By Tali Stutt
“Wear athletic wear when you’re working out, no other time.”
“I would suggest a shirt with a collar and a jacket every now and again.”
That was the blunt verdict from actor Stanley Tucci as he spoke to GQ on the red carpet at the The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere last week.
Tucci’s trademark dry humour now faces growing backlash with the ongoing debate around the dominance of athleisure in everyday outfits. His stance channels the image-conscious and perfectionist world of The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Split audiences
Audiences have been split, with some praising the actor for advocating for a more refined style, while others defend the comfort and accessibility that athleisure offers in everyday life.
Nineteen-year-old Esports manager Robert Bell said, “Most gym wear shouldn’t be worn daily. Comfy things are fine, but compression shirts, etc. aren’t necessary.”
On the contrary, 21-year-old British Athletics semi-finalist Aaliyah Brown explains casually wearing gym wear is completely normal, especially with brands like Lululemon, their clothes are designed to be worn for in and out of the gym.
“Gym wear can be styled to be more suited for the majority of occasions…Wearing it to restaurants or clubs still feels odd though,” she added.
The divide reflects a shift in fashion over the past decade. Traditional dress codes have relaxed, and athleisure wear has moved from niche to mainstream. People now prefer to value comfort and practicality over effort and presentation, and due to this, it is now widely accepted in offices, travel, and social settings. This has caused lines between “dressed up” and “dressed down” to become increasingly blurred.
Some viewers of Tucci’s comments have expressed disapproval as his take is an unrealistic approach to fashion; not every day do people dress in tailored “shirts with a collar and a jacket.”
As the debate continues, Tucci’s comments are a reminder that style is an extremely personal aspect of someone’s life. The youth are increasingly redefining style on their own terms rather than rigid dress codes, challenging traditional fashion expectations and proving rules can be bent.
As Miranda Priestly would say, that’s all.
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