How to Wear... Sports Luxe

Spending so much of my time at dance classes and auditions, I rejoiced when the sports luxe bomb exploded - having to switch my swishy skirts and embellished tops for leggings and utilitarian lycra several days a week was just depressing. Whether you're genuinely sporty orrr... not so much, a nod to this trend is a great way to add a modern edge to your look, and keep that Olympic spirit alive.

The Dress
Introduced in my How to Wear... Neon post (styled with black heeled trainers), a bodycon cut, mini cut-outs and neon piping bring a touch of sex appeal to sporty. Wedge high-tops keep it casual but maximise leg length - colour blocked strappy heels would take it into evening.

Dress: Primark (SS12)
Trainers: River Island (Available Here)

Running Girl
An ensemble you could actually get away with at the gym/on a run, but given a fashion touch via the paperbag waist, neon piping, metallics and colour block layering.

Shorts: Primark (SS12)
Trainers: Skechers
Khaki Top: Topshop (SS12)
Cross-Over Front Red Sports Bra: Dans-EZ

Zip It
For more attention at the gym, or to bring the sportswear vibe into evening, swap the cotton layers for a zip-up crop, and the trainers for funky ankle boots (don't wear these on the treadmill though!). For AW, I'll layer on a sloppy off-the-shoulder knit/sweatshirt and opaques.

Shorts: As Above
Top: New Look (SS12)
Boots: Primark (Past Season)

The Sheer Panel Body
This is one of my favourite dance audition outfits (OK, I admit did wear flat high tops to dance in and just swapped the wedges in for the photos) - the lycra body and slashed-leg harems combine just the right amount of freedom of movement, sex appeal, contemporary freshness and not looking too ridiculous on the walk to the train station/to the shops afterwards.

I have many more plans for this top though - I think it will look gorgeous with black maxis, mixis and leather pencil skirts for AW (probably without the bra, which for obvious reasons is an essential for hardcore dancing!). This kind of item can also give you many more, and much more affordable, options for creating that leotard-under-skirt effect dress look - you can be more creative and spend less by investing in two pieces rather than one. Miss Selfridge and many other high street stores have a great selection, but if you're struggling to find your perfect body, do check out dance shops and dancewear websites - who cares if the only dancing you'll be doing in it is on the tables in Boujis!

Body: Miss Selfridge (Past Season)
Harem Pants: eBay
Trainers: River Island (Available Here)

The Day into Night

Another typical audition/sports daywear combination of zipped crop top, lightweight high-waisted trousers and high tops, which can be dressed down (as glamorously as possible) with a slouchy dancer vest or cropped hoody, but just as easily taken into full-on knockout evening mode with a metallic waist belt and cuffed heels. A modern beehive decorated with layered metallic hair bands, bringing the tones of the accessories together, adds punch and elegance.

Top: New Look (SS12)
Trousers: River Island (Past Season)
Hair Bands: Bay and Primark (Past Seasons)
Look 1 - Vest: Pineapple; Hoody: Primark (Past Season); Trainers: Skechers
Look 2 - Belt: Miss Selfridge (SS12); Shoes: Next (Past Season)

The Skirt
Trainers peeking out from under the hem of a diaphanous maxi skirt add a fun contrast in styles. A sharp-edged crop top adds impact, but a slouchy knit or sweatshirt would also look good layered on for AW.

Skirt: Jane Norman (Past Season)
Top: New Look (Past Season)
Trainers: River Island (Available Here)

High tops also add a cute, funky edge to girly skater styles - as in these looks sported by Lana del Rey and I - featuring the same River Island trainers!

This Season's Most Bargainous Sporty Buys

Actual gym lovers should check out H&M's sports collection - they even offer cute ski wear.

For sexy sheer-panelled bodies, check out Miss Selfridge and Primark.

And for those essential wedge high tops? River Island still has a great selection in, including my own go-with-everything off-white/grey pair (available here). Primark is also worth a look, and Matalan have come up trumps with some very cute AW styles, including this berry-toned pair, above, and nude/carpet print pair, below, £22 each - how much fun could you have incorporating these into your new season wardrobe?!

Tomorrow: How to wear casual basics... with a twist

See more posts featuring sports luxe looks here

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