High-End Gym Fashion Tips

Being a newlywed undergrad college student, money is something that is on my mind a lot. I'm constantly trying to live a balance between being budget-smart while not letting it rule my life and dictate whether or not I do things I love. One of those things I love is fashion, which even applies while I am sweaty and gross in the gym. Some say, "If I'm going to be sweaty and gross, why would I buy nice clothes to wear at the gym?" I say, "I may be sweaty and gross, but at least my outfit is on point!"

I can be a bit of a brand nut. I love Nike, UnderArmour and Adidas; however, I hate spending $60 on a pair of leggings or a yoga shirt. My closet is full of adorable name brand clothing, about 90% of which I didn't pay more than $30 for. I also have a lot of fitness clothing that is not from these athletic clothing giants, but is of excellent quality (and sometimes is even cuter). I'm someone who always loves to be fashion-forward, whether I am in sweats, a dress, or on a run. So, here's how I make it happen while working part time and studying as a full-time college student.

Top: Adidas (Past Season -- similar) // Leggings: Marika (Past Season -- similar) // Shoes: Nike Zoom

Forever 21

Shopping at Forever 21 for workout clothes is one of my favorite things. They provide pieces with a Lululemon-esque design for a fraction of the price. I have purchased a few pairs of leggings and tanks there and I always get compliments. I have seen their workout line range from $8-$30 a piece. 

I must say, however, some of their pieces are hit-and-miss. For petite-curvy girls like me, their clothes can sometimes fit a little funny. I have never had a problem with their leggings, but their shorts and some tank tops are sometimes not too flattering for me, and many of their tank tops are translucent. 

Because of this, I ALWAYS try on F21 pieces before I buy them to make sure they fit me properly. Be sure to search through their seemingly random racks of clothing for gems that may be less obvious at first sight, as that is how I find all of my favorite pieces there.

Old Navy

If you're like me, you have a lot of memories of going to Old Navy with your mom for back-to-school shopping and you don't really look at Old Navy for the cutest, latest fashion styles anymore. Oftentimes, I have had trouble with shirts becoming misshapen after washing or patterns fading fast. While Old Navy everyday fashion is hit-and-miss, I have always been very happy with their athletic line. 

I have seen pieces at Old Navy range from $5-$35 a piece, depending on whether or not they are on sale. They tend to have excellent sales prices and there's always something on sale in their athletic department. They have cute leggings and very comfortable tops that are often fashion-forward and keep up with the latest trends in fashion. I have had no trouble with my Old Navy athletic wear becoming misshapen after washing. They fit well and are of good quality.

TJ Maxx  / Ross

I always lump TJ Maxx and Ross together because they are very similar stores and I buy an equal amount of clothes from both of them. Most of my name brand pieces I found here. I have never paid more than $30 for a single item of clothing at TJ Maxx or Ross. While not all of their items are latest season, I tend not to care about this, because most fitness clothing items are timeless, and fitness fashion trends tend to stick around for much longer than streetwear or dress wear. 

I have obtained some of my favorite sports bras from Ross and adorable leggings from TJ Maxx. Before hitting up F21 or Old Navy, I always check TJM or Ross first. On occasion, I have spotted some adorable athletic shoes at both stores, too. 

Target

Oh, Target... every 21+ woman's favorite store. They carry the athletic line Champion, which I used to stay away from because it wasn't a big name brand that you can find in Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods. Then, I grew up and realized that Champion has some fantastic pieces that seem to be just as high quality as Nike, UA or Adidas. I love their athletic bras and, most of all, their outerwear. Most of my athletic jackets are Champion brand. I see Champion products ranging from $15-$50. Keep a look out for a good sale between seasons. 

Secondhand Stores

Gasp! Yes, I said it. Secondhand stores can be your best friend if you do it right. I'm not talking about thrift stores, but the stores that buy lightly used recently-bought clothing and sell them to the public at crazy reduced prices. In northern Utah, my favorite secondhand store is called Plato's Closet. I have bought name brand athletic clothing in near-perfect condition for $5-$20 a piece. In fact, the white Adidas shirt pictured above was bought at a secondhand store for $7 and it has virtually no sign that it was ever worn. 

I hope this helped you budget-savvy ladies who love fitness or are beginning your fitness journey!