Lately I’ve been thinking about yoga. Not just in a “let’s be twisty-bobcat-pretzel” way, but in a “huh, maybe I should go back to yoga class and try to relax but without trying because making that much effort feels kind of against what yoga stands for” way. While I typically don’t subscribe to needing a certain type of clothing in order to exercise, I do know that I enjoy yoga and dance in mostly form fitting bottoms that cover the knee – and seeing as how the pair of pants I’d had since college finally wore out (as in, I was using a shoestring to keep them around my waist and there were holes showcasing my ASSets) I figured it was time to find a replacement.
Pants Purchasing: A History
Admittedly, I don’t remember the last time I purchased workout pants. That’s not true. I do remember. It was probably when Mervyn’s was still in business. And like, not yet announcing they were going out of business. Yep, that is how long it has been. I’ve been lucky – four years ago someone gave me workout pants for Christmas, and two years ago Dr. Dad gave me another pair. And I’ve had the same soccer shorts for at least five years.
And now you know the history of the contents of my workout drawer. This is relevant. Promise.
Pants Purchasing: Yesterday
I spent far too long pondering just where one buys workout clothes these days and settled on Target. I needed a new toothbrush and a pencil sharpener anyway, so this seemed like a reasonable choice. Target even hosts a wall of workout pants. Options! And in petite sizes! Under $30! I felt like I had struck gold. Except, while Target was home to one heck of a lot of pants, they were not home to form fitting workout clothes with the exception of, I kid you not, lycra capris with neon pink stripes.
Not on target.
Something else you should know about my workout drawer is that it’s actually a bin under my bed. But also in that bin are a pair of biker shorts I have had since I was eight. Yes, eight. And those things are great for wearing under a dress when you’re worried about wind, or hanging out in the house when it’s warm outside. But since I already have one lycra item in my home, in no way could I justify bringing in another.
Curiously, I felt a bit optionless at that point. Where does one even go for workout clothes? It occurred to me there’s a Sports Authority nearby, and while I haven’t spent much time in there, I know they’re home to a full-on training section. Workout pants perusing, activate.
Immediately I came across viable contenders in the Under Armour section and felt like, “Yeah, baby! Pants!” I nabbed a few to try on, and then the sale section caught my eye. I’m the child of a man who grew up close enough to the Depression to know the value of a dollar – which is a fancy way of saying we like to not spend more money that needed. So I moseyed over to the sale and found a pair of pants nearly identical to what I was holding in my hand. Same brand, same length, same texture. So I flipped the price tag over.
And the pants were literally $59.
Sticker shock.
More sticker shock.
Obviously, I hadn’t bothered to price check the full-price pants in my hands. I clambered for the tags, dug them out from under than hanger (sneaky) and hello, $75 pants. Almost as though the pants had suddenly whispered a both creepy and dirty comment breathily into my ear (when I had assumed they were perfect gentleman pants), I returned them to the rack.
If this is the authority on sports, I’ll stick to those who don’t know jack.
Pants Purchasing: Denied
My family is a little…peculiar. We recently were having a conversation about how anything is negotiable, which to me makes me wonder about the true cost of anything. If bartering at Macy’s is acceptable, why the heck are price tags involved in the first place? I don’t want to live in a negotiating society, so I choose not to negotiate when I make a purchase. However, this whole pants thing did some pandemonium in my brain. Maybe I should have offered the clerk $30 and seen what he said?
Looks like I’ll be checking the thrift store…and until then, doing yoga in my biker shorts.
THE biker shorts from 1990.
Hey Lita,
I think the Nike outlet might have some good deals. I used to get cheap running shirts there, but never really looked at the pants.
Let us know if you find some good deals on work out clothes!
Good luck!
Ha, thanks! No good deals yet…
I can totally relate to sticker shock. One idea is to find a pair you like in a store, write down everything about that pair of pants (brand, model, size, etc), then look for it online and also look for online coupons. I just saved $17 on a pair of shorts this way.
Also, I have a pair of Danskin leggings that I love. I believe they were under $30 but definitely under $40 for sure.
Ooo, Danskin leggings! Grand idea. Any recollection where you got them? Honestly, I feel more at ease with prices today, especially since I wandered into a famous underwear store and found out that their old 5 for $20 is now 5 for $26…perhaps I need to be a bit less old fashioned about inflation.
Haha, I’m the same re: inflation. I will literally pick up shoes in the store and be outraged, like, “I remember when leather shoes were $20!” And then remember that leather shoes were $20 back in… 1989? And that 1989 was almost 25 years ago?!
I can’t remember where I bought the Danskin leggings. It might have been at the outlet, or at some dance supply type store. Sorry!
Hahahaha, so true! Maybe I should just be glad workout pants aren’t $100, and remember that hey, I tend to wear them for years most every day. It’s a good investment…seems like a slippery slope. Soon I’ll be shopping at Armani.
It certainly IS a slippery slope! A friend of mine goes by the shopping equation of: (price of item) divided by (# of uses). Then there’s the amorphous “enjoyment” factor, which should also be included. This is how I ended up with 3 Lululemon tanks (2 were bought on clearance at the outlet though!!).