Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The Gym or the Runway?


I´ve never been one to dress up to go to the gym.  In the US, I was far from alone in this. Only the extreme exercisers or the attention seekers wore hot clothes and/or makeup. 

Well, things are a little different in Rio de Janeiro.  The gym is a bigger meat market than any club.  You want to look GOOD.  You have to match.  And if you wear your husband´s grubby t-shirt with a pair of old soccer shorts, you will stick out. 


When I started to work out regularly again,  my husband convinced me to go buy something decent to wear to the gym.  In his words, the Brazilian workout clothes are made for the hot weather and thus far more comfortable.  

Oh yes, shiny spandex really does breath.

I all heard was, I don't want anyone to see my wife walking around looking like a mental bum who just rolled out of the gutter. 

Regardless of the sentiment, you don´t have to tell me twice to go shopping.

Imagine my surprise when I got to the store.  I saw a stylish, and uncomfortable looking, sports bar on sale. I´m a sucker for a sale. I asked if they had it in my size.  Oh, it was one size fits all. I literally laughed at the salesperson. I told her, bluntly, I have no breasts at all and that is too small for me. 

Oh no, it´s a push up sports bra...

Now, I´m no genius or anything but I don´t think Push up and Sports bra belong in the same category. A little contradictory, don't you think?  And besides the point, there wasn´t enough fabric to push up anything, much less support it. 

Of course, I bought it anyway.  I have no idea why.  I got a deal for it and a tight mesh tank top. Call me a sucker but it really does look better, even if it´s super annoying to wear.

But the best part is that whenever I wear them, I don´t just get to travel to the gym but also to the '80s!

For more on gym fashion, check out this post: Amerileira

8 comments:

  1. I got suckered into buying one of those mesh tank tops too, don't feel bad! But personally I think the the Brazilian "ropa gimnastica" is a better quality than in the US. Look for Suplex....

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  2. I have to say, I have fallen in love with the pants and capris! I can´t say I´m a big fan of the tops but I do have a couple.

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  3. woohooo! My first blog shout out, everything is so new and exciting!

    P.S. off to my first day at the gym...i'm sure there will be a follow up post soon.

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  4. Photos! We want photos!

    No fair teasing with all that purple prose.

    PHOTOS!!

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  5. lol@Jim - really like your new header picture too!

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  6. What I want to know is HOW on earth do women go to the gym, and put in a good workout, and emerge looking like they didn't? When I work out it means sweaty hair, wet clothes, flushed face...not attractive, but I see these women who look like they just came from the salon, apres working out. HOW??? It's not fair!

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  7. Because they spend a half an hour after their workout drinking juice at the juice bar in the gym and talking to the hot trainer ;)

    Jim, you want a picture you'll have to sneak up on me lol

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  8. http://www.smh.com.au/world/secret-life-of-crossdressing-killer-colonel-revealed-20101019-16rt2.html

    Oooo your picture is so timely.

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