Have you ever considered the anatomy of a running outfit? I’m sure most of us have some tried and true favorites that we wear while logging our miles, but I definitely rely on certain items of apparel more than others. Let’s check out what I’m wearing.
Up Top
For the most part, I rely on tank tops. It’s hot here, and for some reason, I like tanks and long sleeve shirts. There is no in between. My sleeved tops are a mishmash of wicking tees, half zips, and fleeces and I’m not incredibly attached to many of those, but we’re here to talk tanks. I prefer light-weight racerbacks, that aren’t too clingy. Old Navy and Target are my go-tos for these shirts. They accommodate my height, aren’t too low-cut, and wash really well. Plus, my favorite styles are less than $15 each, so winning all the way!
Right: Women’s Essential Racerback Tank Top (All In Motion from Target) – $12.00
Getting The Proper Support
The right sports bra is always critical to a solid running ensemble, and I am pretty dedicated to two particular styles. I like a strappy bra instead of one with wide straps, and I prefer it not be cut too high on my chest. Anything too close to my neck or throat makes me feel incredibly claustrophobic, so no thanks. In a perfect world, I would always go for the Lululemon Energy Bra, but Old Navy makes a similar style that is about half the price. These are supportive, soft, move with me, and work great with my body.
Right: Medium Support Strappy Sports Bra (Old Navy) – $22.99
Down Below
Back in the day, I would run exclusively in capris or running skirts. However, I’ve slowly grown accustomed to running shorts, and now I wear them until it gets to cold to do otherwise. I’ve never been a fan of compression shorts, and so I go for a looser fit with about a 3″ to 4″ inseam. I have “athletic thighs” so I need something with “generous” leg holes. Pockets are great, but not essential. I’m also super happy if I can find cute patterns and colors, as well. There are three styles through which I rotate, all similar but different.
Center: Dolphin-Hem Run Shorts for Women (Old Navy) – $15
Right: Printed Mesh Racer Run Short 4″ (Athleta) – $49
Socks
I only wear one brand of socks and that is Balega. It’s crazy how personal socks can be, but I will tell you that I love no-show socks that are super thin and lightweight. Balega socks offer a great variety that appeal to me, but also have crew and cushioned varieties for those who have different sock preferences than me. Women’s socks start at $13 on the Balega website, and I restock my collection every few months.
Check Out The Kicks
Just as I am devoted to Balega socks, I am incredibly loyal to Brooks running shoes. At the moment, the Adrenaline 21 GTS is the model that fits me best, and I am happy to stick with them. Again, running shoes are a very personal choice, but if you are looking for a stability shoe with just the right amount of cushion, look no further.
Let’s Accessorize
There are three accessories I always include with my running outfit: my Goodr sunglasses, RoadID and Garmin. To be honest, I don’t leave home without them. The sun in Florida is too bright to leave home without a great pair sunnies with polarized lenses. At $25 a pop, I have quite the selection.
My Garmin Forerunner 235 is a workhorse and does a great job tracking my runs. And my RoadID is a must have for safety reasons (remember, code RUNSWITHPUGS saves you 25% on your order on www.RoadID.com.)
And there you have it: the anatomy of my standard running outfit! With these staples, I’m always comfortable and confident, and that makes my runs even better.
Do you have a standard running outfit? What does it look like?
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Sure do. Goodr glasses. Tank and skirt. Skirt sports. Compression sleeves. Baseball cap. Sock shoes. All must match. Of course some items change when it’s colder.
You always look cute.
Perfect! You always look cute, too!
I also go either tank or long sleeve. I often get chafing from a short sleeve. I love my bright colors and love to coordinate my outfits and accessories as well
I love that we can all express ourselves with gorgeous colors and cute looks when we run!
I have had great luck with Old Navy and Target as well, both have great prices and the quality has stood the test of time (and mucho sweaty miles). I’m not a fan of short sleeves…on me they look awkward, and most come with an unflattering neckline…so give me a tank, any day, and I’ll be most happy 😉
Yes! The stuff holds up great and even if it didn’t, for the price, it’s not bad. I was devastated when my $60 running skirt from Lulu fell to pieces. Sure, it was seven years old, but…
I love that all of your running outfit suggestions are in bright colors! Bright colors always make me motivated and excited to run for some reason! I think I’m going to check out some of those cute pieces from Athleta. Thanks for the suggestions!
I do love bright colors! I’m actually running out of black stuff LOL!
i thought I was the only one who only likes tanks or long sleeve, but apparently not! I have a couple of the Old Navy tanks you mentioned, and the Athleta shorts. Since we see to have similar taste, I’ll check out some of the other items you mentioned. Thanks!
Since ON and Athleta are both part of the same company, there are some similarities in the sizes. I do prefer the Athleta shorts to the ON (they just fit my body better), but for the price, you just can’t beat it.
I love running in tanks as well! They feel so light and airy (I love that pink one in your post from Target).
I usually wear spandex-type pants…. all in very boring black. I need to buy pants in brighter colours!
The Target tanks are very comfy and flattering (in my opinion).
I wear pants in temps under 45F. I also can only wear black or dark colors because I sweat so badly.
I need to check out those Old Navy bras. They’re cute and you gotta love the price. Not having a lot to support I’ve never worried too much about my sports bras, especially since I always have something on top these days. I love tanks too. I’ve recently discovered that Dick’s Sporting Goods has their own brand of running clothes (DSG) that is very reasonably priced and they have some great tanks.
I really like the bras. They also don’t have those ridiculous cups in them either, which makes it even better. And if you have a coupon code or they are having a sale, it’s an even better deal. The stuff lasts, too.
The nearest Dick’s is about 30 minutes away, so I am more likely to hit ON or Target, as they are much closer.
I definitely prefer tanks but I’ve actually been wearing short sleeves some days now because the weather has been pretty mild! My accessories include sunglasses, my road ID and my Garmin. Also my Koala clip when I need somewhere to put my phone.
I just can’t do it. I wearer up really quickly, too, so I just suck it up with a tank and in a few miles, I’m feeling ok.
For me it’s totally dependent on the a) weather and b) event I’m doing. I tend to wear a lot less in the summer when it’s blazing hot…crop tops or a sports bra up top are my go-tos then. In the winter obviously I wear a tank with a jacket over it if it’s cool enough or just a tank and arm sleeves.
Pro Compression socks are ALWAYS a part of my outfits and I ALWAYS have to be matching. It literally gives me a headache if I don’t match haha!
For OCR I typically go with a sports bra, spandex shorts, my knee high socks and arm sleeves to protect my arms from getting scraped and cut. I add a tank top if it’s cool enough to wear one.
I loved Pro Compression before my accident. Now, I can’t get my foot and ankle inside a sock or sleeve. It’s annoying and frustrating.
Our temps tend to be a bit more changeable & extreme. I know it gets cold in FL, I know it’s hot & humid all Summer . . . but pour seasons go from 0F (ok, I don’t usually run outside at that temp AND it gets colder than that!) to low 90s. Ips o I need ap#alltheclothes & #allthelayers.
I do love must skirts & pockets are essential to me — as are sunglasses year round!
Skirt Spirts used to make long sleeve shirts in cooling fabric & I run in those a lot. Love them! Helps give a bit more sun protection too.
Like socks & shoes, running clothes are highly personal. Some people run hot & some are willing to run hot so they’re comfortable in the beginning & end. As long as you’re comfy, it’s all good!
The transitional seasons are hard, though. Every damn year.
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Oh, there are challenges everywhere. I’m grateful I don’t have to deal with the cold weather gear. I have a few things for when it gets cold, but I just rewear and layer and I’m ok.
I like short sleeves for 50 degree – 55 degree days but they have to fit exactly right 😉
Lots of great gear here!
I just can’t stand the feel of short sleeves. Even for regular fashion. It’s weird LOL!
I’m seriously about to throw out all my non Balega and Bombas socks. I need to purge anyway and since Marcia introduced me to Balega I haven’t worn anything but for running.
I would wear shorts except not enough have compression layer. My thights refuse to not be BFFS and who has time for that chafing!
I love Balegas and Bombas are both great. I don’t like compression on my shorts. I’ll wear bike shorts under a running skirt, but that’s about the extent of it.
Our weather varies so much that what I wear is wildly dependent upon it. I almost always wear a trucker and sunglasses on a run (unless it’s rainy, then just a trucker hat). If it’s 55 or below, I wear a buff. I prefer short sleeves to tanks but switch to tanks for when it’s over 70.
I will do a trucker if it rains, but otherwise it’s just too hot.
Even on our coldest days, I rarely have to add too much to this look. Maybe gloves, ear warmer and long sleeves? Very rarely pants.