Meet The Designers | Isla Gilbertson!

Can you tell our Central subscribers a little bit about yourself?

Hey!! I’m Isla, I’m 25 and I’m a Womenswear Designer at Gymshark. I’m born and bred in the West Midlands and I fall in love with Birmingham more and

more every day!

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I’ve been at Gymshark for just over a year (April is my work anniversary)! I can’t believe how fast the year has gone and how much everyone has achieved! It’s incredible to work with such an amazing group of talented people.

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Before Gymshark I worked in Australia for 1 year, working for 2 fashion companies in Sydney and Brisbane. I managed to squeeze in some travelling on the way home too.

I studied Contour Fashion (lingerie & swimwear design) at De Montfort university in Leicester. I’d always known I wanted to work in the sports apparel industry and this course just seemed perfect for me! There is a similar course in London, but I just didn’t feel moving to London was right for me, so Leicester it was!  

How did you first get into design?

I danced from a very young age and I always helped my mum make my costumes for my shows and competitions, so I guess this really started my interest in design/sewing. 

Textiles was my favourite subject at school and when I decided after a year of A-levels that I wanted to pursue fashion properly, I decided not to finish 6th form, and instead study a BTEC in fashion, and I’ve never looked back!

What’s your favourite thing about designing for Gymshark, does one element of your job stand out?

The creative freedom at Gymshark is just amazing! We are always encouraged to create the best and think outside the box, no boundaries!

Can you give us an idea of what you get up to at GSHQ day-to-day? How do you keep yourself on track when there’s so much going on?

So, we are currently mid-season and this means we are full flow into designing SS19. My day normally starts by checking emails and seeing what’s on my to do list for the week. 

Then it’s really design design design! 

I’ll normally check in with the fabric team on any progress in that area, we also work very closely everyday with the amazing development team on new styles, AW18 styles and SS18 styles. I’ll check in with Lucie the print designer too on any prints she’s creating for me.

We also have fit sessions where we work with development on samples, making changes to fit and design to create the best product we can.

Have you had any embarrassing moments at work? Confess…

Pretty much every day with me…..I have a tendency to say silly things, that I think make sense. I say them with such confidence, It makes everyone laugh! I just really hope they are laughing with me and not at me……..anyway haha

What was the first product you’ve played a part in designing?

I think the first ever product I designed was the So Soft Sweater! It’s an SS18 product so it should be available very soon!

I joined the team mid-way through designing SS18, so as of this season you’ll start to see some of my products. (Swimwear is one to watch!)

What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of Gymshark?

I’m really excited for everyone to see AW18. It was an incredible season of design for Gymshark women, the best season yet! But the more we get into designing SS19, I think it’s going to be even better!

Finally, give us a fact about your time at Gymshark. Something that maybe not everybody knows… 

My first week at Gymshark, I (with Lois) nearly set fire to the building! Completely accidentally obviously! 

It used to be a bit chilly in the old office and we shared a fan heater under our desk, and basically one day it caught fire! I only noticed as my legs were feeling a lot toastier than normal. 

There was a massive commotion of me trying to turn the fan off and Lois dragging it out from under the desk by the plug. 

There was black smoke everywhere and it set the fire alarms off. Everyone had to evacuate the building and then all heaters had to be thrown away. Safe to say not everyone was best pleased! 

But...we like to laugh about it now!

Isla (@isla_gilbertson1)

Meet the rest of our design team.

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Oleg's content

It’s not just moms on the school run sporting flare leggings anymore. For yoga and lounging, and everything in between, flares have become loved for their flattering fit, unparalleled comfort, and stylish new take on a workout essential.
There’s no denying that TikTok fashion gave the flare legging a boost in popularity. With internet stars like Emma Chamberlain sporting iconic looks centred around flared leggings, the humble yoga pant was catapulted into a GenZ fashion trend - and subsequently - the baskets of the general public.
With the rise in athleisure and Y2K fashion, specifically low-rise pants, it’s no surprise we’re seeing a revival of the yoga pants aka the flare legging.
The turn of the decade also saw the rise in the split-hem leggings - featured in a more formal look, with a high-waisted silhouette and a design appropriate for both work and play. But now the flare legging is all about feeling comfy, for work-outs, rest days, traveling, and everything in between, and if you’re located somewhere that winter is creeping in, you’ll know it’s the season for living in your leggings.
Now if you’ve recently pivoted into comfy pant territory, you may need a hand in figuring out how to put together your flare leggings outfits. Well, you’re in luck, as we’ll explore exactly that in this article, starting with what to wear with flare leggings.
What To Wear With Flare Leggings
If you’ve been hovering over the checkout button on a new pair of flare leggings, but you’ve been wondering how exactly to style them, then you’ve come to the right place.
After all, we’ve been seeing our flare leggings styled in-house and by our community on socials for a couple of years now so we’ve racked up a few tips and tricks to share with you all.
But What Is A Flare Legging?
“Our flare leggings are designed with a body fit around the waist and thigh, before loosely flaring out towards the bottom of the leg. These can be worn to work out on rest days and are especially popular for your studio workouts as a harp back to the classic yoga pant.” - Find Your Fit: Gymshark Leggings Size Guide
Gymshark Flare Leggings are designed to look stylish, feel comfortable, and flatter the body. Flare leggings are crafted using fabrics like the OG cotton yoga-pant material or stretchy movable nylon and elastane blends that are perfect for working out and lounging in.
Although we love a pair of classic black leggings, flare leggings provide a different silhouette that can drastically alter the vibe of an outfit. Because they look more like a traditional pair of pants, with a wider leg structure, the outfit can feel more balanced, especially when paired with cropped tops and pullovers.
We love the versatility of a pair of flare leggings. The endless styling options and ultimate comfort make them a firm favorite in our wardrobes (especially in the Gymshark office), and there are a few key pieces we love to style with flare leggings for a guaranteed cute fit.
Pair Your Flare Leggings…
The essential athleisure style guide.
With An Oversized Tee
Wearing a pair of flare leggings with an oversized tee is the ultimate comfy-girl look. While we love to wear flattering and figure-hugging clothing that shows off our hard-trained glutes and arms sometimes, there’s something quite indescribable about the confidence that wearing a baggy tee gives us. Not to mention how easy it is to build this outfit, as there’s no doubt you all have an oversized t-shirt lying around somewhere. An oversized t-shirt and flare leggings are the jeans-and-a-nice-top of casual hangings, always a hit, in real life and on the group chat.
With A Crop Top
The go-to look for celebs parading the streets of LA on the way to their reformer pilates classes (or smoothie run), this outfit combination is chic yet sporty, and perfectly relaxed. Pair your flare leggings with a crop top of the same color for a casual monochrome fit, or a cute graphic crop top and flannel for some dimension. We love the shape of flares paired with a crop top, with that high-waisted fit and mid-riff on-show combo creating a snatched silhouette.
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With Baggy Sweatshirts
Chances are if you're a subscriber to the Anything Goes Podcast (the chatty lifestyle podcast from Emma Chamberlain), then you've already tried this outfit formula, after the Gen Z star made the outfit go viral. Despite their modern reboot, flare leggings and a baggy sweatshirt were a hallmark of 90's athletic fashion; and of course, a headband completed the look. This winning OOTD makes getting dressed easy in the morning, just throw on your favorite sweater on top of your flares, and you’ll be out the door in no time, looking stellar every time.
With A Cropped Hoodie
So you’re the kind of person who likes everything cropped. We don’t blame you. Cropped tees are ultimately so flattering, and along with cropped hoodies, and sweatshirts, they have become a modern wardrobe staple. Since our flared leggings feature a high waist, our cropped hoodies will sit just above the waistband for a seamless pairing that accentuates the waist, whilst keeping you covered on top to keep you cozy during the cooler months.
With A Fitted Zip Jacket
For the ultimate snatched look, style your flare leggings with a fitted zip jacket that sculpts you in all the right places. Our full zip jackets are supportive with their form-fitting nature, look effortlessly cool, and feel just as comfortable too. The full-length jacket meets the top of your flare leggings at your natural waist for a seamless silhouette that’s comfy enough for working out, lounging in, and hitting up your local Whole Foods.
4 Flare Leggings Outfits To Try
Knowing what to wear with flare leggings is one thing. Understanding how to actually style them is another, and if you’re going to adopt the comfy flares into your year-round rotation of pants, then you’ll want a bank of flare legging outfits at the ready. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of flare leggings outfits for working out, running errands, dressing up, and keeping cozy this winter season.
1. Flare Leggings Outfit For Pilates
Just like the lifters look, Pilates also has its own uniform - silky soft, stretchy, functional, and form-fitting clothes perfect for the low-impact activity. A buttery soft pair of pants like the Elevate Flared Leggings are essential for maximum movement as you hold the poses, stretch, and lengthen. Pairing low-impact bras with an elevated touch like the Elevate Twist Front Bralette with a lightweight cover-up like the Elevate Wrap Long Sleeve Top adds a chic touch to any outfit.
Thinking of trying your first Pilates class? Find out what type of Pilates is for you, what you should be wearing and what you can expect from your first Pilates class in this article.
2. Flare Leggings Outfit For Running Errands
Let’s make one thing clear, your clothes for running errands stand miles apart from the giggle-inducing mismatch of your outfits for the late-night snack run. Even when the day's plans aren’t that exciting, you can still create a cute outfit centered around flare leggings when running errands. Pair your flare leggings with the Legacy Oversized Sweatshirt for a casual vibe - this boxy old-school sweater ties together seamlessly with the earthy tones of our Script Cap.
3. Winter Ready Flare Leggings Outfit
We’re obsessed with the level of coziness that flare leggings are bringing to our wardrobes this cold-weather season. Easy to wear and guaranteed to keep you warm, it’s time to ramp the outfit up with some more cold-weather staples like our cuddly Sherpa fleece. Start with the Everyday Seamless Long Sleeve Crop as your base, layered under our chunky Holt Textured Fleece to keep the breeze out and the warmth in. Finish the winter-ready look with a cozy pair of Rest Day Chunky Socks and UGG boots.
4. Flare Leggings Outfit For Brunch With The Girls
Flare Leggings are not just comfortable but also stylish and versatile, and we have no doubt they’ll become your everyday uniform. We’re no strangers to dressing our flares up for date night or brunch with the girls since a pair of black flare leggings is an item you can truly wear anywhere. A black pair of flared pants that fit you well and match with anything is an absolute wardrobe staple. To dress your black flare leggings up, style them with our Quilted Mini Tote slinky Crop Mesh Tank for a sporty yet sleek monochromatic look.
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Looking for more style inspiration for the cooler months? Check out our pick of the best women’s hoodies to keep comfortable and cozy this season.