Back to basics

There are so many options when it comes to picking out workout clothes, and knowing whether you need a pair of seamless leggings, as well as some Nike Dri-FIT shorts can get confusing. We asked our Women’s Body Studio Buyer, Grace Neal, to break down the basics. “Start with a bra, a loose tank and leggings, and if you plan on running or working out outdoors, go for a comfortable, seamless jacket,” she says. Her favourite? Lululemon’s Define jacket. “The contoured fabric is the most flattering I’ve ever worn. You won’t regret it!” she says.  

Kevin Wong, Selfridges’ Men’s Bodywear and Activewear Buyer, recommends a technical breathable T-shirt, shorts and a pair of performance socks to get you started. “Breathable materials help with sweat-wicking, drawing the moisture away from the body into the fabric. This keeps your body at its optimum temperature, and the fabric will then dry quickly,” he says. “Start with a failsafe colour like black or consider light blues, chestnut reds and dark greens to add a bit of a pop.” If you’re working outdoors, add a base layer for extra warmth. “The ThruDark seamless base layers are great as they are seam-free and they work for skiing and snow too!” he says.

Gloves, bra and leggings, Lululemon

Callisthenics to couch

If you’re after activewear that doubles as loungewear, Grace recommends picking up pieces from Adanola, Varley and Lululemon to wear on the couch and at the gym. She’s particularly fond of the Adanola’s simple, cosy sweat sets. “Pick any colour, they’re all amazing,” says Grace. Or pair one of their versatile unitards with an oversized sweatshirt, and when warmer weather hits, switch in a loose-fitting shirt.  

Kevin’s holy-grail piece is the versatile Lululemon Surge shorts. “They're great for workouts, travel or a casual warm weekend running errands.” He also recommends Project Earth brands Vuori and Bjorn Borg if you’re looking for high-quality athleisure. “They have a wide selection of technical gym clothing and day to day pieces,” says Kevin. “They all have an element of sustainability, too, which is great!” 

Sweatshirt and sweatpants, Adanola

Go hands-free

A shiny new bit of kit always makes workouts feel more fun. Whether you’re just starting out or you have a laundry list of fitness goals to track, Jessica Newton, Selfridges’ Assistant Home and Technology Buyer, says there’s a piece of wearable tech for all fitness journeys. From monitoring heart rate to tracking your golf swing and being water-resistant, today’s smartwatches are a great example of wearable fit tech. “The Apple Watch Ultra has women’s health tracking on it and when you exercise, it shows heart rate zones rather than just counting steps,” she says.  

As for keeping yourself entertained while you exercise, a wireless speaker is perfect for outdoor sessions. One of Jessica’s favourite pieces of wearable tech is Shokz’s bone-conduction wireless earphones. They send vibrations through the cheekbones to deliver sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum. “It’s such innovative technology,” says Jessica. “I have a pair and I run with them; you can hear everything going on around you as well as your music.” 

When you're done with an intense workout, you deserve some intense R & R. Try adding Therabody’s app-controlled foam roller into your cool down. Or relieve aches and pains with the PowerDot 2.0, which uses electrical stimulation to ease muscle strains.

Smart foam roller, Therabody