Fashion Editor Polly Rogers looks at fitness fashion for all you budding gym goers, looking at ways to style and layer to empower you and your confidence during your workout!
It’s that time of year… gyms are overcrowded with every Tom, Dick and Harry wanting to start their 2026 rebrand. So the question is, how to stick out stylistically from the crowd? Read on for ideas and inspo for different outfits to look cute in the gym, while feeling comfortable and confident in your body!
Walk into any shop, and spandex greets you. Leggings and jumpsuits that are cute and pretty… but not a practical piece that everyone will enjoy wearing while working out. While some rock the skin tight, some are no doubt deterred from the gym because they don't feel confident and cute in what is seen as stereotypical gym gear. So, how to style an elegant exercise outfit that keeps you comfy while you curl?
To start off, consider that you will need a few different outfits, to allow time for laundry and such. Assuming you own absolutely zero gym or exercise garments prior to reading this article, focus mainly on colouring and cohesion - a mix and match is important to pair pieces together. Pick one or two colours! Perhaps the hue of your runners or gym shoes might be a good choice to build a palette from.
Think of your gym outfit as any ordinary everyday outfit - it can require some styling! Try to contrast baggy on tight, tight on baggy. This could be sweatpants, big fluid and grey, topped with a tight tee or vest, maybe even a wrap-around cardigan. Contrast the grey with colour, maybe pink or blue, or even black for a sleek gym rat look. Another baggy bottom option could be running shorts, GAA style shorts or even big capris length basketball shorts for a different take. If you want to go with leggings or a jumpsuit but are a little apprehensive, try a pump cover! Either a baggy dad tee which you can take off or tie up with a hair tie, or the ever comforting zip-up hoodie, which allows you to decide and adapt how much you cover! If you fancy a bit of a DIY, there is always the option to cut off the neckline of a big old ratty shirt to allow for your racer back to be seen.
Looking at retro inspo, an ever classic combination is legging shorts and a sweatshirt - the Princess Diana look! This one might be cute for an outdoor run in the colder climate or a cooler gym! While she rocks the longer biker, short shorts are in my opinion the cutest choice to show off your glutes! The 2000s had such iconic active wear there is so much from which to choose! Back in style is the fold down yoga pants - the extra layer of fabric adds a boost to your confidence and an extra stiffness to the waistband.
If you already own leggings you want to spice up, you can buy or DIY a fold down waistband that you can move between shorts and trousers. Layering tank tops is as always a shout, though I don't recommend too many, as you might overheat! If you have some cute sports bras you can pair and layer with tops of the same or a blending shade. Flares (be it sweat pants or leggings) add a lovely feminine touch and only accentuate your silhouette. Another active wear item we don't see enough are skorts and dresses! Most of these have built in shorts so they are functional no matter the exercise.
Styling your outfit to express yourself is important. We need more girls dressing exactly how they want in the gym, it should be just as common to see a skirt as a jersey in the weight section - nothing feels more empowering than lifting more than a man while wearing pink!
Accessories are no doubt the most important part of any outfit, they finish it off! Try a co-ord look, match the bright colour in your outfit to headband, be it an alice band, a sweatband or even a skinny frivolous y2k running band. You can use the sandwich method with your headband and pants to keep things coordinated. Frilly and lacey socks, bows in ponytails and more can be worn from the treadmill to the yoga mats!
At the end of the day, be it baggy, be it bright, be it a sports bra, whatever you want to wear in the gym you should wear! Personally I have some polka dot mini shorts in the post which I cannot wait to debut in the coming weeks! Any day I’m dressed in a cute outfit I’m, no doubt, the happiest! Scientifically the endorphins emitted by exercise also make you happy, so being the scientist I am (most definitely not). I believe that means you’ve gotta look cute and strut your stuff in the gym this January to beat those winter blues!