Building an Activewear Wardrobe | Basics you Need!

In this video, I go over some basics on how to start your activewear wardrobe! Whether you're looking to start working out and need some solid suggestions or trying to simplify your wardrobe, these tips and recommendations should provide some guidance. I tried to include affordable and high end items in each category. Comment any gym basics I missed down below!

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some links and codes included in this description. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Items mentioned:

Seamless underwear:

Socks:
Puma socks (no link, but purchased at Costco)

Staple black leggings

Staple black and white sports bra

Pocket leggings

Shorts

Performance leggings

A confidence boosting outfit:

Tops/layering items

Buffbunny tanks

Shoes:

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:35 Seamless underwear
3:25 Socks
4:16 Black leggings
6:35 Staple sports bra
8:48 Pocket leggings
10:41 Shorts
12:35 Performance leggings
13:40 Confidence outfit
14:26 Layering pieces
18:02 Jacket
18:39 Shoes
20:27 Accessories

FOLLOW ME

MY MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 29 in, 73 cm
Bust: 35 in, 89 cm
Bra size: 32 DDD (70F EU sizing)
Waist: 25.5 in, 65 cm
Hip: 38 in, 96 cm (widest part)
Thigh: 22.5 in, 57 cm
Calf: 15.5 in, 39 cm
Inseam: 30.5 in, 77.5 cm
Torso: 65 in, 165 cm (measured in a loop)
Height: 5’9”, 175cm
Weight: approx. 150 lbs / 68 kg (changes all the time tbh)

LINKS AND CODES
Buffbunny: use code “KATHRYN”

Alphalete: use code "KATHRYN"

Kamo Fitness: "Kathryn"

Colorfulkoala: "kath2021" for 10% off

Tier Activewear: "kath" for 10% off

EBY: "kathryn15" for 15% off

Nepoagym
Code “KATH2” (2% off 1-2 pieces)
Code “KATH6” (6% OFF for orders over 3 items)
Code “KATH8” (8% OFF for orders over 5 items)
Code “KATH10” (10% OFF for orders over 7 items)

Nepoagym (AliExpress): **No more codes!**

Yvette (high support sports bras): "Kathryn15" for 15% off sitewide & "Kathryn20" for 20% off on orders $109+

[aliona]

Yes!!! I fell down the gymshark hole and kept buying stuff from them thinking I would like it and I absolutely did not and now I’m stuck with all this gymshark that I hate!!! I was just thinking about restarting my activewear wardrobe with different brands that aren’t a complete waste of money. Perfect video!!

[rebeccamichaels]

I can attest that lifting gloves are absolutely a lifesaver! I was getting so much bleeding I couldn't lift properly, and some days I just couldn't do my workout because of the pain. No one at my gym wore them, so I didn't even know they existed. As soon as I saw them in one of your videos I immediately got a pair. I've never had any issues with painful calluses or bleeding since! Honestly if there's one thing that's allowed me to increase my strength and fitness, it's the gloves you recommended!

[Epalmstrom]

A different perspective on your comment @7:30. As a European I personally love when you show brands like lululemon (and gymshark), even if they are more “expensive”. I took a look at the CRZ bras as I love the free to be serene bra from lulu, and with shipping and taxes, 1 bra comes to a total of $73. Whereas a free to be serene bra from lulu is $53, shipping and taxes included (and I often get my bras from them on sale for $43). So for me, lulu is actually cheaper in a lot of cases (and gymshark especially so)!

[reaganmyers]

You’re wicked great for doing this! Thank you for listening to your audience, and helping college girls everywhere :)

[shaunarosales]

Lord knows I DO NOT need to build my activewear wardrobe any more than it already is but yet... here we are! 😂

[rebeccamichaels]

For all the tall ladies out there with larger shoe sizes, Old Navy has the BEST socks. They’re OS but actually large enough to fit comfortably! (I’m a women’s 11 and love them!) Plus you can get a 12 pack for like $18

[Angy]

Thank you so much for the tip about inseams for shorts. I’ve avoided buying new shorts for a while because I just didn’t want to waste money on shorts that roll every 3 minutes.

[katefitzgerald]

Just love you and all the effort you’re always putting into the content you make for us ! 🥺 THANK YOU

[isabellac]

This is amazing. I am going to be so real with you, when i clicked on this video I was like hmmmm how much information is she actually going to have but this is so detailed and genuine. Its about the performance of the clothes not just how they look which i think is how a lot of fitness influencers treat this sort of stuff. great vid!

[kristie]

If you’re picky with underwear like me and prefer sewn in crotch lining, I recommend the Gilly Hicks seamless no show underwear! It’s cheaper & more comfy than Eby btw imo

[samanthab]

I really appreciate this video. I try not to keep more clothes than I need to do this is helpful.

Only thing I would recommend is feetures socks. They've lasted 5x longer than any other socks I wear and most running stores will replace them if they get holes or other damage from normal use... I've replaced one pair in the last 10 years for free at a local running store.

[ellic]

I said I wouldn't spend money on clothes this month so for now I will live vicariously through Kathryn

[brooklynswenson]

I love your videos. I am subscribed to like five people on Youtube at all and you are one of them. You're basically the only person I've ever found that's honest about reviews, AND you've helped me understand why I do/do not like some activewear basics (looking for leggings w/o the top seam that cuts in, seamless crotch, etc). You're the best. keep making worthwhile, valuable content.

[faancythat]

Yes! Omg I just found you about two months ago and have been watching and rewatching almost all your reviews from the past 2-3 years to develop my active wear collection. This is the video I needed. You also introduced me to weight lifting. Hearing that you hate cardio while your body looks like that, made me so happy. I hate cardio. Anyway, I love you & I appreciate your honest reviews. 🤗

[Megannicolehur]

One of my favorite influencers! Hard to find ones that are honest !!! ❤

[leenasiraj]

omg you’re an actual queen, you hit every point in this video and it was so in depth!!!! Thank you so much for this 🫶🫶🫶🫶

[serisingh]

My all time favorite shorts are the Isla movement shorts! They are incredibly soft, they don’t smash down my glutes because they are super stretchy, and the length is ideal! I can hike them up and they stay put.

[keely_cn]

For the runner people out there you need running socks and I really like smartwool running socks. Also, wearing gloves at the gym is nice if you are weird about germs like me.

[AlinaMinkova]

This was very helpful, thank you a lot! I just started to workout recently and realised that I need to dress up, but in my life I never went further than a pair of generic sports pants and a T. Now I know what to look for, thank you!

[vconnoly]

Thank you for the suggestions! I had frozen shoulder twice so far, and found front closure bras a necessity. For my 40 DD’s, I love the Yvette one you showed, the front clasp one from Anita (frontline open) and Shefit. In case someone’s in the same boat :)