The real secret to keeping your new year’s resolution to exercise more
isn’t joining an expensive gym – it’s being excited about getting
dressed. That’s right: invest in workout gear that makes a statement
while you sweat and you’re guaranteed to have a fitter year.
‘Stylish workout gear?’ I hear you ask. It’s true that in the past
women’s sports clothing left a lot to be desired. Many styles felt
completely out of sync with anything remotely fashionable. But
sportswear has come a long way and today a jogging suit is just as
likely to be seen on a catwalk as on a treadmill. Blame it on the trendy
gyms sweeping the country or our obsession with fashion but a baggy
T-shirt and an old pair of sweats just doesn’t cut it any more.
Sales of workout gear are growing faster than those of everyday
clothing. In the US last year, spending on workout clothes jumped seven
per cent to almost £20billion compared with a one per cent rise in
spending on other clothing. And the cash isn’t being blown on any old
kit; the trend is for workout clothes that look good in and out of the
gym.
Take Princesse Tam Tam’s debut sports collection currently on show in
a pop-up in Selfridges (London and online). The French label best known
for slinky lingerie has turned its attention to sportswear just in time
for the new year health kick. The collection features a mix of
technical heat-regulating separates and neon-coloured classic styles.
Then there’s the queen of stylish gymwear, Stella McCartney. Nearly a
decade into her partnership with Adidas, the designer has created a
line as sought after for its technical quotient as its fashion appeal.
She drove this home in her SS14 catwalk show, with models undergoing
intense cardio training and taking part in aerial yoga while
synchronised swimmers showed off cut-out swimsuits. McCartney’s point
was loud and clear: each one of her designs is truly fit for purpose.
The collection, which dropped into stores last week, gives a nod to
the softer feel that will be doing the rounds this spring. Look for
lightweight waterproof running jackets, cushioned trainers, running
tights and cycling shorts in fresh sorbet tones of lilac, mint and
citrus yellow.
Nike has upped the ante with its fashion offering too. Its new
campaign, Your Workout, Your Style, is an offshoot of its customisation
service, designed to keep you motivated by allowing you to give a
personal touch to your workout gear.
The tool lets you customise styles, such as the Nike Free 4 iD
trainers, with colours, graphic effects and heel-to-toe colour fades.
You can even have your name or an aspirational message embroidered into
the tongues of the footwear.
Nike’s SS14 women’s collection is designed to make sure you stand out
in low light and features reflective wear with neon detailing that
you’ll want to wear outside of gym hours. Hyperwarm slim-fit tops
feature graphic digital prints not dissimilar to the styles that have
been dominating the runways. My pick are the feminine turtleneck tops,
perfect for running in cold weather.
High-street fashion brands are worth checking out for affordable
workout gear. Bershka and Gap have sports lines and H&M revamped its
sports collection this month.
To make sure the fashion-led pieces pack a technical punch, H&M
consulted the Swedish Olympic team. ‘What we wear definitely makes a
difference when we compete,’ says swimmer and Olympic medallist Therese
Alshammar. ‘Our focus has been on checking the pieces for fit and
function, for performance and also for comfort.’
H&M Sport features everything from windproof and water-repellent
running jackets in camouflage prints to classic fleece jackets, brightly
coloured tanks and printed sports tights.
