How to make your workout wardrobe motivate you

Make a statement

Summer is the perfect time to be loud with your gym gear and be as vibrant, saturated and bold as you like.

“One trend I’m really excited about this summer is the shift towards bold, vibrant colours in activewear,” says Gymshark’s head of design, Lois Woodcock.

“It seems that more women are becoming bolder with their gym attire, opting for shades that stand out rather than blend in.

“There’s a real sense of confidence behind that, a collective move towards taking up space and expressing yourself through what you wear.”

Unsurprisingly therefore, Woodcock has said red emerged as the best-selling colour this season – proof that dopamine dressing is just as powerful mid-squat as it is in streetwear.

Not everyone’s heading for highlighter brights, though. There’s also a noticeable lean towards elevated minimalism – clean lines, tonal dressing and versatile pieces that transition beyond the workout.

“Clean silhouettes, tonal palettes, and soft pastels are really taking off,” says Fabletics’ director of buying, Frances Fountain, who singles out asymmetrical necklines and one-shoulder bras as a favourite: “They’re incredibly flattering, supportive, and feel just that little bit unexpected.”

There’s a more refined take, too. Fashion designer and podcaster Amanda Wakeley OBE describes a return to “tonal layering […] shades of ivory, olive and slate worn head-to-toe,” also “feels modern, considered and quietly luxurious”.

Let your skin breathe

With rising temperatures, fabric becomes everything. And comfort doesn’t just come from stretch, but in the way fabric moves, wicks and holds.

“Breathable, moisture-wicking materials like polyester and nylon blends are best for keeping sweat at bay,” says Woodcock.

“They pull moisture away from your skin and dry quickly. This helps regulate body temperature and reduce chafing.” Cotton may feel cosy at first, but “holds onto sweat like a sponge,” she warns, leading to heavy, damp discomfort and potential skin irritation.

Bike shorts and racerback tanks are great options for increased airflow for hotter days.

Dress like you mean it

What you wear can absolutely change how you train. Not because the fabric performs magic, but because of how it makes you feel.

“Confidence in the gym starts with feeling good in what I’m wearing,” says Samantha Cubbins, strength and conditioning coach at Gymshark’s Lifting Club. “If I wouldn’t feel comfortable or like myself in an outfit outside the gym, it’s unlikely that I’d reach for it before a workout either.”

Design isn’t just about sweat-wicking or stretch – it’s also about self-expression.

“If you don’t feel even a little bit cute or put-together in it, you’re less likely to want to show up,” says Cubbins. It’s about finding the sweet spot between form and function. “Pieces you can move in and feel great in, whether that’s figure-hugging or loose styles, bold or minimal colours.”

Fountain looks for fit and detail in every piece, because if you settle, you’ll never end up wearing it. “If something supports you in the right places, enhances your natural shape, and stays in place through every squat, sprint, or stretch – that’s powerful,” she says.

And don’t underestimate the impact of colour. “A bold pop of colour or a well-placed contour detail can completely change your mindset going into a session.”

Mix and match – and don’t overthink it

There’s more than one way to build a great workout look – and having a strategy can make it effortless.

Matching sets can be a motivational cheat code. “They’re a sure-fire way to say ‘I’m here and I’m ready to work out’,” says Cubbins. “On days when decision fatigue is real, having a set ready to go in one grab makes everything easier.”

Fountain describes them as “armour […] sleek, empowering and perfect for days when you need a mental boost.” But she also loves mixing and layering, as “it adds creativity and keeps your wardrobe feeling fresh”.

Wakeley says she prefers to build a capsule wardrobe of beautifully made, versatile staples. “A matching set can give you that sense of being put together,” she says, “but versatility comes from layering.”

And here, quality matters. “Buy less but better,” she says. “Eco-friendly materials like bamboo and hemp are a great alternative,” though Wakeley notes these may lack the stretch and sculpt of synthetics.

The one piece that always works

Some days, it’s the outfit that makes the decision for you. When motivation is low, go for the piece that holds more than just your shape – it holds meaning.

For Wakeley, it’s an oversized grey hoodie from her ski mountaineering expedition in Antarctica. “It may sound silly,” she laughs, “but this piece makes me feel strong and cocooned at the same time – it brings my inner Rocky out.”

Fountain reaches for a high-waisted sculpting legging with a built-in bra tank. “It feels like a second skin, holds me in all the right places, and removes the need to think twice.” On tougher days, a cropped windbreaker or bright jacket lifts her mood and gets her out the door.