Shopping in Workout Clothes, Sometimes You Gotta

Whoa. Two weeks ago, when I urged women to make more of an effort with their appearance when hitting the grocery store, I struck a nerve, and my friends been letting me have it.

As long as she doesn't smell,
she's good to go for an hour.

The thing they resent most about my hoity-toity, french inspired, "let's not be slobs" blog post is that it inhibits them from running errands on their way to or from working out. Changing clothes is too much of a pain.

"It isn't necessary!" they tell me. "It isn't efficient! It isn't comfortable!" And, they practically hiss at me, it's hard enough to get their butts to the gym as it is, thank you, and who am I to mess with their overburdened schedules by issuing some bogus dress code edict?

You know what? I think my pals have a point.

Since I wrote that post, I've realized how difficult it is to look put together all the time. I've actually avoided going places, afraid I'd run into a friend who would raise an eyebrow at me for looking sloppy. Why'd I write that damn post anyway?

Look, I'm not the fashion police, I'm just trying to urge busy women to take a little more time for themselves. The way we present ourselves to the world matters. And, to borrow a cliche from L'Oreal - we're worth it!

But, as Americans, we're also a sporty bunch and exercise is a good thing, so sometimes we gotta wear our workout clothes out and about. I like to hit Target after tennis as much as the next girl. I've thought long and hard about some guidelines, and here's what I came up with.

Nicole Ritchie accessorizes to create an outfits

It's Okay to Shop in Your Sweats When....

1. Your fitness clothes look cute on you.  Wear what you like to the gym, but if you're taking your exercise clothes to the street, consider them as an outfit. The fitted hoodie/yoga pants look, like Reese Witherspoon, above, is always a good bet, or follow Nicole Richie's lead and layer leggings and tanks with scarves and comfy sweaters, right.
2. You aren't sticky, sweaty or stinky. Perspiration is a by-product of a great workout, but if others can see it or smell it on you, it's time to hit the shower, not the strip mall.
3. You're not letting it all hang out. At the supermarket, baring too much skin makes other shoppers feel uncomfortable. And when it comes to places of business, a sports bra is underwear, not a top.
4. You have exercised or will exercise soon.  Many women pull on workout gear in the morning with the vague intention of taking a run or making it to the gym, but never get there - and end up hanging in their sweatpants until bedtime. If you aren't heading somewhere specifically to work out,  it's just as easy to slip into some cute jeans and boots. 

Too sweaty to shop, but at least she actually exercised.

So what do you think? Are these expectations unrealistic? I'd love to hear what you think.