With our blood pumping, muscles pounding, and pores sweating, looking good during a vigorous workout can be a challenge at best. We’ve all had those moments in the gym where the svelte and sleek athlete completes a hardcore workout flawlessly while we struggle onwards in frumpy sweatpants and disheveled hair. Fear not, fitness enthusiast: there are many ways to break a sweat and look good doing it, thanks to the fashion world.
Work hard, play hard, and make it look easy
Many women might question why spending an hour or two sweating like crazy requires us to look good, and it’s a valid point: it doesn’t. However, the chances are that some women might feel a little self-conscious while working out, and this can be partly resolved by investing in some gear that accent the attractive features of the body and that also don’t look out of place among the spandex heroes of modern day workouts.
Gone are the days when a ragged T-shirt and old track pants could cut it, unless you’re going for the grungy look, of course. Nowadays, most sportswear focuses on tracing – and sometimes containing – the contours of the body, while giving it room to breathe. That doesn’t mean you have to go for the skin-tight look, however. You can find trendy-looking hoodies for that much-loved outdoor run with gloves, hats, and cool cargos or styled sweats to match. These are especially great for pregnant women who don’t want to feel too constricted while working out, though others might prefer to have a bit more support while doing their exercise. The most important part to focus on is comfort: find what kind of clothing works for you, and you can find the corresponding style to make it look fantastic.
Right now, close-fitting and loose-fitting outfits alike are in vogue, and they are often mixed – it’s not at all unusual to see someone jogging with a baggy sweater and spandex bottoms, or loose sweats and a tight tank top. Especially during the summer months, people like to show off a bit of skin as well – and copper fit compression clothes are a great example of how you can break up the different shapes and contours of the body, support your muscles and joints, and look like a pro while doing it.
Urban style
Casual is the way to go for a lot of urban fitness fans, and this is a good thing (though there is nothing wrong with donning your favorite soccer jersey either). You can combine a range of colors to look good, but bright tops and dark bottoms are the way people are going right now. If you want to stand out, think about pairing unique patterns and colors to break the monotony and garner a little positive attention – if you look like you’re taking your outfit seriously, people will automatically associate that with commitment to your workout – just don’t overdress.
Let’s talk about footwear. Good support is crucial for running, cycling, and other cardio, and sneakers have come a long way from the frightening fluorescent runners of the 80s. You can find anything from trendy suede to hip urban designs that match your outfit and shake things up a little. This also goes for sports bras, and if you’re not wearing a top, wear a vest that has sturdy support.
Thinking of wearing that geeky T-shirt instead? Lucky for you, these are also in fashion, so go ahead, rock that Pacman T.
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize
Here is where you get to add a little more flavor to functionality. Grab yourself a unique-looking bag to store your gym supplies, towel, water bottle, shower stuff, etc., and make sure it’s easy to carry. Grab some wristbands and headbands to manage your sweat and keep your hair under control and to keep it looking good. It’s an easy solution for those unruly strands that break loose from ponytails during a heavy workout.
Another must-have for the outdoors and the gym is your tunes. Most of us can carry our music on our smartphone, but an MP3 player and iPod are the way to go for intrepid workouts. They can be easily attached to arms, wrists, and waist with holders as well.
Thankfully, fashion and sports have come a long way together, and it’s possible to find something that works for virtually every body type and fit. Bring your water bottle, get the heart pumping, and make your body look good while feeling great.
6 comments
Comfortable and amazingly looking good. Not only functional but also really gives the comfort you need on sports activities.
Sports wear is also a must on doing some exercise or sports activities. You gotta be comfortable and look good.
Man gotta show this post to my wife so she can finally mix fashion with exercise. I am trying to get her involved with me in crossfit. Do you have any tips for fashionable cross training shoes for women that she can rock?
Brands are good at selling you stuff you don’t need while stylist services are great at curating items and outfits while saving you time and the hassle of hunting for puzzle pieces in stores, standing in lines and scrolling through a myriad of irrelevant options online
Women working out are sure to love this post. They can be fashionable as they sweat it out. Thanks for sharing this!
I wear bright color T-shirt like white or yellow and then wear black shorts. This is just my typical getup I wear to gym. And, I pair these with a good pair of shoes. I basically wear black, yellow, or blue shoes depending on the shirt I wear.