You know activewear has officially undergone a street-style revolution when you’re even more excited about rocking a Nike crop top to rooftop drinks than you are about wearing it to a workout.
To demonstrate the revolution in action, we tapped totally trendy chef Sophia Roe to show off two of her favorite next-level looks all over New York City. From the aforementioned crop top to a tea-length skirt that’s the definition of sporty chic, each look got its finishing touch from a pair of super sleek Nike kicks.
Bonus: You can catch Roe (and her mega-watt style) IRL at Nike Soho on May 23 and May 30 at 6:30 p.m., where she’ll be dropping life-changing knowledge on stress management and adrenal health—with some yummy elixirs added to the mix, obvi—to help you up your overall wellness game.
“Wellness for me is what makes me feel good physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.”
“That’s why I call myself a wellness advocate, because I’m all about all the aspects of wellness,” Roe says. “Wellness for me is what makes me feel good physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because that’s what holistic means, right?”
Part of feeling good physically is looking good, so we asked Roe for her style tips for looking her best self.
Scroll down for her enviable fashion tips—then shop the pieces you need to recreate her look yourself.
1. Curate statement pieces
“My typical style is power clashing, print mixing—and about 85 percent of my clothes are vintage,” Roe says. “When I integrate new pieces they have to be a statement piece.”
For Roe, those new statement pieces are usually where she integrates sportswear into her wardrobe (because used activewear isn’t really a thing). Her go-to trick? Throwing a bulky print top over a pair of leggings to pull together an outfit that’s both sexy and comfortable.
“What’s great about athleisure is it’s made Nike feel luxurious in a way that still feels functional.”
“That’s the dream,” she says. “I think what’s great about athleisure is it’s made Nike feel luxurious in a way that still feels functional. Because those two things didn’t used to be synonymous with each other. You could not go out to dinner in Nike, but now you totally can.”
2. Start from the bottom
A pair of sneakers can make or break an entire outfit, which is why Roe gravitates toward footwear that’s both fashionable and versatile.
“My white Air VaporMax, I would wear those with anything,” she says. “I would wear those shoes with everything from a shorter skirt to a pair of leggings. They’re super wearable.”
SHOP HER LOOK
Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit 2 $190
Nike Swoosh Pocket $45
Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit 2 $190
3. Let your personality shine
One of Roe’s top styling priorities is that her clothes allow her to outwardly express who she is—which is why she was all for her second look that meshed feminine details with her down-to-earth vibe.
“I love this because it feels real cool,” she says. “I’m very much a downtown New Yorker—with the tattoos and everything—and it feels very that to me. It also feels like a transitional outfit, and that’s probably my favorite way to dress.”
4. Dress for your lifestyle
As a professional chef who splits her time between kitchens and farmer’s markets—but who still loves to express herself through fashion and beauty—Roe’s wardrobe choices need to mesh with her routine.
“[Athleisure] gives you the flexibility to work out, and also go about your day and feel freakin’ cool.”
“With the line of work I’m in, a sense of comfort is what I usually go for,” she says. “What I can respect about athleisure is the flexibility it offers. It gives you the flexibility to work out, and also go about your day and feel freakin’ cool.”
SHOP HER LOOK
Nike Indy Cooling $45
Nike Air Max 270 $150
Nike Sportswear Mesh $65
In partnership with Nike
Photos: Tim Gibson for Well+Good
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