What better way to motivate yourself to work off those sugar-infused Long Island Iced Teas you’ll be drinking all summer than spending more money on overpriced leggings and sports bras? I’m talking about athleisure that absorbs your sweat, keeps you cool, but still makes you look as hot as Gigi Hadid. If you don’t know what athleisure is, ask Siri or think of those leggings you shamelessly wear weekly and don’t wash, because this is the 21st fucking century. Like, get with the times, because I don’t feel like explaining. This has been officially a thing since last year aka when it was actually added to the dictionary, so chances are if you have any fashion sense, you already own Lululemon leggings and a sports push-up bra from like, Victoria’s Secret. Whether it’s to get Starbucks, leave your fuck buddy’s house, or (god forbid) go to the gym for once, no one has ever questioned your whereabouts because your athleisure outfit can get away with any occasion.
If you’re planning on fooling everyone that you give a shit enough about your body to get off the couch and stop binge-watching Riverdale, you’re going to have to expand your hot athleisure wardrobe for summer-proof pieces you might—key word: “might”—also be able to pull off at the bar. Usually being comfortable and looking DTF don’t go together, but if you’re smart about your choices, you can get away with it. Dreams do come true if you just drink enough believe.
1. Sheer Bralette
When you have yoga at 11am and brunch at 12:30pm, the Nina Bralette is your go-to. The super lightweight and stretchy fabric will ease you into all your downward facing dog poses, while also cooling you off with its sheer straps. You’ll feel refreshed and look cute enough to simply change into a skirt before drinking as many bellinis as it takes to defeat the purpose of working out. Or, you can totally just say “fuck it” and buy this regardless because it’s cute as hell. Namast’ay at the bar, bitches.
2. Strappy Tank
What happens at the gym, stays at the gym. If you’re going to actually exercise and break a sweat (ugh), no one outside of that facility should have to see all that back sweat. It’s bad enough you won’t be rocking a full contour when you leave. You’ll need something with an open back and as many air holes as possible. Wear a lightweight tank you can adjust and layer over a sports bra, such as the Gypset Goddess x Alo Clarity Tank. If you’re feeling extra scandalous and haven’t done laundry (again) for a night out, wear this with a backless bra, high waisted jeans, and your fave pumps. You’ll be comfortable and look hot.
3. Mesh Leggings
Unless you live under a fucking rock, you’ve probably seen every person you follow on Instagram sporting this mesh trend in one form of clothing or another. Full-length leggings with mesh panels on both the back and the front, like the Varley Windsor Black Legging, allow you to take those long runs on the beach without worries of looking like you peed yourself. They’re composed of permeable and quick dry fabric so you look just as good after the run as you did before. Even if it’s only because you gave up after 10 30 seconds. I won’t tell if you don’t.
4. Sleek Jacket
Whether you’re leaving a torture cycling class or running errands, the CHICHI Serena Bomber is essential for adding street flair to any look. Throw over a strappy bra after an intense workout or a v chic bodycon if you want to look as relaxed as your outfit does. Little do they know you stressed out about it for an hour and changed 15 times before leaving the house.
5. Baseball Cap
I don’t usually advocate for hat hair, but this is only for emergency cases such as like, being too hungover to wash your hair or trying to impress that hot guy who always has his arm days on Thursdays. You can totally convince him you’re into like, sports and stuff (whatever that entails) and yes, you’ve had this lucky hat forever, and no, you didn’t just buy it online from Shop Betches.
Wearing leggings is pretty much the greatest experience in life, other than napping or being told that you’re pretty. They’re like, one of the very few things that betches don’t really complain about because they’re comfortable AF. You probably never thought that it would be possible to love leggings anymore than you already do, but if you start buying ones that are super flattering, you’ll reach a level of obsession that will probably piss everyone around you off. Here are the perfect patterned leggings to get for your body type.
Horizontal Stripes: Scam People Into Thinking Your Butt Is Huge
I personally know that horizontal stripes will make a flat ass look dope because every time I say “my butt actually looks like a butt today,” my friends tell me to shut up because it’s just my horizontally striped leggings. Honestly, if I had a dollar for every time that happened, I could finally afford butt implants. Please spare me the judgement and stop acting like you’d be above that. It’s a pretty well known fact that horizontal stripes make you look wider, so if you have an area of your body that you would like to have appear larger, they actually come in clutch.
Athleta Stripes Chaturanga Capri
Vertical Stripes: Make Your Legs Look Longer
In the same way that the insanely stupid nail contouring trend makes your short sucky nails look long (but still sucky), leggings with vertical stripes will make your legs look longer. However, unless you’re hoping to channel your inner Beetlejuice, I’d probs advise against leggings that have vertical stripes the whole way around. Instead, go for something that just has them down the side.
Adidas Originals 3 Stripes Legging
Large, Bold Patterns: Avoid Looking Lanky
If you have long, skinny legs and are worried about looking lanky (cry me a fucking river), the most flattering legging print for you is any large, bold pattern. It’ll basically break up the two mile stretch that is your legs.
Nike Legend 2.0 Mega Liquid Tight
Diagonal Panels: Play Up Curves
Anything with a diagonal vibe is ideal for flattering curves, because it will elongate but also enhance what ya mama gave ya. Because diagonal stripes aren’t really a popular pattern for leggings (unless you somehow grabbed a pair out of like, an elf costume or something), opt for leggings with diagonal panels.
Tiny Prints: Spark Rumors That You Have A Fake Butt
If your butt already looks like one of those rap guy’s girlfriends (oh my god, Becky), then you should go with something with a small print that will make people assume you’re wearing butt pads or something. Like seriously, you might end up having to get a butt x-ray to prove that it’s real, like Kim K did.
Lululemon Wunder Under Hi-Rise Tight
With the exception of a few pairs of heinous mom jeans and the fact that people are contouring their butts with glitter, 2017 has been a pretty sick year for trends so far. I mean, fashion has basically evolved to a point where we no longer really have to wear anything that’s uncomfortable. Bras? Haven’t touched one in years. Jeans? Yeah, no. Sign me up for leggings. Heels? LOL, nope, we do sneakers now.
Wearing sneakers is a lot like being drunk. If you’re betchy enough, you can pull off either one of those things whenever you want. Not to get too inspirational on you, but if you’re confident enough to rock sneakers with a silk slip dress, you can rock sneakers with a slip dress. It’s just like pregaming a trip to Whole Foods. Most people would look like a bum, but if you look good, you can probs pull it off. Anyway, here are the sneakers you should be wearing this year.
1. Vans Old Skool
If you follow just like, one fashion blogger or any of the Kardashians, you’ve seen these shoes with every kind of outfit imaginable. From sundresses to sweatpants with fishnets (I’m not sure how this became a thing, but like, whatever I guess I’m into it), Vans Old Skools are to 2017 as UGGs were to 2007. You can literally just wear them with anything.
2. Reebok Classic Leather
Gigi Hadid keeps promoting these with Instagram #ads, so you know every 14-year-old mall rat with more followers and prettier hair than you already has them. It’s just like how she convinced everyone to wear Adidas Superstars last summer, even though that shell toe makes everyone’s feet look effing massive.
3. Adidas Gazelle Lace-Up Sneakers
Speaking of Adidas Superstars, it’s prob time to get rid of those. They’ve made too many appearances on your Instagram feed as it is. Like the girl in your sorority who got a super subtle nose job one summer, there’s something just a little bit prettier about the Gazelle shoes.
Vans are like, really having a moment, so they’re getting two spots on this list. This style pretty much serves the same purpose as the Old Skool, but because betches hate decision making and love shopping, you might as well get both.
5. Literally Any Platform Sneakers
From Fenty Creepers to Gucci’s $1,000 platform sneakers, this is the best way to channel your inner Spice Girl. The Kendall + Kylie Reese Platform Sneaker definitely screams “Hi-ci-ya hold tight,” but like, not in a weird way.
Read: The 5 Trends You Need To Purge From Your Closet During Spring Cleaning
We’re not sure why, but brands always seem to come out with their coolest leggings toward the end of winter. It’s like, we just spent the past four months cuddled up with in bed watching This is Us while eating enough sushi for a large family. Is this really the time to come out with the hottest, most form-fitting leggings you can think of? Sweatpants are all that fits me right now.
Either way, we rounded up our favorite leggings out right now, so you can avoid putting on skinny jeans and stock up on the pants that Kendall Jenner made acceptable to wear in public. Here are the ones you need:
Lululemon Body Con Tight
All betches know that Lululemon was our OG $100 pair of leggings, so we can’t make a leggings roundup without the pant that started it all. Lululemon leggings are basically as timeless as an engagement ring, and their new styles somehow keep getting better. We’ll always love their classic Wunder Under leggings, but these Body Con Tights are so cute and just edgy enough with the mesh cutouts on the sides. We’re obsessed.
Alo Yoga High-Waist Verse Legging
White leggings are pretty much reserved for betches who are so skinny that they’re not even expecting to get their periods in the next six to eight months. These ones are high waisted and have a sick print at the bottom, so they’re pretty much the best things ever. Plus, they’re actually made of breathable material that keeps you cool and dry during a workout, so you can actually put these things to use when you feel like moving. In other words, no crotch sweat marks. Hallelujah.
Onzie High Rise Bondage Legging
Basic girls tend to stay away from grey leggings, but not many people know how amazing they make your ass look. The cutouts on these leggings are amazing, and we’re obsessed with the color. The pastel grey is subtle enough to match with more than one colored top, but is light enough to accentuate your ass, even when you’ve neglected your squats since last summer.
Teeki Jimi Hotpant
These leggings look like they’re too dope to actually sweat in, but they’re surprisingly made with a ton of support to move with you while you work out. Don’t let the trendy cutouts fool you. These leggings are elastic-free so they’re super comfortable on your waist, and they’re made with four way stretch to expand with your muscles while you move. Plus, they’re slutty looking enough for you to wear on a night out when you’re feeling fat or lazy or both.
James Jeans Twiggy Ultra Flex White Legging Jeans
These jeggings look like your best white jeans, and they’re super comfortable too. I mean, any pants that say the words “ultra flex” in their name have to be pretty sick. Every LA betch is freaking out over James Jeans right now, and we get the hype. It’s prob too soon to wear white right now, but drop a few pounds by July Fourth and you’ll kill it in these.
Terez Black Moto Performance Leggings
Terez is the brand that SoulCycle instructors and their overexcited 6am riders wear while jamming out to Sia in a dark room while channeling all their good vibes. That sounds like the last type of person you’d aspire to look like, but hear us out. The pants are usually too colorful for us, but we happen to love these ones. They’re awesome for working out and if you pair them with a black sports bra and black Nikes, you’ll look like the super intimidating betch at the gym who takes her workout extremely seriously. AKA no fuckboys trying to pick you up at the gym. AKA success.
Sweaty Betty Power Leggings
These leggings are called “power leggings” for a reason, and they’re ready to be put to work. Not only is the colorblock pattern so hot right now, but they’re also insanely versatile. The sweat-wicking fabric is stretchy and supportive, and the high waist is super flattering. They’ve also got a little zip pocket in the back, so you can work out and go meet your dealer right after without changing pants.
Karen Millen Faux-Leather Leggings
Faux-leather can be a risky move if they look too over-the-top and trashy, but these leggings are chic AF. These pants are perfect for when you’re not feeling jeans but still need to get dressed up. Plus, the concept of a pair of leggings that you can also wear on a night out is basically the best invention since sliced bread—whatever that is.
ASOS Rivington High Waisted Denim Jegging in Georgia Vintage Lightwash with Rips and Printed Knee
We’ve always been fans of the Rivington jegging from Asos, and this new seasonal edition of the jegging is so on trend for spring. The combo of the ripped knees and light wash color is perfect when you’re sick of black jeggings and aren’t ready to pull out the white jeans yet. Your mom will give you shit for buying pants that are already ripped, but it’s worth it. These are 45% cotton, so you can be somewhat comfy in jeans that look like they’re tighter than saran wrap.
