Fashion Tips For Being Fit And Fierce

Hair permed to within an inch of its life. Lurid floral patterns so bright you need sunglasses to look at them. And the leg warmers, for the love of humanity, leg warmers.

The above stereotype of the concept of gym clothes tends to stick in the memory. Cemented there by various music videos and TV vox pops, it's a tough one to shake. We may have left the 80s behind, but stepping into the average gym can be like time-travelling back 30 years.

It doesn't have to be this way. If you're stylish, fashion-conscious and have no time for mind-tripping fabrics outside of the gym, you can be the same while in it.

Know Your Body Shape

Image from Wikipedia

For some women, tight leggings that cut off just below the knee will look fabulous. For others, it'll make them look like they've somehow lost half their body in an unfortunate fabric-related accident. Understanding your proportions and how to choose gym wear with them in mind is essential. If you've long legs, show them off. If your top half has your assets, choose leggings that end at the ankle for the lengthening effect.

A Brand Matter

If you have an eye for labels in the outside world, there's a whole new world of fashion-forward workout wear waiting for your perusal. With innovative brands like Lorna Jane online, there’s no need to sacrifice fashion for fitness. The gym might never feel like fun, but it doesn't have to be the place where fashion goes to die.

Colour-Blocking

Long a trend in the normal world, there's no reason not to experiment when it comes to the clothes you workout in. Colours don't need to be garish to add a splash of interest to an outfit. You may be picturing modern workout gear as being dark and dreary, but that's only the case if you let it. Bright yellows, reds and oranges are believed to have a positive impact on mood as well. If anything can make the Stairmaster feel less like a place where your soul is sucked from your body, it's got to be worth a try.

Don't Forget Accessories

Image from Ray Bouknight (Flickr)

No woman goes to the gym alone. You wouldn't wear a gorgeous dress without a few pieces of jewellery and a complementing clutch, would you? There’s no need for recycled old plastic water bottles when environmentally-friendly stainless steel options exist. If you're running outdoors, sunglasses are a must for the sake of your eyes, but that doesn't need to be the end of their purpose. Find frames that suit your face and add a secure band to keep them in place, merging style and function in one fell swoop.

Realistically, doing something you don't love is never going to be top of the list. If you can invest in some worthwhile pieces of workout gear though, it might become more attractive. After all, if you look good, you're more likely to stick with it. At the very least, you'll have opened up a whole new world of fashion options, and grabbed some health benefits to boot.