Hats off to workout hats! lol This is how the cashiers around see me half the time.
There. Sharing is caring.

EDIT: and not for nothing, but I'd toyed with the idea of the imagined white button down over BF jeans with platforms just to have dinner at home by myself, when the wine I'd bought on the way home from the gym turned out to be bad and I had to hop back on my bike in a jiffy to replace it while my dinner was getting cold. In my shorts and tee, I slipped on my Birks and was out the door in 30 seconds. Once again, no denying the demands of my current lifestyle (and climate).

Gah your workout gear is adorable. I definitely need to upgrade from my plain white tee and gray sweats -_-

What Aida said. Your work out wear looks great. I wouldn't be caught dead in mine at the grocery store or anywhere else. There is a reason I run before it gets too light out!

ETA: I hope "new things" don't prevent you from posting. I like seeing re-mixes and casual outfits as much as anything else!

ETAA: I didn't read through all of the responses so I hope my comments were appropriate. I don't like to ponder fashion much. I just like pretty pictures.

Mo, your workout gear is so cute! OK, so here's mine - awful stuff - I didn't make these shorts, they're from Old Navy, the tee is a souvenir from Pike's Place Market in Seattle, old Nike sneakers, Phillies baseball cap. The paparazzi (otherwise known as DH) took this photo after my early morning jog while on vacation last summer. His comment? "Heh heh, you like outfit photos so I thought I'd take this one, heh heh." Yeah. Funny guy.

And see, I am unrecognizable - I look like a boy! I seriously must upgrade my workout gear!

Aw, that's the spirit!! My BF pulls a few paparazzi moments on me, too. I feel you there

And, for what it's worth, you almost have to have wicking, tech fabrics to exercise in the FL heat. So, no cotton tees on the roster even if I wanted.

Mo, I love to see gear and lounge posts, so don't stop doing that! You might think about a project to keep yourself engaged in fashion even if you don't get to live it right now. Come up with a challenge for us, tackle some issue you've seen us struggle with...put those Mo analytics to work on it, do a theoretical Project 333 and show us what you would wear, whatever. Find something fun so you don't feel like you're missing out.

Those wicking, tech fabrics are exactly what I need to upgrade to. When we get that hot and humid summer weather, I end up a pile of yuck!

Loving the workout gear posts! Mo you look amazing - particularly the first outfit fits you SO well. Kari, I am digging the boyish rate workout look too.

Someone on the first page said seeing people repeat outfits is calming and reassuring - I have often felt the same; it gives me a sense of continuity with that person. Kind of like when someone makes an amazing dish, you ant them to make it again!

Yet somehow I have lost this thinking for myself. I just had a conversation with my (pretty new) SO last night where he said he loved me to wear the same things he's already seen. For some reason I was feeling like I had to wear something different every time and the days when I couldn't felt like I'd slacked off somehow!

I'm usually dressing for such exciting events as washing the dishes, hehe, and of course my daily walk (I'm lucky in that I don't have a destination so I can time my walks for the coolest parts of the day but it does limit my footwear choices). On extra exciting days, I visit the library and perhaps a cafe. I repeat items more than outfits too, although even then not terribly frequently because my closet is rather large. I keep thinking I should wear my favourite outfits again but somehow I always seem to change something! Anyway, I enjoy seeing outfit repeats & everyday clothes/looks on other forum members.

Your exercise gear is so flattering! And your shoelaces bookend your top in the first pic! ;D

I enjoy a variety of outfits on forum members for all sorts of activities. I also like repeats and post some of those myself. Like my WIW today had nothing new in it, just a new way of wearing old stuff

This post is really interesting, and I do see why people post mostly new things. I feel most days that what I have on isn't "worth" showing anyone, so I only post things that I feel great about...so, not often!

But the truth is the posts that have helped me the most are the things you are talking about...decent workout or normal day clothes. One item worn a variety of ways. Or something a member posted one time about what she wore to a funeral, and I had a strikingly similar situation just a few days later. So it isn't posts about the spectacular outfits that tend to stick with and make a difference for me, it is the ordinary, not so special clothes.

I love seeing the same piece re-styled to demonstrate versatility! rabbit and Neel are masters at this!
New is exciting but certainly not pre-requisite (I hope... as I have had some of the pieces in the outfits I have posted for many seasons......!)
Likewise, smart casual is fun but if loungewear is where you are at then do it well and feel great about it and post!
Gym/workout wear is definitely fair game for a WIW! Love your co-ordinated pieces by the way, Mo! Will post some of mine.
I like the idea of a Mo workout-lounge-date night post!
Interesting thread, Mo!

Your workout gear looks so fab! I have a couple of nice tops, but for some reason I "save" them for times that I go to a gym or a class (rarely). At home on the treadmill I wear my "lucky" old Joe fresh tank top that has holes in it. For some reason I feel like I can run faster in it (I can't run fast period...haha). I love this thread and agree with so much. Trust me, when things get quiet around here and I'm not out and about too much, it's pretty mundane in the clothes department. Day to day is pretty much the same, especially in the gloom of our rainy winters. I can see how much more fun it is to post new things, or "dressed up" outfits. I really appreciate seeing your casual day-to-day looks. You represent reality for many of us and it is so good to see. I really like your positive outlook around here.

Mo, your eye color is beautiful!

I am another 'guilty' of wearing work-out/leisure gear a lot
It is quite respectable though, but just not as exciting as the outfits I post.
I do find that simply removing accessories at the end of the day from going out clothes works well too, it is still comfortable, but a step up from sweats and tees.

Great thread, Mo, and you look terrific in your workout gear! I agree with Gaylene and others who have said that the forum is big enough for different types of posts -- it doesn't have to be a WIW post full of pretty new things to hold my interest. And in fact, as Peri mentions, those kinds of posts are great fun to look at but might not stay with us as long as some of the other kinds of posts.

And each of us likes different kinds of posts -- the analysis that energizes one might paralyze another; the capsule wardrobes or packing posts that thrill one might bore someone else to tears. Word-heavy posts irritate some, while picture heavy posts annoy others. But overall there is something for everyone.

I am also one who wears gear for portions of almost every day. (Mine is not as great as yours, but I think I will make it a mission to improve it!) And, as you know, my at-home wear is super simple and casual.

Your posts have encouraged me (along with Angie's suggestions) to dress for the life I really lead. And although I continue to treat myself to new items and upgrades, in actual fact, my wardrobe remains compact enough that I repeat items and outfits with great regularity. Fortunately, if I really love the items, it doesn't bother me to repeat.

True, I might not post the repeats, or might not post them often....but I can still participate in the forum in other ways. I hope you will continue to do that, too!

Sorry it's hot Mo, I know it's hard for you. It's hard for anyone to look stylish in either extreme of temperature.

Before I leave my comment I need to get this out of the way: I'm truly impressed with how many of you actually work out! Real workouts, running! On a regular basis! Combined with other types of exercise! And Mo, you look like a fitness model. Your friend should be jealous.

As for the topic -- while I see the value of 'keep it real' dressing, I also think it's ok to play with your clothes. I'm with Carter that you might want to set a challenge for yourself and/or the forum. What about some WIMW (what I might wear) threads? I, for one, usually have events or trips or activities planned for the future. When the time comes for that event, I am rushed to come up with an outfit/s. Your WIMWs could be simple like breakfast on a hot day with your boyfriend, to whatever distant vacation you may have in the works. Another thought is, have you ever considered treating your participation on YLF like a proper fashion blog? With a POV, regular posts, and photography? It might be a wonderful creative outlet for you while you don't have a regular job to go to in FL.

I think of gear as fashion. I would love to see more pics of you in your fashionable gear. I like to see how everyone is dressing for everyday life and there are still fit and style considerations to picking gear.

I vehemently wish to see more of these 'dinosaur' outfits! too funky to be allowed to go extinct!

look a WIW is just that... yes? and not a WIWthatisAdvancedStreetStyle, right? because fun as that is (cf Anna), there's recluses like me who actually delurked after a year if following bkth blog and forum due to people like you posting with budget and practicality and repeats... It has to be said I get a thrill out of spotting a familiar garment on any of you from Angie to you Mo. it's like seeing an olf friend and a perhaps illusory idea of knowing these virtual pals well enough to remember that shirt. and that contribute s to the feeling of community. and inspires. and permits some of us to relax and not feel frumpy for not wearing lipstick or footwear other than rubber slippers comfy in wetrooms 25 days out of 30.

so. please keep posting.

and personally, gear is fashion too... the fashions even change each season like haute couture! what more do you want?

hats off to you girls who are doing these fab and feel-good things with your bodies! no reason to keep it a dirty secret. this IS fab.

serious pondering: maybe non-new gets less COMMENTS vs eyeballs because I can hardly say thrice that X garment is fab with your eyes etc. doesn't mean we don't enjoy seeing it but yes hard to express in a new way... so the absence of novelty may be crippling the actual response rather than affecting the post.

As another who works from home, my WiW's focus on what I wear when I actually get a chance to get out of the house and do something fun, or go into the office.

I do have a substantial "exercise gear" capsule I've built up over the years but I can't understand wanting to wear work out clothes all day long. I don't find them comfortable - especially workout bras. And after a workout I just want to strip the sweaty thing off.

My work-at-home capsule is really just a bunch of mix and match cotton loungewear - worn sans bra - so you don't really want a WiW with that. Heh. My hair is often back in a headband. No make up.

Since I spend so many long days working at home, toiling away at computer & endless conference calls, IF I'm leaving the house (and days can go by when I don't get a chance to get out of the house), whatever the reason, even to run errands, I am going to get dressed up. Hair done, make up the whole nine yards. I have to do that, for my sanity!!

I am just so glad my amazing DH is such an extrovert, and doesn't mind going out on weeknights after he's put in a full busy day at his office. There are days when he comes home and I'm so itching to get the heck out of the house to socialize... and I'm sitting there all dressed up and ready to go ("but first do you mind taking a pic for YLF before we leave?")

It was, of course, much different when kids were little and needed driving around because they didn't have driver's licenses and lives of their own. But they are in college now and it's a whole different life.

As for repeats, I repeat outfits all the time - entire outfits. I don't bother to take another pic and post it here, since it seems redundant. Everything I have posted recently I have been wearing to death. And, one bonus with the way my lifestyle is right now -- I can actually get away with wearing the same outfit twice in one week, if I feel like it.

Final note: I do agree that coming here can up the desire to buy and acquire. That is one of the reasons I took a long break. I started losing enthusiasm, I needed to watch my budget due to job uncertainty, and also I'd reached a point where I felt my wardrobe was all set. I came back precisely because I realized that my wardrobe was needing an upgrade again -- it was time for newness and refreshing. But I hadn't been paying attention to the trends, so I came here to get quickly up to speed. And it's fun all over again. When it's not fun anymore, I'll leave for awhile again.

Mo, one of the things I like about you is your practicality. It's a good reminder for us all to buy things that we can actually wear the majority of the time!

Maybe you could nudge the BF to take you out more so that you have a chance to dress up. ;^)

I'd love to see more pics in the Slice of Mo's Life category, even if it's just gear. You look smashing in the workout clothes!

I hope you will continue to post on the forum. You always have such good input.

I run to the store all the time in my gear when I just did a workout! Never thought about it twice. I think the fact of working outside the home makes a big difference there.

When I was a SAHM, I struggled with it much more. Common sense almost coerced me into wearing gear 24/7. I was always on the lookout for chic gear, but always felt a bit off, or like I was in my gym clothes for other life events or too chic for my life.

Now that I am working, I find I have almost three wardrobes: one for work (chic), one for weekends (denim, cargos etc) and one for gym. As I typically work out on both days on weekends, the two last wardrobes tend to mix. I don't workout in my weekend clothes but I tend to weekend in my workout clothes. I love exploring with mixing nicer pieces with very utilitarian ones, and lately have discovered a brand that has lots of pieces corresponding to that lifestyle: Free People. The only drawback is that it is rather expensive.

For example, I've had high happiness factor wearing a cute print peasant blouse with cargo-type LL sweats; non-white trainers with mid-calf white jeans, striped top and smart 3/4 sleeves jacket; track pants with white tee, metallic jewellery and slightly heeled booties. Cropped jeans, cute print tee, denim bomber and white golf cap. As summer is coming, I can't wait to experiment with ways to dress down some dresses too. For example short print dress with yoga cami and biker shorts underneath?

I have read only about half of the comments but I was seized by the need to post a confession. I am very sedentary. That's not the confession. Most of my work is computer-based and I sit most of the day. Sometimes I work standing up but it's not a habit yet.

Here's the confession: I think I have sometimes used fashion as another excuse to stay sedentary. Like, I'm dressed nice, so I can't drop and give me 20. What a dorky thing to do! It's like I thought Angie was going to knock on the door and invite me to tea at Nordies out of the blue (I'm totally up for that by the way, Angie, anytime you're in the neighborhood).

I'm going to make it easier for myself to play and move more by not dressing for a tea party unless I'm going to a tea party. Duh. I have a lot of playclothes. I'm going to wear them more, without reservations, and yes, dammit, I will post them!

Mo, you got me all fired up! Thank you!

I so appreciate this thread. Similar scenario. Hot here already in Central Texas. I do work out everyday- either running, biking, swimming or most often at the gym lifting weights. I feel I spend a lot of my time in gear not only with working out but I am also a home school mom. Do buy new things, but realize I am most often in workout attire and do not post much.

First thing Mo, is I gotta' tell you that I'll never forget your dinosaur pic! It just made me smile - and also was a great "learning moment" for me that dressing had to meet my real life needs - rather than stifling me or preventing me from doing what I might want to do during my day! Second, like I've said before I like your WIWs because they are an honest representation of who you are - and that is much more meaningful to me than looking at someone's latest, greatest purchase. Not that those aren't fun and appreciated too - but it's the mix of WIWs that keeps me coming back to this forum. So please don't stop what you're doing! I don't always have the time to comment but I do always check to see what you've been wearing because it just makes me smile.

I am new to this forum, but I agree with Gaylene. I am very interested in seeing how people shop their closets and create new WIW outfits using things that they already have in their closets. I have lost some weight and am trying to lose more and have budget issues so I have been trying very hard to shop my closet and to only add a few pieces. It is already hot where I live in FL and will be for months to come. I am happy when I see people post WIWs that I can identify with and that are not all about new purchases. For me, WIW should not be confused with What I bought.

I enjoy all WIW posts, but my favorite's are capsule and remixing items posts. I adore seeing new ways to sport an item and it never ceases to amaze me how a few tweaks can really change up a look. Many of my WIWs are little tweaks on the same pieces, especially since I started doing DH's closet challenge back in Nov. I don't post WIW's as often, if an outfit is an exact repeat I try not to post it twice, but I will post when I say swap only the shoes or style of jean but the rest of the outfit is the same. I take the photos anyway for myself, so I figure why not right?

wow, shocked to see more replies on this thread! And humbled by the idea that my little contributions are noticed and would be missed. I will continue to carry the torch for the 'at home' casual crew! (and the occasional date outfit, of course!)
And I love seeing that many of you lately have shown a few 'regular, going about my day' looks. Awesome!

What Marley said!

You always have style, even if you say you're taking a break from it.