fine. You’re cool with it, and so am I.
And hey! I used to be very much one of those dudes who looked like everyone else. It’s practically a uniform in Boston for men: Vineyard Vines and Sperrys. But then, miraculously, two things happened. One, I realized I’m not nearly tall enough, good-looking enough, or rich enough to just wear what everyone else around me is wearing and still somehow be the belle of the ball. I moved to New York and quickly learned that you’re pretty much allowed to wear anything anywhere at anytime and you’re almost encouraged to look like a freak.
It was these two realizations that have led me to champion athleisure as the go-to outfit of choice for a night on the town.
I first jumped head-first into the athleisure game last winter. I took a job working from home and when you don’t have to wear work clothes, you pretty much just decide to wear the comfiest clothing imaginable. And it’s with that life-altering decision to become a work-from-home guy that I became absolutely addicted to clothing you’re supposed to work out in but you just kind of wear to do literally anything else.
I became so infatuated with this type of clothing that I had to make a rule for myself: no athleisure after 7 p.m. because otherwise I thought I’d slip into full Costanza mode because the next step after 24/7 athleisure is just draping myself in velvet. Needless to say, that rule lasted about as long as I do, when I’m, you know, alone, and the only “material” I have is a picture of Tom Brady.
It all started this past spring. I was lounging around in my Outdoor Voices Weekender hoodie on a Thursday evening when my roommates declared we were going to the local watering hole bursting at the seams with young co-eds from the neighborhood for some nearly frozen Bud Lights up-charged to the high heavens and to make chit-chat with the aforementioned young ladies. Not wanting to change out of the comfiest hoodie known to man, I simply went to the bar wearing my Outdoor Voices Weekender. And wouldn’t you know it, but I was getting compliments. Babes telling me how much they loved my hoodie. And that was it for me. I instantly became an athleisure at the bar kind of guy.
I began pushing the boundaries as far as they could go. 5″ Lululemon shorts? Not possible to show too much thigh on the dance floor. Hitting the bars all Saturday afternoon to watch college football? Quarter-zip for daysssss. Shout out to QZ Nation.
And now I can’t stop won’t stop. It’s the perfect blend of fashion statement, yet, not too over-the-top freakazoid. It’s eye-catching, yet, not because of what the clothing is, but the setting in which it’s being worn. Plus I guarantee it’s the comfiest thing you can wear out, bar none.
“But Maxxx,” you will inevitably whine, “athleisure is sooo expensive.” Yeah, I don’t know what to tell you. Do I balk at throwing down the Chase Sapphire Reserve to buy $65 shorts and $125 shirts made of the perfect blend of polyester and spandex? No, I do not. But that’s because I’m a member of the finer things club. Champagne taste at my core. But if you want to live the life of luxury – and by “luxury,” I mean draping yourself in the finest threads built for athletes – then you need to pay to play. Ask your boss for a raise. Say you need to max the plastic over at Man Outfitters for some fresh to death athleisure in order to step up your bar-wear. Your boss will sympathize. Hundo P.
The athleisure to the bar is going to catch on and blow up. You heard it here first. So, do you want to be a trailblazer or a crowd follower? Next time you’re hitting the town, grab some threads designed for #athletes and be the most comfortable and the most fashionable dude drinking an over-priced Bud Latte. .
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Boston Max
Spending my retirement fund at Trader Joe's and trying to remember to check my mailbox semi-regularly
@BostonMaxG
@boston_maxg
Would definitely hit up a guy wearing athleisure at the bar.
There’s no point in dressing up all nice anymore. Everyone should be comfortable and wear clothes that allow for full range of motion since you must be ready to run away from anything at anytime while remaining aerodynamic
Solid take. However – I wore grey sweatpants out to the bar. Let’s just say, from this point on, I won’t be wearing grey sweatpants out to the bars.
3 years ago I was considered lazy for wearing athleisure out and about. Now…I’m still considered lazy, but at least now it’s not for how I dress.
Also, even more of a game changer are the mizzen dress shirts. I got a couple of the ones on sale and they really did ruin regular dress shirts for me.
Can’t buy anything else now. I’m about to invest in the chinos. If I have to wear business casual to work, it might as well feel like athleisure.
Is this the same as girls wearing yoga pants to the bar?
no
oh
Been tossing this move out lately. Baggies with OV joggers overtop and either a long sleeve or a flannel. Maximize comfort now that it’s grown cold.
I have worn my Sunday shorts (ash) out on the town many a time. Comfy as hell and just the right look.
People pay $65 do shirts that you’re supposed to work out in? Am I missing something?
Yes, you are.
https://www.outdoorvoices.com/collections/m-shorts?
https://shop.lululemon.com/c/men-shorts/_/N-887Z1z13zae?Nrpp=20
I used to be like you, wasting my life away in cheap Target or Academy shorts/joggers until I splurged on some Lululemon joggers last year and I haven’t looked back. I spend more on shorts/pants now than I do anything else and I’ll never regret it
I sweat way too much to spend that on work out clothes but to each his own. More Hawaiian shirts for me
You don’t actually workout in this stuff.. what aren’t you getting?
I’m not blowing my money on expensive workout gear, but at least 2 pairs of Lulu pacebreaker shorts are a must. Good for a workout, lounging around the house, or a summer night bbqing.
I’m fine with the regular UA workout shorts but lulu joggers changed my life
I have definitely worn my baggies out in Austin a couple of times.
lulu ABCs all day every day