With the seasons changing, it's time to reorganize your workout gear closets, especially for those of us who don't live in warmer climates year-round. But sometimes, determining what stays, what gets stored, and what gets thrown out can be a time-consuming conundrum.
For men and women, when do you have to ditch your favorite workout shorts or leggings until spring — or do you? For those of us who refuse to throw out that old favorite pair of sweatpants or that worn-out hoodie that has kept the stink from your summer HIIT sessions, there comes a time when it's time to let go, especially when our closets and drawers are cluttered can't hold another pair of the latest and coolest workout gear, and you don't want it to reach this level.
So, what's the best way to store the necessary items and when to say goodbye to those out-of-fashion items? Better yet, what's the best strategy for replacing your gear with new styles and brands that actually fit - especially if you're buying online?
We asked Dylan Osborne, design director at Australian sportswear brand LSKD, on the best way to switch up your sportswear for the autumn and winter months.
LSKD by EMBLE
What should be the first thing to think about when it comes to switching from summer to autumn and winter clothing?
There are pieces in your training wardrobe that you can of course wear all year round, like shorts or t-shirts. As the seasons change, just make sure you have a good collection of layering pieces to add or remove as the temperatures start to drop.
When the weather gets cooler, outerwear like our Functional Training Jacket quickly becomes indispensable. It's lightweight and ultra-stretchy so you can easily wear it to and from the gym and keep it on during warm-ups. Once you get into your workout and the blood starts pumping, you can just pull it off. As simple as that.
Are there any telltale signs that it's finally time to shed your favorite old sweats?
Everyone has that favorite pair that you always reach for when getting ready. Honestly, you can get away with a lot these days, but once you start getting little holes in the fabric of your pants, they're done. The last thing you want is to be standing in the middle of a squat or lunge and splitting your pants in half in front of the entire gym!
LSKD by EMBLE
How many seasons should you get out of your workout clothes?
It really depends on the product type as some things wear out quicker than others. But if you buy quality products from the right brands, they should last a long time. I still have one of our products that I've struggled with for years and it's still going strong.
How do you know if something is still in fashion?
Trends will always come and go. There are new colors or graphics every season, so it's always fun to give your clothes a fresh twist! A good pair of all-weather training shorts, like our Rep 7″ Performance Shorts, never really go out of style, so it's a good tip to stockpile as good an arsenal of colors as possible with your shorts, then just keep adding new t-shirts or Add hoodies and mix and match them up.
What then remains as seasonal clothing?
There are certainly still seasonal clothes that you will need in different climates. But what's exciting now is that advances in technology have meant that more and more workout gear is wearable year-round. Things like thermo-regulating fabrics that adapt to your body temperature will change the way we look at clothing in the future. Does staying stylish have to be expensive? t at all! Building a good wardrobe is like building a good house; You want to make sure you start with good, solid foundations. If you build up a good collection of essential pieces (quality training shorts, socks, etc.), you don't have to constantly update them to stay stylish. But it is imperative that you buy quality products if you want them to last. LSKD doesn't have many sales; But there are a few key events each year (like Black Friday and Cyber Monday) that you should keep an eye out for where you can pick up some good deals.
What fabrics make the best workout gear?
To me, great actives have to be three things: highly stretchy, durable and lightweight. You want the fabric to enhance your workout, not get in the way - that's why we're always looking for innovative new technologies to incorporate into our range. For example, our new take on VapourFLX products that wick sweat and reduce odor with the addition of Polygiene technology. That's what we work really hard at LSKD; and take great pride in the fact that all our fabrics are tested to really high standards to ensure they pass the test.
What's the best tip for online shopping to find the right fit?
Any good brand that sells their products online should have a size chart to guide you in the right direction. One thing I definitely recommend is to take your time when shopping online. Be sure to read the size charts and use the measurements before checking out. This reduces the chance of you ordering the wrong size, but does not guarantee it. After checking the online size guide, I also studied the brands' images to see how the products fit their athletes or models. That should give you a pretty good idea of how the product will suit you. At LSKD there are no digital tricks or enhancements to our product images. What you see online is what you get!
