Hot New Looks in Workout Fashion
Written by Ali Straka Thursday, February 10 2011
The tossed confetti and popped champagne have long been forgotten, but what about your New Year’s resolution to get fit? Like most Americans who pledge to change their ways come Jan. 1, it’s likely your fitness goals have lost their luster.
If you need inspiration and motivation to get back to the gym, consider trying on these sporty style trends. Activewear offers more convenience and flair than ever before, and the latest innovations even promise to shape you up before you ever touch a treadmill.
From Ellipticals to Errands, Workout Wear Works Off-duty
“Go, go, go” is the incessant rhythm of many women’s lives, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the hottest fitness fashions provide convenience to active ladies on the run. By doubling up on function and wearability and with more emphasis on style, exercise attire is no longer just reserved for appointments with your trainer. Yoga pants, leggings, and gym-ready tops easily transition from sprints on the treadmill to shopping at the mall.
Acclaimed designer – and Beatle-spawn – Stella McCartney kicked off this trend in 2004 when she partnered with Adidas and brought a high-fashion edge to the arena of athletic apparel. More than six years later, her sophisticated line of gym gear includes pants, tops, and shoes that are influenced by both classic dance duds and hip street wear.
Supermodel Heidi Klum is the latest celeb to follow in McCartney’s footsteps and collaborate with an athletic brand. The slouchy dolman tops, zippered leggings, and ruffled jackets from her new label, HKNB Heidi Klum for New Balance, mimic the everyday basics of a woman’s wardrobe, but the soft and flexible fabrics make them built for activity.
Runners with an aversion to standard fitness shorts also have a new option that’s decidedly more ladylike: running skorts. The skirt and short hybrid can be purchased at most major outlets, from Niketown to Target.
First Shoes, Now Clothes, that Tone your Bod
Once an unsightly fashion “don’t” that boasted the oh-so-chic look of an orthopedic shoe, toning sneakers have evolved and experienced a boom in the active wear market. Several brands, including Sketchers, Puma, and New Balance, now have their own sleek version of the footwear phenomenon.
Toning shoes promise to work your muscles with minimal effort, and now Reebok and Fila are expanding this quick tone action into a line of enhanced exercise clothing. Reebok’s collection of EasyTone tops and pants utilize built-in “Resistone” bands that generate resistance as the wearer moves. The tops promise to not only strengthen upper body muscles, but also to improve posture and body alignment. Like the shoes from the same brand, the EasyTone pants also promise to shape up legs and glutes. The toning collection from Fila works the same way: it pledges toning from resistance-banded bottoms and tops.
Barefoot and … Running?
The movement to get back to our roots and live a more natural life is nothing new, but have you heard of the movement to move more naturally? Some athletes have expressed concern over the potential harm that gym shoes inflict, particularly while running. Research led by a Harvard professor last year found that running barefoot decreased the impact that damages your muscles and joints. But jogging sans protection isn’t always safe. The answer? Weightless athletic shoes that mimic being barefoot.
Two popular choices are Vibram Five Fingers and, for the most traditional gym-goers, shoes with Nike Free technology. At first glance, Nike Free shoes look like regular trainers, but they’re actually more lightweight and airy due to minimized construction. They’re meant to feel like you’re running barefoot, but they also offer the protection and look most exercisers want. Vibram Five Fingers are a departure from the conventional. The shoes’ high-performance rubber looks molded around the foot, complete with separate grooves for each toe to allow flexibility and increased agility. Fila entered the barefoot game on Feb. 1 when it released Skele-toes, shoes that mimic the natural design of Vibram’s popular footwear.
Ditch the Dull, and Add Pep to your Step
No matter if you splurge on chic designer duds or experiment with toning band pants, the key is to always have fun with fashion – even when you’re exercising. Forget the oversized T-shirt borrowed from your husband or the saggy gym shorts that make you look two dress sizes bigger; if you dress for your shape and lighten up your workout wardrobe with energetic prints and colors, you’ll boost your mood and your confidence. It’s not easy to break bad habits and get into gear; most of us would rather hit the snooze button than put ourselves through a grueling workout. But in the end, your mind and body will thank you for the effort. And it can’t hurt to sport some cute clothes while you’re at it.
Ali Straka is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She majored in magazine journalism with a minor in textile and apparel management. She used her experience as a college student to contribute to developing products from University Chic in addition to writing regularly for the site. In her free time, Ali muses about fashion, interior design, and all things pop culture on her blog According to Ali. She hails from the North Shore suburbs of Chicago.
