Fitness regimes and working out are fast becoming everyday factors in many women’s lives. However, many women are still fearful about getting in touch with their athletic side and focusing on getting their bodies moving.

For women, it’s not just about looking good and wanting to look more slimline. It’s about becoming more knowledgeable about health risks, and understanding that by being more active, both mental and physical health risks can be minimized.

By keeping fit and staying active, we can kick obesity numbers to an all-time low, but, for some, it’s knowing where to start. Some women open their wardrobes and haven’t a clue what to put on to go for a brisk power walk, let alone a session on the treadmill.

Below are 5 basic wardrobe essentials that can help any woman get more active. It doesn’t have to be a full head-to-toe breathable workout outfit. It’s surprising what the basics can do! Here’s some ideas:

1. A well-fitted hoodie

Whether you’re planning on going for an evening walk, a body tone gym class, or half an hour doing cardio at the gym, chances are you’ll be outside at some point. Everyone needs a comfy yet well-fitting hooded to throw on to get you started – one that is roomy enough to allow you to move around and get sweaty but fitted enough to make you feel stylish.

It’s important to start any exercise at a reasonable body temperature, therefore a hoody is great to travel to the gym in. If you’re going for a run, start off with a slow jog wearing your hoody, which you can take off and tie around your waist when you get going.

Hooded tops are becoming a streetwear and casual fashion favorite at the moment, so you can even get double the wear and style it up with skinny jeans on a regular day.

2. A casual polo shirt

If you’re keen to get involved in multiple sports but don’t want to invest in a specialist kit, look at items that can work for various sports.

Golfing clothes are a good example. You can get chic looking women’s golf apparel in the form of short sleeved athletic fit polo shirts, which are both comfortable and fashionably fitted. This site has some great options. These are professionally designed for women golfers with unique textures to keep sweat at bay, yet they can also double up for anyone playing other outdoor sports, like netball or tennis.

A casual polo shirt can be paired with shorts, leggings, or jogging bottoms, making it a versatile wardrobe staple.

3. A fitness vest top

Everyone needs a well fitted vest top when putting together an active wear outfit. The beauty of a vest top is that unbranded tops create a great canvas, and those offered by sports brands tend to be made from more breathable material that will control body sweat. Sports branded ones may also offer more chest support too, but both are great options.

Whichever vest top you get, they come in an array of colors and prints, and allow your arms to be exposed to air to help you cool down.

4. Leggings or yoga pants

A high-quality pair of leggings or yoga pants are a must when creating a wardrobe for activewear. You want a durable finish, ideally made from cotton, giving you the ability to let your legs breathe as well as stretch and bend.

Anything too restricting will stop you from reaching your full potential, and there is nothing worse than an embarrassing rip.

5. Quality sports shoes

A must for those taking on weights or cardio, trainers are essential for any activities that include being on your feet and moving around. You’ll need a pair that lace up and fasten securely, restricting your feet from moving around too much in your shoes.

The soles should be soft and flexible but with enough grip to keep you secure on a range of flooring surfaces. They must also provide enough padding to ease your tired feet and be comfortable.

The above are just five basics you need to start wearing suitable workout clothing and getting active! Start with these five key items, and gradually build up to develop an active wear wardrobe that you love and that reflects your interests and regimes.

Be experimental with colors, prints and details. When you start to love your fitness clothing, you’ll be seeking any excuse to wear it!

A French term for “ready-to-wear,” prêt-a-porter clothes have been around for a long time now. According to one study, the first ready-to-wear clothes appeared in the middle of the 19th century. This was around the time the first sewing machine was built and coincided with a period when women began to shift to less body-hugging garments.

The trend (prêt-a-porter) has since lost its appeal. The majority of today’s consumers now prefer tailor-made clothes where garments are made according to the morphology and desires of the customer. The big question is – is it sometimes wise to go the prêt-a-porter route? Should you from time to time ditch the tailor in favor of ready-to-wear clothes? Below, we look at the reason why it could still be a great option.

1. Easy to shop

If you’re in a hurry, you may not have the time to go to the tailor and have them take your measurements and then design the right garment for you. Take an example of a college student who needs to report to school right away. In such a situation, prêt-a-porter clothes become a worthy alternative. You don’t have to wait for measurement, design and the tailoring process. Simply head to your favorite prêt-a-porter store such as Off-White’s ready-to-wear collection and pick the clothes you like.

2. Easy to replace

Another advantage of prêt-a-porter is the ease of replacing the clothes. Think of it this way. You’ve been invited to a wedding. So, you decide to get the best possible dress for the occasion. Then, on the day before the wedding, as you try to fit the dress to make sure everything is okay, you accidentally spill something on it, leaving a stain that won’t come out! Such accidents happen all the time. But, if yours was a made-to-measure dress, you don’t have to worry much. You can simply go back to the store from where you bought the first dress and purchase a similar replacement.

3. Generally cheaper

True, you’re still going to pay top dollar for the most stylish prêt-a-porter clothes. But, compared to tailor-made garments, they’re a lot cheaper. There are many reasons why. For one, ready-to-wear garments are made in bulk thus reducing production costs. Also, personal tailors typically charge a premium for their speciality services. Before you know it, you could be paying double for that tailor-made dress just because – it’s tailor-made!

4. Easy to find

This is another huge perk of ready-to-wear clothes. Times come when you need to quickly find a new pair of trousers, hundreds of miles away from your favorite tailor, perhaps in a different city or even a different country. In situations like this, off-the-rack clothes can be a lifesaver. Why? Because they’re found everywhere! Whether you’re in a new city or traveling to a new country, you’ll find multiple prêt-a-porter stores there. You can just walk in and identify what fits best.

So, as you can see, ready-made clothes, although no longer very fashionable, are still extremely useful. You might not need one now, but the time comes when they’re your best option.