Having the proper workout attire in place in order to complete your exercises can sometimes be just as crucial as having the right fitness equipment. While it might not seem as though your clothing makes a significant difference when it comes to your daily cardio, what you wear can in fact have a huge impact on both your stamina and your motivation. The next time you feel the need to give your athletic wear a refresh, consider the tips below on the best practices for choosing your workout clothes.
Consider Location
While it may seem obvious to most, you should always consider your location before you select your workout clothing. What you might feel most comfortable in the comfort of your home fitness space will not necessarily be what’s best for you should you take your exercises outdoors. Take temperature into careful consideration as you lay out what you plan to wear before your workouts as feeling too hot or too cold can affect your results in the long run. Be especially prepared for brisk weather should you run outdoors and research the best running apparel for cold weather; on top of a proper running jacket and leggings, you’ll most likely need a hat along with a mouth cover to protect your lungs from the dangers of cold air.
Colors Matter
The colors you choose to wear can affect your workout on both a physical and psychological level. It’s important to be aware of how the hues you put on can affect how much light you absorb and your overall temperature during your exercises. If you tend to sweat more than most, black is probably not the best color to wear while you run on a warmer day. Stay aware of what the mental effects colors can have on you during your workout, as science tells us which color you should wear for your work out. Red is said to increase your heart rate and can be a helpful color for high-intensity workouts, while neutral tones are known for increasing a sense of calmness, making them a better fit for more precise fitness such as yoga. Be mindful of the colors you wear as you workout and you might just find you get more out of your fitness routine in the long run.
Research Quality
Even though it’s tempting to buy those $5 leggings you might find at an outlet sale, it’s important to not skimp out on quality when it comes to your workout clothing. Do some research on top rated athleisure wear and invest in the pieces you know you’ll wear the most. Buying for quality will ensure that you’ll get the most bang for your buck and may even save you money in the long run – just like fitness equipment. Look to reliable names like Lululemon for high-quality leggings, shorts, and tops the next time you want to up your workout clothing game. If you know you can’t afford these items brand new just yet, opt to find secondhand Lululemon online. However you purchase your new set of outfits for the gym, you won’t regret putting quality first.
Check Fabric
Always try and check what fabric your work out clothes are made of first before you purchase them. Breathability is crucial to keeping you feeling comfortable and motivated while you’re exercising. Artificial materials may cause static on your treadmill or elliptical. The best fabrics for your work out clothes include bamboo, cotton, nylon, and polyester. While you’re not limited to these fabrics when it comes to what you wear as you exercise, these options do tend to be the best in terms of breathability and comfort in the long run. Do yourself a favor by determining what fabric feels best and works best for you and your body. Staying aware of this will help you to get the most out of workouts.
Try Them On
The most important practice as you choose your exercise outfits is to simply try them on. If something doesn’t feel right for you, it’s probably not. Don’t force that sports bra to fit if it makes you uncomfortable. Only buy the items that you know will make you feel comfortable, confident, and concentrated. If you’re ordering online, hold yourself to the standard of shipping back the pieces you don’t like. As tempting as it is to skip the time it takes to return the clothes you’ve ordered, don’t give in if you know you won’t get a lot of wear out of them. Pay attention to how your outfits make you feel as you test them out and you’re sure to find long-lasting looks for all your exercise needs.

Many of us have probably spent a lot of time in our sweatpants so far this year — our outside clothes gathered dust in our closets and our fashion sense atrophied right along with our social skills. Even those of us who haven’t let our bodies forget what dressing up feels like might occasionally get stymied by the sheer number of options out there, not to mention how to incorporate new pieces into your wardrobe once they make it home. Getting dressed doesn’t have to be a chore. We asked Good Housekeeping’s Chief Fashion Director Kristen Saladino, as well as a few other pro stylists, for their best fashion tips to help us get out of a wardrobe rut.

1. Go monochrome
   Eliminate the pressure of matching hues by dressing head-to-toe in one color. It’s chic for spring and might encourage you to try existing favs in a fresh, new way. Saladino especially loves gray, pink or white. If you’ve got a lot of denim in your stash, try the age-old “Canadian tuxedo.” A denim jacket with a jean skirt will help turn your staples into a trendy look.
2. Incorporate these three key pieces
   If you hate complicated fashion trends or just want to pull together your look, you just need three items, according to The Ambitionista’s Heidi Nazarudin. A face-flattering pair of classic sunglasses, a gorgeous everyday leather handbag and a smart pair of shoes you can easily walk in will instantly level up any outfit.
3. Try bright-colored lipstick or accessories
   We get it; black and neutrals are easy and endlessly versatile. But if you’re looking to test the waters with loud patterns or bright colors, Nazarudin recommends wearing them as an accessory before you invest in a clothing item. “Instead of trying on a bright citron-colored blouse, you can go for a cuff or bracelet or even a lipstick,” she suggests.
4. Try a vintage cardigan
   Give those graphic tees you have in the back of your closet new life by topping with a granny cardigan. Hit the thrift store for one that looks like it knows its way around a cedar chest and pair it with cropped denim and loafers for an up-to-the-minute look that won’t break the bank.
5. Take your sneakers out of the gym
   Running shoes aren’t just for the treadmill anymore. Saladino suggests pairing eye-catching kicks with a dress or a skirt for a trendy ‘fit that’s also comfortable enough for running around town. We love a look that goes the distance.
6. Pop on a belt
   Consider belts an essential part of your outfit arsenal. Adding a textured, embellished or colorful belt is the fastest way to pull together the most basic pieces or quickly elevate a casual outfit, says Yraola.
7. Use a tape measure for online shopping
   Especially when buying online, knowing your measurements can help prevent disappointing sizing mishaps. “I’m a big fan of online shopping,” says Nazarudin. “But I find that sizes vary across brands and even cuts, so memorize your shoulder, bust, waist, hip and inseam measurements.”
8. Try track pants or trousers
   After a year of lounging in sweats, yoga pants and other soft clothes, the idea of pulling on a pair of structured pants might feel restrictive. Instead, Saladino recommends going for a trouser. Dressing up track pants with a cute jacket, blouse and pair of statement shoes can also take you from the office to out on the town.
9. Remember the rule of two
   If you’re stressed about pairing patterns, stick by Yraola’s rule of thumb. “Two is the max amount of prints or brights to mismatch, like stripes with florals or lavenders with grays,” she says. “Don’t add a third.”
10. String on some pearls
    Toss on a pearl necklace or accessories like pearl hair clips with everything from t-shirts to work wear to give your outfit a little polish, says Saladino. Layer a string with other jewelry for a vintage-inspired grandma chic look, or to add a pop of unexpected elegance to otherwise casual attire.
11. Strut out in loafers
    Loafers are a big shoe trend right now and for good reason. The menswear staple has broken out of the boardroom to add grounding to dresses and skirts, get flirty with feminine lace socks or walk on the funky side with patterned socks, says Saladino. Wear loafers with just about everything in your closet to update your old standbys.
12. One word: Blazer
    A good blazer can elevate just about any look, Saladino adds. Express your personality with your choice of style. Try crushed velvet, leather, brocade or a tailored traditional version to top it off with polish.
13. Match your mask
    Masks aren’t going anywhere, so make yours part of your look. Go for cute prints or fabrics and match the color family to your outfit to pull it all together. Just make sure yours fits current COVID-19 face mask safety standards, of course.

In menswear, there are a select few garments that work harder, do more and demand less than all the rest. Things like a pair of leather sneakers, some slim-fitting selvedge denim, and a well-made Oxford button-down. These are items that can be called upon in all seasons, worn with any outfit and relied on year after year. One of the key players in this supergroup of uber-versatile all-stars is undoubtedly the overshirt.
Falling somewhere between a light jacket and a heavy shirt, this does-it-all wonder garment is more deserving of wardrobe-essential status than most. Typically, it features a classic collar, a few patch pockets, a slightly thicker fabrication than regular shirt styles and a marginally looser cut.
But before you run out and purchase, there are a few things to consider. So, allow us to walk you through the finer points of this menswear must-own, from buying considerations to where to get the best bang for your buck.
Why Do You Need An Overshirt?
Our love for overshirts runs deep, and while there are numerous reasons to hold this staple piece in high esteem, one eclipses them all: versatility.
It’s difficult – ney, impossible – to think of another piece of clothing that can be dressed up, dressed down, repurposed for different seasons and worn as frequently. Layer it up in winter, throw it over your knitwear as a light jacket in spring and autumn, roll the sleeves and slip it over a T-shirt on summer evenings around town. An overshirt truly has all bases covered, making it one of those rare and precious garments that can be pulled from the hanger each morning without a second thought.
How To Choose The Right Overshirt
First thing’s first: before forking out on a new overshirt there are a few things to consider. From finding the right fit to selecting an appropriate fabric, here’s what you need to know.
Fit
How an overshirt should fit depends on what you want to use it for. If you’re just planning to wear it over a T-shirt then a slim fit will work fine. If, however, you’d like the option of wearing it with more layers, a roomier cut is advisable. When it comes to getting the most wear throughout the year, the latter is likely the best option.
Fabric
There are plenty of options where overshirt fabric is concerned, with some being better suited to certain seasons than others. For example, a heavy wool or denim overshirt is perfect for use through the colder months but not so much in the summer. For something that can carry you through the whole year, go for a simple cotton twill or nylon version.
Style
This part is largely down to personal preference. Options such as zip or button fastening, pockets and embellishments can drastically alter the look of an overshirt. Consider what sort of look you’re aiming for before jumping in and buying something you’ll regret. In our experience, pared back and minimal tends to be best.
Colour
Overshirts are available in everything from vibrant patterns and bold block colours to subtle neutrals and natural earth tones. Choosing which one to go for centres largely around the season. Grey, black or navy are fail-safe options year-round, whereas it’s probably best to save the colourful prints for summer and the rich autumnal hues for fall/winter.