2020 was the year athleisure went mainstream.
Faced with lockdowns and working from home, and not having to dress up for offices or meals out, we all embraced wearing yoga pants and hoodies around the clock, and would only throw on actual clothes for the odd camera-on Zoom meeting.
Fast forward 18 months, and many of are still embracing the sporty look most days. Not only because it is oh-so comfortable to wear, but also because, certainly in my case, I find it is easier to make time for movement in my day when I am already wearing clothes that I can move in.
The best thing about athleisure going mainstrem? That so many amazing Irish brands have cropped up, offering gorgeous, functional and super-cute workout clothing and athleisure wear – and at far more afforadable prices than some of the more famous international brands too.
1. Powercut
Launched in November 2019, Bronagh McKay and Craig Mulhall launched Powercut in the aim to create and provide high quality athleisure wear, primarily for women. The couple, who are parents to baby boy Finn, both have a deep rooted interest in design and wanted to develop high performance products, especially for people disillusioned at paying over the odds for below par quality.
Their idea for a business came about when, after moving back from years living in Australia, Brónagh discovered it was a lot harder to find quality gymwear at a reasonable price here in Ireland.
Today, Powercut clothing is still designed in-house at their Dublin Offices and, working closely with partners across Turkey, China and Germany, the brand has grown exponentially in just over one year. This year, further expansion plans are on the cards to open up their mens apparel offering and further advances to their womens range.
2. GymGoddess
Behind Irish brand GymGodess is Phoebe McVey, a busy mum of two who has previous body building experience.
Between bodybuilding competitions and having babies, Phoebe’s weight fluctuated a lot and and it was at this point she came to recognise the need for premium yet affordable gym wear made for different shapes and sizes.
In 2019, GymGoddess Clothing was born, with the mission to make every woman feel comfortable and confident while working out – to feel like a Goddess.
And perhaps even more impressive than the clothing itself, is the company’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.
All GymGoddess clothing has been sourced to the highest standards, with their manufacturers being among the top clothing suppliers in Asia, all material used complies with EU textile regulations, and the company’s main goal for 2022 is for all GymGoddess clothing to be made from sustainable materials.
Coupled with the fact that one tree is planted with every order, the brand can certainly be considered a green one.
3. Peachylean
At the age of 33, Sharon Keegan had a baby and subsequently struggled with postnatal depression.
Feeling the need to embark on something new, she then decided to go back to collgee and study Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University College Dublin.
This, Keegan reveals, helped her to not only overcome her anxiety and postnatal depression, but also compelled her to help other women who were going through similar experiences.
After designing and experimenting with multiple products, Keegan realised that her passion was in physical and mental wellbeing.
And having found huge solace in exercise throughout her most arduous times, she decided to create a product that she couldn’t find on the market: supportive, comfortable, excellent quality leggings that would not only support a woman’s shape, but would also help give them the confidence and self-esteem to move for their mind.
Sharon’s mission was simple, to help women to silence their inner critic, to stop holding themselves back and discover their true potential in life, and to ultimately love them 'Self.'
