Tops, that is.

My new favorite tank top is so much my favorite, that I now have 10 of them. I ordered these magnificent blends de poly et cotton as new workout wear. I loved them so much, I bought more to wear as regular wear. I like to wear bright colors at the gym–I get so tired of the typical black and black and black. My typical strategy is cheap, colorful tanks. I buy cheap so I can buy often. You see, I need to stimulate my mind at the gym, and frequently, a change of gear (shoes, sneaks, or bottoms) does the trick. I feel refreshed and it makes me want to go! Hey, you do what you need to do to get your rear in gear, right?

These Old Navy tanks are my new “it” gear to don at the 19th/Broadway Equinox, my current gym locale de amor.

Check the tanks.

Buy the tanks.

Wear the tanks.

Love the tanks.

Below is the pink version, but there is a rainbow of color upon color to choose from. And, best of all, they’re now $5 on OldNavy.com

I must blog about how much I dearly love sample sales. There is nothing so exhilarating as getting a 90% discount on coat, a pair of $500 boots for $45, or a t-shirt that should have originally been $10 anyway but had a retail mark up of 1500% for no good reason.

There are of course the traditional brick and mortar sample sales as well. In New York, we’re blessed because they happen daily, sometimes top secret and sometimes highly publicized.  But they’re there if you want to find them. These warehouses are packed tightly with racks upon racks of the season’s over-stock from some of the world’s most sought after designers.  I will go. And if I can’t go, I will send a friend, who I trust, with impeccable taste (i.e. my friend Teresa), to shop for me.

You can check out sites like Racked.com or TopButton.com to find out when and where sales happen (again, mostly in NY and LA but sometimes other big cities). You can also scour NYMag.com for sale information as well. I tend to walk a lot in Manhattan and sometimes I walk right into one identified only by an 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper that says, “Marc Jacobs sample sale, 2nd floor” in blue sharpie.

If you don’t have access to the real-life versions, there are a few signature sites that offer truly amazing online sample sales (and I literally have an order a week coming into my office). My favorites: GiltGroup.com, HauteLook.com and RueLaLa.com.  Everyday at 11 am and 12 pm ET, the sales start showcasing a new designer, and a countdown clock that details just how few precious minutes I have to throw things into my virtual cart before some other obsessed-maniacal-fashionista-turned-monster gets my cashmere wrap sweater in royal purple with sequins at the collar ticks back the seconds. It’s insanity I tell you. The only glitch, you have to either be invited by a current member or sign up for a wait list. But if you can access them, you’re golden! Brands like Ella Moss, Beyond Yoga, Marc Jacobs, Free People, Alice + Olivia, Citizens, True Religion, and Walter. Then the heavy hitters: Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Judith Ripka, Botkier, Prada, and Hermes…oh, the list continues and my head spins.

Is the economy bad? Hell yes. This is why sample sales are so crucial. You’re getting a realistic price for the clothes you love. I say take advantage of this. Get online. Get to the sales. Shop the samples and look good even when the state of our country’s economy sucks.  It can’t all be doom and gloom.

I got a question yesterday:  Any suggestions for workout wear for those of us on a budget?

Absolutely!

But I will first say this…I have a pair of Adidas running pants that I bought over six years ago. They were about $75.  They still fit, still wick away sweat, still run along with me in every and any workout. It’s worth the investment – from both a function and fashion point of view.

Now that I’ve said my peace…

Old Navy has great workout gear for super inexpensive. I have sports bras from Old Navy in an array of colors and they hold, lift, and support with no problems. They also carry cropped and long foldover yoga pants in tons of colors.

Champion is another great brand that is mid-priced and is great for gym workouts and yoga. These are available at most multi-brand stores (i.e. Modell’s, Big 5 Sports, etc.

And of course, scouring sites like Zappos or Amazon, Footlocker.com, and even Nike or Adidas.com for sales is a great way to get expensive items on super-duper sale.

Hope this helps!

No matter where we go or what we’re doing, I firmly believe there is no excuse for sloppiness or disheveledness (if that’s a word!). This includes when we’re sweating it out in Bosu Class or Cardio Kickboxing, executing the Downward Dog or Warrior I in yoga, climbing at level 10 on the stairmaster or showing off your guns with the perfect bicep curls at your gym.  There’s nothing wrong with making sure your hair is neatly secured and your sports bra matches your tank top. You’re not shallow for wanting to look cute even when you’re pumping iron.

Now that I’ve stated my beliefs, I fully endorse some new workout gear that I purchased. I’d never heard of this brand until I googled “attractive women’s activewear.”  My motivation for this search mission was that I have burned out the gym, every class, every weight, and every machine to the point of boredom.  I needed a refresher. So I took the week of from exercising and bought new gear so that come Monday morning, I’ll be brand new and ready to work!

Zobha is a fantastic brand that seems to understand the importance of fit and appearance in ladies’ activewear. I won’t apologize for my obsession with the perfect knee-length, spandex capri. The gym is the last place I want to feel self-conscious and I will do what I need to in order to feel good and polished there just like any other place.

Here is what I bought and I encourage your own browsing, purchases, and endorsements for this brand. We’re women, they “get it” and it’s worth the splurge!

I bought the above pants in black and dark blue. They sit low enough to not pinch my stomach, but there’s just enough give in the waistband so you avoid muffin top on the elliptical.

The above panties are classified as “yoga panties” – so smooth you can wear them under your yoga gear. But I bought them because I’m on the endless hunt for the perfect skivvies that don’t cut into my hips and sit as flat as possible under my clothes.  The boy shorts are comfy and adorable, the thongs are comfy and practical.

www.zobha.com