Maye Musk in sports luxe, what’s not to like?
Founded by two former-American Vogue editors Valerie Macaulay and Meredith Melling, and rag & bone’s ex-head of business development Molly Howard; American brand La Ligne has worked with 68-year-old model Maye Musk. Athleisure has got to be one of the ugliest portmanteau’s, ever (after meggings), but it’s a trend that’s picking up speed. In fact, this is one of the few growth areas in the clothing industry right now; when sports-inspired clothing is just as likely to be seen in the office as on the running track. As everyday dressing becomes more relaxed and less formal – think cashmere hoodies, go-faster stripes and sneakers – easy-to-wear, sporty staples are going to er, run and run.
La Ligne launched last year and is a bit like a more expensive Me & Em. As the American brand’s slogan says, ‘If you can’t eat, dance and sleep in it, we won’t make it.’
Here’s some more sporty stuff:
Discussion (31 Comments)
Rebecca says:
I tend to agree – this is a privileged look for those whose socio-economic status is sufficient to allow them to dress down (expensively) without loss of status, and who can choose to adopt athleisure rather than having to wear it because it’s all they can afford and all they feel they deserve. Also, while this is great editorial, it takes a lot of styling in the real world to keep it looking sharp.
Yvonne says:
Ooh I had to look up the meaning of portmanteau which was obviously not a suitcase or the old fashioned “have you got your port” by grandmother would say and the words meggings which are quite prolific on ASOS when googled. Love to learn something everyday so I can probably go back to sleep now. Hopefully this post gets through as had a lot of trouble lately submitting responses.
I love this stuff, it’s my Mum uniform. I’m so pleased it has become chic, I always struggled to find stylish tracky daks in the past – gotta be confy schlepping up & back to school in all weathers!
I couldn’t be happier to see new up market labels emerging. Btw, what the hell is a megging?I agree with Penny! I mean, I’m all about comfort, but what is wrong with looking great too! And this is so timely, because the 3 of us on the blog are wearing athletic shoes as our theme for next week! BUT trying to make them look nice too—not sloppy! For some reason I think people hear athletic wear and think they can be sloppy! Maybe I’m wrong?
But showing older models is fabulous. Go ageless style!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.commsd says:
La Ligne clothes look over-priced for what they are. And they only to go up to a US size 12. So it’s one more clothing line only intended for thinnish women.
Bobbie Calgaro says:
I don’t like athleisure. It’s fine for sport and around the house but it looks sloppy and unkempt on most people. Nobody wants to take the time to look good anymore and even jeans look better than “sweats”. I agree with Rebecca it takes a lot of styling to look good. You can be comfortable in good fitting clothes why look like you don’t care.
Linda says:
I dont know…….there’s something to be said for 70 yr old Patti Smith’s black and white menswear “style”. I read this in a book about her, “Her distaste for anything feminine or traditionally pretty bred it’s own sense of cool.” I’m attracted to patterns and colors in decorative objects but I can’t stand to wear them, so over and over I go back to black, but I’m not brave enough to go without makeup like Patti is. And her wild long unkempt hair is so refreshing from a structured styled precision properly cut “do”. But of course it you’re a rock star you can get away with anything, but I do so admire her bravery.
Joanna says:
I disagree on the use of athleisurewear for outings. Keep it for lounging when sick or having a lazy day. Put some “real” clothes on when you leave the house. It shows you care about your appearance and you’re not just following the street style of the young, nor those in retirement homes. It doesn’t take anymore time to don a nice pair of jeans or chinos.
catherine meerbergen says:
Athleisure of some kind has always been around: I remember Danskin leotards and skirts when I was in college thirty years ago. It seems to have become associated with an entitled class as that group took more and more long transatlantic flights to pursue their careers and pleasure and were photographed doing so. Like anything sports inspired it looks great on an athletic and fit body- a privilege in and of itself and the “status” also comes from the fact that, with money, one can replace sports shoes when they start to look “sloppy”.
I don’t think this is about athletic gear supplanting other looks, just pulling up to be on par with other looks.
Love the look. It works in California expecially if you look like Maye Musk. She ads class to what ever she wears. But I am rethining red New Balance shoes.
Ann says:
I’m with Lisa Carnochan (above): “I don’t think this is about athletic gear supplanting other looks, just pulling up to be on par with other looks.”
BTW, I’ve recently seen in posts and comments at several fashion blogs what I interpret to be serious tension between traditionalists and (I guess) non-traditionalists about the styles / kinds of clothes that women should / should not wear at specific venues, times of day, and functions and the character traits and failings revealed by their fashion choices. These tensions might be expressed as “Respect yourself and others by not dressing down too much in public” vs. “Seriously, dude?” It feels like these disagreements are code for something else going on. Anybody else notice this?
I’d be interested to hear more about the codes you’re referring to. I find the ‘Seriously, dude?’ crew to be largely young, beautiful and able to wear anything as a result – not yet personally introduced to ageing, ageism and the style rethink that follows for many of us. I work in a creative field and can (and do) wear whatever I want, but I’m now quite fanatical about grooming and clothes care in a way I never was when young, beautiful etc etc.
Of course, interpreting “deeper meaning” from blog posts is largely projection on my part. But I do think I “hear” in some of comments here (and on other fashion boards lately) a division between these two points of view — with, of course, a range of perspectives in between:
1 – That particular style / look / combination is unacceptable, meaning not just that I wouldn’t wear it or don’t think it would look good on me, but I believe it should not be worn by others either. I find it culturally seditious — and not in a good way.
2 – That particularly style / look / combination is interesting to me due to its difference and its appeal to some people. What does this clothing really reflect? What are my own reactions to this clothing based on? What aspects of this look would I consider for myself?
I’m usually in the second camp, although I do occasionally have visceral, negative reactions to specific trends, e.g., long sleeves, based on their incompatibility with my dish-washing lifestyle — not because I think they’re culturally seditious.
maudie says:
Nope – not a fan of athleisurewear (did I spell that right?). Fine for the gym or blobbing around but one more nail in the coffin of the fun of dressing up and making an effort. Slap on all the makeup in the world, have the best blow dry, paint your nails neon orange or whatever, drape yourself in trendy jewellery but gym wear is gym wear and there it should stay. I agree with Joanna totally – I don’t want to follow youth style or retirement-home wear (velcro slippers and a comfy elastic waist anyone?). My time will come for that when I am good and ready. I bet Maye Musk doesn’t even wear it herself. Sorry everyone.
Extrella says:
So much of the collex has been nicked from Me & Em ,yet it’s been given a hell-on-earth twist : long flares covering the foot are so redolent of everything I never want to see again. Great at the time but now it looks cringe making .
I still like Me & Em but they were more interesting when the collex was tiny , too commercial now.
Oh , I should say I love this trend and often pair a cashmere Me & Em hoodie with a long navy dress and trainers, or wear the side stripe black track pants with a white silk shirt and black crepe jacket. My own preference is never too smart , never too casual but mix and match from either .
Nicola says:
I’m struggling to focus on the clothes as the model is so beautiful. Her bone structure is amazing and she’d make a bin bag look couture. Sadly I would not, and therein lies the problem of athleisurewear- much as I would love to get about in a tracksuit, I would look like I was just out from hospital. Perhaps a toned down version of plain well cut leggings and a cashmere sweater and a nod to the look with some nice trainers…..
Jane Dalea-Kahn says:
This look is very modern and chic. Very today and in step with the younger set. The key to pulling it off is not to make the fatal mistake of confusing it with the way most people wear track pants and athletic sneakers which is sometimes sloppy. Each piece needs to be crisp and sharp. Nothing stretched out or worn…and the shoes must be new – the latest thing. She looks great of course…the hair and the makeup is perfect with this look. Not trying too hard is the key.
SuD says:
I’m an athletic 50+ and I like the look if done well. It’s the prices that may keep me away.
Mrs Tonia says:
Slim older professional model with cheekbones and good hair, she looks good in these monochrome and striped clothes with red or orange accessories. As someone else commented she’d look stylish in anything with these attributes. Other white haired models like the one in Sunday Times style magazine share these qualities.
Not a fan of this look. Too severe. I do like the 2nd two photos a bit better than the first. I think these sorts of pieces work better with something completely different (jewelry, makeup, mix-it-up tops and shoes). Never have liked the full athletic look. Too unfeminine and unstylish for me. The model looks a bit unhappy…….
These photos are superb; the styling and mood is great, and lord, SHE is gorgeous. I’m not even slightly a fan of Athleisure. Yoga trousers and gym leggings worn with matching tops or hoodies seems a bit barren, style wise. However, these flowing pyjama style trousers pictured above are so elegant, and can be worn with anything from an unconstructed blazer to a cashmere V-neck, and with heels or flats. I’m officially IN if this is the new and evolved version of the Athleisure trend.
Off to find some red trainers…
Martha Yau says:
It seems that for many women the wearing of athletic wear equates to freedom. There is something wonderful about feeling groomed and hot in smart fitted clothing but you can’t run in heels. There is a physical freedom allowed in wearing these clothes that heels and dressy clothes do not allow. I would have to agree with others that even within athletic wear there is a difference between a toned trim body in stretch fabric and the type of body that just stretches fabric. But age alone should not be the limiting reason for what you choose to wear.
Zharna 
Saba 
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What’s not to like? Well, the thing is Alyson, these are posh track suit bottoms and as lovely as they are I currently live in a place where for some people that’s all they’ve got to wear. Also I spend my entire time encouraging women to wear something other than black track suit bottoms (subtly, I hope). So it’s not always a good look. Just saying! As, of course, the model here is divine, and the whole featured look is great x