What Are We Wearing To Workout?

Hibernation mode is on, daily walks are back on the schedule and weekends are starting with a Saturday morning boxing class.

2025 was the year I started to take my fitness seriously and I can honestly say I’m into it. I did 75 Hard last February – a 75-day commitment to moving daily, eating well, no alcohol, lots of water and reading – and it set me on a good track for the rest of the year. I even worked out during Christmas week, that’s when I knew I’d finally made exercise a way of life (usually everything is put off until the first Monday in January).

For true motivation, it always comes back to the outfits. I need to feel good, which for me means liking what I’m wearing. Non-restrictive, supportive activewear, soft layers to throw on, and accessories that make even gym clothes feel considered.

An edit of pieces to keep me moving this year

Lady Diana’s 90s workout looks were a whole vibe

The oversized sweatshirts worn with cycling shorts, long socks, trainers and a smart bag have become iconic. Diana famously re-wore a near-identical outfit every time she visited the gym, deliberately diminishing the value of paparazzi shots, and in doing so, created a uniform that still feels relevant today.

To recreate the look, opt for an oversized sweatshirt and classic cycling shorts (these Free People Movement Sets completely nail the vibe). Brands like Sporty & Rich, Vintage Nike and Adanola capture the same effortless, off-duty feel.

My Non-Negotiables When Hitting The Gym

1. No print. I stick to an all-black legging and bra look. Sometimes brown, but mostly black
2. No tight vests. I’m strictly a bra top and high-waisted legging with an oversized tee – Vintage, or the Lululemon All Yours Tees – I buy a size up so they’re super relaxed. They’re not clingy which is exactly what I avoid. I’m not into fitted vests or tees. If it’s tight, it’s long sleeve (like this Spanx one), as I think that looks v chic.
3. A longer-length legging only. I’m not into cropped/capri
4. Same with socks. Full socks only. I have an issue with trainer socks in general, and this continues into the gym
5. Discreet logos. Nothing plastered with a gym brand (unless it’s vintage Nike).

My Gym Style For 2026

1. I’m a little over tight leggings, even though they’re the most practical. Instead, I’m leaning towards a looser, more relaxed pant or jogger, worn with a bra top or cropped tee. Like these from Free People or these from Hush.
2. Most of my gym-wear is from Varley (the comfiest), Alo, Lululemon (I love the Wunder Train High Rise Leggings) or Spanx (I really like the fit of the Body Boost sets and the material of the SPANX smooth collection)
3. I’d love to try Splits59 next. I like the look of the contrast trim bras and heard good things about the Leggings. I may even try the Burgundy set for a change.
4. Mixing up my black leggings with a red bra like this Varley one.
5. An oversized or vintage sweatshirt (I love this WNU one) is thrown over my sets. At this time of year I always grab my cosy Free People Fleece pre/post class, and it’s perfect for my lunch-time walks.
6. I love the look of a short over a legging – something like this or this.
7. For pilates, I pick up my socks from Amazon, M&S or Alo. And slip on Birkenstock Bostons, Rothy’s, or at the moment my cosy Uggs.
8. Trainers-wise, I probably need to invest in a proper pair, but I just wear the ASICS and Nikes I already own.
9. I’m strictly no make-up when I work out – clogging my skin with sweat isn’t great for my dermatitis – and I usually have my hair slicked back in an Olaplex bun. A Baseball Cap is always a handy cover-up.
10. Always my Oura Ring, so any exercise I do is recorded (or it doesn’t count).
11. And this Water-Bottle. (the Lip Balm Holder is genius).
12. I usually run in and out of my gym classes, but I visited Third Space as a guest over Christmas and loved it. Packing a gym bag (this duffle bag from The Horse), a wash bag with a few essentials (Béis or Away), and my swimsuit (Toteme, although I need something sportier – Left On Friday is a contender) felt like a small luxury. A post-workout sauna and steam with friends was heaven.
13. Throwing on a smart, longer coat or a leather bomber over activewear is an instant way to elevate things if I need to run errands after.
14. This might feel like a small detail, but it makes the biggest difference to my mornings – laying out my kit the night before. From underwear to socks, everything is ready to go. It’s a mindset thing, I’m almost telling my brain before I go to sleep that this is what we’re doing when I wake up.