Levi's Is Trying To Make Jeans Feel More Like Yoga Pants

Levi's Facebook pageLevi's commuter jeans. The brand says the pants are soft and flexible, much like the athletic attire that is gaining popularity.Levi's is facing its biggest crisis in years - athleisure attire.

The denim brand says it has been challenged by the fashion trend of wearing exercise gear instead of jeans. Levi's profits fell 76% in the second quarter.

In an attempt to revive popularity, Levi's is trying to make pants feel more like those purchased from Lululemon or Under Armour, writes Kim Bhasin at The Huffington Post.

"Today's consumer is on a quest for casual comfort, whether it's jeans or yoga pants," James Curleigh, the president of the Levi's brand, told HuffPo.

Levi's has released has looked into using comfortable fibers like Dyneema in its jeans. The brand also released a line of jeans with flexile coatings.

The brand is also advertising the Commuter Jeans, writing on its Facebook page that the pants are built for "mobility, comfort, and durability."

The rate of growth in athletic apparel is soaring, even as American participation in sports declines, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Piper Jaffray Denim's popularity is declining among teens, as athleisure styles take over, Piper Jaffray reported earlier this year.

Barclays estimates that the market will increase 50% to more than $100 billion by 2020.

Meanwhile, denim sales fell 6% last year, according to NPD Group.

The new athleisure trend is the latest chapter in Levi's identity crisis.

Levi Strauss reached its peak in the 1980s, but has struggled to reach that level of ubiquity sense.

Another trend challenging the brand is men favoring tailored pants over denim, The Economist wrote in July.