Fashion flex

Gym gear, movewear or whatever you feel inclined to call it has for some time now not just been clothing you wear to exercise and more and more, it’s a sartorial look in its own right.

I used to be someone who had a pitiful workout wardrobe where any t-shirt or leggings I no longer wore got relegated to the gym drawer.

While workout gear can be quite expensive, the rise in great quality pieces at an affordable price point means that I no longer have an excuse to be looking shabby in the gym and as everyone else ups their gym game I want to be looking and feeling my best while I work out.

I’m a big fan of the H&M Move range which always combines functionality with stylish detailing meaning I can wear it for a workout but there are some pieces which I have also added into my everyday wardrobe especially on days when I’m running around doing stock pulls for shoots and need to be comfortable but also look put together.

This week sees the launch of the new H&M Move x RAYE collection which sees them partner with the fabulous British singer songwriter who absolutely embodies the aesthetic of the collection. I love the colour way of easy to wear soft greys and there’s an especially good top with interesting cut out that I could see myself wearing for yoga class but also pairing with some high waist trousers and a boxy blazer for a night out. There also features some pops of neon for the person who likes some colour in their casual wear.

When it comes to choosing the right gym gear it can be an absolute minefield especially if you haven’t worked out before or are just returning to exercise after a hiatus. It can be tempting to go out and splash the cash on pricey gear but until you know what exercise you like doing and will continue with, I would wait and buy some less expensive pieces to get you started. What you might wear for a HIIT class may not necessarily work for pilates and so on.

One area that I never skimp on is a good sports bra. This is absolutely essential and whether I’m doing low impact or high impact work, I always want to make sure that I am properly supported in this area. It’s worth shopping around here and finding what works for you.

One of my favourites for sports bras are Lululemon which can be a bit on the pricier side but in this instance totally worth it. Leggings are another item that needs to fit right but there are so many options out there that it’s nearly impossible to decide on but once you find the right pair it’s a game changer.

Who amongst us hasn’t spent a whole gym class hoisting up ill-fitting leggings? It’s so annoying and I find it hard to focus on my class when my leggings are sliding down the whole time.

The two brands that I swear by for leggings are Gym Grow Gain and Peachy Lean. Both are Irish brands and let me tell you these leggings do not budge, so the only thing I have to focus on is making it through the class.