If yoga pants are a staple of your wardrobe despite the fact you’ve never even heard of a Standing Tree pose, much less done one, then you’re already well aware of the wonders of athleisure wear. Athleisure wear, at its simplest definition, is workout clothes you can wear all day.
Like your yoga pants, this could mean your athleisure-style workout clothes go on in the morning, come off at night, and never see a bit of exercise beyond the one squat it takes to get into your car. These leggings are perfectly basic for picking up the kids, picking up groceries, and while they’d work well for picking up weights, they are more for everyday wear, with maybe an occasional trip to the gym or a run around town.
On the flip side, there are times when you need your workout clothes to step it up to the pace of your lifestyle. That is, you need something you can wear directly from your workout to your real life without all the bother of changing. Perfect example–lunchtime workouts. If you want to sweat it out and still make that 1pm conference call, you need workout clothes that can keep you looking put together at the office, and all without smelling like a locker room.
Our Favorite Transitional Workout Clothes
Regardless of if you’re in all day workout clothes as leisure or you’re putting your workout clothes to work even when you’re at the office, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite transitional workout clothes you absolutely need in your wardrobe!
Patience Ruu-Muu by Nuu-Muu, $88
If your workout world was rocked with the introduction of the running skirt–no more shorts crawling up your thighs while you put in the paces!–then get ready for you fitness mind to be blown again. Nuu-Muu (a playful name spin on the loose-fitting house dresses your grandma might’ve donned) is a brand of workout dresses that are flattering to the female figure while also made to move with you–in or out of the gym. We love how this look can be worn as a swimsuit coverup, paired with leggings, or with a long-sleeved tee over top to make it look like a skirt. And when you’re getting your sweat session in, you’ll love the concealed pockets at your lower back (Ruu-Muu collection only), how the cut perfectly covers your sports bra, and that the fabric has built in SPF. While we love the Patience, Nuu-Muu offers multiple patterns and silhouettes to suit your tastes perfectly.
Toad & Co. Swifty Vent SS Tee, $59
A lightweight tee is always a versatile option in any wardrobe. The back mesh detailing makes sure this breathable material is sure to keep you cool no matter what kind of exercise you prefer. If you do work up a sweat, you don’t have to change your clothes for fear of odor. This easy-to-wear Toad & Co. is treated with Polygiene, an odor-free antimicrobial silver wash the controls the growth of odor-causing bacteria on fabrics. So when you’re not working out, pair this shirt with jeans or daytime shorts, or put it under a cardigan and tuck it into a denim skirt.
Outdoor Voices Court Skort, $65
Tennis made the skirt athletic. Then running upped the ante, making it easy to workout in women’s wear. Now Outdoor Voices is giving you a sporty look you can wear all day long. This all-purpose garment features an open-leg slit to give the skirt high-fashion appeal, while the biker shorts beneath make it easy to move in. Pair it with a racer tee or coordinating sports bra top to work in your workout. Then top it off with a denim button down shirt or a criss-cross cardigan (check out OV’s Merino Plié Wrap) and a pair of ankle booties to wear on casual Friday in the office.
RYU Bra Top, $53
For most…ahem…girls, sports bras are a must when working out. While one fun trend popular today is sports bras with interesting backs–be them strappy, with cutouts, or mesh covered–but to get dual wear out of your workout-minded intimates, it’s time to focus on the front. This RYU piece features TecLayr fabric with four-way stretch, wicking properties, and pill resistance. Its hidden elastic band makes for a sleek silhouette, which means it easily doubles as a cami when you want to get more from your undergarments. While the solid colors will give you a lot of wear, our fave is the black rose, which gives just a hint of feminine pattern beneath a closed blazer or cardigan, or with a partially opened blouse. If you want a matching set for your workout, try RYU’s Tough Tight in a matching Black Rose, or coordinate tonal patterns with the Inked Ombré.
Coolcore Interval Long Sleeve Tee, $42
As fall approaches, you’ll long for a shirt with long sleeves before you warm up and after you cool down. This versatile top in a bright hue wicks away moisture and is mechanically engineered with a chemical-free cooling technology that never washes out. While it might be hard to make this top work as professional work wear, its bold color is fun to pair with jeans when running errands around town or meeting a friend for lunch. The thumb hole openings make it casual and cute, and the pop of color will surely perk you up on even the gloomiest of days.
Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
