Have you ever missed a workout or a gym class due to lack of "something new" to wear to the gym? Have you planned your gym outfit the day before? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we are not here judge you, we accept you as you are. You are a fitness fashionista.
Before I start, please don't think gym/fitness fashion is ONLY for people who are trying to impress people of the opposite sex. Wrong! It is simply to make you feel good about yourself the way a new pair of jeans makes you feel. If you are single then by all means shop according to your goals (employ my styling services for guaranteed introduction in December and native law in April) I am serious like that, results guaranteed.
So how did I discover the world of fitness wear I hear you say? Sit back let me tell you. When I was a member of a leisure centre gym a few months ago, I wore anything to the gym, black leggings and a black top usually, all black err-thang to show my fat that I am not there to play games. It worked for me until I joined another gym which is more of a "club" than a gym. My first gym class I felt like I was on some Nike runway show, colourful leggings, ripped half tops, even gym jewellery, na wa. People even changed trainers to match their outfits (hmmmm). I admitted my crimes and jejely handed myself in to the gym fashion police for a life in fashion prison with hard labour. Lucky for me the judge granted me bail so I decided to go shopping for gym wear with immediate effect and alacrity. I was met with series of hard truths, the first being, GYM CLOTHES ARE NOT CHEAP. Nike leggings start from about £35-£40, and tops start from £30. Na wa oh, spend £70 on an outfit just to go and sweat in it? I wasn't having that so I started looking for alternatives. I discovered most high street shops had some kind of fitness range. So for example Tesco or Newlook will do one or two gym leggings and other cheaper online shops like misguided also do a range. I found TK maxx especially good for fitness wear also at very reasonable prices.
Now these are my little tricks ( thank me later and support that thanks with a Cheque with plenty zeros lol). You know I cannot let you carry last (God forbid) so let me teach you everything I know from several hours of online trolling. Tip number one, Every top you get should be able to go with every bottom you get. Three tops and three bottoms, you have nine outfits already. If you gym three times a week, you won't repeat outfits for 3 weeks GBAM! (I feel like writing a parable about my wisdom mehn, I am too much lol). Tip number two, get loads of plain tops from places like Primark if you are the type that likes colourful leggings, a plain top will go with all your print leggings, matching dilemma over. Tip number three, if your abs cannot be used to chop onions, or fried rice ingredients, forget about half tops or bra tops, you are allowed to think it but then let the thoughts float away like a nice fluffy cloud. Lol.
Here is one outfit I threw together after my shopping spree ( I will show them pepper in that gym, a whole me, Iye Jax of Trofani lol), do they know who I am? I think not. Some stretching and Yoga before hitting the tracks.
Here are s
ome of my favourite tops out there at the moment are these ones with the fancy straps. There are so many different designs.
For those of us that don't want to flaunt our mid sections of steel (it's not fair to the others) then these loose tops will look great and achieve full coverage.
Print leggings are what I live for. I love them with just plain tops. I have a few different colours and patterns. They are a real must haves. Note please avoid certain prints if you are not as skinny as these ladies on the photo, prints can make you look bigger.
For those of you that don't love colours and prints ( what kind of monster are you? 😩😂😂😂) then plain colour block leggings may be the way to go. Cut outs are super cute too.
Nike, Adidas, Puma and even Gola are doing some nice designs of trainers these days. But plain colours in pastel colours are cute too. Check out my favs below.
Let's not forget our Gym bags. I love metallics at the moment also stripes are super cute.
Final last words form Aunty Alero, the Buttercup Wan of Cricklewood. Step up you gym game, dress up, feel awesome, don't forget to work out oh. Lol, look at you pipo. Until next time folks, Buziaki.
Details of my outfit
Visor (Brixton Market)- £5
Inner blouse (Next )- £28
Sleeveless blazer (M&S)- £35
Trousers (River Island)- £30
Bag (River Island) - £14 on sale
Mules (Forever 21)- £25
Sunglasses (Primark)- £6
Some cute visors I found on eBay and Amazon in an array of colours.
Please be careful with this trend so you don't end up looking like a tourist welder. Lol. Don't carry last please.
Boat hat- Camden town £10
Sunglasses- Asos £10
Shirt dress- TK maxx £24.99
Watch - Nixon £100
Leather shorts-Asos £34.99
Shoes - just fab £35
Bag- Primark £6
There are so many styles of shirt dresses to choose from, I hope this helps you make your decision easy.
THE PRINT SHIRT DRESS
THE DEMIN GANG
THE MAXI SHORT DRESS
SAFARI TINS
THE CHECKS
THE ASYMETRIC SHIRT DRESS
THE STRIPE LOVERS
TAKE IT BACK TO THE 50's
If you want to know more about where to get these shirt dresses let me know I will dig deeper for sites and prices. In the mean time decide on your weapon. You will be wearing this for ages year after year. Until next time buttercups. Muah.
I am still yet to hear a good reason from the lads why this is such a taboo.
Some very famous people now hyphenate their surnames which kind of brings this whole tradition to the 21st century.
Jay-z famously changed his name to Sean Knowles-Carter after he and Bey tied the knot. Well who wouldn't, if I got married to Beyoncé everyone in my nuclear and extended family will add Beyoncé to all their legal documents by faya and by force, you best beh-lee that.
The Jolie-Pitts are also leading the way, combining their surnames after marriage. Why are more people not taking this step at least. But wait oh, Blue-Ivy knowles-Carter gets married to Pax Jolie-Pitt she will now become Blue-Ivy Knowles-Carter-Jolie-Pitt? (Are we seeing complications in this already?).
Anyways, I heard a few men on radio giving the reasons why they have gone down that route of taking their wife's surname. The most common one was that they didn't like their surname in the first place. When your surname is Ramsbottom or Hiscox or Pratt then change of name is almost expected of you, why not to your wife's soft name like Cottage or Humphreys. Other men unselfishly decided to take their wife's surname on because she is from a house of daughters and someone needs to continue with the name. Warning to all reading, THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN AFRICA, NOT NOW, NOT EVER. (Forever ever? Forever ever!)
So I continued thinking (impressive isn't it? ) of very exceptional cases in which it will be in a man best interest to take your wife's surname.
1. Your wife's name is Dangote or Gates or Murdoch. Don't think twice, change that surname.
2. If you are above 25 years of age and you have a Mohawk , you expect someone to take your surname? Please leave that your surname on the table and walk the other way.
3. If you have cornrows, you want to marry? Please just wear a pinafore, knee high socks and cortina, you are a primary school girl, surrender your surname immediately
4. You play x-box from morning to night while your wife goes to work, surname transplant for your ass.
5. You sag your jeans and wear your hat backwards. Need I say more?
I personally believe hyphenating surnames is a good and progressive way to an equal union. Let's start there and maybe evolve in the future. I am interested in hearing what men have to say about this. Please comment below and please don't throw shoes at me, I have odeshi.
These are some of my must haves for a chic work wardrobe.
As for blazers, the collarless classic white blazer is always a winner, it will go with anything and paired with a white high waisted jeans and heels, boom you are ready to partay. I also love these cape blazers and can't get enough of them, the more structured the better.
When we talk about tops/ blouses, I quite like the wrap stripped shirt. It can be paired with any of the above blazers and for a party look with high waisted trousers and a statement belt. Tah-dah. An embellished top is also a must have.
These paper bag trousers (muahhh... Come to mama soon ok?) and the pink ankle grazers I love. Don't be afraid of colour guys, rock it.
Last but not the least (I never understood that phrase by the way) but here we go. Skirts, my absolute fav. A stripe and flowery pencil skirt is all you need I promise you. They are heaven sent. The horizontal striped skirt seemed more chic to me than the vertical.
That's all folks, until next week when you all see me on the cover of Forbes magazine standing next to Oprah and the Queen.