Sports luxe, also known as the latest game-changer that’s been taking the fashion world by storm, has been going strong for several seasons now. And little wonder why. It marries sports and luxury, and combines comfort and style in one outfit, and is incredibly versatile and wearable.

Thanks to designers like Alexander Wang and Helmut Lang, sports luxe have become a mainstream trend that blurs the boundaries between sportswear, street fashion and luxury style.

As a trend, sports luxe is popular because it is casual yet put together, low-key yet has enough street cred. Its cool-factor comes from looking as though you didn’t try too hard. When taking on the sports luxe trend, think under-stated but unique.

Lightweight materials, body-hugging leggings, and sweat-absorbent fabrics are all highlights of the sports luxe trend, so yes, sweatpants and mesh fabrics aren’t just reserved for couch potatoes or gym bunnies anymore. Jogger pants, which were commonly reserved for the gym or the couch, can be paired with neutral or minimalist items such as a sleek mesh top or a tailored coat to pull the look together.

With sports luxe, the trick is to balance casual-chic pieces with formal wear. This trend allows you to pair a mesh skirt with a blazer, roomy sweatpants with a shirt, a coat with sneakers. It’s not about looking like you’re about to hit the gym. There needs to be an element of luxury as well, so take note of cutting and silhouette. Structured pieces like a coat or pencil skirt can anchor your outfit and lend some legitimacy, particularly for the workplace.

Trend-setting models like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Joan Smalls are maestros with this trend. What’s the secret behind their nailing it every single time? Equal parts insouciance and too-cool-for-school attitude, plus a pep in their step.

For the more adventurous, play up your sporty pieces with edgier elements like velvet and leather a la Joan (above, 1), or juxtapose them with suede and knitwear like Gigi (above, 2). Sports luxe is a trend that encourages experimentation and play, so feel free to mix textures or add strategic embellishments to dial up your look!

For chillier days when need to get up and go, throw on a statement jacket that can take you from ‘I woke up like this’ to being right on trend. Look how KenGi made sports leggings look street-chic with the right accessories. Understated but eye-catching — that’s how sports luxe is done.

Are you a fan of sports luxe? How do YOU interpret this trend? Share your style tips in the Comments section below!