No longer do we have to think of gym attire as clothes meant for the gym. Athleisure fashion in KL and PJ — a sleek combination of athletic wear and casual comfort — is altering the way people in the city carry themselves on a daily basis. An example — leggings you can transfer seamlessly from yoga class to brunch, or a sneaker you can wear to a cafe or to the treadmill.
In a city known for both hustle and fashion, athleisure is not a trend, but a way of life. It embodies a sense of being at ease with how you look yet feeling comfortable and ready for whatever the day has to offer.
Image Credit: The Smart Local
Comfort as Confidence
KL and PJ’s fashion habits have changed quickly as how people dress for their day-to-day lives. Whether it’s an early 4am Pilates class, meeting a friend for coffee, or getting ready for a weekend outing, there is more demand for ‘wearable clothes’ that could multitask through the day.
Athleisure captures that modern Malaysian rhythm — always on the move to do the next thing. It is smart enough for the office (with the right layering), key to a café hopping afternoon and still functional for the evening workout you might happen upon.
Celebrities, influencers, and fitness creators on Instagram and TikTok have further elevated trends showing how a pair of leggings, crop top, or oversized hoodie can go from workout wear to streetwear, given the appropriate skills of styling.
Why We’re All Living in Athleisure
There is some degree of empowerment that comes with clothes that can make you look somewhat put together while feeling entirely comfortable. If there is one thing that Malaysians love, it’s that athleisure blurs the lines between personal style and performance.
It is also practical, too — tropical weather requires lightweight fabrics that are able to combat the heat and humidity. You see, moisture-wicking leggings, ribbed tanks, and cropped jackets have become staples in our closets because they just make sense.
And, we cannot ignore how wearing the right fit produces confidence internally and externally, no matter what you navigate throughout your day.
Where to Find Your Athleisure Fix
If you are in need of some wardrobe refresh, KL and PJ have plenty of places to shop the look. JD Sports and Al-Ikhsan are still your go-to’s for international sportswear brands, and Lululemon (TRX and Pavilion) is perfect for luxury high-performance pieces that will last. For minimalist, everyday essentials, Oxwhite and Niko & Clare serve as great essentials to pair with your off-duty look.
If you’re keen to support local brands and be different at the same time, Malaysia-based activewear brands are revolutionising the game:
Image Credit: Liberty Active Instagram
Liberty Active: These leggings and sports bras are soft as butter and go toe to toe with any international brand. The Muse Set and Empower Leggings are bestsellers worn at the gym and even after — to the cafe.
Image Credit: Banana Fighter Instagram
Banana Fighter: For women who move! The Everyday Ribbed Crop Top and Tight Shorts are all function, featuring bold fun colours, perfect for the post-yoga smoothie selfies.
Image Credit: Livlola Instagram
Livlola: A mix of luxe and sporty aesthetics. They produce pieces like the Define Bra and Bare Signature Leggings in neutral tones that can easily be dressed up with a blazer or denim jacket.
Image Credit: MKLZ Collection Instagram
MKLZ Collection: Streetwear meets fitness. Featuring bold prints, oversized tees and matching sets that will be great for brunch after class.
Image Credit: Aina Collective Instagram
Aina Collective: A minimalistic label that promotes slow fashion and conscious living. Their Everyday Bra and Ease Leggings are made from breathable, eco-friendly textiles that were designed for comfort, movement and easy style.
Even boutique gyms and studios — like Union Strength, Babel Fit, and F45 Training — are joining the trend, selling exclusive merch that doubles as casualwear.
Styling the Athleisure Look
It’s all about balancing the athleisure look. You may want to style your leggings with a structured jacket, or perhaps create an edgier street-style look by wearing a crop top and wide-leg joggers. Accessories are also important; minimalist jewellery, baseball caps and a good pair of trainers can elevate the simple outfit.
Colour palettes are generally neutral, black, grey, nudes and so on, but consider a pop of pastel or neon to keep things fun and fresh. Many local brands are sustainable and are designed with both recycled materials and a slowness to fashion, meaning you will have comfort without the cost to our planet.
Image Credit: Prestige Malaysia
From Gym to Jalan-Jalan
The café culture in KL and PJ fits hand in hand with the athleisure way of life. You can see groups dressed in matching sets on the weekends; drinking matcha or cold brews in between a workout or other errands. Its an aesthetic that appears lazy, yet curated — and that is the beauty of it.
Athleisure, once a trend, is now a way of life reflecting the way we express movement, and live our lives. It represents a modern way of life in Malaysia — active, bold, and always prepared for what’s next.
Final Word: Comfort Is the New Cool
In Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, athleisure is not a style of clothing; it is a way of thinking. It is feeling confident while you are comfortable, and in being easy and simple in how you express yourself. Athleisure is the style you can put on when you’re going to the gym, running errands, or having a nice time with friends. With athleisure, you can do it all and still look like you put in no effort at all.
So put on those sneakers, grab that iced latte and head out the door. Because in this city, comfort is the new cool.
Don’t forget to tag us @citykaki.life in your adventure shots!
Also read: From Shein to Slow Fashion: The Gen Z Style Dilemma
