Give your workout gear the makeover it deserves

With workouts becoming more social mdash think pickleball courts run clubs or even group workout classes mdash exercise gear has gone through a longawaited glowup as well The once ubiquitous tights and tee combo has been replaced by more feminine silhouettes pleated skirts and even smart dresses that look as stylish on court on track as the cafeacute you stop by for a luscious postworkout smoothie with your gal pals And with trendsetters like Alia Bhatt and Taylor Swift leading the way itrsquos apparent that fashionforward exercise apparel is here to stay But are we sacrificing comfort and good old functionality in our quest for lsquosofterrsquo aestheticsStyle with purposeMarbet Mary WahlangFor marketing professional Gayatri Thampi whose fitness routine comprises a combination of lifting and pickleball feminine skirts are the latest addition to her exercise wardrobe ldquoI have found that I feel a little out of place when lifting weights in a skirt so I save those for my pickleball sessions instead I once wore a skirt to a barre workshop but it wasnrsquot very practical to go through the stretching and leg raises in a skirt To the contrary I found my skirt a little distracting I would think they are better suited to racquet sports such as tennis or badmintonrdquo she saysWhen picking out a dress or a skirt she emphasises paying attention to fit and comfort ldquoThe skirt shouldnrsquot be too snug too tight or too short For me itrsquos also important that the tights under the skirt are shaped like shorts This way even if the skirt flies up you have enough coverage inside Also many designs come with pockets that you can keep your phone or ball inrdquo she adds Other interesting details to look for are fabric mdash moisturewicking blends such as spandex bamboo and polyester can keep you cool and dry breathability mdash mesh panels that increase airflow are a definite plus and a drawstring waistband for additional comfort Silhouettes that flare out slightly towards the bottom are also much more flattering for most body types while seamless styles or designs with soft seams prevent chafing Darker colours and patterns can camouflage sweat more effectivelyLook good exercise betterGood gym attire should be functional fashionable and of course budgetfriendly says fitness coach Marbet Mary Wahlang ldquoWith local brands stepping up we see so many styles mdash from halterneck dresses to pleated skirts to even jumpsuits This is a stark contrast to a few years ago when the only options available to Indian women were basic tops and tights from major global brands that tended to all look quite similar For me this shift is a positive one mdash I can be more creative and highlight my femininity in a gym environment which can often be hypermasculinerdquo she elaborates With more women joining the gym she believes that more aesthetic exercise gear can be a motivator to be regular and to just show up However she cautions against wearing gear that makes you feel selfconscious ldquoMaybe your sports bra doesnrsquot offer enough support or your shorts donrsquot give you good coverage Irsquove had clients come up to me asking if an outfit makes them look lsquofatrsquo I think what matters the most is that you feel comfortable in what yoursquore wearingrdquo she signs offStyle for aftersRepresentation piciStockIf you are eager to wear your feminine athleisure beyond the gym here are a few ground rules to get it right1 Add layers mdash An oversized jacket or a loose mesh tank top can offer coverage post your workout as well as visual interest2 Donrsquot overdo the logos3 Matte fabrics always look more polished4 Avoid wearing the same colour from headtotoe If wearing a monotone colour story add a textural contrast5 Add clean and basic accessories such as minimal sneakers and structured totes Keep your jewellery simple