Fitness Fashion
The secret to feeling good while working out isn’t about being thin or having rock hard abs. It’s about finding that perfect, comfortable fit in your clothing. Invest in some decent work-out gear and maybe you’ll have more incentive to enter the gym instead of wallowing at home in self pity eating Ding Dongs and watching re-runs of Friends.
Follow these tips to take your fitness fashion to the next level:
TOPS
Your tops should be semi-fitted, but not constricting or too loose. They should extend at least past the waist but never past the rear as this draws more attention to the area. Look for tees that skim and mimic your curves and stay away from those big boxy tees because they only make you look bigger. If you are heavier on top, darker shirts in a matte fabric are more slimming as well as scoop neck and v-neck tees that give the illusion of a thinner waistline. Accentuate great shoulders with a halter top and use horizontal lines near the chest to balance a pear shape.
BOTTOMS
Flat waist and slightly lower waist pants are the most flattering style for all body types, especially if you have a short torso and tend to carry weight around your hips and middle. A higher waist pant can give the illusion of long legs and are a good option if you have a long torso and short legs. Choose a straight or bootcut style pant that is semi-fitted through the hip and thigh. Simplicity is the key. Avoid pockets, pleating or extra details near your trouble spots. The fabric should be stretchy, not baggy with a touch of lycra or spandex.
SUPPORT
Invest in a comfortable sport bra to help shape your upper body and support your bust. A fitted cami also does wonders to hold in your upper body and make you look slimmer You can easily wear a light t-shirt over it to give you instant shape and support.
PLUS SIZE
Don’t cover yourself in boxy tees and baggy pants. Be proud of your curves! Check out the fashionable plus size selections at Junonia.com , Alwaysforme.com and Danskin.com.
WHERE TO BUY
You can visit your local sports store for the above mentioned items, but there are several stores online. Two of my favorite off-price clearance stores are Campmor.com and Sierratradingpost.com if you are looking for basic tees and bottoms at discount prices. Danskin.com also has affordable quality and plus size work out wear. Athleta.com and Titlenine.com are two of my favorite stores that design specifically for women. Athleta carries more whimsical clothing and pieces geared towards the fashionista, whereas Title Nine focuses on hard core fitness and offers a large selection of the best sports bras.
I personally recommend Beyond Yoga as the most versatile workout clothing. I wear it not only for yoga, but for running and lifting weights. The fabric is fitted and durable and instantly helps you appear slimmer. It is worth the money and will last many years if properly cared for. I have a larger busted friend who complained about her stomach “rolls” and couldn’t find any comfortable tops or sports bras. She tried the Beyond Yoga cami and instantly fell in love. I even run in the cami without a bra it has such good support. BodyWearBoutique.com carries a large selection.
I have also heard good things about Zobha.com. Their pants are similar to Beyond Yoga, but they have tall inseams which can be difficult to find (Athleta also has taller selections). Their tops have slimming designs that are perfect for bottom heavy gals because it draws the eye to your upper body. FitCouture.com is a newer, promising store with reasonable prices and basic supplex workout wear.
The fit of your workout clothing is essential to your attitude and knowing what works for your body type is an important factor. Pay attention to what you wear and it just might motivate you to get your butt to the gym!
Michelle Lieck is the owner of the online clothing boutique Lady Language and specializes in helping women find affordable clothing for their body type. She answers customer and reader questions weekly on her blog. Please contact her with any fashion questions.
Angie Schumacher is a Certified Fitness Professional who trains clients in her home and is a Women's Boot Camp Instructor in Colorado. She is the author of The Fat Blasting Boot Camp Program and has offered a one stop website to help you with all of your health and fitness needs. Please visit www.BuildingABetterU.com to find exactly what you are looking for!
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Thanks for the advice- I find that its tricky to get the length of shirts just right (thank goodness the short-shirt fad is done with!). And having properly fitting bras is definitely key to feeling comfortable and looking great.