Ask Mary Lou

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 bi-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 or check our question archives!

For January 2007:

Q: I am hoping you or one of your associates can help me create a workout wardrobe to complement my New Year’s resolution to get (and stay!) in shape — thanks!

(Editor’s note: Special thanks to Organization By Design, Inc. fashion consultant Karen Costa for answering this month's question.)

A: Mary Lou forwarded me your email and asked me to help you out. I truly believe that it is easier to stick to an exercise schedule when you take the time to create a workout wardrobe that makes you feel your personal best while exercising.

Here are some stores and web sites that I use for myself and my clients when I am looking for fabulous workout wear:

Target — I love their Pro Spirit line of tops and bottoms. When they are on sale (which happens frequently), you can pick them up from $5.99 to $12.99. Sizing is XS-XXL.

Niketown — I recently hit Niketown and stocked up on great warm-up suits and pilates bottoms and tops. I love Nike’s approach to workout fashions, but their sizing usually runs very small. I advise clients to go up a size when buying Nike clothes. If you don’t have a Niketown in your neck of the woods, Nordstrom is also a wonderful place to find Nike and Reebok exercise clothes. Check some of these selections out on line at www.nordstrom.com.

www.titlenine.com — This has been one of my very favorite resources for years when it comes to exercise clothes. I love that it is a company for women which is also run by women. They really make clothes for real women, not size 0 models! One of my favorite items is their sports bra called the Frog Bra. It is a pullover style which is made with a whopping 32% Lycra. It really holds in the boobs! Because this bra has no hooks or tiny straps, I use it a lot when I wear t-shirts and knit tops. With this bra, I get no “back fat”!

www.junonia.com and www.championcatalog.com — The Jan/Feb 2007 issue of Weight Watchers magazine (yes, I am a life time member!) listed these two sites for plus-size workout clothing. I checked them out and they both are fabulous resources for our clients who are over size 16. Both sites have great tops and bottoms that have real fashion touches. Great fabrics and colors too.

Hope this helps. Best to you in 2007!