There was a time when wearing athletic clothes outside of the gym was considered to be very unfashionable. In the past, when people would go to the gym or for a run, they would wear their specialized athletic clothes, and then change into more comfortable clothes to wear around town. Today, however, there is no difference between workout clothes and regular clothes, and many people wear athletic wear outside of the gym.
That time is long gone.
Our daily lives are made up of errands, email, and grabbing a bite to eat. It can get hectic quick. That’s why athletic wear has made it to the office, to casual lunch spots, and to evening plans. Workout gear has become a huge part of personal style today. Once, athletic wear was just for working out. Now it’s worn as everyday fashion.
There is an art to moving your sportswear from the gym to the street, i.e., balancing comfort with structure, function with polish. When you get it right, your clothes are going to look great and make your way through your long day in style.
And now, on to the good stuff. Here’s how to style your activewear to make it suitable for going out and about in the town.
The Golden Rules of Activewear Style
Now to explore in greater detail how you can use your activewear outside of the gym by examining in greater detail the ‘Golden Rules’ that you must adhere to in order to elevate your basic activewear and provide yourself with stylish-looking outfits that also are extremely comfortable to wear outside of the gym.
Rule #1 – The Fit Rules
The Golden Rule of wearing sneakers and sportswear outside of the gym is that the item must fit well. A large, baggy, or worn item will make you look and feel like you have just been for a workout, and therefore be totally unsuitable for wearing outside of the gym. Even the most laid-back of individuals would not wear a pair of faded sweatpants outside of the house. Instead, opt for a well-fitted piece, which will provide a great base for the rest of your outfit.
The type of fabric that your athletic clothing is made of also makes a difference when determining whether or not it is suitable to wear outside of the gym. For example, technical performance fabrics and sports apparel with matte finishes will look better outside of the gym than worn-out athletic clothing with shiny thin synthetic materials. Look for athletic clothing that is made with thick, clean knit cotton or other quality fabrics that will hold up well and look great outside of the gym.
The final rule for stylish activewear is that of clean lines and neutral colors. These are the elements of high-quality activewear and can be mixed with many other articles of clothing in order to produce stylish streetwear. Items such as black, white, gray, navy, and earth-toned colored sweatshirts, pants, and tops are examples of neutral articles of clothing that can be mixed with non-athletic wear items found in your closet.
High and Low Contrast
To make sure that your activewear is dressed up enough for street wear, you need to apply high and low contrast when mixing functional items with articles of clothing from the fashion world. Only when activewear is combined with formal articles of clothing can it be transformed from a ‘workout’ article of clothing to an ‘article of clothing for street wear’.
Structured Outerwear
Structured Outerwear: Transform your activewear into streetwear instantly by throwing a structured outerwear piece on top. A sports bra and high-waisted leggings are instantly transformed into a stylish and chic streetwear outfit.
I like to wear a blazer on top of my workout gear for casual outings to meet up with friends or for weekend brunches. It creates a really fun contrast to a more typical activewear look, but it’s still casual. I once tried to wear a blazer over my workout shorts, and it completely transformed my look for the better.
In cold weather, the oversized leather jacket or thick coat can be used on top of the hoodie and the tailored joggers to give the look of relaxed comfort with sharp, clean lines. This helps to frame the casual pieces underneath.
Denim and Performance Tops
Last but not least: don’t underestimate the combination of performance tops and denim. An athletic long-sleeve worn under straight-legs creates a very elegant outfit. In turn, a simple crop-top paired with wide-legs creates a great, balanced look with different proportions. Easy!
Elevating Specific Staples
The Everyday Legging
Leggings are some of the most popular pieces to wear from the gym to daily life. Often they are left to look incomplete and are not styled with intention. Treat your high-waisted, thick, dark-colored leggings like you would wear thick tights or slim trousers and wear them out with long tops such as oversized button-downs, warm sweaters or long blazers. Clean sneakers or low boots are great to finish off the outfit.
Wearing your thick dark leggings with longer-length tops like oversized button-down shirts, sweaters and blazers is a good way to make sure your leggings are looked at in the right way outside of the gym. Pairing your leggings with clean sneakers or low-heeled boots will finish off your outfit in the right way too.
Tailored Joggers
Joggers have come a long way from the ugly old pair of fleece sweatpants that you used to wear. Thick, flexible material, clean and useful pockets, and neatly finished cuffs to the bottom of the ankles all make for a comfortable, versatile pair of joggers.
Here’s a style tip on wearing joggers outside the gym for a day of activity. Pair joggers with a fitted top or tuck in a shirt. Layer with a denim jacket, a bomber jacket, or even a coat. But don’t be boring! Swap your sneakers for a pair of neat loafers or low-heel leather boots. They are an unexpected touch that can add a lot of interest to an otherwise simple outfit.
The Versatile Hoodie
A hoodie is a fantastic basic for everyday wear. If you are wearing very baggy trousers, then an oversized hoodie can look somewhat dull. However, a simple neutral hoodie can look great when worn under a jacket, coat or even a trench coat, for example on a rainy day.
The simplest way to wear a hoodie off the gym is to wear it under a coat, jacket or blazer. Ensure the hood sits comfortably on your head above the collar of your outerwear. Pair the top half of your outfit with simple trousers or dark jeans, and you have a complete, thoughtful and casual outfit.
Footwear Bridges the Gap
Footwear makes or breaks whether your outfit looks like a gym uniform or a thoughtful outfit.
While the heavy running shoes with neon accents might be great for a running session, the casual wear can be challenging. In this case, the simple, clean leather sneaker or even a retro model of sneaker is perfect for casual wear. For example, a pair of simple white sneakers instantly brightens up a casual outfit.
If however, you are trying to move away from a sporting look, then swapping your athletic shoes for normal shoes, such as loafers or simple boots, will allow you to change up your look. This will mean you can go for a long afternoon of shopping around town without having to return home to change.
Accessories Complete the Look
Simple Jewelry
Add simple jewelry such as hoop earrings, a stacked chain or a clean watch. This immediately lifts a sports outfit and contrasts well with the softness of the sportswear.
Structured Bags
Using a structured bag instead of a gym bag will add structure to soft, sporty pieces.
Hats and Glasses
They add a touch of the relaxed, but at the same time look great.
Off-Duty Confidence
And there you have it. Sportswear has reached such a peak of comfort that wearing it to go off and about town is actually going to be very, very good.
