The Sports Bra Is the Unexpected Hero of My Working-From-Home Wardrobe
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Everyone who’s working from home has a laundry list of the adjustments they’ve had to make: no more casual hellos in the office corridor; ascertaining the rules of Zoom etiquette. (Has anyone figured out a way to leave a meeting without an awkward silence while you fumble for that Leave Meeting button?) Commuting? A thing of the recent past.
One of the biggest changes has been changing up my work wardrobe. A few months ago, I was cycling through a trusty trove of Batsheva dresses and a few pairs of beloved jeans that easily went with whichever knit or turtleneck I was feeling. These days, though, I’m sticking to a hard-and-fast “no hard pants” rule—which means denim is out—and I rarely opt for a dress more than once a week. Truthfully, it really is easiest to put on a pair of leggings, a video-friendly top, and call it a day.
The unexpected hero of my WFH wardrobe, though, has been the humble sports bra. Let me get this straight: I’m no sports fiend. I don’t know my way around any kind of field or ball. But since I’m no longer walking around the city on a daily basis, I’ve been working out at home every day, in a huge increase from my previous habits. It’s been a huge boon for my mental health in these anxious times, but it’s also required me to step up my activewear situation; it hadn’t been even a couple of weeks at home before I realized I needed more options for my morning HIIT and yoga routines.
Into my shopping cart went doubles of favorites I already owned. I added a couple of different brands for some much-craved novelty, and thought little more of it. That is, until the following week when my purchases arrived in the mail. After following along with a gentle yoga video, I dove straight into my workday. Without thinking, I’m sorry to say that I stayed in my (thankfully not very sweaty) sports bra and leggings combo until I realized it was 4 p.m. The truth is, the stretchy, breathable fabric was just so comfortable that I could have worn it all day.
As soon as I realized that my preferred daily outfit was sportswear, it was on. I often wear leggings on a daily basis, but I’ve discovered I also loved the ease and flexibility of fitted, cropped tops. On weekends, I’d purposefully opt for a sports bra instead of a T-shirt. On a workday, underneath, say, a chunky knit, it felt both delightfully lazy and deliciously secretive to wear something made for people doing ventral raises instead of regular underwear. The style also reminds me that warmer weather is coming—and I’ll stick to my new uniform for my rare constitutional walks when the sun finally comes out.
Sports bras are wonderfully varied, suitable to any mood and activity. If I’m feeling classic? Nothing gets between me and my Calvin Klein sports bra. For chore-heavy days, I like the almost-real-clothing vibes of long-line Girlfriend Collective tops. And when I miss going out dancing with my friends all night, an animal print or sparkly iteration gives me the spark I need to face another evening on the couch instead. Honestly, sports barely come into the equation. It’s all about what I want: out-of-the-box comfort that’s just a little bit naughty.
