Work-out clothes...all day long? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Work-out clothes...all day long?

Mel

What do you all think of wearing work-out clothes all day long? And not exercising all day, of course. It drives me a little batty, but the people I know who do it say they feel most "comfortable" in their Nike pants and sweats and running shoes. But I think it looks odd when guests are over and everyone is wearing normal clothes except Miss Work-out. Is this just a style peeve of mine? Is the idea of having certain clothes reserved for certain activities just completely dead?

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've done this a number of times, but not when people are coming over or I'm going anywhere other than running quick errands. And I tend to do this when I've only done a light workout (walking rather than running, for example), so I'm not sweaty and gross all day long. It's somewhat lazy, but it's good for days when I'll be doing cooking and cleaning, so don't feel like messing up my regular clothes.

Blame the rise of athleisure, I suppose.

Kathie

Veteran

My Zella pants and ASICS running shoes are super comfortable, but I agree with you- I only wear them to work out. Sure, sometimes my walks take me past a grocery store, and I’ll run in for the odd item, while wearing gear. But, otherwise, my least casual look is jeans or a denim skirt with Dansko’s, so far from dressy. I don’t wear gear to my kids’ sports events or evening activities at their school either, even though lots of parents do.

But, back to your original point, the only time I would wear gear all day, is if I’m strictly doing things around the house, like cleaning and organizing. And that’s because my (clean) gear items double as loungewear.

Toban

Veteran

I wear my exercise clothes soley to exercise. I will wear lounge wear around the house around family but no one else.

LaPed

Veteran

I think you'll find you're in good company here, Mel. A lot of us are trying to reduce our reliance on gear as casual wear, and many others (including Angie) who view gear as a sort of "necessary evil" so to speak.

Here's me take: lot of folks in my cohort (young moms) spend all of their downtime in gear. Lululemon tights, Athleta, etc. As far as I can tell, it's because they view two categories of clothes as essential: the stuff they wear to work (if they work), and the stuff they wear to work out. Casual clothes are pretty far down the list of necessities, especially if everyone else around you is wearing their gym leggings as casual clothes. And if you're trying to plan a wardrobe budget around a changing body (which a lot of young moms are, as they're working off baby weight), then it may make more sense to splurge on gear for a while and scrimp on things like jeans, when you don't even know what size you'll end up in.

Also, different types and brands of fitness clothes communicate all kinds things about social status/values/etc, just like any other type of clothes. I think younger people/millennials definitely view their gear as "real" clothes, and are often willing to spend more on a piece of technical apparel than they are on something like jeans. So, I honestly don't think athleisure/gear-as-casual-wear is going away any time soon.

Personally, I've put a lot of work into rebuilding my casual wardrobe and *not* relying on fitness gear for daily wear, but I did wear my yoga pants almost daily for close to a year after my son was born. I'm also really lucky in that my workplaces are very casual (and one is an outdoor school, so my "work clothes" sometimes have to be gear!), so I don't need a separate work capsule at this point in my life. If I needed office wear, I expect I would have very little left over in my budget for "casual" clothes, because I absolutely need outdoor gear for the weekends, which I mostly spend hiking, camping, etc. Casual clothes would end up being somewhat low-wear for me in that scenario, and more difficult to justify.

rachylou

Veteran

I find it really depends. I like the first two below, but not the last.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Aurore

Veteran

I often wear hiking gear on casual days when I'm on vacation in the mountains, and most people there do the same.

But in my everyday life, I live in a rather posh and conservative town where gear as casual wear is considered a big fashion faux-pas. I've only seen teenagers and tourists wear workout clothes for non-workout-related activities in the neighbourhood (athletic shoes, however, are everywhere).

Sara L.

Veteran

I've also noticed that wearing work-out gear all day is really popular among the moms that I see. My kids play several sports and I end up at a lot of games on the weekends and many of the mom are wearing gear. It's not for me - I don't like workout gear except to actually work out in and then when I'm done, I change. I don't like walking around in smelly clothes all day.

rachylou

Veteran

This topic intrigues me. Do y’all hate it because it’s too form fitting, too much like underwear, the garish colours, too boring...? I perhaps am too Star Trek generation. Much of the time now, I feel people look awful baggy in ‘normal’ clothes...

Sisi

Veteran

I think that we are lucky to live in free society where everyone can wear whatever they want ... But I confess that I have a poison eye for sportswear worn like everyday clothes!

Jazzy Dance

I have days where there is absolutely no point in changing out of workout clothes, and to be honest, it's the only thing I really dislike about my fitness professional lifestyle. I may have a class at 5.00 am, a client at 9.30 am, a class at noon, and another client at 4. It makes zero sense to go home and change into regular clothes, even if I have to pop into the store for milk or meet a potential client for coffee or whatever. I don't like it, but I can't be convinced there's any sense in doing any differently.

Weekends, I dress up.

Helena

Veteran

This is very common in my neighbourhood, and it doesn't bother me really - there are definitely days when it's more practical, and the local gym is located on the upper floor of the grocery store, so there are definitely a lot of women doubling up those particular errands, including me in about 15 minutes! (although I would rarely wear any workout clothing out and about unless I will actually be working out during said outing).

That said, I do think clothes worn in public should all meet a standard that includes cleanliness, not being unintentionally see-through, and generally covering parts that should be covered. This is true of workout gear and everything else! I am fully aware I may be completely old-fashioned though

kkards

Veteran

so.....I'm with Rachylou on the it depends...I think there is "work-out" clothing and there is "gym wear"...for me there is a big difference. work-out wear is anything branded by a sporting good company ie Nike, Athleta etc, for example, I wear these adidas pants sometimes on weekends, but I would never ever actually wear them to the gym -

Adidas Tiro ClimaCool Soccer Pants

View Info

Top Pick

1

Suz

(website)

Veteran

LaPed and Jazzy Dance have given excellent rationales for wearing exercise gear as daily wear. I think some people also find it super comfortable and/or easy. If a person isn't interested in fashion, then gear presents an easy "uniform" that is also washable and practical and durable. Makes sense.

For those who do love fashion, it gets a little boring (to answer Rachy's question). I also don't care for the colour selection as a rule, and don't like the feel of the fabrics for long wear. But that depends. I love my merino winter base layers, for example. So much that I wear them as PJs.

I'm all for people doing what they like. At the same time, if I'm going out, I really enjoy seeing others who have taken care with their appearance. It's a gift to the world. Adds a bit of zest!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

As the above comments have stated it depends ,I do draw the line at sleepwear out and about though.A supermarket near us had to introduce a dress code of no sleepwear as apparently people were doing their shopping in their p.j,s and I have seen a mum going into the school play ground in her slippers to pick the kids up.I m not judging ,I’m just saying I think you should get dressed before leaving the house.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, athletic gear out in public does not bother me a bit (as long as it’s not somewhere really inappropriate like at church). But pajamas out in public — just no.

Zibbets

Veteran

Oh my gosh. PJs in public really bother me. I work at a school and I can't stand PJ day. It looks so sloppy.

Workout gear doesn't bother me.

MsMary

Veteran

I will wear my gym gear to do errands on the way home from the gym. I don’t really have enough brain cells to waste any on getting upset about what other people wear. Give or take pj’s in public or shorts in court...

LaPed

Veteran

Zibbets, when I was a kid my mom wouldn't let us participate in PJ day at school. She thought it was gross. She's wildly liberal, even radical, about a lot of things, but she drew a stark line at PJs in public.

Anonymous

This has been discussed often on the forum, and the trouble is, the comments can take on a judgmental tone that somehow only comes out when we talk workout wear. There are always some people offended by the notion of others wearing workout wear for anything other than working out, but isn't that getting a bit tiresome to hear again and again? I read this first thing this morning and have been thinking about it off and on all day while driving . Maybe it's driving that's getting tiresome I think we all get to do what we want, and if someone feels comfortable wearing workout clothes in social occasions, then all the power to them. I also think we have to work at not giving others the side eye when they are dressed in a way we don't " approve" of. I say we, because I'm pretty sure "we" are all guilty of this at one time or another. Sure, I've had days where I haven't changed out of what I wore to the gym , but I figure I'm old enough to know if it's gross or not

Mel

And I'm jumping on the no-PJs-in-public train. I LOVE my PJs. They make me feel sleepy and lazy. And that's exactly why they stay in bed and don't go anywhere else.

Rachylou, I think what turns me off about work-out wear are the garish colors and loud labels. Plus the fact that it often either skin-tight or kind of shapeless. If you have a model's body you might get away with either one, but most of us don't have model's bodies and need clothes that actually flatter us.

Oh, and the SOUND of baggy nylon exercise pants making that SWISHY sound as one walks just drives me NUTS.

I'm turned off more by whole OUTFITS of exercise clothes more than individual pieces...I have some friends who can wear a smart, sporty jacket or a pair of joggers with their normal clothes and they look great, even trendy.

LaPed

Veteran

I'm hitting the invisible "like" button, lisa p.

Mel

Lisa P, I think you touch on an important issue there...

I believe that how our clothes make us feel and how our clothes make others feel are two things that are neither the same nor completely distinct. Clothes are a form of communication, whether we want them to be or not.

I do agree that we should be slow to judge (or just refrain) on why a particular person would decide to wear work out clothes any given day. There could be a million reasons...

What I feel like I need to judge is more the trend of wearing clothing that looks like you'd rather be somewhere else, doing something else...at least that's what it looks like to me...I, too have seen pajamas and exercise wear in church, social parties, school...and it just feels odd.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Amen, Lisa.

If someone wants to judge me for wearing my workout gear at the grocery store or even the mall, they can kindly look away.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is 2018, and we can wear what makes as happy and is appropriate for the day, setting, and our audience. For some that's gear all day - for others it's much dressier attire or regular casual clothes. There should be tolerance all round, and no judgment either way.

My own negative judgment towards gear wearers who are not working out has gone. I'm a legal alien in the US, and need to respect the culture and norms of the country I have chosen to make my home. People in the US love to wear gear, and that is their right. It's a cultural look that works for the nation, and has become completely acceptable as a dress code. Personally, I hate wearing gear, and do so very sparingly. And that is my right too.

Yesterday, when I was having brekkie with Sally & Audi at Cafe Flora (in urban Seattle) - it was astounding how many different dress codes there were across the room:

yoga gear
regular casual clothes
goths and rockers
arty eclectics
business casual
business formal
smart casual
classics
....and I may have seen someone in scrubs....

That is a WIDE assortment of dress codes grabbing a bite to eat mid morning. It was fabulous because you will at some point find your people. And everyone can get on with it and appreciate the motivation behind why a person dressed the way they did that day.

Mel

https://www.huffingtonpost.com.....23520.html

This is an interesting observation by fashion psychologist Dawnn Karen. I wonder how many people really identify with what she says.

Anonymous

Well, I do/did. Four years ago, when this was written, I spent my weekends , and many weekday evenings dressed just like the writer described. It fit my needs, and I unashamedly agree that I was fit, toned, strong, and athletic, and didn't mind showing it. The clothes were cute, flattering, and functional. It's a good thing to be athletic, in my world, anyways. I spent all of my weekends and weekday evenings in university and high school gyms. Why wouldn't I dress that way? I had nothing to be ashamed of, nor did I feel like a poseur. I don't , and didn't , really care if someone thought I was a try-hard, because I don't think I was. Yes, I was already into my 50's, but again, so what?? Anyways, it is not our job to decide if someone's outfit isn't appropriate for what we want to see. Yeah, I think fleece pyjamas look stupid in public, but who cares what I think?

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

This is probably truly weird and doesn't apply broadly to the gym wear phenom, but I actively dislike changing clothes. By that I mean the feeling of fabric moving on/off my skin, the tugging of buttons and zippers, tieing shoes. No wonder I hate shopping, dressing rooms are the worst, that's all you do in there: on/off. I'm unhappy before I even look in the mirror. I definitely structure my day to minimize costume changes. If I go to the gym, it would never be in the middle of the day because I'd have to change twice. On reflection, it's probably also why I have never happily worn leggings or skinny jeans. But I have certainly been guilty of dashing out in gym wear (usually sweats covering up) to avoid having to change.

rachylou

Veteran

Mel, I have to say that resonates with me - whether or not the WHOLE outfit is gear or not.

Also: on the street, it doesn’t bother me. Where people are going to and from all over. But inside some place, where you’re staying put - like the office - that’s a little weird to me.

And I do think it’s a little odd when your dress up clothes are a white hoodie, unless like me you are a baker. But at my company, TBH, people dress to the nines at the company party... A little disco, yes, but all-out...

rachylou

Veteran

ps: I think Angie is very right about US norms. We also have a thing about ‘rolling up our sleeves’...

12