I'm a fashion editor. These are the 8 heinous athleisure 'Boomer blunders' every single woman over 45 is making every day - and why this specific type of LEGGINGS is silently ageing you
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You may not realise it yet, but those short trainer socks you keep wearing (the ones that graze just under your ankle bone) are a big Boomer blunder. Those leggings-cum-joggers with built-in pockets, cuffed ankles and a tie waist? Consider these a solid no-no, too. And if you’re even thinking of hitting the treadmill in your threadbare London Marathon T-shirt from 2005, just don’t. Please spare us the flapping and the unsightly sweat patches.
There are style regulations for looking in-the-know on the street and these don’t stop at the door to your gym. The free weights section has a whole list of its own unspoken kit rules, too. And thanks to a national wellness boom, aesthetic lycra looks have never been more sought-after.
Last year’s industry report by UKactive in collaboration with 4GLOBAL, Sport England and Deloitte, revealed the country’s health and fitness market revenue is up 8.8 per cent from 2023 and has passed £5.7billion, as 11.5 million of us are now members of roughly 5,600 health and fitness clubs across Britain.
It’s no surprise then that the UK activewear market is expected to generate £26.8million in revenue by 2030, according to the consulting company Grand View Research.
In such a saturated space, where choice outweighs demand, it’s hard to know what to buy and how to wear it. The biggest misconception is that you have to be matching, but I have noticed a subtle mismatch happening on my local gym floor and arguably it looks far more effortless and dare I say it, cool.
Looking as though you know what you’re doing is one thing. But working up a sweat in any old thing isn’t going to help you psychologically either. If you look good your workout will actually feel good too, and you’re more likely to want to go back.
Read on for the ultimate guide to getting sweaty in style.
The biggest sports bra faux pas
You should replace your sports bra every six to 12 months and if you exercise daily, you should look to replenish your boulder holders twice a year at least.
No matter how brilliant the fabric, after repeated washing and wearing over that period of time, the support becomes compromised. Stretched-out straps, a loose band and chafing are all telltale signs that your bra is past it. Spilling out of the neckline is also an indicator that you need to size up. The only style I would avoid is one with a front zip. I don’t know where the trend started, but they’re uncomfortable and not worth your pennies.
Ditch your cotton T-shirt
As much as you love your old cotton T-shirt, there are much better fabrics that are actually specialised for getting sweaty in. My childhood ballet teacher famously said, if you’re not sweating after the warm-up, then you’re not warm enough!
Forget sleeves altogether and say goodbye to sweat patches. A vest is best. Vuori’s super soft stretchy Energy iteration has the perfect cropped finish. The Tech tank by Under Armour is fast-drying and moisture wicking, with clever odour control properties that help you stay fresh. At ASICS its bestselling iteration has mesh fabric in the back and front armhole panels, with ’ACTIBREEZE technology’ to keep you feeling comfortable in varying temperatures. Hate heavy layers? Hoka’s singlet is light as a feather.
Skinny vs baggy – not your jeans, your jacket!
When it comes to jackets, you can go one of two ways. Fitted and ultra soft or baggy and technical. Lululemon’s cropped Define jacket is a bestseller and has gone viral on TikTok for its optimum length and buttery feel against skin. Plus, the toggle on the zip makes an excellent bobble if you forget your hair tie. Adanola’s silky-smooth take is a close match – and it’s less than half the price. For those that prefer a roomier fit, vintage-inspired windbreakers are making a huge comeback. I rate Ace Golf’s trimmed pocket sweatshirt. Or for playful polka dots, look no further than Next.
Short shorts are a no-no
Hot pants are a red card in my opinion. Although five years ago, that’s all there seemed to be on the market. Now there are wonderful mid-thigh length options, full (almost knee)-length cycling styles or looser running iterations that don’t ride up as you move. I am a fan of all three. And having tested my fair share, I would argue Oner makes some of the best fitted gym shorts around – the UnifiedMove wrap design is super flattering around your midriff, there’s no digging in but they don’t ride up your thighs either. Plus, they come in umpteen colours.
For cardio, look no further than New Balance or Free People. Ignore fitted styles with pockets down the side of the hip – this is only going to add extra volume where you don’t want it. And whatever you choose, steer clear of ill-fitting baggy football shorts. Keep those for the pitch instead.
Not all leggings are made equal
Whisper it: leggings are over. No matter the age range, shorts have stolen the spotlight in my gym – I counted only two sets of legs in long lycra last week. The rest were bare knees! But if you’re a yogi or a Pilates fiend, I’m assured leggings are still very much the in-thing.
Avoid anything that comes with a tie waist or double seams around the hips and tummy (these ones always fall down). In fact, unnecessary seams in general won’t do you any favours. Pocket panels on the side of the leg are also faffy and look silly with your keys, phone and whatever else jammed in there. I also find when you use these pockets, inevitably the waistband starts to slide down your backside. The trick is to find sleek, contoured, pocket-less, seamless styles which hug your shape and lift it, too. The right pair will give your buns a perky finish, rather than a pancake one. And some even have tummy smoothing fabric.
Gym trainers and running trainers are not the same thing
Wearing your running shoes in the gym is a rookie mistake, unless you’re actually running on the treadmill in them. Trainers that are designed to support your foot as it strikes the pavement are often too squishy and unstable when it comes to lifting or using machines. Attempting leg day in a pair of spongy treads is only going to give you poor form and could cause lower back problems. You need a flat-soled, uncushioned, stable trainer that’s suitable for work on the gym floor.
The new crew
The hosiery du jour of the free weights section goes well above the ankle, skims the bottom of your calves and is known as a crew sock. You might think they resemble your long-haul compression socks. But Gen Z has been wearing this sporty Eighties look for the past couple of years. Wear your retro socks over your leggings in spring; they’ll even look flattering with shorts and bare legs. Rather handily, they balance out the proportions of your leg, making them appear slimmer overall. White with slogan branding is popular, or get flashy with a neon pair.
The best bags
There’s nothing wrong with a good old rucksack. But if you’re looking to zhuzh up your arm candy, there are plenty of practical yet pretty options to choose from. A separate shoe compartment to keep your trainers off your clothes never goes amiss. Anything with plenty of inside pockets and slots gets a big tick too. Bonus points if it has a laptop sleeve – see Antler’s weekender tote which is perfect if you’re an over-packer!
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