The Glory of Spandex

Taylor Hassa
Staff Writer

Springfield College is perhaps one of the most “jock-minded” campuses ever. And just in case you’re wondering, “jock-minded” means our school pays particular attention to the physical well-being of its students.

Almost everyone plays a sport, and those who don’t are usually big into lifting or some other form of physical activity. What does this have to do with fashion? Well, it has occurred to me that few people at this school actually wear “real” clothes.

Some athletes wear normal clothes to class, but if they are anything like me, it lasts about three hours. Then it’s back into the spandex for us.

This isn’t exactly a bad thing, though. I can only speak from personal experience, but I wouldn’t trade my spandex for anything in the world. And whoever said gym clothes can’t be stylish clearly never picked up a fitness magazine.

Everyone who is anyone owns at least one nice pair of spandex. Hold that price tag up to the one on your favorite pair of jeans and you’ll notice a nice pair of spandex is a $40-$50 purchase, even more expensive than those uncomfortable jeans.

This spandex trend is one that doesn’t have to be frowned upon. Spandex can look cute too! Take the Nike Pro Shorts for example – they come in a million and one colors and make for a bright, happy look.

Buy a few pairs of those and you’ll look like a little ray of sunshine at the gym and everywhere else you go throughout the day.

Also, if you’re anything like me, “all black everything” makes you really happy. Well, I have an influx of black spandex in all different cuts that I like to wear with neon accessories. I’ll take a neon zip-up, some colorful sneakers and head to class.

Perhaps the gym look isn’t one for the working world, or for days when you have to look nice in class. But this look beats sweatpants every day and twice on Sundays. It is a cute look, and if you’re busting your butt on the field or in the gym, then you are entitled to wear your spandex loud and proud.

My only piece of advice to those of you who are going to try the gym look would be to actually go to the gym. You cannot just walk around in spandex if you’re not going to do anything in them. That’d be like Superman wearing his cape around without saving anyone or doing anything awesome. It just can’t be done.