By Heather Bien
Keep the Boody party going from barre class to brunch with these fitness-friendly wardrobe hacks.
Is there anything better than scheduling a Saturday morning workout class? You wake up feeling great, knock out your fitness goals early, and you still have a glorious weekend day ahead of you!
So, why lose the endorphin high you’ve got going just because you need to head home, shower, and get dressed again before meeting up with friends? The beauty of today’s workout clothing options is that you can absolutely multitask an outfit to work for you, no matter the occasion.
Here are the three wardrobe hacks you need to keep you going from Saturday morning barre class to a leisurely afternoon hangout. Now, let’s make that noon brunch reservation and get ready to get moving.
1. Repeat After Us: Leggings ARE Pants. It’s the eternal debate, right?! Well, we’re here to settle it. Leggings are 100% pants and they are the foundation you need to create an outfit that makes a workout look acceptable once you step out of the studio.
One way to make your leggings glide effortlessly from gymwear to streetwear is to opt for the active full-length leggings over the ¾ silhouette. They don’t obviously scream “gym attire!” when worn full length. Pair these with your favorite sleek sneakers or sandals and you’re ready to take on the rest of your day.
If you just can’t get into the leggings are pants concept, fret not! Boody has lots of tops that can be styled as bamboo activewear or streetwear. Changing into your favorite high-waisted pants but keeping the same top will still save time. We love the versatility of our Ribbed Seamless Bra for this very purpose.
2. Think Off-Duty Ballet Dancer and LAYER. Remember the movie Center Stage? Who wasn’t obsessed with Jody’s sweet, but slightly rebellious, style? Let’s channel a little bit of that off-duty ballet dancer vibe.
It’s all about the layers––as if you’re ready to start a warmup at any moment. Start with one of our Tank Tops or Ribbed Seamless Bras, then layer with a light cardigan or jacket. Adding this layer effortlessly transforms your top from activewear to streetwear.
Plus, you’ll only wear the bottom cami to your workout class, so you’ll feel fresh when you throw on that top layer in the locker room.
3. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize! You’re probably not dressing to the nines with accessories during your workout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have them in your bag ready to make their debut when you head out. Opt for statement accessories that will make an impact and dress up your simple, sleek sustainable athleisure style.
Grab a scarf in a pretty color to dramatically wrap around your neck, put on a pair of bold earrings, or stack up the bracelets. One or two notice-me accessories can make a look––and make the difference between “I just came from a barre class,” and “I’m just incredibly and effortlessly chic for brunch!”
Still need a few more tips? Always remember dry shampoo is your best friend when leaving a gym session. You can also throw in a hydrating mist to refresh your face, a slightly tinted lip gloss, and a hair tie in case a half-up top knot is the best way to disguise second day hair. Opt for a gym bag that resembles a tote rather than your standard duffel. And, if all else fails, just own your look and remember, you’re doing good by squeezing in that weekend workout!
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By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable? Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative. Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources: Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/ USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.
