#Confessions: I’ve spent probably 90% of my adult life in some form of leggings. I love getting dressed up and looking cute obviously, but for real life days, I’m in some sort of workout-ish gear or comfies. Especially if I have intentions for a workout at some point in the day, because I find that it keeps me motivated. Or, if I’m having an #IJustCantDay and want to make things easy.

Which is why I love that it’s now called athleisure and an acceptable way to live (because I’ve already been doing it for like a decade over here, ha!). Turns out y’all like athleisure just as much and want to see more tips on how to pull off this style. I do agree that you have to be somewhat intentional about putting together a look so it’s not full gym gear (even if you’re not working out), so I’m about to spill my secrets!

5 Tips For Pulling off Athleisure

If you’re trying to live that athleisure life like me, here’s how to pull it off:

Tip One: Go Monochrome With a Pop

One of the easiest ways to pull off this look is to wear one color when it comes to the first layer – aka leggings and a top. So even if you really are going to the gym first, you can wear something like black leggings and a black workout top like I have on here. But the trick is to wear something fun on your feet, like a pop of color! This will come in handy once you leave the gym and want to look cute slash comfy. I freaking love these burgundy 24 New Balance Sneakers and have been wearing them non stop with all black or grey. I scooped them up at DSW and can’t stop wearing them. DSW has tons and tons of cute sneakers, but I’m really liking the New Balance vibe right now. Especially this burgundy pair that feel a little vintage yet styled. And I just LOVE this color for fall! Cute right?

Then, once you leave the gym and have places to be, you add another layer that blends everything together. It takes the outfit from workout to athleisure with one cute added element (like a jacket) and a pop of your feet. Easy!

Sneaker Details: 24 New Balance Sneakers 

Tip Two: Accessories Are Your Friend

Without accessories of some sort, you might just look like you’re wearing your workout clothes. Which is fine, but if you truly want an athleisure look that’s appropriate for brunch, errands, coffee dates, whatever (and yes I’ve made it work for all of the above), you’ll want to accessorize. A hat that can hide a sweaty head of hair, cute sunnies, a bandana around your hair instead of a workout headband, etc. Add little touches that elevate the “workout outfit” look to grabbing drinks with friends, bible study, or whatever you have planned.

Sneaker Details:: New Balance Fresh Foam Sport sneakers

Tip Three: Break Things Up

This is probably one of the most important steps. You’ve gotta break the workout gear up with regular items! I find that denim jackets or chambray can do A LOT for this style, and really quickly. Either throw one over your shoulders or even tie it around your waist. An item that you wear outside of the gym will make this ahtleisure instead of a workout jacket that wouldn’t. Get what I’m saying?

Another quick tip is to knot the front of your workout shirt to make things look styled. I do this anytime I’m wearing high-waisted leggings and a regular white t and find it’s a simple ahtleisure combo. Then just accessorize!

Sneaker Details: New Balance Fresh Foam Sport sneakers

Tip Four: Color Coordinate

I already mentioned monochrome above, but another way to look more styled in workout-ish gear is to color coordinate. I usually like to do this with my shoes and a jacket or my shirt. It’s a small step that makes things look more pulled together. Like these gray New Balance Fresh Foam Sport sneakers (another favorite from a recent DSW binge) and a gray sweater. See how being conscious of that pulls everything together? I think it does!

Sneaker Details:  New Balance Fresh Foam Sport sneakers

Tip Five: Spend An Extra 5

If I’m having a day where I just don’t want to wear normal clothes and instead opt for athleisure, I find spending an extra 5 minutes on my appearance helps. This way I don’t look like a total slob but still comfy (aka the entire point of athleisure). I’ll leave my hair down and will throw on some foundation and mascara, but that’s about it. Especially if I’m meeting up with people or have an appt, I just feel better about myself vs. like a total scrub (but also been there). If you’re working out, just keep a little kit in your car with the essentials to take you from gym-to-presentable in 5.

OK I think those are my main tips for this style. Lemme know if that was helpful!

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Thank you DSW and New Balance for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions and content are my own.