As the casual New York style of EATING, SHOPPING AND EXERCISING in the same outfit lands in Irish cities, NATASHA SHERLING looks at how to incorporate workout gear into your outfit while still looking UNDOUBTEDLY STYLISH
“I have a sneaking suspicion most of these women aren’t even on their way to the gym”, one friend whispered as we eyed up the queue in our local brunch spot over the weekend.
Having lived in New York, where everyone seems to eat, exercise, shop, live, in their own two-block radius, gym gear for everyday is standard – and the all-important oversize Goyard or Louis Vuitton tote nods to an outfit for serious errands, not just popping to the gym and back.
So it seems mainly thanks to our American counterparts that over-casual has become fully accepted for downtime wear. Credit Alexander Wang for bringing it to runways, before it trickled to street-style favourites in skintight leggings, followed swiftly by the masses eyeing up Kardashians in matching sneakers (natch) – this isn’t about pulling on your boyfriend’s grey sweatpants. This look is as carefully curated as a workwear wardrobe. Thankfully, some of the biggest sportswear companies have upped the ante; exploring more exciting prints and collaborating with major designers to produce pieces that are ready for more than just the gym.
For pieces that work outside a workout, look beyond a classic sportswear store. Urban Outfitters have brilliant Nike prints, while ASOS has one of the strongest selections of Adidas around; we love that their collaboration with Pharrell is now available online. And Size?, the specialist sneaker store, can’t be beaten for the lightest, brightest Nike runners on the market, including the Flynknit Roshe Ones, available in eight fab colour options. LuluLemon, an NYC staple, now ships to Ireland – and with leggings in a variety of lengths, there’s no excuse to look anything but smart in casual gear.
Image via CelebMafia
Natasha Sherling