Beauty fans are ‘obsessed' with viral £2 Boots buy that ‘stops sweating', lasts ‘all day' & is ‘exactly' like £234 scent
BEAUTY fans are going wild for a viral buy from Boots that is said to 'stop sweating'.
Not only does it smell fresh, but the scent will also last 'all day'.
But that's not all - if you have posh taste but don't have the funds to match, you're sure to be left beaming when you hear that this 'everyday essential' smells 'exactly' like a pricey perfume.
So with summer right around the corner, if you want to smell good but without breaking the bank, then you've come to the right place.
Many of us can't afford to spend over £200 on a bottle of perfume, but thanks to the new Gem Skin-Loving Santal Antiperspirant Deodorant, not only will it provide you with 48 hours of antiperspirant protection, but you'll also smell designer too.
With this new deodorant, which recently landed in Boots stores, you'll tackle sweat whilst ensuring your skin feels better than ever.
This 'skin-loving formulation' is enriched with premium ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Shea Butter and Vitamin E.
It's said to be 'gentle on skin, but tough on sweat ' and works to 'keep skin moisturised and nourished.'
There's four scents to choose from - Cool Fresh, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Macadamia and Santal, which fans say smells 'exactly' like a well-known fragrance.
So if the thought of spending £234 for an 100ml bottle of Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum sends shivers down your spine, then you won't want to miss this.
This woody fragrance, which blends earthy sandalwood with subtle spices, has since gone viral online, sending shoppers into chaos as they scramble to get their hands on the popular Aussie deodorant.
It's been hailed 'a boujee-on-a-budget formula' that provides 'seriously chic scent profiles that last all day'.
Beauty fans race to their local supermarket for fake tan holy grail as prices are slashed from £13 to less than £3
And it's clear that beauty fans are loving it, as it has quickly racked up a very impressive average rating of 4.9 out of five, with 94% of reviewers recommending this product.
One person said: 'Smells amazing, lasts the perfect amount of time. I got the Santal one and I love how it suits me. Easy to apply and good for value.'
Another added: 'I love this scent! It's giving oud for your pits! Scent lasts all day and until the next morning without irritating my underarms! I'm obsessed! Definitely my go to from now on.'
A third commented: 'The smell of this one is unique!! I had never seen anything like it, such a lovely lasting smell! This one is definitely one of my fav scents ever!'
Top 3 beauty products every woman should be using
Hayley Walker, Beauty Expert at Justmylook shared the holy-grail products every woman needs to be using.
A cleanser, SPF, and hair oil are must-haves within beauty routines.
A cleanser is crucial for healthy skin as it removes dirt, oil, and other impurities for flawless skin. This skincare step not only cleanses the face and removes dirt, but also prevents breakouts and premature skin ageing, helping you maintain a healthy, youthful, and blemish-free complexion.
The Aveeno Face Calm+ Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser is a go-to of mine due to its gentle formula that soothes and restores the skin's appearance and texture.
SPF is non-negotiable and should be in everyone's daily skincare routine.
Even on cooler, cloudier days, our skin is exposed to the sun's UV rays which can be harmful to unprotected skin and even lead to damage. These damages include sunburn, pigmentation changes, and wrinkles which can impact the skin's texture and appearance. In some cases, prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancer.
Applying SPF daily prevents these damages and protects the skin from harmful rays. I recommend the Beauty Of Joseon Rice & Prebiotic Sunscreen PA++++ SPF50+ for its lightweight, non-clumping texture that absorbs quickly for a natural finish and maximum protection.
Hair oil has many benefits and should be regularly used. This treatment can strengthen and protect the hair from external stressors while improving its appearance and shine. Regularly applying hair oil can also reduce breakage and even encourage hair growth for longer, fuller locks. Hair oils also target the scalp, reducing dandruff and improving its health through exfoliation.
I recommend using this deeply nourishing treatment a couple of times a week or more depending on the hair's moisture levels. The Hair Syrup Rapunzel Pre-Wash Oil Treatment is a nutrient-rich treatment that revitalises strands to promote a happy scalp and healthy-looking locks. Apply the syrup throughout damp hair before washing; massage from root to tip and allow the formula to penetrate strands before rinsing and styling.
Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'This has a really nice unisex scent to it and the sweat protection is really good! No powdery texture or white residue. Pretty packaging too!'
But that's not all, as another happy beauty fan gushed: 'Great deodorant. Really does stop me from sweating throughout the day.'
At the same time, another Boots shopper wrote: 'I love the woody scent – it's subtle but lasts all day without being overpowering. The formula glides on so smoothly and doesn't irritate my skin at all.
'Keeps me fresh for ages, and I love that it includes Shea Butter and Hyaluronic Acid. Total everyday essential!'
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Nepotism Island! From the daughter of a footballing legend to the son of a boyband star - the celebrity offspring who have appeared on Love Island as contestant whose dad introduced him to David Beckham enters the villa
A Love Island contestant with a famous father and celebrity connections will be entering the villa when the ITV2 series begins next week. The show, which has now had a long line of celebrity offspring appear, has acted as a platform for the children of famous faces to make their own way in showbiz. Notable names over the years include Danny Dyer 's daughter Dani, Michael Owen 's daughter Gemma and Ronan Keating's son Jack. And now, the son of former professional footballer Gifton Noel-Williams, Dejon, will be the latest nepo baby to appear on the reality dating show. Following in his father's talented footsteps, Dejon is a semi-professional footballer which he does alongside his job as a personal trainer. Gifton is a football manager and former footballer and has previously introduced his son to all sorts of famous connections. Dejon revealed that one of the biggest names he has met through his father is none other than David Beckham. Speaking on growing up around the game, he said: 'I've met all kinds of famous people through him. 'When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice.' Dejon, from London, boasts 11,000 followers on social media thanks in part to his regular shirtless gyn snaps. His bio reads: 'I go beyond the gym—helping you build Strength, Confidence & Discipline for life.' In 2021, he represented the Grenada national football team. Dejon is looking for: 'Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy.' Dani Dyer Dani Dyer's stint on the show came in 2018, when she won the fourth series of Love Island alongside her then-boyfriend Jack Fincham. Nepo baby Dani was already known before her time on the show due to her actor dad Danny, who is best known for his roles on EastEnders, Rivals and Football Factory. Dani, who recently married footballer Jarrod Bowen, has worked on several projects since her memorable appearance on the series. Shortly after leaving the show, she signed a £500,000 deal to design her own range for In The Style, becoming a celebrity ambassador for the brand. She also began appearing as a guest reporter on The One Show in 2019, and the following year she launched a range of lip products with Vaseline. Dani Dyer's successful TV career, including her time on Love Island and subsequent projects, is seen by some as a result of her father's influence. The mother of three also appeared in an advert for Surf washing products and coined the earworm 'perf with Surf'. She now co-hosts a popular podcast with her dad, Sorted With The Dyers. Following the breakdown of her relationship with her co-star Jack, she began dating conman Sammy Kimmence, who she welcomed son Santiago with. In 2021 he was jailed for defrauding two pensioners out of nearly £34,000. Gemma Owen The daughter of Liverpool footballing legend Gemma, 22, appeared on the show during series eight of the programme in 2022 when she was 19 years old. Gemma, who has largely shunned the spotlight since her time on TV, signed a six-figure deal with fast fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing after the villa. The brand, who had worked closely with Love Island success story Molly-Mae Hague, signed Gemma with hopes of her being the face of the brand in a year-long partnership. At the time, Gemma claimed it was a 'dream come true', however she has since moved away from promoting fashion fashion to focus on her equestrian career. Gemma is an international dressage rider who has represented Great Britain in competitions worldwide. She began her dressage career at age eight and has competed at the European Junior Riders Championship, British U21 Championships, and Prix St Georges level. In 2023, she tragically lost her horse, Sirius Black III, and recently revealed she plans to compete at international level again soon on her horse, Ronnie. While on the show Gemma was paired up with Luca Bish, who later become her boyfriend before splitting months later. She is now dating show jumper Red Morgan. Jack Keating In the same year, Ronan Keating's son Jack also joined the show during the Casa Amor segment of the series. Jack, who was 23 when he appeared, was among the six new boys to arrive. At the time, Ronan admitted he had been 's****ing himself' waiting for Jack to enter Casa Amor, but is 'so proud of him'. Jesting to the crowd not to switch to the TV just yet, he continued: 'I don't want you all leaving the gig now to go home and watch it, stay until the end and then you can watch it on iPlayer or what'd you call it, ITV Player.' Ronan went on to admit that he has been 's****ing myself' because he couldn't tell anyone, sharing: 'Can we talk about it please? Because I don't know how I feel.' 'I'm very excited, he's gonna be amazing. He's such a sweetheart and has got the biggest heart in the world and I'm so proud of him. And off he goes, this is his adventure, it's all about him and i'm just going to sit back and watch Love Island every night!' explained Ronan. Prior to entering the villa, Jack, who is from Dublin but lives in London, said that his father is 'buzzing' that he is entering the famous Love Island villa. 'My dad is a singer, Ronan Keating. He will be watching when I'm on it for sure,' he said. In March earlier this year, it was revealed Jack had split from his new girlfriend just months after going official with the romance. It is the latest romantic mishap for the Love Island star, 26, who also failed to find love when he entered the villa back in 2022. He announced his new relationship with midwife Abby Phillips at the end of last year. But he has removed all trace of his latest girlfriend from his Instagram account, where he had shared how proud he was of his beau for graduating. The pair have also unfollowed each other on the app. Jack, a father of one, confirmed the news that he was recently single and said he is already dating again but 'taking it slow'. Jack's revelation that he is back on the market comes after he explained how he met Abby earlier this year. He told Evoke: 'I had a girlfriend and she had a boyfriend for a while, so we kind of just kept up-to-date with each other and then I became single, she became single. 'I saw her on Hinge and I was like 'right, let me slide into those DMs there.'' He told 'I was actually on a date last night – went pretty well. 'I'm doing the rounds. Back in. Taking it slow though. Very slow.' But while Jack's dating life appears to be having its ups and downs, he said that he is loving life as a dad. He added: 'Dad life as well. My daughter Maya turned two – So yeah, amazing.' Jack's former partner, Keely Iqbal, discovered that she was expecting while he was in the Love Island villa. Claudia Fogarty Other memorable contestants who arrived on the show with celebrity familial links included Carl Fogarty's daughter Claudia and Tamer Hassan's daughter Belle. Claudia was a contestant on the winter series of Love Island in 2023. She made her memorable entrance during the heart-rate challenge on day 23. Claudia found romance with Casey O'Gorman, who has since appeared on the show twice more, but their short-lived fling ended in the villa. She is now happily dating Ollie Crankshaw, who she is expecting a baby with. The star, 30, took to her Instagram page to reveal she is expecting her first child - a baby girl, with Ollie, who she went public with in September 2023. She penned in a caption as the pair showed off their scan: 'Half of me half of you. We can't wait to meet you. Baby Crankshaw coming November 25.' It was also recently revealed that nearly two years after her stint on the popular show, Claudia is swapping her reality TV roots for a new career in the fitness industry. Claudia has embarked on a new journey as a Kore Reformer Pilates instructor, having recently gained her fitness qualifications, and took to Instagram to share the news with her followers. Sharing several stunning snaps of herself in a fitted black activewear set while teaching a full class, Claudia wrote: 'In my Pilates girl era… I have started a Pilates page where I'm going to put all my reformer content on. 'I would love for you guys to give me a follow and come with me on my Pilates journey. 'I'll be sharing lots and happy to chat to anyone who wants to come to classes or book in with me for a 1:1. She concluded: 'So excited for this new chapter and to see where it takes me (love heart emoji)' On her Instagram story, she reposted the announcement, writing: 'Just me finding a new path in life. Loving this new journey already. 'So much to look forward to and share with you all. I've got a feeling this year is going to be a good year (love heart emoji).' She also posted her class schedule, which includes sessions from early morning to late evening, urging followers to book quickly as 'spaces are filling up fast.' Following in the footsteps of her mother, Michelle, a fitness coach, Claudia is now making her own mark in the wellness space. Before this career shift, she co-ran the clothing boutique Sister Stories with her sister, Danielle Fogarty. Belle Hassan Tamer's daughter Belle Hassan appeared on Love Island during its fifth season. Specifically, she entered the villa during the Casa Amor episode. Belle appeared on Love Island's 2019 series where she had a romance with Anton Danyluk. However, their union did not last outside of the villa, with the pair splitting after just five weeks of dating after the show ended. She then had a brief romance with Absolutely Ascot star Rudi Hewitt. In 2023 she admitted that she was afraid to go out after she was left with a black eye in a brutal attack the December before, insisting 'people do want to hurt you physically or verbally' following her appearance on Love Island. The reality personality who competed on the 2019 series, was 'hit in the face and abused' while on an evening out and she said she's come to expect a hostile reaction from some people while out in public. Speaking to Johnny Seifert on Secure The Insecure podcast, she explained: 'Situations like that happen a lot to influencers on nights out and you know you get people coming up to you saying, 'You think you are something because you were on the telly,' And, I am like, no I don't. 'I try to be nice to everyone and sometimes, in certain situations, you are only human, you do get into an argument and people do want to hurt you physically or verbally and they do want to be nasty to you, and I can only put that down to what people are going through in their own lives, and unfortunately they are unhappy. 'We have all been in a bad mental state and we have all been unhappy. But that is not an excuse to hurt someone physically or verbally. 'That is for them to work out on their self love journey why they are doing that, not for me. But hopefully they will get that sorted.' The screen star said she was scared at first to go out in public and returned to the scene of the incident in a bid to overcome her fears. She added: 'But, I am all good. I was a little bit nervous after going out again. 'So you know what I thought. I am going to go back to the same place and conquer the fear and I did it and I was okay.' Since appearing on Love Island, Belle has moved to Edinburgh and opened a beauty salon, moving away from the showbiz industry. She has mostly recently been publicly romantically involved with rugby player Luke Crosbie, who she announced she had split from. In February, Belle shared a heartbreaking post about suffering from 'emotional abuse'. She said she was at the 'lowest point in her life' and is struggling to get out of bed in the mornings. Belle did not name the person she claimed was causing her the emotional abuse. She was last known to be dating Luke, with them sharing loved-up snaps together last year. The star has now mysteriously deleted all of the snaps of them together and they no longer follow each other on socials. Tommy Fury While he is the son of ex-professional boxer John Fury, Tommy's best known relative is boxing legend Tyson Fury - who has held multiple world heavyweight championships. When he appeared on the fifth series of the programme in 2019, he was billed as the champion boxer's handsome younger brother. Speaking about his brother in his pre-show interview, he said: 'I'm my own man and I've said it throughout my whole boxing career. 'I don't want to be labelled as his little brother, I'm my own man and I'm doing the best that I can do in life and that's all I'm setting out to achieve.' Now a household name himself, Tommy has enjoyed incredible success since the show, both in his professional and private life. He has released clothing edits, secured modelling deals and also resurrected his boxing career. Most recently beating Kenan Hanjalic after 18 months off. During his series, Tommy finished in second place alongside Molly-Mae Hague, with the couple still together all these years later. Tommy proposed to Molly Mae in 2023 months after the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bambi together, in January. But the couple shocked the showbiz world last summer when Molly Mae released a statement announcing they had decided to split. She shared the post on Instagram last August after five years together, with many suspecting he had been unfaithful. In a statement posted to her 8.5million Instagram followers, Molly confirmed the breakup, saying: 'I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way.' Tommy denied continued speculation about him cheating during a magazine interview, insisting any reports about him being with other women were 'complete and utter b*****ks.' Tommy said the reason he and Molly ended their romance was down to his excessive drinking. The aftermath of he break-up was documented in first installment of Molly-Mae's fly on the wall show, Molly-Mae: Behind It All. The couple have since confirmed they are giving things another go, while Tommy is also set to film his own show. Antigoni Buxton Before appearing on the eighth series of the show, Antigoni, 29, was no stranger to the world of television due to her celebrity chef mother Tonia Buxton. Tonia is a regular guest on Sunday Brunch. Antigoni's mother shared her excitement at her daughter entering the villa at the time: 'I can not believe that my @antigoni is in the Love Island Villa, she mentioned she would be sunbathing this week I didn't think she meant in Mallorca!' She added: 'We are all so excited for you and know you will be amazing! You have always been an island girl, so I know you will fit right in! Antigoni had a blossoming singing career ahead of her villa arrival - which was described as a mix of 'hip hop with UK beats and Greek/Middle Eastern elements'. Just weeks before entering the show she released a single called Hit List. In the villa she first coupled up with Davide Sanclimenti before ending up in a friendship couple with Charlie Radnedge. Although she didn't have the most successful time on Love Island, the singer-songwriter has thrived since she left. Appearing on the ITV2 show did give her singing career a boost, and in her single – titled You Can Have Him – Antigoni vents about a rival love interest 'taking her man'. While Antigoni insists the song isn't about any of her fellow Islanders (despite previously throwing shade at 'dishonest' Ekin-Su for picking Davide), she revealed she was inspired by a conversation with Love Island producers. Speaking on the Bangin' With Chloe Veitch podcast, Antigoni told the Too Hot to Handle star, 'As far as I know, no one's taken my man yet. Or ever. Touch wood. 'What inspired that song was… I got approached to go on Love Island early this year and I was in the process of deciding whether to do it and I had some Zoom calls with the producers. One of the producers was like to me, 'What would you do if somebody came in and you were coupled up with someone and one of the new girls wanted your man?' Although she didn't have the most successful time on Love Island, the singer-songwriter has thrived since she left 'I was like, 'Well, if you can take him you can have him' and it's like something that my dad's always said. No matter how much you want to be with somebody, you can't force someone to be with you. If somebody can take that person from you, it means they weren't meant for you.' Not only has she released her own music but she is also the founder of clothing label Antonia Bronze and has recently announced another fashion based project. Molly Marsh Molly, 23, appeared on the show in 2023 and caused a debate at the time due to suggestions her mother helped her gain a spot on the show. Molly's mum, Janet, has played three different roles on ITV's popular soap Coronation Street including a nurse, receptionist, and ITU nurse. But Janet slammed the 'narrative' that her theatre performer daughter was only given a place on the show because of her industry connections. Her first foray onto the cobbles was in 2005, where she played a nurse and she then joined the soap again in March 2008 playing a receptionist at the Scott-Roe Clinic. A year later, Janet returned to Weatherfield, this time to portray an ITU nurse after character Claire Peacock was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious at home. Molly, 23, appeared on the show in 2023 and caused a debate at the time due to suggestions her mother helped her gain a spot on the show Molly's mum, Janet, has played three different roles on ITV's popular soap Coronation Street including a nurse, receptionist, and ITU nurse Her first foray onto the cobbles was in 2005, where she played a nurse and she then joined the soap again in March 2008 playing a receptionist at the Scott-Roe Clinic Janet has had quite the TV career, having bagged other credits in shows such as Where The Heart Is, Bodies, In The Dark, Love, Lies and Records. Since appearing on Love Island, Molly Marsh, where she was coupled with Zach Noble, has launched a music career, releasing her debut single Werewolf. She has also been working on writing and recording new music in the studio. In addition to her musical endeavors, she has been building a strong social media presence, regularly posting fun TikTok videos and routines. Molly and Zach split after seven months together, removing any trace of each other on social media after making the decision to end their romance. They reunited just weeks later for a holiday to Australia where they rekindled their romance but they have recently been plagued by split rumours again. Liam Llewellyn Liam chose to leave series eight after six days and his departure made for uncomfortable viewing as he decided villa life wasn't for him. He returned home to his mum and dad, the latter being international rugby player David Llewellyn who played in the 1999 World Cup for Wales. The student was originally coupled up with Gemma Owen and it appeared they had more in common than they thought. They both have famous parents. Revealing why he decided to leave the show, Liam told MailOnline he couldn't cope with his actions being controlled by producers. Liam chose to leave series eight after six days and his departure made for uncomfortable viewing as he decided villa life wasn't for him He returned home to his mum and dad, the latter being international rugby player David Llewellyn who played in the 1999 World Cup for Wales (Liam and dad pictured at graduation) The Welsh student native said he underestimated how being filmed 24/7 would impact him mentally, knowing his every move was being watched and edited unfavourably. Liam said: 'I thought I was going to have the summer that everyone dreams of but now I'm living with no regrets, I took a chance but I realised I can't live on TV. 'I was expected to do things for a TV show and I couldn't be myself. I didn't want to do it. It is a TV show and it is produced. It's not all natural. 'In my head I was not in the right position to take part in a TV show because that's what you're doing. You have to go on dates, do challenges, and you're not in control of any of it. 'On my dates they asked me to repeat things because it didn't quite come through. 'I had loads of meetings with the execs, the series editor, and professional physiologists but after a couple of days of feeling the way I did, I made the decision on my own behalf that it wasn't right for me to carry on.'
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Skintight leggings or baggy joggers? What your gymwear says about you
Around me, a group of women in skintight gym sets are side planking. Some are wearing full-coverage unitards, others leave slices of midriff bare. No one is wearing a baggy T-shirt from 2008 with a naked Rufus Wainwright on it, and hardened flecks of damp-proof paint. Except me. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. If TikTok is to be believed, my gym-mates must be millennials, born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s; gen Z would find such skin-tightness a bit retro, or basic, or even 'jurassic fitness'. Another generational schism has opened online – to add to socks, jeans and boundaries – this time over what millennials and gen Z are wearing to work out in. Tight-on-tight outfits supposedly single you out as a millennial – it is 'giving middle school', said one gen Z user witheringly – while gen Z prefers something baggier. Looking around me at pilates and in the park, though, I suspect some of the women wearing a second, seal-like skin are younger than 30. And here I am, days after turning 40 – squarely a millennial – wearing an enormous T-shirt. It is a muddled picture. Kelechi Okafor – at 38, a millennial – is a fitness professional, a former personal trainer and the owner of a pole dance studio. She used to wear tighter clothes to exercise but now wears baggy joggers and tops, in the reverse of what TikTok might have you believe. 'The way that the tailoring is done for a lot of gymwear does not have my body size in mind,' she says. 'There was something liberating about saying: 'Actually, I'm not wearing this any more. I'm going to wear baggy things.'' Michelle Carroll, a 29-year-old (millennial) body image coach and nutritionist based in Edinburgh, who typically wears leggings and a vest or cropped top, says that at her gym: 'Younger people tend to wear brighter, shorter and tighter clothes.' She sees it as 'in part, influenced by 'fitness culture' we see online – it's almost a uniform'. Lauren Crowder, managing director of ELEVEN:ELEVEN Studios in Liverpool city centre, says clients in their 20s and early 30s 'tend to embrace the trend of matching activewear sets – brands such as Adanola, Bo+Tee, or Gymshark are really popular' – whereas clients in their late 30s and up 'generally prefer a more relaxed fit'. Georgie Burke, founder of the Barre Fitness Studio in Bristol, says the younger clients there like 'plain colours, white grip ankle socks and tight vest tops' – what she calls the 'Adanola aesthetic', referencing the British activewear brand that seems to be everywhere now, while the 30-plus crowd opt for 'a print legging but with a looser style top'. Farther afield, in the Canadian city of Guelph, Samantha Brennan, a professor of philosophy and co-author of Fit at Mid-Life: A Feminist Fitness Journey, has also noticed young women wearing beautiful sets – the kind of 'workout bikinis' that some men have been complaining are 'intimidating'. It is not so much that they are tight that Brennan notices – though they probably are – but that they all match. Where she sees the gym as 'a place where you get to take a break from fashion', she says, 'they're wearing things I recognise as outfits, and they're specifically bought for wearing at the gym'. It makes a lot of sense that gym wear is being given as much attention as it is. The gym now has such gravitational pull that for many it is seen as – and this is very much gen Z's sentiment, not mine – 'the new club'. It is a place for socialising and dating; some are calling it 'workout-wooing'. A raft of newer brands, such as Toronto's Literary Sport, founded by creatives Deirdre Matthews and M Bechara, and Los Angeles's set up by former American Apparel employees, may be behind the looser lines, popularising casually-fitting track pants, among other items. Some more longstanding, millennial-coded brands, such as Lululemon, are also now offering baggier fits or 'away-from-body styles', as Lululemon's chief merchandising officer put it. But, given the often hefty price tags, they appear to be aimed at older exercisers, who are generally more able to afford them. Meanwhile, other brands, such as Sweaty Betty, have been explicitly marketing the idea of wearing tighter, skimpier clothes, at least as part of an exercise ensemble, and disregarding body hang-ups: 'Wear the damn shorts' is the tagline from a campaign last year. While the generational divide may feel over-egged, what we wear to exercise reveals a lot about where we are at with body image. Several brands, for example, now do bottoms with 'scrunch' designs at the bum, to accentuate curves, because Kardashian-esque glutes remain idealised. It is a style that unites twentysomething 'TikTok gym girlies' and celebrities such as J-Lo. What you wear to exercise also depends on what exercise you are doing. Reformer pilates – the hyper-expensive and highly engineered full-body workout – makes more sense in cinched styles that won't get stuck in equipment. A jog in the park, less so. Subtle flares are becoming a thing for yoga, but they would be annoying on a treadmill, and a trip hazard on a squash court. There are also other, shall we say, external factors. 'There's a fear of people taking advantage and hypersexualising and dehumanising folks, particularly women, in these spaces,' says Samantha Noelle Sheppard, a Cornell professor who writes about sport. What she often sees is a 'mix of tight and baggy, like really tight shorts' with an oversized shirt, as a way to keep unwanted eyes off bodies not looking to be objectified. Shakaila Forbes-Bell, a fashion psychologist, has been seeing more conversations among gen Z about wearing baggier clothing for the gym tied to 'what is for the male gaze and what is for me'. Again, though, this doesn't have to be generational. Navi Ahluwalia, an editor at fashion and sportswear site Hypebae, is a millennial who typically goes for 'leggings with a baggier top'. While she loves 'the way the tighter gym clothes look', she also hates 'the feeling of people looking at me while I exercise, so I personally don't want to draw any attention to myself – particularly not from creepy men'. I would hazard that most, if not all, women who exercise in public will have had similar thoughts. Burke says: 'A fair few of our clients will stay in activewear all day, for coffee, work and the school run, due to our studio being less on the sweaty side.' That tallies with the continued march of gymwear as everyday wear. At least part of this is about comfort; activewear is forgiving when working from home and, at least in my case, practical, when combined with the hope that a trip to the gym (or a 20-minute Yoga with Adriene) is just moments away. It also, consciously or not, broadcasts status. 'You think it shows fitness and the idea of an athletic body and a healthy mind,' says Sheppard. 'But what it shows is a healthy bank account.' '[It is] meant to be performative in all these different kinds of ways,' she says. 'Not only do you look like you have the time to work out, you have the resources to work out – go do your pilates, go do your Peloton class – in a very expensive set.' Looking like a 'gym person', then, perhaps particularly for a younger gen Z crowd, comes with cultural capital. It is not the first time gym gear has been loaded with meaning. In an article in 2019, New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino posited athleisure as a uniform that represented the principle of 'optimisation': 'the process of making something, as the dictionary puts it, 'as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible''. Athleisure, she said, was designed to optimise your appearance at the same time as your performance. But not on everybody. Lululemon founder Chip Wilson made this explicit. 'The definition of a brand is that you're not everything to everybody … You've got to be clear that you don't want certain customers coming in,' he said in a 2013 interview. As Tolentino wrote: 'Athleisure broadcasts your commitment to controlling your body through working out.' You create – if indeed you can and you want to – a body that fits athleisure rather than the athleisure moulding to fit you. Okafor looks back to her days of trying to make ill-fitting, tight gymwear work. No matter 'how high I pull up the waistband, no matter how much I try to shuffle about with the sports bra, it still doesn't look right to me'. Clothes seemed to have been designed in a way that wasn't 'honouring' her shape. 'It's just like: 'Oh, you're not skinny?' It's the thoughtlessness of how these things are made that reinforces that I wasn't being considered.' A host of brands now make exercise clothes constructed with different bodies in mind. Okafor cites Grrrl as one (tagline: 'We make real clothes for real women who simply don't care'). Forbes-Bell says the brand Curvy Kate has created 'sports bras for larger-chested women at more affordable prices', something that has been a battle for her since she was a teenager. And Gymshark is 'creating a lot of more inclusive clothing: size-inclusive, more modest wear as well. For gym clothing, that was very scarce before.' With all the new and improved tight gym gear out there, if younger women in their 20s are still opting for baggier styles, could it be for other reasons? Okafor sees 'all manners of bodies and ages' at her pole studio and thinks that, in general, younger generations are 'giving themselves more space'. Sheppard sees this as a response to our times. Young people 'are living in a period of global crises that make the focus on themselves seem too indulgent … It's like, just put on clothes. We've got bigger problems.' Ultimately, if there is more room for divergence from a workout uniform, then it might have benefits for all generations. 'How many people would probably want to go to the gym and work out if they could wear clothes that didn't make them feel embarrassed?' asks Okafor. 'It's about questioning the motivations,' says Forbes-Bell. 'And I think that's empowering, whether it's baggy or whether it's tight, that idea of: 'Why am I actually wearing this? What am I trying to achieve?''
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
HANNAH BETTS: I'm a beauty expert, this is the £33 Beauty Pie perfume fans of Le Labo Santal 33 will love
Many people think that summer scent has to be saccharine – trading winter's rich and redolent aromas for something more blousy and blossomy. But sun doesn't have to spell girlish. You can still radiate grown-up, womanly allure. The key is a fragrance that causes those catching hold of it to lean in beguiled. Early summer scents are the perfect perfumes for this.
