Photos: The hottest L.A. trend in fashion? Fitness clothing
Athleisure attire has long defined the L.A. woman's uniform, dating to 2001 when Madonna helped put Juicy Couture's fitted track suits on the map as street wear, and today is an integral part of wardrobes from coast to coast. According to retail analyst the NPD Group, women's activewear sales grew by 8% last year compared with 2013.
A crop of new shops carrying fashionable fitness wear for the gym and beyond has popped up; some, like Yogasmoga and Graced by Grit, also offer workout classes and healthy snacks to encourage hanging out — similar to Lorna Jane's Active Living Room concept that opens its 10th U.S. outpost this month in Manhattan Beach. In December, L.A.-based label Alo Yoga will join the scene with a Beverly Hills flagship store, fitness studio and juice bar. Take a look:
Fabletics
Wholesale Jumpsuits Wholesale Plus Size Dresses Wholesale Plus Size Party Dresses Wholesale Plus Size Nightclub Dresses From left, Fabletics print Kenyon tank top with built-in bra and strappy back detailing, $54.95, print Ithaca jacket, $79.95, at fabletics.com. (Fabletics)
What: El Segundo-based Fabletics, the stylish and affordable online brand co-founded by Kate Hudson and owned by JustFab Inc., is rolling out six bricks-and-mortar stores nationwide in September, including a Woodland Hills location slated to launch Sept. 17. The store will feature styles for women and men. As on the website, retail customers can opt to purchase individual pieces or to enroll in a monthly membership for discounted pricing. Besides sports bras, tops, jackets, shorts and leggings designed for workouts or weekends, the collection includes all the extras: bags, hats, hair accessories, panties, men's boxer briefs, socks and gear such as yoga mats, headphones, water bottles and even a waterproof wireless speaker. Styles fit women sized 0 to 20; men's sizing runs from XS to a generous XXL. The store's merchandise mix will expand on the collection sold at fabletics.com, but the website can be shopped in stores and, by the end of the year, customers can choose to pick up online purchases. If a customer is indecisive or in a hurry, store associates can email a virtual shopping cart to complete the purchase online. Coming soon: personal in-store fitting and styling appointments.
Where: The Village at Westfield Topanga; 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills
When: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
