Summer Fitness Favorites.

Jen Shoop

Jun 20

You know that quote, "Dress for the job you want?" I've been applying it loosely to my recent fitness-wear buying bender, in the sense that: I want to set the table for an active summer. Like so many of you, our home was a revolving door of illness this past school year (including a second round of strep that popped up the final week of school -- joy!), and I have had to take multiple sabbaticals from my fitness regimen in order to let my body recover. I'm right now chomping at the bit to get back into my every-other-day running routine, but am getting over a lingering cough that makes running at any length unpleasant and spluttery. But I'm determined. Come next week, I'm getting back in that saddle. My body has been craving the movement. Even though I've not been running these past two weeks, I've been taking walks with my dog and with girlfriends and trying to spend as much time as possible outdoors, trailing my kids, or at least just relaxing in the welcome sunshine.

Above, I'm wearing a few of my new favorite athletic pieces, starting with the J. Crew x Tracksmith shorts and tank, which have the lightest, airiest, most breathable fabric and are thoughtfully made specifically for running. I take a small in all of Tracksmith's bottoms and an XS in their tops. They are cut for, like, wiry marathoners, so in general, advise sizing up in their pieces. Could not love more. I paired with this fabulous under-$40 cropped jacket, which gives me Olympic-coach-from-the-late-80s vibes, and I love it. The jacket is UPF50 and very lightweight. Good top layer if it's a tad chilly, or if you want more coverage from the sun. The cinched bracelet-style wrists are so cute and sporty, and come in handy if you want to push up to the elbow. Comes in more fun colors, too! I'm wearing here with my Naghedi (a great utility tote, FYI) and my Reeboks because I wasn't going running this particular day -- was just out for a walk in the neighborhood -- but wouldn't wear the Reeboks for proper running. I really love these sneaks, though. Every time I look down, I feel like I'm an 80s gymnast or tennis player? I don't know what it is about that era of fitness style but I love it.

I also have, of course, been getting a ton of wear out of the Lululemon Align Dress. I actually call it my Saturday morning dress because I frequently wear it on Saturday mornings, when the kids are out on their bikes/scooters or playing in the backyard and Mr. Magpie is making the rounds in his gardens or washing the car. Also like to slip into it if I'm walking the dog in the morning but not yet ready to put on my full head-to-toe outfit, or know I'm going to be wearing something a bit dressier and don't want to muss it up while walking the dog. I wanted to mention that if you're in the market for a fitness dress but don't want to spend $148 on one, this Old Navy style is chic and under $50. Comes in really good colors! I also love my Madewell one (currently on sale for under $70!), but would say it runs a tad snug, FYI! I find myself reaching for the Lulu more often because its just a tad more comfortable.

Another chasing-after-the-kids outfit I have been reaching for a lot lately: this pleated skirt from Spanx (really love the fit and the compression level of the shorts beneath -- you can get 10% off with code SHOOPXSPANX) with one of my Beyond Yoga tanks. I usually throw a thin layer on top, and this one is under $15.

My go-to outfit for actual running: I'm obsessed with this cropped tee or this Beyond Yoga tank paired with these Beyond Yoga running shorts. My go to outfit for actual running.

Finally, I currently have a big shopping cart full of items from Vuori. I've never ordered from them before and mainly associated them with those joggers everyone wore during the pandemic. They have so many cute things right now! In my basket: these shorts, this performance tank and the matching shorts, and this daytime crew. I love a thin top layer like the latter to throw on when I'm inside and inevitably cold, as you can see from the photo above of me wearing the Spanx skirt.