The Athletic Trend: How to Really Wear it for Work and Love it

Strategically placed sporty stripes can be a girl’s best friend. Notice the wider black stripes are placed by the waist and the hips to create a very slimming effect. The slight flare of the skirt also accentuates the waist, while the crewneck and short sleeves create a clean and tailored look for the office. Keep this simple with a nude flat or pump.

Slimming, fashionable, and still work appropriate? Yes, please. We love the full zip back detail to add some extra character to this sheath…not that it needs any, with the white trim. As Net-a-Porter mentions, this does run a little more generous than most Karl Lagerfeld contemporary pieces. Complete the look with a pointy black pump.

The “muscle” tee styling made us pick this silk top for this week’s sporty theme, but the real attraction is the beautiful abstract splatter print on the overlay panel that just skims over the body. The jersey foundation peeks out just a bit on the side to give you just a little shape. We love this with one of the slouchy trousers we’re featuring this week, but it also works with a classic pair of slim pants, too.

Hugo Boss always delivers exquisite workwear, so we were delighted to find this little hint of fun with the sporty accent stripes at the bottom of this cardigan. Complete the look with the coordinating tank top or a simple white one. It all pairs effortlessly with the navy pencil skirt shown (you can “Shop It” through this button, too) or a pair of white or bold-colored trousers for a great update to your work wardrobe.

Anthropologie created these soft pants with a tapered leg in an easy, light fabric perfect for summer. While many pants of this trend have a full elastic waist, this one actually has a button and zipper closure to give it more professional look. But, it’s still elastic in the back, so go ahead and enjoy that business lunch! In several colors and lengths, this will become a staple in your closet with everything from a blouse to a tank and blazer. We love their take on grey, as shown.

The textured silk makes this a beautiful piece for the office, where it's always a little cooler. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much use will get out of it – over a simple dress (since it’s not too long), with a colorfully patterned or white pencil skirt and tank top, or even with a pair of jeans. We love it with a bold color maxi dress, too, in a more casual environment.

A bomber jacket, in a lightweight fabric like this one, is a great alternative to a blazer in the summertime. While it’s pictured with jeans, which certainly works in a more casual office, we pair it with skinny pants and a blouse for an updated business look. If Nordstrom is out of your size, more are available at NYDJ.com.

If you’re looking for more of a relaxed fit, and love the styling of an athletic inspired trouser, this one from Eileen Fisher is fabulous. In one of their best selling fabrics, this drapey silhouette hangs easily, in just the right places. Pair this with a blouse, or silky tee and scarf in a more casual environment. These pants are very versatile, so you will be able to dress them up or down as needed.

Backpacks have always been practical, but now their sporty usefulness has been transformed into something more stylish. If you remember the last time everyone just “had to have” a backpack, you’ll see how the backpack has gotten better with age…just like us. This one’s clean lines and beautiful leather are big enough to hold some files and even a smaller computer, so we love it for work.