When did the neutral matching set go from a personal style choice to an all-around epidemic?

The world of activewear is stuck in a niche, though fairly boring, standstill, where every pilates princess, corepower yogi, solidcore survivor, whatever and whoever you want to reference, is brainwashed by the current matching set epidemic that has fallen over us.&nbsp;
Influencer culture has convinced us that the matching set is chic. It’s simple, it’s put-together, it’s “aesthetic,” and it is the embodiment of who the “workout girl” is. This idea of the wellness aesthetic thrives on working out in a must-have matching workout set, which has now become the safest option, and fair enough–it’s easy and decisionless. Except what was once easy is now everywhere, and everywhere is identical.&nbsp;
This epidemic rose alongside the idea that activewear couldn’t be expressive in the same way clothing could be. Now, matching sets in grey, black, navy, and the occasional color flood fitness studios, creating a tiny army of women chasing a single aesthetic. The rise of quiet luxury and monochromia are just a few of the culprits in the crime at hand, blending the look of fitness into the same idea.&nbsp;
But remember when activewear had personality? Can’t pushing yourself, sweating intensely, and feeling like your legs might give out in a heated room be just as fun in hot pink leggings and mismatched pieces? Arguably, it would be entirely more enjoyable. There’s a soft spot out there for nostalgia, and activewear is the perfect place to tap into it right now.&nbsp;
With the return of cropped pant silhouettes, there’s been an inkling of ultra-cropped '80s aerobic-style leggings already making a comeback. But currently, they are still confined to the matching set craze, and the next step to breaking them out is embracing color, patterns, and the mismatched styles of our retro decades. And there’s a way to do that without waiting for a trendy brand to drop a new retro collection (this would still be great, though!).&nbsp;

The best part about nostalgic activewear is that it was both fun and functional. Lots of retro activewear used cotton, wool blends, and other natural materials before synthetic, sweat-wicking performance fabrics took over. These fabrics have recently caused chaos in the sustainability and all-natural-focused communities, as controversies circulate over fabric composition. A significant percentage of modern brands make their leggings with petroleum-based materials, meaning they don’t biodegrade and contribute to long-term pollution. On the other hand, concerns have risen over the “forever chemicals” that live in the synthetic fabric, with open questions about whether they have an effect on buyers’ health. All the more reason to lean into the comeback of activewear from the '70s, '80s, and '90s.
It’s not all wishful thinking either, as celebrities and influencers are already being spotted in color-blocked workout wear, layered pieces, and cropped leggings with tank tops. Pinterest and TikTok trends have leaned toward “Y2K workout,” “aerobics aesthetic,” and “retro gym fit” over the last few months, so the appetite is there. What’s missing is a full commitment to the unapologetic embrace of color and unique styles the way the '80s and '90s did it.

Bring Back the Wild Activewear of the '70s, '80s, and '90s

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