Sorry, New York—This City's Winning the Athleisure Game

Chalk it up to the "chill" lifestyle or the creatives flocking out West, but Los Angeles is in the middle of an athleisure renaissance. The city is chock-full of indie brands who are putting their own twists on the casual classics already spilling out of your dresser drawers. While sweatshirts, leggings, and sports bras were once merely pieces you threw on when you didn't care what you were wearing, L.A.'s burgeoning population of cool athleisure lines is changing all of that.

While the same "hypebeast" fervor is still in its infancy in the women's space, the brands below are poised to prove that the obsession with athleisure is long from over, and there's no city that's capturing the essence of the style better than Los Angeles (sorry, New York). And while some brands are focusing separately on "menswear" and "womenswear," others are championing styles that work universally. So, if you're ready to read about the brands to have on your radar, check them out (and shop them too), below.

Cherry Los Angeles

Earlier this year, we covered streetwear line Cherry, which launched at the end of 2017 but has already amassed an It-girl following. The brand's tees, sweatshirts, and—yes—even Dickies, sport the brand's logo.

Melody Ehsani

Lawyer-turned-designer Melody Ehsani has created her own line of pieces (from jewelry to full-on streetwear) that are meant to inspire and empower women through what they wear.

Advisory Board Crystals

Nothing touches on the new age energy of L.A. quite like Abc., a line inspired by the energy and colors of—you guessed it—crystals. Quietly, the brand has amassed a sort of cult following, so keep an eye out for its signature tie-dye pieces on the sunny streets.

FourTwoFour

Take a stroll down Fairfax and you'll come upon FourTwoFour, a boutique that wants to redefine streetwear by melding fashion with art and lifestyle, bringing a turn-of-the-century aesthetic into the modern moment. While it carries other heavy-hitting brands, it has its own range of products too.

Born x Raised

Born x Raised traces its roots back to the old days of L.A. and focuses on the city's history, having tapped cool models and insiders including Paloma Elsesser to pose for the brand.

Madhappy.

With a name like Madhappy, you can assume that this California label is all about making wearers feels good, and you'd be right. A mix of cozy-casual pieces, the brand is slowly but surely building up a following.

Pleasures

Pleaures looks to '90s grunge and punk culture as a jumping-off place for statement tees, hats, and other athleisure pieces that have earned a cult following across the country.

RipNDip

While RipNDip's roots trace back to 2009 (and Orlando, Florida) the brand is now L.A.-based and offering a cheeky (and cat-filled) collection of sportswear and shoes.