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I had never been a big athleisure lady — until this past month or two. With my new approach to working out (I strive to move my body for a minimum of 20 minutes each day, usually doing a Physique57 or Heather Robertson video, with a goal of two longer cardio workouts per week, where I run or cycle and then do a core workout video), I find myself wearing athleisure to school drop off and morning errands more often than not, as I do not have the time to shower and dress. Something’s gotta give; tradeoffs. I am going to write more about this soon, but I’ve been thinking a lot about something I read recently: everything is a tradeoff; you just need to figure out which emotional consequence you are more willing to accept. As in: you can either move your body and show up looking a little less polished (resulting, for me, in a feeling of not presenting my best self), or you can skip moving your body and show up fully dressed / appointed (resulting, for me, in a feeling of inertia / blah-ness that lingers throughout the day). When I compare the two emotional outcomes I anticipate, the decision is much easier for me to make. I want to be clear here and say that some (most?) women probably don’t even think about this as a tradeoff, and that’s of course correct, too, and even admirable to me. I grew up in a fairly formal household (my mom has worn jeans…twice? in her life and gives me a hard time if I’m wearing distressed denim; I distinctly remember her laying into my brother and his friends for wearing baseball hats at the dining room table — major rule), and I also dedicate a lot of my professional time to fashion, and so the inputs may be different for me.
Anyhow, even in athleisure, I like to feel as polished as possible. My secret to feeling pulled together is wearing mainly monochromatic sets and layering with non-athletic accessories and outerwear. Above, a typical morning look of Beyond Yoga leggings, a Beyond Yoga top, Varley fleece, and tall socks. The sneakers are actual gym shoes (the best ones I’ve found for doing lateral and forward movements — good ankle support, and I’ve needed them while doing side lunges!) but if I were running to school, I’d probably swap out for my Inuikiis, Adidas, or Veronica Beard sneaks. It’s been so cold out, I have been throwing on my white wool coat over the top!
Below, some moodboards for inspiration:
VARLEY RELAXED PANT // VARLEY SWEATSHIRT // THE SLOUCH COAT // OUTTA LOVE OVAL SUNGLASSES // BETH LOW TOP SNEAKER (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // THE ROW BINDLE SMALL LEATHER TOTE (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // ARITZIA PREMIER BASEBALL HAT
THE SLOUCH COAT // HERITAGE FLEECE OVERSIZED CREWNECK SWEATSHIRT // FRANK AND EILEEN BELLA BRITISH ROYAL NAVY TRIPLE FLEECE // WS 32 SNEAKERS // RIBBED CASHMERE BEANIE // OUTTA LOVE OVAL SUNGLASSES // THE ROW MEDIUM NS TOTE HOOK BAG (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)
THE SLOUCH COAT // VARLEY BETSY SWEATSHIRT // VARLEY THE SLIM PANT // SUPER STAR SNEAKER (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // OUTTA LOVE OVAL SUNGLASSES // BINDLE SMALL LEATHER TOTE (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // LARGE STAPLE HOOPS (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)
ARITZIA SUPER PUFF // GUEST IN RESIDENCE CASHMERE HOODIE (LOOK FOR LESS HERE OR HERE) // MIDI HIGH WAIST LEGGING // BETH LOW TOP SNEAKER (LOOK FOR LESS HERE) // ARITZIA PREMIER BASEBALL HAT // CAT EYE SUNGLASSES (LOOK FOR LESS HERE)
P.S. More micro-trends to try.
P.P.S. Did you fill out your New Year’s Bingo card yet? It’s not too late!
P.P.P.S. Two backs against the lee.
Love the styling here! I am a workout wear all day if I need to be girl through and through. Because when I actually get dressed, there’s no mistaking I’m turning a LOOK. There’s a fabulous quote from the fun, but ridiculous Bergdorf Blondes about “I’m either in workout gear or a ball gown” and I basically live by that! Embrace this season of life when we can physically exercise as much as time allows. Xx
I love this, and how crisp/aware you are about your perspective on this, too! I feel a bit blurry making sense of what to wear / when and how to balance with my lifestyle. I love your note “embrace this season when we can physically exercise as much as time allows.” SUCH a great perspective shift!
xx
I think ultimately it comes down to this: what you wear has to serve your life. If it doesn’t work for you, then it doesn’t work for you!
Your life isn’t always formal right now, and that’s ok. It may become more formal later- thinking after the sticky hands, ear infections, school drop off years.
You do you!
So true!! Love this!
I’ve found that dressing in more athleisure/being willing to go places before or after the gym or a workout has actually been transformative for my own self perception. I used to be someone who always had to be dressed up and have my hair done everywhere. Then I started coaching at a gym in the wee hours of the morning (530am) and I show up in leggings, a sweatshirt, with tinted moisturizer and blush and my hair up. And it doesn’t matter. No one thinks twice about it, and it’s wonderful to have people see me more natural. I’ve been much more relaxed ever since and much happier to go to the grocery store or hang out with friends looking more natural now!
Love this perspective shift — thanks so much for sharing this! xx
This really hit home with me as I recently started attending Reformer Pilates 3-4 times per week. Like you, I love clothes/fashion/makeup. So…have been struggling with do I “dress up” then change into workout clothes in middle of day and then back into nicer things? To add to that I am now at home and not at work…so no one sees it but my husband and myself…. but still it matters to me…I like to look nice, wear things in my closet besides workout wear. Also I have noticed I therefore may also not do a full face of makeup. Yesterday I reminded myself I do these things for ME so if I choose to go back to more makeup, changing in the middle or the day or maybe not..ok to do that if it makes me happy.
Yes, I agree – I’m really inspired by some of the other commenters here talking about how their outfits / clothing should serve their lifestyle, and how transformative it was to dress down / dress for their lifestyle / etc. A lot of food for thought. And at the same time, I often feel more myself when I am dressed in non-athleisure. I noticed this the other day when I was wearing leggings and a sweatshirt all day and then at 5 felt so strongly I needed to change into jeans and a sweater — it almost felt like I had never really “gotten ready” for the day? I can’t explain it. Maybe just need to unlearn that, or like you, appreciate that sometimes getting dressed, makeup on, etc is what will make me feel best. Anyway, thanks for writing in!!
xx
I think your gorgeous Nalida coat would polish anything, despite leggings! I go tonal (usually crème, chocolate brown, or olive), add my Dorsey tennis necklace, and layer under an ankle-length Neiman Marcus robe cardigan in beige cashmere. I don’t mind a baseball cap as long as it isn’t ratty, because I try to channel Nicole Kidman re: the sun. Gorgeous sunglasses also help. I’m not normally a logo girl but I wear my very graphic Dior ones in those situations. Gloves or scarf also add panache!
Love these notes!! Your tonal look sounds very chic. xx