From workout to workplace: New styles let women transition to office without breaking a sweat
CHICAGO — In
"I have suits, and I look at them, and I wish I could get my money back for them," said Walther, 35, who converts much of her early morning yoga attire to daylong office wear. "My black Lulus, I wear them at least two times a week," sometimes with a yoga tank to class and then to work with a
Fitness brands are acknowledging the delicate workout/life balance. More than ever, yoga attire, in particular, is cross-training with fashion to gain flexibility. It's the next step in the evolution of workout-apparel-as-weekend-wear — it's also becoming weekday worthy and night-out ready.
It helps if you don't sweat profusely.
"There are some people who are dripping after class, and they have to — I hope to God they do — take a shower," said Walther, who has been practicing yoga for 15 years. "Unless it's Bikram yoga, where they have it up to 108 degrees, I'm OK with myself after my workout. There's no way I could go home from the studio, shower and change. I have a very demanding job."
Walther serves as financial controller for the
A STEP BEYOND
This season
These aren't the flare-leg pants traditionally associated with yoga. The tighter legs make them easier to layer with street clothes. For yoga, the closer fit prevents toes from catching in hems, Walther notes.
"Right now I'm wearing my Zobha yoga workout leggings with a dress I wore to work today," she said from
Zobha yoga and fitness apparel released a survey last year in which about two-thirds of the 1,000 women surveyed had scaled back financially in their workout routines (exercising at home or outside instead of at a gym, for example). But nearly all who currently exercised said they would continue. Seventy-five percent of women surveyed said they are more likely to work out if they are already wearing fitness clothes; 32 percent choose fitness apparel as their primary casual day outfit.
Conversion costs
Prices for premium yoga apparel might take your breath away at first glance.
"You walk into a Lululemon store, and you're like, 'Maybe not,'" Walther said. "But my Lulus, I bet they're at least 4 years old. And the nice thing is they have free hemming. One pair I had used to be long, and I took them in and had them made into capris and wore them for another year and a half. Once you get sick of them, you can change them."
One of her yoga tops from Athleta converts to a strapless tube top.
"I've gone to a wine bar after yoga, and I threw on this skirt and took the straps off the top, and you could not tell that it was yoga attire," Walther said. "And it's amazing for yoga. You can actually do a backbend — it stayed up without the straps."
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THE BOTTOM LINE
—75 percent of the 1,000 women surveyed by Zobha yoga and fitness apparel said they are more likely to work out if they are already wearing fitness clothes.
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—The brand Lucy, known for offering several rises, cuts, lengths and fabrics, just introduced several of its most popular pant styles in its maximum-compression Powermax fabric. It will launch its Perfect Core Pants at the end of February, featuring mesh paneling through the midsection to support core muscles. lucy.com
—Though known for its flattering yoga wear in its Luon fabric,
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—Fila has launched a looser-fitting capri yoga pant with subtle knee padding.
NEW YOGA LOOKS
If you're on track with your 2010 fitness resolutions, consider rewarding yourself with fashion-conscious gear to go the distance.
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—In February, Zobha is introducing a trendy harem pant style and is launching loungewear. Harem pants,
—New for spring, Athleta's convertible
—The brand Beyond Yoga is true to its name with versatile styles such as the organic cotton scarf jacket — with scarf built in so you never leave it behind.
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