How to style your workout wear for the office

How to style your workout wear for the office

Fitness and fashion go hand in hand these days, from athleisure-inspired runway trends (that are then transposed by high street brands and blog shops) to funky, fun workout gear that is cute enough to be seen out and about in. With many of us in the process of getting fit and toned this year, we need to work out ways to maximise our gym or exercise class time and minimise the load we are lugging to and from the office.

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Image: Net-a-Sporter (we love!) Shop the look from Net-a-Porter here, polyamide and elastane leggings, approx. $332, by Lucas Hugh

Whether you break a sweat before you go on the clock and want to ensure you get to work on time (meaning you don't have a chance to change your entire outfit) or need to make a speedy exit from your desk to ensure you make your hot yoga class in time, these are the how-tos you need to have down pat:

Embrace the sneaker

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A photo posted by Hannah Bronfman (@hannahbronfman) on Jan 4, 2016.

If you still can't get your head around sneakers being office-appropriate, bite the bullet! Many offices will accept fashion-forward sneaks as the trend-setting pieces they are, rather than reprimand you for dressing too casually. If you do work in an uber-corporate office, simply hasten to work in your trainers and then do a quick swap before you enter that boardroom, sorted. Otherwise, make sure you keep a spare pair of sneakers in the office to do a quick swap before you clock off for the day.

Prints please

Workout wear silhouettes can be streamlining and the materials used plain and boring if you want them to be. However, more is more if you want to amp up the luxe factor of your workout wear. Printed and colourful leggings make your choice of sports attire much more of a statement-making #ootd than a rushed "didn't have time to change after the gym" look. We take inspiration from the new supermodels of the moment, Karlie, Kendall and co.

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A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Nov 5, 2015.

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A photo posted by @karliekloss on Oct 10, 2015.

Shop these beauties from Lululemon (which have room to stash your lipbalm, keys and cards, yay) here:

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Lyra leggings, $169, from Lululemon.

Wrap up

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One of our fitness crushes, Hannah Bronfman (founder of HBFIT and a super cool DJ) showing us how to style up workout wear!

We know that the term 'wrapping up' rarely crosses a Singaporean's mind, what with the weather being a constant of humid and more humid. However, layering up over your sports bra (only if you're exercising AFTER work, don't wear your post-workout, sweaty bra all day please) will help to style out those fabulous printed leggings. I love this sweater pick from Uniqlo for comfy and cosy style in freezing offices or a longer, layered cardigan to cover up the top of your legs if you're feeling self-conscious sporting leggings in the office.

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Cotton sweater, $39.90 from Uniqlo in stores and online.

Or try a cardigan for layering up over a plain vest top:

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Dance it out

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A photo posted by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Nov 1, 2015.

Dancer's have had the whole off-duty-beautiful look down pat for generations now. Dancer off-duty cool originally inspired a lot of streetwear style and continues to till this day. Take a cue from a ballerina's book by wear a leotard instead of your usual vest top. Put on a pair of tailored trousers and a cardigan over the top to stave off the cold and prevent yourself from flashing too much flesh. Add heels to really up the ante! We absolutely love the dance wear range from Net-a-Sporter, shop it here. When you're off to your workout, just slip on a pair of shorts and your sneaks, or go all the way and wear your atheleisure-cool pants to work, Alexander Wang gave us all permission to! We love this bargain pair from H&M if you're on a budget:

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Polyester jersey joggers, $39.90 from H&M.

It's in the bag

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A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Dec 22, 2015.

Gigi and Kendall twinning with their sneaks, gym leggings, bombers and designer cross-body bags in tow!

Ultimately, whatever you're wearing, what you're carrying with you speaks volumes. Get a put-together, boss lady looking bag on your arm and you'll be able to pull off just about anything. Shop our favourite high-street new season bag picks here, and our new designer pieces to covet here. You're welcome!

Now off you go to sweat it out in style!

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