Trendy to the gym

Less than ten years ago, sportswear was mainly dominated by functionality. Portability and comfort were the requirements for a decent sports outfit. Today you can’t get away with a faded cotton shirt and worn-out sweatpants.

From functional to fashionable
Fashion is the new sports motto. Partly because sportswear manufacturers cleverly respond to our ‘sports fuss’, fashion no longer only belongs on the street, at work and when we go out, but you will encounter fashion in all facets of daily life. So also when we exercise.

Well-known footballers and tennis players promote the latest sports outfits. And let’s be honest: Ronaldinho in a tight shirt with a view of his wide, muscular chest is much more attractive than Ronaldinho in old sweatpants with holes?

This also applies to ‘amateur athletes’. You don’t have to have a body like Anna Kournikova to look flashy. That’s why there are sportswear manufacturers, who provide us with the most charming outfits. And that really doesn’t have to cost a lot of money: the well-known retail chains also have hip and trendy sports fashion for those with a small budget.

Do’s and don’ts
First of all, subject your wardrobe to a good inspection. Shapeless shirts and baggy pants? Dated tracksuits and faded leggings? Get rid of them.

When was the last time you saw someone in tapered sweatpants with an ankle strap? Exactly, get rid of it. You don’t have to be a fashion expert to know what you can and cannot wear. Just by looking around you, it quickly becomes clear what is and is not possible.

Keep in mind that you want to look nice and well-groomed (read: that your figure comes into its own and that you look prosperous despite the sweat). So don’t overdo it with heavy make-up and foundation. Jewelery is unnecessary, you can only damage or lose them.

A nice wristband (a kind of leg warmers for your wrists) or cheerful hairband can complete your outfit. Also consider a trendy heart rate monitor.

Tips for a fabulous sports outfit

• A real ‘must do’ for all sports women: a sports bra. Nothing is more unattractive than a heaving bosom and it hurts too. A good sports bra may cost a bit, because you will enjoy it for a long time and it makes or breaks your outfit.
• Layers: wear a sweater or cardigan before starting your workout and remove the garment when your body starts to warm up. After training, put it back on to prevent your body from cooling down too quickly.
• Choose the color of your sports outfit with care. Dark shades make you look slimmer, even in the gym. Do you perspire a lot? Then choose a black or dark blue outfit to prevent sweat spots all over your body from attracting attention. Are you not perspiring excessively? Then a fresh, light color can also look great on you. All cheerful colors are allowed, provided they fit into the current fashion.
• Good materials: breathable and comfortable fabrics. Synthetic tops may be nice to look at, but they also make you sweat quickly and especially stink. Cotton pants seem nice, but without elastin your knees will be in them after two minutes. So opt for technologically developed fabrics (which most sports manufacturers already work with), so that you can both move well and look fashionable.
• Long or half-length pants: both are possible and allowed. Choose what you feel comfortable in. Keep in mind that three-quarter pants or narrow-leg pants make your legs look shorter. Do you have strong legs? Then choose pants with flared legs or a vertical stripe on the side of your leg.
• Choose tailor-made clothing. Pants and tops that are too small or too tight make you look fatter than you actually are. Always try on clothes in the store with care. Look at yourself in the mirror from all sides to make sure you don’t have any floaties hanging over your bra closure or waistband. Make arm movements and kneel on the floor to see if your clothes stay in the right place. This way you know whether your sports outfit is suitable for an intensive workout.
• Don’t let the gym stop you because you don’t think you’re beautiful. After all, you exercise to feel better and remember that almost all women feel uncomfortable in clothes other than their everyday clothes. You get used to it and you will see that you can also look attractive and slim in sportswear.