There’s nothing quite like kicking off the morning with a sweaty workout and heading to work feeling energised and ready for the day. But there’s nothing worse than arriving in the office wearing a crumpled shirt that completely takes away from your fresh face and well-earned liveliness.
Don’t worry—we’ve got some great tips for keeping your clothes fresh in your gym bag so you can get the benefit of working out and still look good when you arrive at work in your workout-to-work outfits.
How to keep your clothes fresh in your gym bag
1. Roll your clothes in your bag
It may sound a bit counter-intuitive, but rolling your clothes will actually keep them straighter. Laying them flat on your bag, and gravity will eventually take its toll and leave them with deep creases. Roll your clothes into tight tubes and stack them next to each other.
Folding them avoids deep creases while allowing the possibility of maximising space in the gym bag or suitcase. Folding them up tightly reduces the chances of wrinkles developing due to fabric shuffling when moved. It is very handy with light materials that don’t wrinkle easily, like polyester, for looking neat even after hours of storage.
Additionally, packing cubes or separators can help keep everything organised and compressed, ensuring your clothes remain wrinkle-free until you’re ready to wear them. This simple yet efficient technique is perfect for keeping your work attire looking sharp, whether you’re heading straight from the gym to the office or preparing for a busy day of travel.
2. Make a workout to work clothes parcel
Just like rolling your clothes, making a ‘clothes parcel’ will protect your clothes from creases they may get when they’re packed for too long. Simply lay all your clothes flat and place them layered on top of each other. Make sure you put a stronger item in the middle to act as a core, such as socks wrapped in a t-shirt.
This distributes the pressure, preventing deep folds and keeping your clothes in better condition. The parcel technique is most effective for delicate cloth or items that easily wrinkle, such as dress shirts or trousers. The technique helps retain the shape of your clothes and saves space for efficient packing according to your busy schedule.
3. Wrap your shoes in plastic bags
In order to protect your workout to work clothes from the dirt of your shoes, keep a plastic or recyclable bag in your gym bag and put your shoes in it. This way, you can make the most out of gym bag space without compromising on cleanliness.
For further protection, use a breathable shoe bag that allows good air circulation and reduces moisture buildup and odour. Organising the gym bag so that shoes, clothes, and accessories are held in set parts makes it easy to transition smoothly from the gym to the office without any cleanliness or space issues.
4. Put your socks inside the shoes
Another great idea to maximise space (and minimise the chance of your shoes becoming squished) is to stuff your shoes with your socks. This will also make finding your socks in your bag much easier.
That way, you can use as much space as possible in the gym bag. Things will also be kept neat, so your transition from the gym to the office is hassle-free. It is space-efficient and can be used without deforming your shoes.
5. Put your belt inside your shirt’s collar
A very clever idea to look after your work shirt is to put your belt inside the collar. This will save the collar from collapsing and becoming squashed. It’ll also work as a reminder to not forget your belt at home.
That way, you avoid last-minute wardrobe malfunctions and get to work looking perfectly polished. It also maximises your packing space function and adds utility to your travel routine.
6. Keep silica gel packs and scented sachets in your bag
You know those little white silica gel packets that come in the box with your brand new shoes? Silica gel packets are used to absorb moisture and keep things dry – making them a perfect item to keep inside your gym bag at all times. Silica gel packs will help absorb any excessive moisture that your sweaty activewear may expel, keeping your clean clothes dry.
Always keep one (if not a few) of scented sachets in your gym bag. This will ensure your clean workout to work clothes will smell nice and fresh even if they’ve been packed for a while. Scented sachets also make for a fun DIY project!
7. Keep emergency garments at work
Needless to say, we all forget to pack some essential garments sometimes, and we all become victims of unfortunate accidents like coffee or water spills. As a precaution, always keep some backup items at work, such as socks, a clean shirt, or underwear.
This tiny precaution keeps you equipped with whatever occurs at any given moment so that you manage to look great throughout the day. This might save you some time and stress and help you pay attention to work so you do not get distracted by a wardrobe malfunction. In prep, prep always pays off!
8. Keep a fabric cleaner or freshener at work
We’ve all been there – your protein shake or your shampoo bottle spills in your bag, and suddenly your planned work outfit is not looking as good as it did when you tried it on last night. Keep an on-the-go stain remover or spot cleaner at work for just such a scenario – it’ll go a long way towards fighting small stains.
These quick-fix measures will keep minor spills manageable, and you may save your outfit in minutes. Make it a habit to put a few paper towels or some microfiber cloth on your desk to blot the excess liquid before the stain sets. Preparation will save your look and your day against those unexpected messes!
Workout to work transition
There’s more to getting work-ready than simply having clean, pressed clothes. Here are some work out to work transition tips.
1. Before and after your workout to work change: Take a shower
Clean clothes are important, but dressing sharp is pointless if you smell like freshly-chopped Spanish onions. Keeping your body odour to a minimum is basic manners. Showering after getting out of bed will get rid of any dry sweat or body oils you may have expelled at night time (especially in summer). This will mean your sweat at the gym will be ‘cleaner’ and less strong. After your workout, you should also take a shower to get rid of the workout session’s sweat.
2. Separate your gym clothes
You don’t want everything else in your bag to end up smelling like sweaty gym clothes. Keep a plastic or reusable bag handy to put your gym clothes in when you’re done.
This small feat keeps the odour inside the house and does not pass it on to your other stuff like work clothes, gadgets, or snacks. In addition, a deodorising spray will keep everything fresh, or you can place a small deodorising sachet inside your gym bag. Being adequately prepared with your gear at the gym, separated, with this smelling odour-free, keeps you organised and ready for the rest of your day.
3. Keep personal hygiene items at work
It may be a good idea to keep some basic hygiene items at work to always smell and look good, such as deodorant, dry shampoo, or perfume.
It’s essential to refresh yourself after the gym or even after a long day at the office. A simple deodorant spritz might give you a real self-confidence boost, whereas dry shampoo will revive flatter hair to look like freshly washed hair.
The perfume might be an inexpensive fragrance you will leave behind for your colleagues and clients. That stuff will make huge improvements in personal grooming. Keeping it in the drawer of the desk or your personal space will make your working environment more comfortable and professional.
4. Wear Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
Staying fresh and looking sharp after a workout is easy with the right clothing choices. Wear moisture-wicking fabrics that help you dry off quickly, so you won’t need extra time cleaning up.
Opt for wrinkle-resistant materials, like polyester, to keep your work attire looking crisp without ironing. Layer with versatile pieces, such as blazers or cardigans, to create a polished appearance quickly.
Lastly, choose neutral-coloured tops or leggings that blend well with office outfits, making transitioning from the gym to the workplace effortless.
5. Pick Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics
When selecting your workout wear, opt for fabrics resistant to wrinkles, such as polyester. Polyester won’t easily crease like cotton, making your outfit neat and fresh after a busy day.
This means no need to iron your clothes again in preparation for going to the office. With wrinkle-resistant fabrics, you can feel great and comfortable, whether at the gym or sitting at your desk. It will also save you precious moments in your morning routine so you can stay active while looking great all day long.
6. Layer with Versatile Pieces
Layering with versatile pieces is a clever transition from your workout to work. Blazers or cardigans over a simple workout shirt will instantly dress up. This way, you won’t have to change outfits and will still look great.
You can easily put on a blazer that will make you look professional. This way, you can be sure of feeling dressed up, even if you come out after working out, ready for that meeting or event. It is easy to become fashionable without forgetting anything practical throughout the day.
7. Choose Neutral Colours
Layering with versatile pieces is a clever transition from your workout to work. Blazers or cardigans over a simple workout shirt will instantly dress up. This way, you won’t have to change outfits and will still look great. It is often easy to get ready for work with these workout tops and leggings when you have neutral colours.
Neutral colours such as black, grey, and beige easily match business suits, making it easy to prepare your work attire. These shades fit perfectly with your workout gear and workplace outfit, so you never have to worry about which of your shades goes where in the morning.
Neutral tones bring in a defining polish so you feel great on crazy days that finish at the gym.
Workout to Work – Stay active and look good
There’s no need to compromise on looking good in the office just to make it to the gym in the morning. Stay active and look great with these simple workout to work tips.
1. Invest in Stylish Activewear
It makes all the difference when you wear exercise clothes, especially if you like the outfit for your workout. That gives you confidence and is more likely to make you run to the gym and stick to your fitness goals.
Choose pieces that reflect your style and feel great so exercising is more enjoyable. Investing in fashionable pieces also means switching freely from work to work out and keeping that stylish, fashionable flair all day.
Furthermore, embracing fashionable activewear has transformed many people’s fitness routines and made blending workouts into busy lifestyles easy without sacrificing anything.
2. Lay Out Your Gym Outfit in Advance
Prepare your workout outfit the night before. Such a simple habit negates all possible morning excuses and sets up the rest of the day to follow similarly: active, meaning more likely to stay on track.
Line everything up in one place so you’ve got everything needed—clothes, shoes, and accessories. It sounds like such a small thing, but it saves you precious time and mental energy getting dressed for your workout. You can take your workout seriously and not just scramble to find similar pieces.
Preparation earlier will also establish a positive mindset for the day, and working out for this is much easier while staying committed.
3. Choose Comfortable and Functional Apparel
The right workout clothing will help you achieve the best outcome. Exercise wear has moisture-wicking properties or is breathable and flexible, making it comfortable to wear while performing better. You tend to be cozy, so relax your mind in comfortable clothing, which motivates you and, therefore, provides a better workout.
In addition, active workout wear is multi-purpose. You can go straight from the gym to work without changing clothes; it is that easy. This allows one to be active all day long while still dressing professionally.
While dressing, wear comfortable, well-fitting, functional clothing. You are sure to stay fit and never dress down for style. It all counts with the best workout clothes, from weight lifting to running or the gym to the next meeting. So, remember comfort and versatility for an efficient, stylish day.
4. Treat Yourself to New Gear
Celebrate your milestones by treating yourself to new workout clothes! Fresh gear feels great and motivates you to keep pursuing your fitness goals. Investing in stylish and functional activewear can boost your confidence and make your workout routine more exciting.
You can also purchase high-quality brand new gear which lasts for a long time.
You will get the maximum return on your investment. This treat will restyle your fitness wardrobe and reconfirm your decision to live an active lifestyle.
You can also hope to work out in sparkling new, fit, attractive workout clothes. Well, hello, new gear! Let this excitement about new things encourage you to stay active and involved on your road to fitness!
For more workout to work tips visit LookSmart
All LookSmart stores across Australia and New Zealand provide expert tailoring, garment care advice, and repairs. Most stores provide dry cleaning with selected stores providing embroidery, dressmaking, and styling services.
