GLAM + STYLE | Fashion
Athleisure By Lauren Caggiano
Long gone are the days of wearing an old T-shirt and sweats to the gym. Today, form meets function in the world of athleisure. In simple terms, athleisure is sportswear that you can wear all the time, not just to the gym. A marriage of practicality and aesthetics, it’s no wonder why this booming industry keeps getting bigger.
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The popularity and availability of athleisure means there are more options than ever for going seamlessly from the gym to drinks with friends or just lounging around the house in style. According to Emma Marie Metcalf with Lyn-Maree’s Boutique, athleisure represents a great compromise when it comes to women’s fashion today.
“Athleisure wear can be difficult to rock and not just look like you’re headed to the gym, but anymore many of us want to be comfortable AND cute!” she said. “And you can totally be both! But you need to follow a few simple rules to make sure you look fabulous and not frumpy.” For one, she reminds readers of a harsh truth: leggings aren’t pants. “In order to wear them outside the gym or studio be sure and pair your leggings with a longer top or tie a long sleeve around your waist,” she said. Still, they can make for a great staple, especially when incorporating them with other pieces. Her advice? “Mix your everyday wardrobe in. Pair a blazer with your funky gym tee, high-waisted pants with your sports bra and a leather jacket. Rock a bomber and sneakers with your sheath dress. Try layering your high-waisted leggings and sports bra with a plaid button-up tied around your waist and topped with a leather jacket.” It’s sporty-meets-edgy at its best. The same applies to mixing and matching fabrics. For example, think leather and denim with sports fabrics. Of course, the particulars will depend on the occasion. As a rule, the more formal the occasion or location, the more put together your outfit should be. A casual event, however, can lend itself to a more functional ensemble. You can never go wrong with over-dressing. Another tip? When in doubt, accessorize. Don’t forget it doesn’t take much time to take your look from gym drab to post-workout fab. 8
| JULY GLO 2020 |
“Don’t forget you’re not at the gym; you’re out and about,” she said. “Grab some earrings, a simple layered necklace, a hat, handbag, etc.” Voila...instant chic! That said, Metcalf challenges women to hold themselves to high standards, even when casual apparel is becoming more of the norm. While it may be tempting to choose comfort over style, that doesn’t always send the right impression, especially if the stakes are high, like going on a first date. “Don’t throw on any old gym clothes,” she said. ‘Check out what’s new, stylish, trendy — make sure what you’re rocking is nice and clean.” Last, you can be bold, but not too bold. In her words, “Don’t go crazy with prints and patterns, simple classic colors and styles will go further in rockin’ athleisure wear on the streets.” a
Resource: Lyn-Maree’s Boutique, Auburn, 260.333.0238, lyn-marees.com
photos courtesy of Lyn-Maree’s Boutique
