Exercising is good for you, apparently. But you don't need 10 layers, 12 giant logos and 47 accessories to look good at the gym. Stick with understated, minimally branded pieces and let your work do the talking.
Footwear
Shoes are perhaps the most personal and important piece of workout gear. If you're serious about your routine, it's worth doing the research into your of feet, your gait and what specific shoe is right for your specific workout.
Not that serious? Look for an all-around trainer without too many ridiculous colors.
Left: Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 32, $110
Right: adidas Ultraboost, $180
Pants
If long pants are your jam keep it simple with compression tights under not-too-baggy shorts or a slim but not tight pair of sweats. Bonus points for tights with reflective details to keep you visible while running at night.
Left: adidas Response long tights, $50
Right: Nike tapered cotton-blend tech fleece sweatpants, $120
Alt option: Plain ol' grey sweats, $20
Shorts
Whatever your shorts, they should hit well above the knee.
Anticipating comments about the cost of the second two pairs: Outdoor Voices is one of the few athletic brands making clothing in America. Reigning Champ is made in Canada. I've had their heavyweight sweatpants for more than five years and they haven't even begun to fray. Buy better and you'll buy less often.
Left: Uniqlo NK dry shorts, $35
Middle: Outdoor Voice runner's high shorts, $65
Right: Reigning Champ sweatshort, $75
Alt option: Collegiate lacrosse mesh shorts, $13
Shirts
Whether you're a synthetic fabric guy (sweat-wicking, yay, but they always somehow stink more than cotton shirts) or a classic tee guy, the only rule for shirts is: they should not be skin tight. Even if you're jacked.
Left: ISAORA Nano mesh no-sew t-shirt, $105
Middle: Nike Dri-Fit contour, $50
Right: Your old college tee.
Jackets
You get it: you need a top to keep the rain and wind off you while you run or workout.
More importantly, I could have written this entire post about Gyakusou, Nike's ongoing collaboration with the highly sought after Japanese brand Undercover. The collection always sells out fast, so it's hard to find, but those who track it down are rewarded with some of the world's most advanced running gear.
Left: Nike Gyakusou unlined stretch jacket, $105
Right: Champion reverse-weave hoody, $36
Socks and a towel
The things nobody sees are still important. You could go with fancy technical socks, but the standard white socks used by some of the world's best athletes will suffice. And if you're working out often enough to have a gym bag, you should have a gym towel. It's for sweat.
Left: NBA logo socks, $14
Right: Portland Trail Blazers towel, $11