The Activewear Capsule Edit (Edition #017)
Workout worthy essentials 👀
For the October capsule, I thought I’d touch on an area of our wardrobes that I’ve not approached before (at least not with much gusto)… Activewear. Which for many, blends in with typical loungewear staples; an easy go to on the weekend, or perhaps what you change into after a day in the office (or what you work in from home !!).
I look at this category in my closet, and can easily define it by 10 staples, which unless you’re exercising every day, you’d need no more than 2 or 3 of. Enough that you have at least one set to wear while the other two are being laundered, and I think this presses on the point that all the activewear you have should be styles you feel great in. Because when your options are so heavily curated, there’s little room for things you don’t want to reach for.
You’ll have heard me say this before, I’m sure… the old mantra of ‘buy once, buy well’. Which I’ve found applies just as much to activewear as it does to every other item in your wardrobe. Up until recently, I’d been hanging on to a pair of Nike running shorts that I’d had since the age of 15 or 16 (as in, they were two decades old). Unbelievably comfortable, and I’d wear them religiously 2-3 times per week as my only running short for many years, washing in between workouts. In my early twenties, this consisted of running 14km three times a week. Those shorts saw a lot. I had to concede eventually that the elastic around the waist had given a little too much, but they served me so well that the bar has been set in terms of what I expect out of my workout gear.
We do laundry every day, or every other day in our house, so it’s never a long wait between workouts if I want to wear a specific set. I do make a point of washing everything at 40 deg (or cooler) in order to help prolong the lifespan in my wardrobe (line dry, always!). My ideal activewear capsule looks a little like this:
3x sports bra
3x sleeveless tanks or t-shirts (this category is combined as I’ll alternate)
2x long sleeved tops
3x fitted zip up jacket or sweatshirt
2x leggings
3x shorts
1x sneakers
At one point it was even more condensed than this, but a good happy medium - in my opinion - is enough to get you through a full week with doing minimal laundry.
My personal favourite brands for activewear include….
lululemon | Their Align leggings are worth the hype IMO for that perfectly soft, stretchy comfort. These don’t give you that compressed, sucked in support, but this is one of those styles I would happily wear sitting at my desk working.
STAX (20% off with JAMIELEE) | STAX absolutely have you spoilt for choice when it comes to colours, cuts, and fabrications. I really love wearing their seam free line which has just the right amount of compression, plus the leggings have a super high rise (my preferred). The oversize tees are great too if you like a bit of extra coverage
Earthletica (15% off with code JAMIE-LEE) | Co-founded by a female former trainer, and a female Olympic athlete, Earthletic activewear, Earthletica operates with a slightly different model. It’s subscription based which gives you a discount off the cost of activewear, with new styles launched each month in limited quantities, with a focus on recycled materials. Their sports bras are my favourite as they are supportive but also comfortable. The bike shorts and leggings are great too if you’re after a lightweight fabrication which still has some hold to it.
Mate the Label (15% off with MADEMOISELLE15) | At the start of the year, I was reflecting on how high performance activewear tends to be made primarily from synthetics for its sweat-wicking properties, hold etc. So I was thrilled when I discovered that my loungewear fave - Mate the Label - did activewear made from 92% recycled cotton. And it’s comfortable. And good.
The Upside | I really rate their bike shorts. Thick, comfortable, good compression. Along with these lightweight, wispy tees which I wish I had more of (but know the one I have is just enough).
Girlfriend Collective | The first ethically minded activewear brand I ever tried, and it changed my view of traditional activewear (this was close to a decade ago). Great compression, and look incredible even after years - and years - of wear.
We also have the classics - Adidas and Nike - who have always delivered on any item I’ve bought from them over the years.
Other brands whose activewear I haven’t tried yet, but have only heard good things about include: Pangaia, P.E Nation, Aje Athletica, and Alo Yoga. Oh, and H&M’s activewear range is pretty decent if you’re on a budget. If you have any other recommendations which hold up over time, I’d love it if you could share in the comments!
The capsule
#1 | The sports bra: A style that feels supportive, that you’d happy wear alone with your leggings or workout shorts. And also, it shouldn’t be difficult to put on. I’ve had sports bras like that in the past, and they would always be relegated to the back of the drawer. Because I’d rather do a load of laundry than try to squeeze my post-workout sweaty body out of a sports bra that’s clinging to me within an inch of its life.
#2 | Sleeveless top/tank: The silhouette of the next three styles will largely depend on what you feel most comfortable in. A divide between looser silhouettes and styles which contour to the shape of your body (though it’s possible also you’re considering the activity here too).
#3 | Short sleeved tee: This might be an add on, or an “instead of” but I also like this as an option in my activewear capsule. If I’m honest, I do tend to favour sleeveless styles personally because of the climate where I live, whereas you might feel the opposite. If you’re wanting a range of silhouettes, think about length/crop, and fitted or loose.
#4 | Long sleeved top: The base layer we are wearing solo or underneath a jacket in the winter. Styles that have the thumbhole give you that added protection and coverage over the hands which can be especially practical on chillier days.
#5 | Fitted zip up jacket: Aside from the obvious, that these create a sculpted, silhouette enhancing look, a style like this is extremely functional and practical as you don’t have any added bulk.
#6 | A great sweatshirt: Depending on your workout routine, maybe you have this in place of, or as a complement to the fitted zip up. Something sweat-wicking in case you decide to wear this during a run, or to throw on post-gym (pre-shower) after an intense workout.
#7| Shorts: I like a mix of runners shorts (which bloom around the legs) and bike shorts, not from a purpose driven perspective but more to have options.
#8 | Leggings: Along with a good sports bra, a pair of leggings is a foundation piece in any activewear drawer. Especially in classic black, as they’ll easily double as a loungewear piece, perhaps styled with an oversized shirt and tank, or with a big sweater over the top. Maybe even with a slinky top and heels for a night out if you have a pair with no visible branding.
#9 | Sneakers: Stating the obvious here, but one great pair of sneakers. I’m currently using this pair from Allbirds which I like for their support and bounce, but there are lots of great options out there (my other go-to brands have been Asics or the free range from Nike).
#10 | All other accessories: Think ankle weights, a headband to keep your fringe off your face, a running backpack, arm band holder for your phone, and wireless headphones. All the things that will make your workout just that little bit more comfortable.