Effortless Ways to Rock the Athleisure Trend on a Budget
So it’s a beautiful Saturday morning. Your friends are blowing up your phone--they want you to get up and meet them for lunch downtown, but it’s so nice outside and you really want to work out first.
You decide the best idea is to jog to the restaurant instead of driving. There’s just one problem; what are you going to wear?!
You need something that is comfy enough to break a sweat in but nice enough for lunch with the squad. Well, no worries- I’m sure you have noticed an unusual term floating around the fashion world recently.
Athleisure. According to the Urban Dictionary, Athleisure is an industry term for athletic wear that can be worn away from the gym. So, it’s basically clothes that can multitask. For a college student (who, I might add, is on a really tight budget) it can be hard to buy into all of the trends that sometimes end faster than they start.
Here are 4 ways to take advantage of the Athleisure trend- without maxing out your credit card:
Check the closet first!
Many people have closets full of clothes and still feel like they have nothing to wear. Why is this? Most people don’t know how to make their clothing versatile. When putting outfits together, the first step in maximizing your closet’s potential is keeping an open mind. You need to be able to see the outfit in your head and then re-imagine it. With Athleisure, since its purpose is to multitask, you should remember to check your closet before spending big bucks on tons of new tees, jackets or leggings. You may have overlooked clothes that can effortlessly bump your boring athletic wear to Athleisure status.
Photo by Henry G.
Back to basics!
You can never go wrong with neutrals or black. Yes, having a pop of color is fun, but with solid and neutral color clothing, you will be able to pair them with more options- making your outfits versatile and adaptable. Black is also the most slimming color and can transform your outfit from chill to chic real quick. Don’t get it twisted, though- Adding colors IS okay. Especially with summer being right around the corner. Let your personality come through and really own your style!
Photo by Henry G.
Thrift it!
Okay, hear me out. Thrifting can be a seriously fun way to find unique staples for your wardrobe. When thrift shopping for Athleisure pieces, you should always keep an eye out for jackets and shoes. These are two must-haves when putting together the perfect Athleisure outfit. Also, don't be afraid to step into the opposite gender’s section. Thrift stores are usually unorganized and chaotic. You never know where someone put something down. To really find the cool stuff, you might have to do some digging. But a whole outfit for under 10 bucks with minimal effort? I’ll take it. If you're interested in buying second-hand clothes, but you'd rather not leave the comfort of your apartment, then check out ThredUp or Poshmark.
Photo by Henry G.
Watch for sales and coupons!
Do you remember all of those coupons and catalogs that you mindlessly chunk straight into the trash when you get the mail? That stops now. If you took time before going on a huge shopping splurge to plan, you could save a lot of money. Keep an eye on sales from your favorite stores, collect coupons and discount codes, then pick a day to go to a few stores and let the savings begin. Don’t forget to only spend money on the things you need. If you have 20 white tees, don’t go buy a new pack every time you go shopping. For digital (and printable) coupons and deals, check out these sites!
Photo by Henry G.
Keep these four tips in mind the next time you are planning an Athleisure outfit, and there’s no doubt you’ll rock it every time!
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Henry G.
Editor In Chief
Working for BeWell is a perfect fit for Hannah as she is able to combine two of her favorite things—people and writing—and call it work! Hannah enjoys listening to Coldplay, thrift shopping, laughing, and sneaking free chocolate at marketing events! Her favorite ways to work off the stolen treats are running on the track and all things cardio at The Rec.
A definite night owl (and by no means a morning person unless coffee is involved), you will rarely find Hannah at Campus Recreation before noon. Hannah plans to pursue a career in magazine journalism. Look for her some day at Vogue, Glamour, or Cosmopolitan.
