Denim Brands Step Into Men’s Performance Apparel
Denim brands are exploring performance fabrics for collections made for all-day wear.
Los Angeles denim brand AG recently introduced its activewear capsule collection for men. Made with premium stay-dry performance jersey and lightweight polyester fabrics, the collection aims to keep the wearer cool and comfortable with movement.
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AG said it focused on a commuter fit, making the collection versatile for work or weekends.
Bottoms include the Mckenzie Active Performance Short, the Spring Active Performance Jogger and the Tellis Active Performance pant—a style based on AG’s signature modern slim silhouette.
All bottoms feature an elastic interior waistband and are made with quick-drying, water-resistant bi-stretch “lightweight endurance woven fabric” that also resists wrinkling.
A sage green swim trunk and a black bomber jacket with a rib trim at the neckline made with the same fabric.
For tops, AG offers the Ace Active Performance Polo and the Marathon Active Performance Crew. Both are made with a cotton-blend fabric with moisture-transport construction that’s designed to keep the wearer drier than the typical jersey. AG added that the moisture-wicking qualities are maintained throughout the crew T-shirt’s lifespan.
Levi’s is already reaping the benefits of its new performance products.
The denim giant launched last month the 511 Slim Tech men’s pant, the first product of its newly created Levi’s Tech program. In the company’s Q1 earnings call, Michelle Gass, Levi Strauss & Co. president and CEO, said demand for the product is stronger than expected in both wholesale and DTC.
Based on one of Levi’s bestselling denim fits, the five-pocket pant is made with tech stretch warp knit fabric crafted from recycled polyester. The pant provides a four-way stretch, has moisture-wicking and cooling properties, and protects from the sun with a UPF 50+ rating.
“Engineered for every adventure,” the men’s pant also has a secure zip back pocket to store a phone, wallet, transit card and other essentials.
Sister brand Dockers is also getting into the tech pant category with the Dockers Go Collection, a “next-level performance line” that provides the wearer with flexible, moisture-wicking features.
Designed for “high-movement days,” all Dockers Go products are made with Coolmax Ecomade technology, a yarn made from recycled materials that keep consumers cool and dry throughout the day.
