Maxxing this, maxxing that – it might be time to retire the idea of trying to do too much, too fast. But what about cosymaxxing? The art of taking the pressure away and celebrating comfort as an instrumental part of ones life might be the perfect way to slow down. And why not start by applying this to your workout gear…
There are two types of people – ones who dress up for the gym and those who put on the oldest, least precious things from their wardrobe and say: “that'll do.” And while I've tried to be the former, I usually end up in the second category: spontaneously (or is it erratically?) building a gym kit out of comfy pieces that are too ruined/stained/ripped to wear on any other occasion. And you know what? After seeing TikTok and Instagram blow up with fashion girlies embracing chaos in place of perfectly coordinated legging and bra combos, I'm taking summer 2026 as an opportunity to rid myself the shame and declare it the season of loose, mismatched and multicoloured gym clothes.
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Whether you want to call it Adam Sandler-core or cosymaxxing, it's time to accept that this haphazard approach to activewear isn't just an accident. It's a fully-developed aesthetic with a two-fold appeal. You might fall into it like me, due to pure laziness, or come to embrace the madness through a carefully curated process. Either way, I'm not going to judge – as long as there's enough colours, patterns and comfy silhouettes. But the appeal of this trend goes beyond the joy of dressing up without following a strict recipe. It's also about pushing away from expectations of activewear to show off only the “best” side of you.
There have been numerous iterations of this trend emerging over the past few years, often citing Madonna's friendship with Tracy Anderson circa mid-2000s as a perfect representation of individualistic activewear that was part of our reality before brands like Skims, Lululemon and Sweaty Betty took the opportunity to reimagine workout clothes as a singular uniform. Looking back, it's a time when gymwear wasn't purchased with intention. Instead, these pieces trickle down through one's wardrobe – starting out as your ‘good t-shirt’ and ending up as a top that's far too ruined to appear presentable in front of other people. Hence, it was good to sweat in. At the time, workout gear was the extension of the clothes you lounge around our house in, easy and comfortable. But then both of those categories got reclaimed by brands who recognised an opportunity to introduce purpose, practicality and desire into every segment of our wardrobe.
And look, if you feel like buying an Alo Airlift set in Pepto-Bismol pink might help push you into taking your workout regime more seriously by adding extra personal responsibility to the mix – go for it! But I know there will be other people like me out there. Those who feel best (but maybe a bit embarassed?) about doing mediocre press-ups in a band tee you purchased at a gig when you were a teen. Naturally, the top has since turned into a cotton version of Swiss cheese but, oh, does it bring you so much joy! Just like a Sunday brunch outfit dress code is open to interpretation according to your personal style, the workout gear should follow suit. We're not all made to be the sleek girlie who leaves the hot yoga class as glowy and effortless as she does walking in. Whether it's a skipping rope, a ballet barre or a reformer – workout equipment can be daunting enough, so who thought adding the high standards of gym uniforms would help?
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When I tried broaching this discussion with one of my friends who's a devoted Gymshark girlie and an aspiring personal trainer, she passionately argued that the move into high-performance activewear is more about functionality than it is about looks. And to that I say: not all of us are aiming for the Olympics, my love. This growing obsession with maximising the effort and relying on fitness as an opportunity to become a better version of myself is exactly why I avoided the gym for years. It was only when I realised that, even as an extremely competitive person with an authority problem, a daily workout can be about doing what you enjoy rather than doing what someone else says you have to. As soon as aggressive workout goals went out of the window, the element of joy came through the process – and the outfits followed, too. Whether you're wearing a bodycon set that was purchased specially for the occasion or not, the impact of the workout will be the same.
While there are obviously some limitations to what you can wear during certain activities (ie. it's probably not a good idea to wear wide-legged trackies while being strapped into into a Cadillac), the limits of casual gymgoers are far less severe than they're presented to be. And no, I'm not suggesting you run an ultramarathon in a pair of vintage-inspired shorts, a grubby tee and socks with holes – though that combo might do the trick if you're doing an gentle 5k run. And while some people might disagree, signing up to a HIIT class at your local gym will not require you to own Keely Hodgkinson's kit from the World Championship. The line I draw is the footwear – a functional, purpose-made pair of trainers will forever be the most comfortable option. And if they're bold and colourful? Even better! Brands like Asics, Hoka and ON are all known for skilfully introducing fashion trends without compromising on performance.
In defence of accidental activewear – or what happens when you just wear whatever – I want to encourage you to think outside the box and reimagine what your gym fit might look like. Whether you invest in new (or pre-loved) pieces you might want to wear outside the pilates class, or reintroduce items from your wardrobe that have seen better days. Perhaps you start by pairing leggings and tops you previously thought would never go together? Just, for the love of Adam Sandler, please don't wear a full set from a single brand in a matching colour.
Here are a few pieces, wearable both in and out of the gym, that will help you reimagine your existing gym kit and expand your horizon beyond sleek, bodycon silhouettes. These are the building blocks to cosymaxxing your workout kit.
1. Oversized band tees
If there's one comfort item I will never get rid of, it's a t-shirt from a band I don't really even listen to. The worn-in jersey feels like a hug in garment form and, when purchased in at least three sizes too big, it's a piece that will make couch-rotting feel just a bit more chic. However, if you do end up taking it into a workout environment, consider pairing with some bike shorts or loose Bermudas. And make sure you know the name of at least one song by the band, even if it's their most-listened tune on Spotify.
Men's basketball shorts might be one of the most underrated pieces you can wear during summer. They're incredibly versatile, pairing well with an oversized shirt and then working their magic as a sporty short. Don't be afraid to look in the men's department – the choice is bigger and the pieces are definitely more functional.
3. Contrast ribbed socks
The power of a fun sock is often underestimated – and the same thing applies to activewear. Contrasting shades, whether it's solid or multicoloured, are a great way to introduce a bit of colour into the look. And once you're done with the gym, they will look fab with a Mary Jane flat or a ballet trainer.
While they've made their way into posh circles today, polo shirts – as the name suggests – were the OG of sports tops. But you don't need to have a good backhand to pull them off. Instead, pair polo shirts in sporty materials like nylon or piqué with loose basketball shorts and embrace the truest version of Adam Sandler.
5. Muscle tees
The easiest DIY on this list – any t-shirt can become a muscle tee with just a few snips. The trick is to start with a slightly oversized top and trim the sleeves and the bottom to your desired length. Retro but actually quite practical for boggy summer days, it'sjust the right amount of style to add to your gym kit – Madonna circa Confessions on the Dance Floor would be proud.
6. Bike shorts
Instead of purchasing a pair of leggings you will only wear with that one gym look, consider buying a pair of bicycle shorts. They can easily become your most versatile off-duty summer layering piece. Instead of just buying a streamlined pair that's only made for sweating, look for unexpected fabrics – including geometric patterns and fun-coloured ribbed knits.
7. Retro running shorts
If Harry Styles is a fan, who am I to tell you otherwise? Retro running shorts are a true summer hit for 2026, and they look just as chic on a run as they do on a night out. My favourite styling trick is to layer a pair over some bike shorts in a contrasting shade – functional but fun, it's the way to go.
8. Floral bandana scarves
What's a gym kit without a bold accessory? Whether you wear it around the head (the bes way to soak up the dripping sweat), double-wrapped around your wrist instead of a sweat band or tied round your neck, a square scarf is the one piece I never enter the gym without. A floral print adds just the right amount of whimsy that will cheer up you – and anyone who catches a glance – as you collectively figure out the optimal treadmill pace. My preference are pieces in cotton and nylon, but even a silk could work, as long as you're not precious about it.
