Sunday, August 3, 2014

Working It Working Out

I say, if you've got to go to the gym, you should at least enjoy buying cute things to wear to the gym. (Really, I'm so glass half full.)

I get that everyone is all free-to-be grungy at the gym (that one is rather politically incorrect to suggest it should be otherwise), but honestly - it's a public place. Would it kill everyone to put on something other than the wide-cut Hanes tshirt and a pair of crap biking shorts?

I for one do two things to prepare myself for the Y (and, as I've recently discovered it's a good thing too because one meets everyone she knows and doesn't while working out: Sarah Polley, check. My former Deputy Minister, check three times. Mums of M's friends from junior school. Yup.): I wear lipstick and a chic outfit.

Before you suggest that said outfit might be chic now because I just went out and bought it and, in 6 months it'll look like shit, allow me to refute this claim: When it looks like shit, I'll throw it out and start again.

As you may know, my persona has a bit of a performance artist bent. I dress to liberate my imagination, which is vivid. Who am I, in any given circumstance? When I go into fancy work meetings, I wear a power suit (but a delicate one). When I'm out for dinner at some hipster joint, I ensure to be dressed utterly opposite. At the gym, I'm channeling the midtown yogini meets the 80s aerobic princess. Sure, I was there the first time (in both instances), but it gives an air of authenticity.

Peeps, if I could wear some crazy, striped bodysuit with a pair of magenta leggings and some legwarmers, I would be all over it. (Don't worry, my goal is to blend in - with a little twist of personality.)

In truth, I'm subtle. My go-to items include:
  • Outfits you can walk to the gym in (cuz I try to avoid the change room when I can)
  • Things with a bit of colour, but not too much...
  • Fitted items (that only highlight the bits I want to show off)
Let me say that you do not have to spend a zillion dollars on active wear, as I'm sure you already know, but it sure is fun to do so... One day I'll tell you about how I went to Lulu Lemon's first trunk show at the home of a venerable fashion entrepreneur at the Creed Lofts. For me, Lulu is so 1998. And yet, it still makes some of the best shorts, yoga pants debacle aside. (All of the tops are too long, btw, if you're short or your torso is. You can do better elsewhere.)

On that topic, have you heard of the Lab? Whenever I think of this I imagine beady-eyed engineers slaving underground (at an undisclosed location) to make the worlds most functional activewear evah. Gotta love the concept store.

At any rate, I bought these shorts for a stupid amount of money (75ish CDN) but, seriously, I could wear them out all day:

Lulu Lemon Lab: Noir Shorts (Could these people make their site a little bit less douchey??)

They're super flattering even if your lower abdomen isn't like board. The sides roll up and held with a tab and button (sort of visible by the model's hand in the second photo).

But, when you're not looking to spend a ton and you want to blend in, Gap Fit really does some very functional pieces. Sure, they're mostly knock-offs of everything you've seen elsewhere, but the fabrics are great and they stock colour. Hilariously, I went in the other day (40% off sale) but my phone was dead so I couldn't show them my e-coupon. But, because they had my email address (associated with my credit card), they simply gave me the discount?!?! Honestly, I bet if you go into that store on any given day and ask for a discount, just cuz, they'll give it to you. It's no wonder they can't turn a profit.

Today's questions: What do you wear to the gym? Are you one of those peeps in the over-sized T? (Feel free to explain why that's the way to go!) Do you channel a persona at the gym/yoga studio/when you run etc.? Have you tried Lab? Do you loathe Lulu Lemon (it's sort of hard not to)? Let's talk!

22 comments:

  1. I buy shorts (LA Gear brand if I can find them) in the boys dept SZ XL. They come almost to my knee; usually a contrast stripe down the sides. and a size Large T generally (Not generally Hanes, but something similar--such as the T with the gym logo) to wear to the gym. If I dressed up too much, I'd be TOTALLY out of place! Just doesn't happen here. And, I do see folks I know occasionally, but they dress about like me. Granted, the time I'm there is generally the senior generation; however, this summer some of the high school athletes are there. I'm perfectly comfortable in my "uniform." Rather spend $$ on fabric, not workout shorts, but I have no problem with those that spend $$ on those outfits. To each her own. :)

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    1. Ok, I totally hear you - which is why I'm toning it down (and also, cuz I'm not exactly the most profesh gym rat in the world). But I do feel like wearing something a bit more exotic (aka fitted, sleeveless top with asymmetric hem) makes the whole process of going to the gym more exciting.

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  2. I made my own yoga pants that I wear with a simple tee on weekends, using (Jalie 3022).

    On Tues & Thurs, when I go after work, I wear the same JC Penney (Bengaline-ish type fabric) pants that I wore to work with a knit fabric top that I sewed myself. I know that sounds crazy, but it works well for me. I have a 'VERY casual dress' job in a construction office. This way, I don't have to waste my limited time at the gym changing.
    :-)

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    1. I make my own yoga pants too - but I tend to use them as pjs for some reason!? And I love that you can wear your work outfit to the gym. Talk about efficiency!

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  3. I agree with you about the "right outfit". I cycle to work most days and I wear a cycling shirt and a skort (bought at Costco) with light-weight cycling shorts underneath (we have showers in my building so I can clean up and change). If I stop and run an errand, I may be a little sweaty but I don't look like a total slob. Have not been going to the gym regularly, but when I go, I wear shorts/capris and a decent shirt. I have a LL shirt (bought on sale) that I wear for curling all winter - it pulls down over my wrists and fingers and keeps me warm. Good for cycling and x-country skiing too.

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    1. Skorts are the cutest! I am looking for one (to feel all tennis) but the options aren't simple enough. They've all got embellishment and I can't take it.

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    2. Try a cycling store - I've seen a number that are plain. My Costco skort is very basic - balck with a pink waistband.

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  4. I buy gym stuff :-)

    I've got 3 pairs of trousers, one 3quater length and tight one like the gym stuff that men usually wear, and one short shorts pair, similar in length to the ones above. All colorful & mainstream nike - reebok - whatever brand got at >50% off. I also have a couple of sports tees, but I'm not at all picky and will pick any old cotton t-shirt when those are in the wash. Nothing too fancy!

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    1. A work friend, who lives at the gym when she's not living at work, swears by the "gym" look. She says she's not wrecking fancy stuff with sweat. :-)

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    2. Obviously typing on a phone is troublesome.. I can't even read half of what I wrote above.

      But yeah, I mostly do gym classes next to men (I do a lot of strength and core work), so feeling overdressed is a given on most days. That's how I discovered that cotton tees are fine for the gym.

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    3. That's what she does too - and she has this SERIOUS trainer. It's very hard core.

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  5. 15 year old Byrning Spears board shorts and a sports bra top. If I went. But I actually prefer swimming at the moment so as above but with Lycra spanx undies I'm passing off as cossie bottoms.

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    1. You badass! Swimming, and doing it in non-regulation clothing! :-)

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  6. I don't "do" the gym, but I do ice skate and some spend a fortune outfitting themselves in the latest spiffy duds, made especially for ice princesses. Since I've already spent enough on boots and blades, I just wear a pair of basic black lycra pants from LL Bean - they cost about $40 and wear forever (with no stretch out) and whatever t-shirt strikes my fancy that day.

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    1. I have a friend from work who ice skates twice a week - she's been doing it since childhood! Her outfit is SO GORGEOUS. But it cost a zillion dollars. As did her skates!

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  7. For me, comfort is key, which means performance fabrics that fit well. I just don't get the old shorts and baggy tee routine - neither are wicking and comfy. Typical would be yoga pants or capris, a colorful fitted athletic tank top and good sports bra.

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    1. I'm on the fence about yoga pants in the summer. Those classes get hot! (But I will wear them all winter.)

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  8. I try to go to the gym 3 times a week and I'm very inspired by your fitness posts. I buy my capri fitness/leggings at Costco. I make my fitness tops. I use an altered Kwiksew pattern for the tops (I'm experimenting with FehrTrade's VNA top) . I have a pattern for my own leggings, but I can't find the fabric I like. Those lulul shorts look really cool. What type of fabric is it? is it a woven or knit?

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    1. Thanks Rose! The majority of the shorts is made of a tech fabric called "swift". I'm not sure what it's made of but I sense it's a synthetic. The fabric has a smidge of stretch (more give) but it's very drapey so it moves well when exercising. Parts of the interior are made of a wicking mesh which is stretchy.

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  9. I must confess to actually liking LuluLemon. I don't wear shorts to the gym, because despite the fact that I'm mostly slim, I have jello legs with lots of cellulite. I wear cropped, fitted workout pants (from LuluLemon, or from cheap and cheerful Costco) and fitted (gym fabric/performance wear) tank tops or fitted wick-away shirts. The pants are always black. The tops are always colourful. In fact, the gym is the only place I allow myself to wear all fitted clothes, all the time. Crazy?

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    1. It's a sound brand, if over-hyped and over-priced (slightly). And I hear you about having more comfort with pants vs shorts. I'm pretty laissez-faire about the legs. I guess I have to be about something :-)

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