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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.