The ultimate fit kit (From Worcester News)

The ultimate fit kit

10:10am Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Fashion

STAY motivated on your fitness drive by working out your wardrobe. Lisa Haynes reveals sporty chic has never been so fashionable.

If there's one thing you won't be able to avoid this season, it's sportswear.

With Olympics fever hotting up, the fashion world has upped the ante for all things athletic. Stella McCartney is going for gold as the seamstress of choice for Team GB's kit, while on the high street, Next has collaborated with Davina McCall for a fitness range and Dame Kelly Holmes is playing fashion tag-team with Tesco.

One thing's for sure, workout clothes have had a serious style makeover. Put yourself on the fast track to being a fashion medal winner.

LEAN MACHINES

There are some people who don't need any style encouragement to stay fit. Your running shoes practically put a spring in your step and you're often found skipping happily to the gym.

You need a super-fit kit, designed to withstand intensive sporting activity (and profuse sweating).

Look out for materials like polyamide or polypropylene with innovative 'push-and-pull' technology to give you optimum moisture wicking.

The fast-dry qualities will ensure that no matter how much your body sweats, you never get wet. The right clothing also retains your body heat so you'll stay warm, even during those outdoor mini-marathons.

Look for fabrics that contain a high content of elastane or lycra to help support your hard-working joints and reduce muscle fatigue.

FIT FASHIONISTAS

You don't have to be a fitness fanatic to join the style sports club.

Dress up for the gym - without the membership - by embracing the catwalk-inspired sports luxe trend.

Marc Jacobs brought swinging tangerine tennis skirts to the spring/summer catwalk court, while Christopher Kane used swimsuit-style neoprene dresses to give a nod to the 2012 Olympics.

Your look should say urban chic; like you're about to go to the gym but have changed your mind and put on towering heels to workout instead.

Think oversized parka coats, silky tank tops and drawstring trousers. Go-faster stripes and sporty hood details might just convince everyone you're on a keep-fit drive.

Enter the gym antidote: a range of shaping garments with compression fabrics containing ingredients like caffeine for a sculpting quick fix.

Zaggora HotPants, £44.99 (zaggora.com) and Proskins Slim leggings, £50 (Next) are both popular with a bevy of celebrities and those who want to beat the bulge. You can sport them while exercising, doing the housework or during DVD marathons.

If the idea of running brings on a rash, workout while you walk with FitFlops (www.fitflop.com). Choose from boots, sneakers and sandals that will help tone those festive tell-tale signs. It's sportswear in disguise!

BUY IT NOW

Ready for Versace fever part two? Donatella Versace has created a new cruise collection for H&M. With fruity prints, and light, floaty negligees and dressing gowns, the designer collaboration should wake up your wardrobe for spring. Versace for H&M cruise is exclusively available online from January 19 at www.hm.com.