Athleisure. By now, you've surely seen it, read about it, or maybe even fully embraced it. In theory, it all but eliminates the line between what to wear to the gym and what to wear the rest of the day. And while some might think the trend is just that—a trend—it's not: the word was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2016, cementing its status as more than just a fleeting idea. By utilizing new materials and designer aesthetics, these are workout clothes with a sophisticated edge lacking in the cheap gym clothes from PE class.

So with athleisure wear here to stay, you might be left wondering how to capitalize on the core of its appeal, i.e., wearing something that's appropriate both in the gym and out of it. Never fear. Here are five affordable pieces that can take you from a day at the office, or an afternoon running errands, straight into a workout, no changes required.

Shirts and Tops

Adding textural details

Shop this Marika women's drape-back tee (from $18.99) or others like it.

Lots of tees and tanks feature visual elements like crisscrossed backs or dual V necks. Such details not only help tops stand apart from the typical short-sleeved tech shirts you'll see at the gym, but also make them feel like street clothes that wouldn't look out of place in everyday life. Go for solid tops with few to no print patterns, which are a bit easier to pair with other non-workout items in your closet.

Pants and Bottoms

Blending fashion with function

Shop this Marika women's ruffle skort (from $9.97) or others like it.

If you're looking for athleisure clothing that'll work for both exercise and casualwear, you'll obviously need something with utility as well as style. This blend of fashion and function can come in unsuspecting packages, like the skort. While you might have one relegated to the recesses of a dresser drawer or closet shelf, the skort has become more and more en vogue since the trend of casual athleticwear has become more common. It's easy to see why: its almost flowy exterior makes it a cute addition to an outfit for a casual night out, while its shorts can stave off chafing during bike rides or elliptical sessions. The best part? You never have to do that weird squatting-with-your-knees-together thing if you drop something on the ground and want to pick it up without flashing everyone.

Footwear

Finding flexibility in knit uppers

Shop this women's lightweight memory-foam lace-up running shoes (from $22.99) or others like it.

When trying to find something you can wear both during a workout and as you go about your day, shoes are arguably the trickiest item to navigate. It can be tough to find a pair that'll keep you comfortable (and safe) during a run, but won't look too much like a standard-issue tennis shoe once you leave the gym. Where you can find a nice middle ground, though, is in knit shoes. You've no doubt seen them on both pro and amateur athletes alike, who swear by their breathability and flexibility. But there are plenty of knit-shoe styles that have a more casualwear vibe to them, and you can even find pairs of heels, slippers, and sandals with segments of knitted or mesh material worked into them.

Accessories

Disguising tech as jewelry

Shop this Jawbone Up3 activity fitness tracker ($64.99) or others like it.

Remember what fitness trackers looked like when they first came out? They were big, blocky, not very fashionable, and strictly for workouts. The good news for athleisure adherents is that today, that's no longer the case. It's relatively easy to find all sorts of wearables that look as if they're legitimate gold bracelets, chain necklaces, and even gemstone rings. Add one of these to your athleisure ensemble to keep counting steps on your way to dinner while still looking sharp.