Q: Iʼm not a serious runner, but now that the weather is nice I do enjoy going for an occasional jog in Central Park. Iʼm always amazed by what people choose as workout wear. Iʼve seen runners in jeans, cargo pants, sandals, you name it. The other extreme—sloppy shorts and a baggy, faded tee shirt—isnʼt much better. (After all, you never know when youʼll run into a friend or even meet someone special!) Can you offer some suggestions for New York women who want to exercise in style?
A: With so many companies manufacturing stylish workout wear, there is absolutely no excuse for looking like a frump during your morning run. Thatʼs not to say you need to break out a ball gown or apply a ton of makeup before hitting the Reservoir track, but itʼs so easy to choose colorful, breathable, fitted pieces that are both cute and functional that itʼs a wonder anyone would opt for anything else.
Below are a few stores—some expected, some not so much—worth a visit when youʼre looking to turn a few heads on your daily jog. These places will make you look and feel so great that you might actually want to run an extra mile or two, just as an excuse to strut your stuff:
When it comes to stylish workout wear, you canʼt go wrong with Lululemon or Athleta, both of which have an online presence as well as locations throughout the city. At Lululemon, pair the lilac polka dot Bound Bra or the Tie And Fly Tank (available in a range of fun neon colors) with their Speed Short in black. At Athleta, try the Dash Short and Printed Tinker Tank. And donʼt rule out dancer-specific stores like Capezio—their stretchy tanks, sports bras, and leggings will perform just as well on the track as they do at the barre.
Sporting goods stores like Paragon, Jack Rabbit, and City Sports, as well as running-specific ones like Super Runnerʼs Shop and The Running Company, are excellent sources for fun, sporty clothing. (As a bonus, youʼll also encounter running shoe salesmen who actually know their stuff!) And if you donʼt mind logo-emblazoned outfits, specialty retailers like Under Armour, Adidas, and Niketown can be fantastic resources as well.
The American Apparel Gym Bag in Gold
Surprisingly, a lot of stores known for their everyday fashions can also be great places to buy workout clothing. Try American Apparel for tank tops, headbands, shorts, and even gym bags, all available in a rainbow of color choices. At Forever 21, the basic leggings and knit tank tops make excellent, multi-functional workout wear. (And donʼt forget to pay a visit to their activewear section—yes, Forever 21 has an activewear section!—where sports bras, spandex tanks, and running shorts are a steal, with most pieces priced in the $8 – $13 range.) Lord & Taylor also has a newly expanded exercise clothing department, including a solid selection of popular brands like Spanx, Fila, Danskin, and Lauren Active.
One other hidden gem? Donʼt forget about your local gym. Places like Equinox often stock a range of activewear choices in their pro shops, and most donʼt require you to be a member in order to visit the store.
Rebecca Frey is a costume designer, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper. She has worked on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and Conan, and is also the owner of Seek New York, a NYC-based company that provides a friendly, low-pressure approach to style and offers personalized shopping tours with licensed NYC guides. Every Tuesday, she answers your most pressing shopping-related quandaries. Need Becky’s help? Email your questions to emily@askanewyorker.com.
