The Changing Shape of Workout Wear

The thing about workout outfits now is that they shouldn't be an outfit.

I recently went back to Sky Ting (the world’s hippest yoga studio for those who have not seen all their press) for the first time since the pre-covid era. Their new studio was truly divine. In addition to the the velvety brown carpet and the retro glass brick windows, the crowd was impossibly cool.

I have only done yoga from the confines of my living room, and usually in pajamas at that, for the past five years so seeing yogis in the flesh in all their fantastic yoga fits was a feast for the eyes. But as I joked with Krissy, Sky Ting’s owner and infectiously bouncy instructor, my clothes were all wrong!! The look has changed and it felt drastic!

I showed up in black leggings and a tight cotton tank top (navy and white stripes) from Petit Bateau, and a Fruit of Loom grey cotton bralette under that. I felt awkward in long pants. The friction of my cotton tops sticking together and to me were distracting (hint: I guess we don’t double layer anymore!?) My terrible posture never felt on fuller display. Now of course, I’m sure no one even looked twice at me, but it’s never really about other people, is it!?

This experience coincided with my July return to the Central Park tennis courts after a year away. For at least the past six years-ish, I’ve been almost exclusively wearing white, with a nod to the 1970s era of the sport to play. I tend to shy away from super techy fabrics and Lululemon-style shapes. Instead I favor classic Lacoste polos and polyester-seeming skirts. I always loved the retro-ness of it, the crispness, and of course, the fact that no one else was doing it. But in the past year or so, the onslaught of faux-vintage, overly preppy tennis clothing has proliferated beyond the count. And a lot of it falls short for me. Most of it looks like current day silhouettes in current day fabrics with just a little vintage detail slapped on. Like, I don’t really want a collared crop top in a super stretchy fabric with a racer back. Do I? And it’s this preppy cosplay that has me shying away from my “classics” and into a more aggressive era of tennis style…the 80s! I have been buying up vintage Fila tanks on eBay and gravitating towards pink, orange, turquoise and neon accents. A far cry from grass green and crisp white of yesteryear.

It seems I am not alone in feeling like my workout wardrobe needed an update. Just last week the Financial Times posted a story entitled “Time to Ditch Your Leggings?” which I saw pop up on Instagram just as I was placing an order for Beyond Yoga biker shorts. Even Sporty & Rich seems to be making it’s its way into it’s Juicy Couture era, and away from it’s uber preppy roots.

And then of course, there are all the hyper-niche running brands popping up and creating cultish, IYKYK communities like Norda, District Vision and Soar. It’s all giving a titillating, heart-beating-faster, where-did-he/she-get-that buzz, before even breaking a sweat.

Add in the swift rise and fall of quiet luxury and it’s looking like the world of neutral-toned, lifestyle leggings are on their last lap. Are brands like Vuori and Alo crushing it? Yes. At least if the catalog count in my mailbox says anything. But after visiting many of these stores over the past couple weeks, what I’m realizing is what feels fresh is not “who is the next Lululemon?” but who is successfully breaking from the idea of the Lululemon-lifestyle-ness of it all.

So today, an update on workout wear so we can all “prioritize ourselves, LOL!” and get back out there.

Yoga Without Leggings

The biggest takeaways from my venture back into a yoga studio is that it shouldn’t all match and that we all wear shorts now. Granted, it’s summer, so maybe we should revisit this in October (how to make leggings work, now?? I can see it!) But there were very few leggings and countless biker shorts and baggy sport shorts - think lacrosse shorts or men’s running shorts with at least a 5” inseam. Shorts, paired back to elongated sports bras, no tee, is where we are at. I’ve been playing around with these combos to figure out what I’m comfortable in as a professed never biker babe…but of course, never say never.

The Elements

Bike shorts | Mesh shorts | Elongated sports bra tank things | Slightly weird layers

The official uniform of Sky Ting yoga (unofficial but…you know.) The point of discussion with this is the proportions. Its all about the baggy short and a little top. The balance. And of course, the idea that this is not a “set.” I got these LAX shorts (size large!) last summer unaware that they were a thing and now knowing that they move fast I ordered another pair (pink!). In case your size is sold out, other options from Adidas, Champion and Wilson. Pick your poison (aka color and inseam.) I tend to think this item is more fun in fun colors and a longer inseam so you can roll. I’m wearing a 5” inseam here. Of all the tanks I tried, the Beyond Yoga tank definitely wins for the best at fit + shape + color + comfort + support. I see why the Sky Ting ladies on my feed love it. I am wearing a small and it’s not very tight, which was intentional.

Now entering the world of spandex shorts. I was hesitant to try, I won’t lie, but after wearing pants in a sea of bike shorts I had to give them a go. I’m not sure I’m ready for tight shorts plus sports bra, so am figuring out a way to feel less layered while staying covered. Wearing a Negative Underwear ‘whipped’ tank over an FP Movement sports bra/tank hybrid. The thin, clearly-not-cotton fabrics are definitely making me feel a bit more airy (less sticky as I move). Nike biker shorts on the bottom.

One of the things that makes for a fun yoga outfit these days is the non-outfit of it all. Sky Ting felt like a living photo of a ballet studio during warm ups. A hodge podge of color and layers but a collective understanding of the shapes and styles allow the body to move most freely. Good stylish layers these days have to be a little bit weird (but not in a Trump/Vance way :) :) :) ) Think ditsy little camisoles paired with mens sport bottoms. Or bright colors paired with white or pastels and brown. Fabrics that weren’t marketed to us as “for yoga” mixed in to pieces that are clearly yoga-forward-high-stretch-high-comfort.

A company class at ABT. See what I mean?

Some more fantastic pieces to add into the mix. Clockwise from left: Baserange super thin long sleeve tee, Loewe x On Running biker shorts (amazing how fast I went from IDK about bike shorts to I NEED blue tie dye Loewe ones!), Eterne jersey pants, The Upside bra, Beyond Yoga cropped tank (such a good non-matchable turquoise!), Adidas shorts

Turns out I do like biker shorts. And the superlative for the best bikers to wear beyond yoga class is…I guess as the name says it all…Beyond Yoga. High waisted, holds you in, soft as can be and not claustrophobic after multiple hours. A’Court shirt will be removed once I arrive to yoga revealing the Nike bra/tank below.

Nike Zenvy 8” biker shorts and ribbed bra, some of my favorite items purchased for my new yoga life. I still feel powerful in Nike…don’t let the headlines get you down!

Fun baggy t-shirt plus weird, fun shorts. All smiles.

Alo seamless bra (my favorite bra I tried in this whole big search. Sadly you’ll never see it because I don’t think I’m brave enough to wear a white sports bra solo, but shoutout where shoutout is due!) It’s not super supportive but extremely easy to get on and off and very soft, Zimmerli tank from Peress (RIP) and Adidas track shorts (I don’t see red avail right now but these are cute. And if you’re not married to Adidas, I love these from New Balance.)

More fun stuff to build on the non-outfit-outfit idea. Clockwise from left: Negative tank, Tory Burch bra, Nike bra, Beyond Yoga shorts, Violette tee (is this not the perfect shade of washed out pink!?), New Balance mesh shorts. Also consider trying the men’s version of the NB shorts for a baggier look. Size up. I went to the store to test this out, and I wore a men’s medium. FYI!

Sports That Require Shoes

Partially because of my current rejection of preppy, white tennis gear and part craving for a grittier (sexier?) era of competitive sport, I’m gravitating toward saturated shades in my tennis wardrobe (and if we are being honest, sports clothes that make it no further than Ancient Playground.) Shiny spandex, mesh!, crunchy (literally a stiffer texture) camp shorts and tees, stripe clusters in weird color combos, black as an accent! and brands that make me feel like I’m at the daycare where my mom took aerobics when I was a kid.

The Elements

Tennis skirts that are NOT white | Funny stripe combos | Competition style separates | Saturated and neon colors | Pairing back to black

Crayola bolds are the new primary colors in sports (if you ask me!) This is a vintage Fila tank found on Ebay and old Tory Sport skirt which it appears they no longer make. But I also love this one from Nike and this one from Wilson if you’re looking for a new black skirt.

I will not wear my tennis shoes covered in clay on my lovely bedroom carpet, so just pretend here. :) But including this outfit because I’ve been swapping out my white polos for black lately and it feels good. Next I think I’ll try tan? Paired here with my new FP Movement shorts, a surprise hit that I ordered on a whim! Going back for both colors. So comfy, roomy and breathable and giving me Roller Girls!

The first generation synthetic sport colors of my early 90s youth. A washed out varsity blue and crunchy neon green. This is what I will wear when we meet for a walk in the park. Shall we make a date? Still Here t-shirt, Tory Burch shorts, Danish Endurance socks <3, Solomons

A flossy striped skirt and Odobody tank has been my most worn tennis outfit this summer. The skirt is from an old season but here it is resale in a medium and large. And as an alternate, I love this or this.

Clockwise from top left: Fila heritage men’s polo (Bjorn’s!), Jungamaven mesh race bib, Adidas shorts, Oddobody tank, Fila heritage skirt (on sale!), Lacoste polo (I play in my standard size 36, and only size up for off court, FYI!), Fila skirt. Lots of Fila here, thats just the kind of tennis gal I am!

Signing off with a reminder that there will be no newsletter next week because as all parents know, the week before Labor Day is the longest of the year. I will be childcare-less, like many of you, and leaning in to some quality family time! See you at the fair. And I can’t wait to see you back here in September for the greatest season of them all. Until then, happy US Open to those who celebrate. Here is a pic of two style icons playing tennis in the early 80s. Mom and dad!

Yours TRULY,

Becky

Pretty sure these wooden rackets are still in the basement!