Women’s Guide to Athleisure

By Dana Helm

Do you wish you could fit a workout into your day before heading to the office but don’t have the time to transform from athletic togs to business appropriate?

Maybe you’d like to burn off some calories before lunch at the office? Or perhaps, you’d just like to look chic while wearing something comfortable?

You are in luck. Today’s latest and lasting women’s fashion trend, commonly called athleisure, satisfies all those needs. The relaxed, trendy style, birthed from the evolution of women leading healthier lifestyles and requiring clothing that’s more functional, is still in.

What Is Athleisure?

Athleisure is the effortless blend of style and function that looks appropriate for the gym, yoga, grocery store, a visit to a friend’s house, and everywhere in between. This is one trend that works for all demographics, sizes, and styles.

Still, there’s a fine line between athleisure and unkempt. Luckily, the team at Healthy Aging® is here to walk you through the trend from head to toe…

All-Weather Outerwear

It’s early fall, and the weather is prone to unpredictability. We recommend layering and having options for rain, shine, heat, and chill. That said, you have several choices for your outermost layer…

First, consider a windbreaker or some type of rainproof jacket. These items are lightweight and comfortable, so they won’t inhibit your ability to run or prevent you from feeling comfortable throughout the day. These pieces wick away water, should you get caught in the rain, and they are easy to pair with your favorite leggings and sneakers for an easy, active look.

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(Left) Nike Jacket. Photo: Nordstrom (Right)Stitched-Yoke Pullover in indigo blue/red pop stripe, pictured with navy Military Twill Jacket. Photo:  Talbots

Sweaters and sweatshirts are also popular players in an athleisure look. If a sweatshirt is a bit too casual for your style, we recommend a light or loose-fitting sweater. This item is easy to toss over a tank top after a workout and can provide a more refined look while still keeping cozy.

Breezy Tanks and Tees

When you work out, your go-to top is likely a T-shirt or tank top. If you have plans after your exercise, ditch the old concert tee or stretched-out top and opt for something that blends a little more seamlessly with your other daytime duties.

A well-constructed, flowy tee can be the ticket to all-day, chic comfort. Lightweight, less form-fitting options won’t hold onto moisture and will keep you feeling breezy. Playful or asymmetrical hemlines can also give a tee the edge that it needs to be fashionable from dawn to dusk.

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(Left)Bar III V-Neck Mixed-Media Top in Washed White. Photo: Macy’s (Right)Alo White Om Yes Graphic Tee. Image courtesy of  Nordstrom

Tank tops are another excellent option, just make sure they’re made from quality materials or they could stretch and wrinkle. Once you’re done your workout, you can throw on a sweater or statement necklace and no one will be able to guess that you spent your morning in the yoga studio.

Leggings: Classic or Funky

There is some debate over whether or not leggings are appropriate all day long. However, any well-fitting legging made of performance materials should never come into question. An added bonus of high-quality leggings is its compression. Your body always looks firm and sleek, and you never have to worry about your pants becoming see-through as you stretch.

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(Left) Athleta, High Rise Magnolia Chaturanga™ Capri. Photo: Athleta(Right)Black Alo Elevate Leggings. Image courtesy of Nordstrom

With such a wide variety of women’s brands now making excellent quality leggings, you also have your choice of any style or pattern that suits you. If you’re more into the classic look, you may choose a black or gray pant with simple stripe accents. If you’d prefer to spice things up in the legging department, choose a bold pattern or pretty floral print. The options are endless, so stock up on a mixture if you can’t choose just one style.

FlipBelt Crops

One of the problems we hear about leggings is there are no pockets! Where do you stuff your cell phone? If you are looking for a pair that can take you from the gym to the grocery store and can hold your phone, keys or credit card smoothly and without bulging, try on a pair of FlipBelt Crops. The fabric is smooth, doesn’t pill in the wash, and holds all of your stuff. Best part is you don’t have to keep pulling them up like some leggings or athletic tights. They just fit well around the middle. While technically these are for running, you will feel at home in them as athleisure wear.

The golden rule for proper leggings wear is to never, ever show your butt. There are plenty of tops to cover your derriere, even if you have a bod that looks like you spent hours and hours at the gym.

Shoes: Comfort Is Key

The athleisure shoe options are one area that isn’t too varied—unless of course, you’re swapping out your sneakers for other footwear at some point throughout the day. For those of you who prefer to keep your shoe decisions simple, you should choose between performance or casual sneakers.

By performance sneakers, we mean running or training shoes that provide the appropriate arch and ankle support for your desired exercise. Just because they’re built for speed doesn’t mean they can’t be chic. The variety of style options for running shoes is unbelievable—you could truly have a pair for every outfit if you’re willing to seriously invest in your sneaker collection.

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(Left) Nike Free Focuse FlyKnit shoe. Photo: Image courtesy of  Nordstrom (Right) Michael Kors shoe. Photo: Macys

A casual sneaker is better designed for walking or simply for comfort, sometimes called street style. On the active side of things, these shoes are a better fit for light activities or perhaps as your favorite comfy go-to after a barefoot class like yoga.

Typically, sneakers in this category are slip-ons, made from canvas, or feature a round rubber toe. If you’re looking for more bling in your athleisure look, you won’t be disappointed in the readily available sparkle and shine.

All in the Bag

A medium- to large-sized tote or backpack is often your best option to accomplish this look. It’s likely that you’ll need to carry a decent amount of cargo throughout your day, and these styles look sporty and sharp, as opposed to your more elegant handbags.

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(Left)Madewell Paint-Stripe Transport Tote. Photo: Macys (Right) English Saddle Stripe Paint Stripe Transport Leather Tote. Photo:Image courtesy of  Nordstrom.

Not only does your bag serve as an excellent accessory for your athleisure look, but it also holds many items for keeping fresh if you do decide on a morning workout.

Here are some items that may help you transition from warrior pose to weekend warrior:

● Dry shampoo—If you’re not one for washing your hair in the gym shower, brushing through some dry shampoo will achieve the same results with much less effort.

● Deodorant—This one is self-explanatory.

● Facial mist—Mists have the benefit of cleaning your face while also moisturizing. Additionally, they’re really refreshing after being active.

● A fresh pair of socks—This is an often forgotten key for staying fresh after any activity.

● Compact—You may need a touch-up before running out to tackle the day.

At the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules for athleisure dress. It’s all about a personal mix of feeling active, confident, and posh. Athleisure is for those who want to look and feel good. And this trend shows no signs of slowing down.