Want to point you to this post by Kara at Mama Sweat, about workout wear that looks good and presentable and cute and… deliberate, not accidental… outside the gym.
Since my transformation from lumpy slob to regular swimmer/runner, I have always been the "wear normal clothes but keep the gym bag packed" sort of person. This is compatible with my exercise lifestyle, which includes a full-service YMCA membership with child care one mile from my house. But: I think she makes some great points. Really great.
The best way to maximize your time and improve your odds of working out and/or finishing a workout you started earlier in the day, and/or squeezing in two mini-workouts, is simple: Put on workout clothes in the morning, wear them all day and don't look back….
When you have one of those mornings when you don’t have an opportunity to workout before the rest of the family rises (or, ahem, slept through it) don’t bother with the shower. Don’t wash your hair, silly (that’s just a waste of water if you haven’t had a chance to sweat first). Reach instead for “all-day workout wear” and be ready to sweat if the opportunity presents itself. Spandex, Dri Fit, and sports bras have a way of tricking your mind into making time. Heck, if you make time to dress for the workout, you might as well do it.
To make all-day workout wear truly functional you can’t just put on any ole smelly shorts and t-shirt. You have things to do girlfriend! People to see! Groceries to buy! Classrooms to volunteer in! Neighbors that drop in unexpectedly! Before and after the workout you want to be fit-inauspicious (especially if there’s no time to shower or refresh after). That is, all-day workout wear is sporty, cute, and presentable. But make no mistake, this is workout wear. If you were to go the whole day in these clothes and not workout, you’d consider the outfit wasted.
More wise words, with pictures, at the link. The strategy of having "real" clothes that can turn into workout wear, or vice versa, is a good one for those of us who have to stay flexible. Flexible is not always easy, you know. It took me a while just to get used to the idea that if I was going to be a regular swimmer, sometimes I might wind up washing my hair twice in one day.
So if I can find a mental barrier to exercising in "gosh, but I already showered today once," that means that someone out there might have a mental barrier in "gosh, but I'll have to change clothes." So. One way to knock that barrier down is to acquire some clothes that work. Out.
(Kara includes a disclaimer for the working-in-an-office kind of girl, but … commenter ChristyP? If anyone I know would have found office-worthy active-lifestylewear, it's you! If you're not off camping somewhere, have you a comment?)
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