As a working mom whose daily to-do list seems nearly impossible, I’ve come to the conclusion that a versatile wardrobe is really the key to keeping my cool. Since an average morning involves jumping into a Zoom meeting right as I finish taking my two-year-old on a walk, it’s important for me to find pieces that give me some movement while still looking stylish enough so I feel like I’ve made an effort. Lately, Athleta has been my source for finding these exact pieces, and I know I’m not the only one who swears by this goldmine for an active lifestyle.
I follow Jaimmy Koroma and Jules Acree, who are both experts in activewear, for daily inspiration on incorporating movement into my day-to-day life and doing it in style. And lately, I’ve seen each of them wearing the Athleta-fan-favorite Brooklyn Pants on their feeds, and I knew that was my in for talking to them about how they find an element of movement in their busy lives. Luckily, I was able to get in touch with the two fashionable fitness girls, and they both pointed to finding the perfect balance of style and comfort as a helpful tool in motivating themselves to stay active and showed me the different outfits they love to wear throughout the week. I’ll be adding an iteration of each of these looks to my weekly rotation, along with their tips for making the most of their days.
Break it down for us: What does a day in your life look like? Lately, I’ve been waking up a little later and starting my day with a written-down list of things I want to accomplish for the day. Then, if it’s not too cold outside, I love to take a walk around my neighborhood. (Walks are such an underrated activity!) After a quick walk, it’s time to shower and get dressed, and finally start working from home by logging into video meetings and answering emails, so I try to stay pretty comfy in loungewear. I’m also very mindful of taking breaks throughout the day and get up to take my dog for a walk, jump on my trampoline, or take a trip to the grocery store to grab more coffee. As the day winds down, I love to go for a bike ride or another walk with my brother or sister. How do you add movement into your every day? I find ways to move every day by doing things I love that hardly feel like traditional exercise. I used to go to the gym almost five times a week, but now, I’ve truly just enjoyed riding my bike, dancing, and taking walks.
Tell us about the Athleta pieces you love and how they fit into your day-to-day life. The Brooklyn Jogger is the perfect everyday piece. It’s super comfortable and lightweight, which makes it a great choice for lounging around the house or running an errand or two. It also has the cutest details like the ribbing fabric on the sides and the hidden zipper pocket. These navy Brooklyn Textured Ankle Pants are so fashion-forward, yet somehow I can still do squats in them. Elevated loungewear for the win! When it comes to getting dressed in the morning or buying new clothes, what do find yourself gravitating towards? Versatility is so important for my closet. From the colors and the fabric to the fit and comfort, it all needs to work for my lifestyle. Whether I’m on the go or just around the house I like to feel effortlessly stylish but always comfortable. Things should be able to pair easily with each other and layer with other pieces.
What does a typical day in your life look like? I usually wake up around 6:15 during the week, and the first thing I do is ask myself, “What do I need today?” I drink a big glass of water and meditate for about 10 minutes to get centered for the day ahead. I also prefer to workout in the morning, then I do a quick house reset (my husband Andrew and I have a daily tidy-up checklist that we tag team before we begin work). Depending on how much time we have, we will either take the dogs out for a walk or play with them in the backyard to tire them out a bit! Once it’s 9 a.m., I’m usually at my desk with my matcha in hand. I have themed work days, so it’s either a creative day or a potato day. Creative days are when I’m filming and creating content for my different channels and also taking virtual meetings. Potato days mean I get to dress cozy and be on my computer editing and answering emails. Potato days are the best days. I try to end my workdays around 6 or 6:30. After work, it’s dinner time! I’m half Korean, so I find myself making a lot of Korean dishes these days. After dinner, I’m either watching a K-drama, playing Beat Saber with Andrew, or just hanging. As I’m getting older, my skincare routine gets longer and longer. I love gua sha for my face and dry brushing for my body, and I take my time because it’s a nice way for me to wind down before bed.
These days, what’s most important to you in terms of your wardrobe? When I wear clothing that I can be active in, I am more motivated to integrate movement into my day. It’s one less barrier to entry and one less excuse to go from my desk to the trails. I have a minimal wardrobe to begin with, so I’m all about efficiency and multipurpose items. Athleta clothing fits into so many different categories of my life. How do you wear the Brooklyn Pants and what do you style with them? I wear my Brooklyn Pants with a sports bra or crop top when I’m working up a sweat, but I can also pair them with a cozy sweater when I’m ready to chill at home on the couch and watch a K-drama.
