Really nice activewear

Because motherhood is a workout

Aug 25, 2024

Before we get to clothes, just a little reminder about your exclusive discount code for Lucie App. Use MUMISH for 15% off an at-home pedicure/massage/spray tan/whatever you fancy. Enjoy!

This week I took the kids to the Tate Modern to do the big Oscar Murillo painting thing (last day tomorrow! Messy, free, fun!) to make a change from our usual Tuesday routine of playground, sandwich at the café, home for CBeebies, destroy the living room, bath time then bed.

I find the Tate an easy place to take small kids because it's so big and flat for the buggy, and they can be noisy. (We tend to stay mainly in the Turbine Hall to limit potential damage to any Rothkos or Lichtensteins.) And there are plenty of toilets and places to buy food, which is all very helpful.

The big plus is that it's on the bus route from my house, and on a good run only takes 35-ish minutes.

Not on Tuesday though.

On Tuesday, my son started feeling travel sick ten minutes in, so we very quickly got off the bus at Old Street and, once he’d recovered himself - but let me know he would not be getting back on the bus, we walked the rest of the way. And by walked, I mean I pushed them both in the buggy - my daughter sat in it, my son on the buggy board. I also had to push them home. It was… tiring.

Perhaps I wouldn't have been so knackered if I hadn't, the day before, taken them to a not-so-local park (my endless bid for variety!) and pushed them home one-handed, while also carrying a balance bike and helmet.

All this to say, motherhood is a work out.

The carrying, the lifting, the bending, the chasing after, the pushing. Physically it’s a lot. No exercise class has made me sweat as much as scaling our local four-storey soft play.

In fact, the physicality of motherhood was one of the (many) things that surprised me after I had my first baby. Each night I’d climb into bed, arms and legs aching from holding and walking him around all day. Babies are actually quite heavy.

So, it’s no wonder leggings and trainers are a solid part of mum uniform. Consider an afternoon in the swing park, or a mad dash to get to nursery on time, the equivalent of a HIIT class.

Stretchy, sweat-wicking, supportive-in-the-right-places clothing is needed when you have kids. And there's no reason why it can't look great, too.

I’ve worn all the brands mentioned below - both when mum-ing and to exercise classes including post-natal yoga/pilates. So whatever you need a workout kit for, these picks stack up.

Chic leggings

Black leggings are such a go-to, however I’ve found that wearing a different neutral helps elevate leggings outfits. Navy, olive green, brown and charcoal are all goes-with-lots tones and help pep-up wardrobe basics such as white T-shirts/grey sweaters, etc.

I currently spent a good third of the week in Adanola’s Ultimate Leggings (£39.99) which don't have a front seam (no camel toe!) and have a high waist band that feels delightful to pull up when you're feeling bloated/wibbly/cold. The fabric has enough support to make you feel held without being squashed, and there's plenty of stretch for freedom of movement. I wear the below dark olive pair with a grey marl and Birks for drop-off, as well as for pilates.

The brand also does this wrap-over style (£42.99) which a fashion pal has and they create the most flattering waist line (as someone with no waist, I'm always interested in this). Imagine the burgundy with your navy shirt and gold hoops - woof.

More pricey BUT, for super-duper lightweight, doesn't-even-feel-like-you’re-wearing-leggings, Vuori’s All The Feels leggings (£110) are ace. So soft! So breathable! They have good stretch and return, so hold their shape, and a wide waistband which helps support your stomach. The dark brown Java colourway works really well with black and grey.

All-day bra tops

Yes you’re meant to change out of your sports bra after exercising but - hey! - we’re all very busy and sometimes that slightly sweaty bra is staying on all day. Or! You might just want something that locks your boobs in place for a full-on day of kids, kids, kids ahead.

I find cross-back sports bras make my shoulders ache after a while, so this square-necked bra (£29.99) is a real favourite.

So too is Girlfriend Collective’s Paloma bra (£35) which is a little more hugging and ideal for a dynamic yoga class/ chaotic playground session. Go for the below Dylan (£35) if you prefer a higher cut neckline.

I didn't buy a specific maternity sports bra as I had a strappy Sweaty Betty style that I could pull down (similar here), however I’ve heard lots of good things about Jorgen’s House.

Non-scruffy joggers

With the weather slightly cooling off, joggers are back in the frame. Much like what I was saying the other week about wearing pj pants outdoors, the trick to making jogging bottoms look like an actual outfit is to keep your colour palette limited. For example, you could style this navy Everlane pair (£74) with a white tank (these great £7.50 M&S vests are back in stock), lighter blue striped shirt, black sandals and bag.

I almost didn't put this Varley pair in because they're £96, which is loads for joggers. HOWEVER they are the best joggers I own and such a pleasure to wear. The main reasons being, they're wonderfully soft and they don't bag out in the bum or knee - which so many do! Mine are a deeply impractical light taupe which show up stains too well (although they come up pristine in the wash). If I had my time again, I’d go for a darker shade like this khaki green.

Cute shorts

When you're doing a particularly sweaty workout, or it's a warm day and you're on-the-go, you might fancy a cute pair of shorts.

I really rate M&S’ Goodmove range. The price points are good and performance-wise, pieces hold up. The great thing about these shorts (£22.50) is that they have the retro running shape everyone loves so much, but the skin-tight underlayer stops your pants showing.

I've mentioned these Farm Rio x Adidas shorts before, but they're so great and animal is an easy entry into print if that's not your usual bag. Plus! They're currently on sale (£33.44). I’d wear these with an all-black outfit. Chiiiiiiic.

Run-around trainers

I have the below from New Balance (the best price I can find is here), but with a green accent, and the shape goes with every cut of trousers and looks great with dresses. They’re also low maintenance considering they're so pale; the mesh is wipe clean and, as I discovered when my indigo jeans dyed them blue, you can clean the suede with soapy water.

And then if you're actually going running… I’ve been wearing these FitFlop running shoes (£150, but there’s currently 15% off if you sign up to the mailing list) to cardio exercise classes for almost a year and my feet and knees are still in one piece. They were also very comfortable to wear yesterday when power-walking the kids home from the farm in the rain.

One more thing…

As it's back-to-school season - and for some back-to-work - I’ve had a few requests for a post on office wear. Which is a great idea as finding chic and smart things to wear to work is hard. Especially if you’ve been on mat leave and feel like you don't recognise ‘work you’ anymore. Or if you’ve had the kids all summer long and can't figure out how to wear anything but a T-shirt and jeans.

I'd love to hear from you, if there's something specific you're looking for, or finding particularly challenging. Or any brands you adore and want the rest of us to know about.

Feel free to drop a comment below this post, or email me (just hit reply), or DM me on Insta. Merci!

That's all for now. You're doing GREAT, Frankie x