Sportswear is no longer just that. It's becoming a fashion statement. Black. Pink. Green. Which one is right? Is the era of black sportswear really over? Does TikTok really dictate the rules in workout outfits? Believe it or not: yes.
sportswear: A world where once only the functionality of leggings and a top counted has begun to revolve around likes, color palettes and visual appeal.
TikTok has become the new the fashion bible for sportswear, where even the training style is judged under the microscope of trends. But if black for many years meant confidence, versatility and minimalism, now finds itself facing a challenge: It's getting boring.
@_ellienicholls @Greta clocking in as the Australian correspondent 🫡 #activewear #outfitinspo #coolgirl #bonds #pilates ♬ original sound – Ellie Nicholls
Color Explosion: Sportswear in Shades of Confidence
What was once considered a classic “fitness look” is now considered a safe choice without imagination. The new wave of activewear fashion is betting on a color palette reminiscent of art galleries: pistachio, caramel, lavender, terracottaInstead of concealing the body, colors are used to emphasize mood – and personality. It is no longer just what is worn that matters, but how it is presented.
Generational clash: When a stance becomes an outfit
Fashion trends are often a reflection of social movements. In this case, it is about a silent revolution between generationsYounger TikTok users – led by Gen Z – are using colorful sportswear as a tool for self-expression, boldness, and playfulness.
Black, once a symbol of power, now signifies belonging to the past. But millennials are not giving up: loyalty to functionality is more important to them than transitional aesthetics.
@morganpetersonn Replying to @Taylor Jarrell Armstead gym girl activewear favs 👟🔥🎧 all my favs from 2025 are far!! #activewear #gymoutfit #fitnessmotivation #gymgirl #dfyne #vitality #formactivewear #lululemon @DFYNE @lululemon @shopvitality @shop_form @abercrombie ♬ original sound – Morgan Peterson
Black is not a problem – it becomes an excuse
Although many attribute practicality to the color black – it hides sweat, makes you look slimmer, and goes with everything – it's becoming clear that it's often just an excuse to stay in your comfort zone.
Color doesn't determine ability, but it says a lot about mood, self-confidence and openness to change. It really comes down to the question: who do you want to be when you walk into a gym?
@hm_move From this morning's SoftMove™ session in London✨ #SoftMove™ #event ♬ originalljud – H&M Move
Retailers follow the pulse of TikTok, but the classics don't die
Interestingly, even those who create trends – fashion brands – they don't reject blackThey simply adjust the offer.
Collections with vibrant colors are selling like hot cakes, but black the lines remain a constant. Why? Because the market demands diversity. And because not everyone trains for the cameras – some train for themselves.
Fashion as a movement, not as a rule
So let the thought be at the forefront: fashion should be fun, a game, an experiment. Not a judgment. Today pink, tomorrow beige, next week black again.
The key is that the outfit supports movement, expresses the inner world, and allows for a sense of power – regardless of whether it's neon or completely dark.
