to wonder why these women wear gym clothes all the time

[Bigboombangcrash]

There are quite a few mums at my dc's primary who constantly wear lycra gym clothes. They drop off in them, pick up in them and generally seem to hang out in them all the time. From what I can see they don't actually do any exercise during the day so it puzzles me. Is it a comfort thing? I know it is none of my business and I don't know why I even care but I often wonder.

Oh Vagndidit i've been in leggings for years, since I started to put on weight and jeans and trousers became more uncomfortable and restrictive. It is fantastic sports brands are making leggings, as they look and feel far more better than the normal ones.

Not really ifnot, no different to wearing leggings. If they are cotton than they should be fine.

Oh! I thought they were sort of lycra? I like the idea of a gut-hugging panel..

That's great I was actually wondering that too!! I'm on mat leave now and was baffled by the number of women in 'fancy gym clothes' at drop off and pick up! I just thrown on whatever I find, couldn't care less! I just assumed they were all going to the gym but it did seem like a lot of ppl at the gym and very often... :)

Don't be so silly yolo, absolutely absurd thinking! When I look at ladies wearing sports leggings, I think they look rather smart actually. Would you rather I wear see through high street leggings that show every bit of fat, rather than my nice sports leggings that actually do flatter me.

I'd rather see no leggings...what happened to the world that everyone walks around in leggings and hoodies? When did that become the norm?

I just don't like leggings full-stop though. I don't think it's stylish to wear gym kit 24/7. What happened to pretty dresses

[gets in time machine back to 40s]

That video is so brilliant - thanks for sharing it!

Yeh right Yolo. pretty dresses and slacks are fine if your not heading towards 12 stone with a massive muffin top you cant seem to get rid of despite exercising for so many years, and don't have eczema up your legs (for dresses). So yes I wear my black/grey (non lycra) sports leggings and a jumper or cardi, or dare I say hoodie. Its comfy, life is too short to worry what others thing. As I have just turned 40, I am in the don't care less category.

I think women tottering around in high heels look stupid

When I was employed at Uni all the female 1st-years had low-rise jeans and high-rise thongs.....what a good look!

I dress up if I am meeting friends, or going to a restaurant, or bar, or whatever, no leggings, but for lounging around the house, popping to the shop, or doing the school run, sometimes its leggings for me. Especially on a fat day.

I do it! But because I am on my way to the gym.

I wear nice body-con stuff, not any old baggy atrocity.

Comfy and practical. Don't need ironed. Tend to look a bit more 'put together' than scraggy primark leggings.

I didn't realise for a while that this is just "every day" wear for a lot of school run mums, I'd see them in sports kit at drop off, and then when they were still in their PE scruffs at pick up, I'd delibrately not go stand near them thinking "oh god, she's not showered after the gym, she's going to hum, i'll stay upwind" - then I realised that actually they never managed any exercise if it's all day wear.

It's reduced greatly recently though, mainly due to one of the "super keen" mums setting up a boot camp pay as you go class at the park next to school, she has a bad habit of loudly asking those in gym wear if they're coming along and then those who are going start trying to peer pressure others with a "come on, you're dressed for it already!" I really can't face getting sweaty with half the mums from DC1's class or having to stand up to "jolly hockey sticks" types before my first coffee of the day, so I'm never going on the school run in gym kit.

I don't find lycra as comfy to wear as loose cotton. Am puzzled at those who prefer lycra, esp. tight lycra items.

Friday evenings I drop DS off & go for a 50 minute run (in cotton T + cotton shorts). One of the other mums is always in sport leggings & even talks about a plan to do a workout while our boys do footie... at pick up time she says she was "too busy."

Maybe the real runners will all switch to cotton.

Cotton does not let go of moisture quickly enough to make a cotton legging suitable for exercise. A cotton t shirt clings when wet , it's really unsuitable for any sweaty exercise.

As I hate being seen outside a gym in gymwear, I stupidly assumed there were lots of people getting fit. My gymwear is solely for the gym, where we all look shit together.

I think you are all missing a very important point in this debate over why people wear 'athleisure'

it doesn't need ironing

I think Op has been convinced and has spent all day in sports direct purchasing active wear.

I love it! It's easy to put on without thinking what to wear, I don't need to do hair and make up and I feel more 'active' and inspired to do some exercise.

I'm surprised more people don't turn up to the school run in their active wear! Rather than judge them I'm more likely to be in awe of them and think get in for looking like you're doing some exercise...sorry but I'm properly going to judge the parents who are showing off their arse with see through leggings or trousers half way down their backside....

Days I work at home I put my running kit on for drop off but often don't get my run till 4pm on the way to pick up.

People like their tribes though and they like to defend how they do things while pointing the finger at others who don't do it quite according to their rules. I suggest you learn to focus on your kids on the school run, say Hi to your friends and try not to worry too much about what other people are doing or wearing...it really won't make you any happier - those non stretchy judgy pants can't be too comfortable .

I do it whenever I'm not required to wear a suit or anything business casual because I like it. Whatever other people think of it is none of my concern.

OK ladies cane we expand this slightly?!

I need a new pair of running trews, I'm in Tesco (highly glamorous I know!) ones but need a new pair really. I'm not small - size 18- but I run alot and am training for a half marathon. I like the Capri ones. No crazy patterns!

Any ideas?

ha! I did 20 minutes of hard intervals today. In my cotton tank & nylon shorts.
Followed by a 17 warm down slog run.
I wouldn't have needed a shower any less if I worse lycra.
Actually, today I would have boiled in lycra. Boiled like a kipper if in tight lycra. I can only stand lycra for running when it's cold or (padded) cycling shorts.

I don't care what others wear. I still refute that tight lycra can be comfy in hot weather (which we have much of lately).

*wore not worse...

"I didn't realise for a while that this is just "every day" wear for a lot of school run mums, I'd see them in sports kit at drop off, and then when they were still in their PE scruffs at pick up, I'd delibrately not go stand near them thinking "oh god, she's not showered after the gym, she's going to hum, i'll stay upwind" - then I realised that actually they never managed any exercise if it's all day wear."

So much thought given to what other people are wearing.

"My gymwear is solely for the gym, where we all look shit together."

thegiant nice gymwear doesn't look shit. Why are you pretending that it does?