Exploring the Activewear Trends for 2024: A Detailed Analysis

Almost all sports have witnessed a major shift in the way they were played half a decade ago. There are many reasons behind this tectonic shift; firstly, sports in general have become more competitive which has made mental fortitude equally important to physical strength. Secondly, adoption of technologies such as DRS in cricket or VAR in soccer has ensured the decisions given by the referees are accurate. The third important change is that way sport is viewed by fans; here, too, technological progress has transformed the scenario completely. 

For the players who play the sport, focus on their nutrition and fitness has increased drastically. Among all such facets, one important change that has been seen over the past few decades is in the apparel or sportwear that the athletes wear. This change in sports apparel isn’t just limited to the athletes or sports players. Just like most other fashion trends, these trends have percolated to the common masses also. Over the years, the global activewear market has expanded to such an extent that new activewear styles are launched almost every year. 

Emergence of new activewear fabrics 

Before going to the specific activewear products, it is important to note that the evolution in activewear isn’t only in terms of products and styles, but also in the fabrics that are used for their manufacturing. The rising environmental awareness across the globe due to climate change and global warming has impacted the activewear industry also. As per experts in this industry, organic cotton and recycled polyester are the two main fabrics that are expected to rule the roost in 2024. Organic cotton is the cotton which is cultivated using natural farming techniques without the use of artificial chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Recycled polyester, on the other hand, is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. Thus, the use of these fabrics for manufacturing sports apparels clearly showcases the changing nature of activewear. 

New sportswear patterns that are dominating the market 

While traditional sportswear was characterized by simple colors and patterns, new sports apparel has different styles which improve the overall aesthetics. Neon hues, such as florescent orange, vibrant blue, neon yellow, etc., is one such trend that will continue its dominance in the upcoming year also. Color pop with bold and refreshing color patterns is also among the trending styles in sportswear. As far as printed activewear styles are concerned, abstract patterns are expected to gain a mass following in the coming period. Thus, traditional colors such as white, black, and grey have been sidelined as far as activewear fashion is concerned. 

Tech-infused sportwear is also gradually gathering pace as one of the most popular activewear among gym enthusiasts and athletes. For example, products such activewear tank tops with fitness trackers, sports bras with temperature sensors, arm bands with heartbeat sensors, etc., have witnessed huge demand since the last few years and are expected to be in huge demand in the coming period.  

Trending activewear products in the market 

Recently, different types of activewear products have been released by major companies in the global activewear market. Out of all the types released on the market, three products have become extremely popular. Oversized hoodies and t-shirts which give a casual workout look have become the go-to-choice for youngsters and gym-freaks. Along with this, wide-leg sweatpants have also climbed the charts of the most trending activewear products. The comfort, elegance, and style offered by wide-leg sweatpants is currently unmatched. Also, since top brands and companies have launched their own sweatpants and oversized hoodies, customers have a wide range of options to choose from, which is also fueling their demand. 

Top Activewear Brands That are Expected to Reign Supreme in 2024 

As said earlier, the global activewear industry has the presence of some of the biggest sports brands and companies. In fact, their presence and the market actions taken by them is one main reason behind the expansion of this industry. Some of these companies are expected to strengthen their position in the industry in the upcoming year. These brands are discussed below: 

1. Adidas 

A German-based sportswear brand, Adidas has always been considered as one of the biggest players in this industry. Adidas has set the trend of launching new sports apparel every year with unique colors with its iconic three-stripes logo. With a wide range of activewear ranging from bodysuits and trackpants to stylish jackets and baseball caps, this company has launched its products in every segment of this industry. Moreover, Adidas has become the official sponsor for leading sports teams in different sports including Indian team in cricket, Real Madrid and Manchester United in soccer, etc. This has further helped the company to bolster its brand image. 

2. Nike 

The trademark “Swoosh” logo of Nike has become synonymous with sportswear. The American brand has always been at the top of this industry; however, it rose to its peak with its collaboration with Roger Federer, the ace tennis player. The RF-Nike collection, which was the outcome of this collaboration, made Nike one of the biggest companies in the activewear industry. Though this collaboration ended a few years back, Nike has been able to maintain its dominance through its products such as Nike Jordan, Nike Air, Nike Dunk, etc. Nike currently sponsors majority of the NBA basketball teams and even has a partnership with NBA star LeBron James. Though its hoodies and sweatpants have gained significant popularity, Nike’s sport shoes have been their most profitable segment and is predicted to remain so in 2024. 

3. Lululemon 

Founded in the late 1990s as a yoga pant retailer, this Candian-American brand has grown to become one of the largest corporations in the sportswear industry. Lululemon has established its name and brand owing to its patented Luon fabric made from nylon microfiber. Another reason why Lululemon stands out in this industry is its marketing strategy of launching niche products for yoga, running, and training purposes. 

To sum it up, the upcoming year, i.e., 2024, will witness a major shift in the way the global activewear market has operated owing to a number of factors. Increasing environmental awareness, growing tussle among companies to grab sponsorship deals, and launch of innovative products will play a huge role in this shift. The upcoming trends in the activewear market will have a huge ripple effect on the entire sports and entertainment industry. 

Author Bio: 

Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from the reputed Vishwakarma Institute of Technology. He has a special interest in the field of forensics, world history, international relations and foreign policy, sports, agriculture, astronomy, security and oceanography. An ardent bibliophile and melophile, Akhilesh loves to write on topics of his interest and various other societal issues. This love for writing made him enter the professional world of content writing and pursue his career in this direction.