A Review on 2021 Collection: Athleisure Design

May 1, 2021

Ayodeji Ake

The heightened emphasis on fashion, fitness, and wellness has turned “athleisure” into a trendy ground in the world of fashion. Brands like Adidas and Nike, for instance, have been pioneers in providing clothing that is both stylish and practical. In the ever-evolving world of the Nigerian Fashion hub, however, not many brands have tested the longevity of athleisure, and Wear Kpako is no exception.

Wear Kpako was established in 2018 by Tamilore Bashir Nwaobiara and Oluwatobiloba Adeniyi Oderinde. The two fashion experts have combined efforts to build a fashion house that deals in the design of athleisure wear that is comfortable, versatile, and stylish.

Importantly, those days are now gone when sportswear was reserved for the gym or regular sporting activities. With Wear Kpako, athleisure has reached a new level, as it designs clothes that look stylish and still suit the purpose. From tracksuits, tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, pants, and shorts, Wear Kpako clothing converts from sporting activity to everyday use; thus, they can be used for social purposes.

Aside from making fashionable products, Wear Kpako is also committed to being sustainable. This fashion company is green, creating recyclable and durable fashion products that are not only fashionable but also eco-friendly. Contrary to the notion of most people that green means less quality, Wear Kpako proves them wrong since it blends style and sustainability. Its 2021 collection is the perfect proof of this!
2021 Wear Kpako Collection.

This ensemble is one of the Wear Kpako 2021 collection. It is a combination of a round-neck shirt, a varsity jacket and sweatpants that captures the essence of athleisure: relaxed, practical, and adaptable.

The navy blue varsity jacket is the spotlight of this piece. It includes traditional varsity design features which you wouldn’t expect to be there. For instance, the crested logo on the left chest, the cuffs in white colour on the wrist and the paired white striped hem give it a traditional look to make it both sporty and chic. Similarly, it has a white button-front with the cuffs as well as the hem, which are paired together for the overall effect.

Also, the jacket is loose and relaxed in fit, which provides it with a slightly oversized feel. Yet, although the jacket is relaxed-fit, it teeters on being too oversized at times, which tends to overwhelm the wearer unless balanced.

Therefore, one would recommend a streamlined cutout to take the look to the next level and flatter the wearer. This varsity jacket is the kind of thing that will take you to a casual hangout and then to a trendy night out.

A round-neck T-shirt is underneath this jacket. The red, yellow, and blue colour combination of the ‘Everyday People’ embroidery print gives a sporty touch. The white avoids getting the outfit messy or dirty, so the varsity jacket becomes the centre of attraction. While it makes sense that the designer would want to play it safe with the simplistic graphical design, a bolder print can serve to make the tee itself become the star instead of allowing it to be the co-star. Paired with the upper portion of this athleisure outfit a white pair of sweatpants/joggers. While its clean look provides a plain backdrop for the varsity jacket to take centre stage, the small, embroidered logo on the left leg adds a splash of impeccable sophistication. The relaxed fit of the joggers makes them appear perfect for all-day wear, whether you are running errands or meeting up with friends.

Although the white colour of the joggers is fresh and crispy, it is still prone to stains and dirt, something that could be a functional problem when used on a daily basis. In order to avoid this, the designer can use an off-white or cream colour, which will still have the same clean look.

The back view of this ensemble automatically focuses the attention on the navy varsity jacket. It is the kind of colour that can be paired with anything from the white joggers in the photo to a darker pair of jeans. Just like the front, the back also features varsity elements like the white cuffs and striped hem. Regardless of whether one is facing the back or not, these elements can be seen, setting the jacket and making it look sporty. What makes this jacket stand out in the back is the dramatic embroidery from shoulder to shoulder and along the centre. On top, it bears the company name, ‘KPAKO’, and a turtle-shaped logo with the collection years ‘ 20′ and ’21’ on either side.

The combination of word and image renders the jacket storytelling-fashion – a meaningful canvas, thus an apt theme for the brand’s blending of purpose with style. The white joggers have a laid-back structured fit with an ever-so-slightly tapered leg that pools at the ankle, typical of an athleisure trend. The fabric’s texture is smooth and perfect for everyday use.

It is notable that even though the back view is clean and minimal, a logo at the hem can tie them up more with the design of the jacket so that the back view wouldn’t look less integrated than the front.

This all-white monochromatic outfit is another stunning piece of the Wear Kpako 2021 collection. Against a cityscape backdrop, this look delves into the different environments where athleisure designs can be worn. Now, let’s discover the look! The highlight of the ensemble is the clean white varsity jacket, complete with striped cuffs and collar. This accessory is a testament to the versatility of an athleisure wear item to be both fashionable and practical. The fit is relaxed yet perfectly balances comfort and style and accommodates any body size or shape. The other classic details of this jacket are the button on the front and the small logo on the left chest.

While the logo maintains the brand identity, the button-up offers form and function, making the jacket easy to wear without compromising its sporty look. To make this design more elevated and appropriate for the urban setting, it would be advisable that the designer add zipper pockets along its sides.

This would provide a secure location for things like a phone or keys, which would be useful for someone who is always on the go.
Paired with a slip-over signature Kpako durag, headband or face cap, this outfit sees you through a series of events. Whether it’s a low-key outdoor workout session, a pop-up art show or even a live music concert, this athleisure wear offers you that convenient choice for any setting. It should be noted that while white sneakers are a traditional favourite and fit perfectly with this all-white ensemble, they feel a bit lacking. To this extent, a contrasting colour sneaker would provide an improved colour harmony to finish off the overall outfit. Similarly, placing this look with a layered necklace or even with a tiny crossbody bag will add some personality to the look so that it will not be so bland.

This is a white round-neck t-shirt from the 2021 Wear Kpako collection. In the middle of this look is a graphical image of a butterfly and some text which displays the name of the brand, ‘KPAKO’.

The edgy branding gives the outfit an artistic, playful feel, showing that the streetwear emphasises personal expression. But the print is too large. Cutting it back might give it a more elegant look while maintaining the brand’s name. The fit is loose in a structural manner and perfect for a day of BMX. It gives the ideal sense of what athleisure wear should feel like. For instance, it allows you to move freely, whether pedalling, doing tricks or just relaxing on the court.
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Wear Kpako brings some culture into its 2021 range with this look, pairing the classic tie-dye red flared jeans with a white graphic T-shirt. The baggy fit of the shirt is so in line with modern street fashion. It sits loosely on the body, and the fabric of the garment is condescendingly soft and airy. But adding a touch of tailoring on the shoulder would help prevent the tee from appearing too sloppy. The tie-dye, red-orange colour idea tossed into the pants is a very creative gesture. It proves that the designer has a sensitivity to culture. Although interesting, the tie-dye patterns are a little rough.

Perhaps a more creative dye technique would make it appear more deliberate rather than experimental.
And these pants are flared and wide-legged, and expressively so. But the length borders on too long. That is, they hang about to drag or lose their form, especially when paired with low-top sneakers. As such, a subtle hem could rescue the look while making it more usable. It should be noted that while the splash of colour in the durag introduces creativity, it almost appears disconnected from the remainder of the garment. It would be advisable for the designer to use a white or red-coloured durag so that the outfit is connected more cohesively.

This is another athleisure style of the 2021 range. This orange varsity jacket is sleek with a streamlined front, metallic buttons, and the brand’s logo. There are also bold details about this fit. For instance, there are red and white stripes on the collar and cuffs, giving it a vintage athletic flavour, while the crested embroidery gives it a boutique streetwear edge. On the model’s resplendent head, we behold a black durag as a resplendent pair against the rosy glow of orange in the jacket. On practical grounds, a wraparound design or even a headband would be capable of providing wearers with another styling option on which to express themselves.

The hoodie catches attention, with the graphic print centrally placed on the front. The white of the text stands out against the navy blue, being attention-grabbing without being off-putting. The joggers place the brand elsewhere with a miniature copy of the logo on the thigh, keeping the look consistent across the set. The designer might want to get creative with a more off-centre positioning, like along the shin or even concealed embroidery at the waistband, to bring about differentiation and stand out. It is little details like these that could truly make a difference in a heated marketplace.

Yes, the 2021 Wear Kpako collection has transformed athleisure wear. Whether it’s varsity jackets, clean tees or joggers, this collection has a definite fashion statement that transforms athleisure wear to provide you with the strength your everyday look needs. If athleisure fashion is your style, you will discover your easy comfort and be prepared for anything with this collection.