Why Designated Work-Out Clothes Are Essential

One of the biggest trends to hit the runways is sportswear as casual wear. Alexander Wang said it himself that he hopes his athletic collection for H&M will be worn on the streets as well as on the treadmill. What this revolution did was make us believe that we didn't have to be athletic to wear a pair of leggings with a tank top made of spandex. Even the girliest amongst us can pull off a jersey with the right pair of heels. My question is: is this really a good thing?

Sure, I can finally walk the streets in running shoes and claim it's a fashion statement.
I can also lie and claim I just got back from a serious workout at the gym.
It's a win-win. Right?

via blog.motelrocks.com

What is wrong with this picture?

Aside from the VS models, athletes, and yogis who can't live without their workouts, is it possible that this is actually bad for the rest of us who are slightly less disciplined?

Raise your hand if you've ever told yourself you'd start hitting the gym as soon as you got that special pair of Adidas Originals to complete your outfit (if you're alone in your room, you can raise it metaphorically).
Raise your hand if you've told yourself that you absolutely HAD to have a pair of Lululemon sweatpants if you were really going to dedicate yourself to that Pilates class.
Raise your hand if going shopping was your initial response to the thought of hitting the gym in any way, shape, or form.

If you raised your hand to all three of those, you're exactly like me.

Some of us need that extra level of discipline to convince ourselves to hit the gym. Sometimes, the VS Fashion Show doesn't cut it. We need to set aside a gym wardrobe to fit working out into our schedule. By reserving those clothes for the gym, they become our uniform without which we cannot go.

If you go to work without your "work clothes", whether a Walmart t-shirt or head-to-toe black retail style, you're not following the dress code. Without that dress code, it's simply another day without structure. And some of us need a little structure to get just as fit as Karlie Kloss or Adriana Lima.

So, keep your gym clothes away from your other clothes. In this case, segregation is necessary in the cafeteria that is your closet.

Ponder that,

Bella

The Art of Being Sporty Without Being Sporty

Remember the days back in kindergarten when you yearned to be exactly like Sporty spice? No? That's probably because you it never happened. Everyone wanted to be angelic and sweet like Baby or chic and pouty like Posh. Or at least I did.

I was that girl who pretended to play soccer by standing in front of the net giggling with my fellow defence woman. I was the one running to my gym instructor in tears because I got a basketball in my face. I was the one that nobody wanted on their team (no matter what sport we were playing) and was almost always picked last. Let's just put it bluntly. I wasn't very athletic as a child, nor as an adult.

If you were like me (or still are), you can still look like an athlete because it happens to be the biggest trend of the season. Sport chic is the new peplum and nobody can get over it. Every April Issue from Dress to Kill to Elle Canada is shooting models in jerseys and sneakers. What gives?

With the gym craze spreading across the nation, it's no wonder that everyone wants to be fit (or look like they are). Beware. I don't believe in blindly following trends just because all the Jourdan's and Cara's are doing it. Reinvent this look to suit your own taste. Or if you're like me, add a feminine twist.

Here are some of the ways to alter this trend to suit your own girly tendencies:

White Wedge Sneaker

White sneakers have become more popular than Justin Bieber's notorious reputation. Everyone from The Man Repeller to Alessandra Ambrosio is rocking this look. Bye bye stilettos. It's time for a break. And if you're girly like me, a little wedge never hurt anyone.

via fashiioncarpet.com

Jersey Dress

It's time to wear that jersey like you're on a professional sports team and you're the prized player. A sports team that requires a pair of stilettos and a dress. What? Walking in heels is a sport!

via thehunt.com

The Baseball Cap

I am all girl, but I'm obsessed with this trend. Why is it that a guy can wear a baseball cap indoors and a girl gets scrutinized for sporting (no pun intended) the same trend? Try it in leather for some added edge just because. If anyone asks, you did it #forthesakeoffashion.

via backseatstylers.com

The Bomber/Varsity Jacket

If you didn't know this was the latest trend, you've probably been living under a leather-clad rock because the bomber is the new moto. Since this looks like your non-existent boyfriend's jacket, you can make it feminine with a flared summer dress and you won't look like a try hard.

via obaz.com

Sport Socks

Because socks are EVERYTHING. Every fashion girl knows that.

via Teen Vogue

And that's how girly girls do sporty. Take it or leave it.

Bella