|
|
|
|
Each month, Mary Lou answers (and we post!) a fashion question from one of our site visitors. If you have something you want to know to help pull together your wardrobe with style and confidence, ask away!
We also announce that the monthly question and answer is available to read in our free weekly Dressing Well "Tip of the Week!" You may want to subscribe if you haven't already done so.
Bookmark this page and return back soon to see if your question has been answered!
For January, 2003:
Q: Could you offer suggestions for what to wear to the gym for those of us who aren't yet in the best of shape? All I see at my gym are body revealing bra tops and short shorts, or baggy t-shirts and shapeless sweats. Is it possible to look good while one's body is still under construction?
A: Absolutely! It is our firm (no pun intended!) belief that when you feel good about your appearance, you are more motivated to be your personal best (and stay committed to your goals) no matter the situation. When it comes to exercising, you want to wear comfortable and stylish clothes that you don't feel self-conscious in, yet set you up to succeed in terms of shedding pounds and/or getting in better shape.
Like all other areas of your wardrobe, step one to feeling really great about your workout clothes is to visit the area of your home where you store these items and ditch all the ones that don't fit or that make you feel dowdy. Also get rid of items that aren't comfortable or are made of fabrics that don't allow you to move freely or breathe and sweat efficiently.
Next, clearly think about your exercise routine. If you change at the gym, an oversized gym bag that you can pack and unpack easily, is a good investment. Consider keeping it in your laundry room so you can wash items and re-pack it conveniently. If you leave home dressed for the gym, a new running or sweat suit that flatters your figure can be the single best new item you add to your wardrobe. You'll feel good entering and leaving the building. You'll also feel better about running errands and the like before and after your gym visits. Think of this item as both an image enhancer and a time management tool — I know I do!
Selecting your actual gym clothes when you feel less than great about your figure, can be daunting. Take a deep breath and stay focused on the importance of pulling yourself together in a way that will make you feel good enough about yourself to keep exercising. My recommendation is to stay away from stir-ups pants (they are dated and will do nothing for a full figure) and other legging-style pants that fit tight around the ankle. This silhouette will only draw attention to your hips and stomach.
Instead, purchase a great pair of bootleg cut Lycra gym pants if you don't already have them. The flair style of the bootleg cut will balance out your hip and tummy area, giving you a slimmer (and more hip) look. You can also achieve this look with a pair of looser fitting running pants that have zippers at the ankles if you have a more conservative style.
Top off the look with a one-piece, sleeveless Lycra top. Sleeveless styles tend to be most practical when you start to sweat. If you really hate your arms, you can find some short sleeve leotards if you look hard enough. I also like one-piece body suits with a boot-cut leg. Many people in my Pilates class favor this look. Thankfully, the Britney Spears look (i.e. over exposed in every area!) is becoming passé.
Finally, load up on t-shirts and sweatshirts that you can throw over your base workout look as you enter and leave the workout area. Long sleeve tops can be thrown around your shoulders and waist to give you extra coverage when and where you need it. It makes sense to purchase a few updated sweatshirts and t-shirts that are not cut too long (i.e. you want them to hit no longer than mid-thigh) so your look is tidy and as current and stylish as possible. Older t-shirts and sweatshirts tend to look ratty. In addition if they are oversized and sloppy, they will actually make you look (and feel!) bigger than you are.
One other tip — choose your base pieces in black. Black is not only a "minimizer," it's also a stylish choice. Instead of picking t-shirts and sweatshirts in white and other light colors to wear with black leotards and the like, consider getting tops in black or gray that won't create such a strong contrast next to your black bottoms. No matter what base color you choose to build your workout wardrobe in, you will automatically look slimmer in a monochromatic (i.e. all one color) color scheme.
Hope that helps. I just bought a bunch of workout wear for myself at the Danskin store in Boston. Fabrications have come a long way since I last updated my workout wear and the new fabrics feel and look terrific. A percentage of Lycra can be your best friend as it helps to keep parts of your body in need of support under control!