Everyone and their mother is in a run club these days. It’s a way to make friends and maybe even meet a date, but believe it or not, it’s also a source of serious shopping inspiration.
I’m just two weeks away from running my first marathon, and with all the miles I’ve been logging, I’ve been running through an ungodly amount of laundry. Sweaty spandex, ratty old cotton tees, socks both high and low. But in my time channeling my inner pro athlete (sort of; I’m more of a fun runner than a PR chaser), I’ve discovered that my running wardrobe is much more versatile than I realized.
Take Harry Styles, who’s been running all over New York between his Madison Square Garden shows. His running looks keep you guessing: Is he headed out for coffee or a training run? Runners like him have inspired me to be a bit more fluid, bringing more style to my running looks and working more of my running gear into everyday life. It’s bordering on life-changing (as a Capricorn, I love any habit that saves me time and effort).
The intersection of sport and fashion isn’t new; we’re still riding the long tail of gorpcore (I see plenty of Merrells on the streets of Brooklyn). But between big brand collabs, a lean toward athleisure, and more emerging running labels taking a fashion-forward approach, it’s never been easier to pull off a just-ran-five-miles look, even if it’s your first time leaving the house all day.
Here are some of the pieces from my own shopping list that have made runnercore so easy to pull off.
The Right Accessories
When I run, sporty sunglasses are my non-negotiable. But, I’ve started to spot other accessories become more fluid between running style and everyday looks. Bandanas especially are now part of the “cool girl” running uniform, but I love them just as much styled with jeans and knitwear. Same with a classic baseball cap, or one made out of lightweight sweat-wicking material—they’re great for sunny runs, but work off-duty, too.
A Cool Shirt
Whether you’re wearing a singlet solo or going for some playful styling (ie., a long shirt layered under a short-sleeve), the no-run-running-look is fairly easy to pull off, and I promise, it looks cute too. Consider a cropped singlet with baggy jeans for a cool balance of proportions.
Shoes for Running (and Beyond)
For race day, every runner has their own idiosyncrasies that can make them locked in on a certain shoe. But for more casual runs (and the coffee runs afterward), there are so many cute shoe styles that straddle sportiness with a more fashion-forward vibe. I always love styles in unexpected color combos, like chocolate brown and green, or pink and black, since they really pop against wardrobe basics.
The Layers
Lately, I’ve had my eye on the brand Literary Sport, which has found a way to make running gear that feels more minimalist chic than in-your-face-sporty. But even for more classic sport brands like Salomon and On, a simple windbreaker is the kind of wardrobe piece that looks cool dressed up. I’d style it with a skirt and sneakers for a no-sweat occasion.
Aemilia Madden is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over 10 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s written for publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle,The Cut, and The Wall Street Journal.
She also writes a newsletter called , that covers stuff we buy, places we go, and the people we want to be. Previously, she held roles at The Zoe Report, WhoWhatWear and Popsuagar. Aemilia attended the University of California, Berkeley where she majored in Political Economics. In her time away from the internet, Aemilia is probably out on a hike.
