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How the Fashion Journal team style sportswear for the office and beyond

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW BALANCE
WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL

Our summer wardrobes simplified.

Returning to the office after a blissful few weeks of summer holidays is always challenging. You’ve gone from days lounging by the beach, afternoon naps and long nights spent with friends to fluorescent lighting and a schedule that requires a near-cruel morning alarm. There’s also the mental shift of getting dressed. Personally, I spent my summer in either swimwear and sarongs, or activewear. Transitioning to a work uniform hasn’t been easy.

At Fashion Journal, we’ve been playing with creative ways of dressing to hold onto that summer holiday feeling that little bit longer. While we’re yet to see a sarong in the office, most of us have taken to integrating sportswear with our typical office attire. In the midst of the Australian Open and with tennis-adjacent styles having a huge moment, polo shirts, pleated skirts and shoulder-hugging sweaters have found a new home in our work wardrobes.


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To this end, the team has been playing with the newly launched styles from New Balance’s 2025 Australian Open collection. As the official Performance Apparel and Footwear partner of the tournament, New Balance has focused on function and comfort across the range, as well as designs that pay homage to the unique nature of the Australian outdoors. We’ve tested most pieces across the collection and, suffice to say, each has found a new home at the front of our wardrobes. While it’s getting plenty of wear on the weekends, the collection of pleated minis, tees, caps and hoodies is also being worn heavily around the office too. Here’s how we’re styling it.

Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor

I used to be one of ‘those’ people who almost exclusively wore activewear, so I’ve become pretty clever at integrating it into my wider wardrobe over the years. It’s a great wardrobe hack as sportswear is functional, comfortable and washes well. You just have to be clever about styling. I have a pretty firm style formula that sees me lean heavily on oversized tees and shirts, often pulling from the men’s section. I was drawn to this polo as soon as I saw it and opted for the XL for the oversized fit I like. I’ve paired it with my favourite E Nolan pinstripe trousers, New Balance T500 sneakers and no accessories, for an overall clean look (my bread and butter).

Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager

Athleisure has never been ‘me’. I work out every morning, so after having a shower I usually want to put together an outfit. That being said, I have frequently been caught out running around town with magazines in an uncomfortable outfit wishing I had something a bit more versatile. 

When we got the opportunity to try this collection, it was a classic Melbourne day with sunny, hot weather in the morning and then pouring down with rain in the afternoon. Layers and sun protection were key! I paired my favourite white linen sundress with my New Balance 530s and the Australian Open Quarter Socks. To battle the weather, I layered the Australian Open French Terry Polo (which will be great when the seasons turn in a few months) and paired it with the Australian Open 6 Panel Hat in white.

Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor

I’m always trying to simplify my summer wardrobe into a ‘uniform’ of sorts, and lately it’s been a pleated mini skirt, paired with a printed T-shirt and sneakers. The New Balance Australian Open Pleated Skort adds a hint of preppy, while the 997 sneakers and cap give it a sporty look. I haven’t worn a ‘skort’ since school but as someone who bikes everywhere, I appreciate the built-in insurance that I’m not flashing everyone on my morning commute. For nighttime (or when I want to look less casual), I’ll swap the T-shirt for an asymmetrical top and wear knee-high boots instead of sneakers.

Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Production Executive

One of my favourite wardrobe formulas for summer, whether at the office or not, is the tight-baggy combination. Whether it’s a tank top and slouchy jeans or an oversized tee and a mini skirt, it’s a pairing that always makes me feel comfortable and confident.

As soon as I saw this graphic tee from New Balance’s Australian Open collection, I knew it would easily become a staple in my summer wardrobe. I was running between client meetings, the office and after work drinks, so I wore multiple bottoms throughout the day and kept the tee to test its versatility. Here I’ve paired it with a mini skort from Australian-born, New York City-based label Amelia Designs and a new pair of New Balance 9060s.

Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor

I love athleisure on other people but I’ve never quite been able to find the right combination that worked for me. My usual criteria is that my clothing needs to be comfortable, versatile and neutral-toned. But seeing as it’s the Australian Open, I figured what better time than now to revisit the idea of introducing some tennis core into my wardrobe? I mean, I loved everything Zendaya wore in Challengers.

For this look, I tried pairing my favourite Deiji Studios white shirt with the New Balance Tournament Skort in black. I added the New Balance 740 runners, as well as a vintage leather handbag and a beaded necklace from Briwok to dress it up. Not only was the skort extremely comfortable for a full day of work, but the overall outfit still felt chic enough to wear out to dinner and drinks later that night. I can already envision the skort becoming a mainstay in my rotation while the weather is still nice and warm.

Browse the New Balance 2025 Australian Open collection here.

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