These Runway Trends Are Infiltrating My Activewear Drawer, and I'm Not Mad About It

runway fashion moment
(Image credit: Chloé, Acne Studios, Miu Miu, and 16Arlington via Imaxtree)

Growing up, I had two major hobbies: after-school sports and shopping. At the time, the quote “shopping is my cardio” was everywhere, so I guess you could say I was being active in both scenarios. Being alive during the peak of shopping mall retailers was an absolute vibe. Now that shopping has become an online sport, I do miss the days spent window shopping and making impulse purchases that only sometimes got me in trouble.

My mom convinced me to play tennis because it meant I got to wear more Lululemon, and this was truly the moment where my love for fashion first really became intertwined with my love for being active. Now, a new workout set absolutely makes my day. Wearing activewear that makes me feel and look like my best can do wonders for my performance at the gym or in a Pilates class. With runway season having just come to a close, I have decided to round up the ways I’m wearing some of my favorite recent runway trends while I’m breaking a sweat.

1. Oxblood

runway trends 2024

(Image credit: 16Arlington via Imaxtree)

While I’m still 100% here for a pop of red, I’m joining the rest of the fashion crowd in slowly shifting my focus to deeper shades of oxblood. From my nails to my activewear drawers, everything I own is slowly taking that shift.

2. Back to Basics

runway trends 2024

(Image credit: Coach via Imaxtree)

Investing in quality basics will never fail you in any department. When it comes to activewear, for me, this means finding pieces I can easily mix and match. Ideally, this would describe a pile of items I can throw together in any which way before a workout—classic leggings, headbands, socks, and more.

3. Hot Pants

runway trends 2024

(Image credit: Chloé via Imaxtree)

Shorts seem to be either as short as humanly possible or Bermuda style these days. You’ve got to pick one or the other. In my day-to-day wardrobe, I prefer a longer cut, but when it comes to activewear, I enjoy the thrill of fully exposing my thighs in exchange for a high-fashion hot pants moment.

4. Ivy League Sport

runway trends 2024

(Image credit: Miu Miu via Imaxtree)

Want to look like a professional athlete but one who attends Harvard and instead of dribbling basketballs plays squash? Try adopting the Ivy League sport aesthetic. My Instagram feed loves to pop this one up for me, and I get inspired every time. This also makes for a great opportunity to style your leisure clothing with cool activewear.

5. Sheer

runway trends 2024

(Image credit: Acne Studios via Imaxtree)

Yep, everything is see-through now. Since I’m always layering my activewear, sheer actually feels easiest to layer into my workout routine. Whether it’s a gauzy long-sleeve shirt or a tennis skirt with an extra edge, I’m obsessed with finding ways to wear sheer things while I’m working out.

Sierra Mayhew
Fashion Editor

Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of experience in the fashion industry to the editorial team. Since joining Who What Wear in 2021, Sierra has made her mark by expertly blending luxury and accessible fashion content. Whether she's decoding the latest runway presentations or crafting a perfectly curated shopping list, Sierra's keen eye and relatable approach have solidified her as a trusted voice in the fashion space. She's also reported on major industry events like Paris Fashion Week and lent her expertise to red carpet coverage, ensuring her audience gets an insider's view of the most glamorous moments in style. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. Her ability to translate editorial expertise into viral social media content sets her apart, seamlessly bringing her articles and personality to life for a new generation of readers and followers. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra brings a unique perspective to the fashion industry that is informed by her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.