Last month, I teamed up with Brooks Running to give one lucky winner a total running makeover, including a new top, bottoms and shoes. With 500 entries and nearly 200 stories about your worst running outfits, I think it’s safe to say that 99 percent of us – at one point or another – have run in clothes that are far better suited to help kindle a fire, clean toilets or be used by mechanics to wipe grease off their hands.

“The worst outfit I’ve worn and will never be caught dead in is my yellow sports bra, black running tank, brown and neon orange shorts, green socks and my gray and volt colored shoes. I wanted to die. Talk about an off day.”
~Brandy C.

Don’t worry, I didn’t just laugh at with all of you as I read about your worst running outfits and looked at pictures of your fitness fashion faux pas. I was also reminded of some important lessons we can all benefit from: What not to wear while running. Ever.

What Not to Wear While Running

1. Cotton is rotten.
Many of you shared that your early running days involved a lot of cotton, which tends to be hot, heavy (when it quickly gets drenched in sweat) and uncomfortable to run in … not to mention the chafing it can cause. The words “sweatpants” and “sweatshirts” should never be used in the same sentence as “running.” Not even in the same vicinity. Nor should “my husband’s XL shirt” or “cotton tube socks.” Stick with lightweight, tech fabrics made of materials designed to wick moisture away from the skin and that help control your body heat.

2. Clothes that don’t fit
There are many of you out there who have achieved some incredible weight loss victories! Congratulations on your success *loud cheers and high fives.* Now that we’re done celebrating, go get some clothes that fit! Dozens of you admitted that you are running around town in baggy tops and bottoms that are 2 to 3 sizes too large. Nothing says “I love to run and I’m proud of my new sexy body” like a pair of shorts sliding up to your rib-cage giving you an impressive wedgie or a top that’s riding up as high as Tori Spelling’s shirts in 90210. I know that we are all on a budget and many of us don’t have the luxury to spend big dollars on tons of running outfits. But it’s an investment in your health. Be on the lookout for sales, shop the running store outlets and at least have 3 to 4 outfits that fit you that you can wash each week and wear again. This will help avoid uncomfortable chafing and keep you focused on your run rather than pulling up your shorts.

“I have just hit the 60-pound lost mark and none of my workout clothes fit anymore! I have capris that are supposed to be tight-fitting but are now constantly falling down. I need new bottoms so I don’t have to run pulling up my pants every block or so.”
~Allison

“The absolute worst thing I run in is my favorite shorts. They are black running shorts I bought 16 years ago. They are 2 sizes too big and have white paint all over them. I have worn them through 2 pregnancies and subsequent weight loss periods. They are so huge and disgusting that I have to roll the waistband down to keep them up, despite that I wear them all the time … including in races!”
~Laura

3. Clothes that should be in the running graveyard.
One thing I learned during my Run Happy Makeover Giveaway is that there are a lot of running hoarders out there. Many of you are holding on to running clothes because you’ve had them for a long time or because they have sentimental value … even though they are – in some cases – decades old, no longer containing elastic, a different color now (aka completely faded) and smelly to the high heavens (even after a tumble in the washing machine). Today, we’re doing some group therapy: It’s ok to get rid of any running clothes that no longer have their shape or color. If you ran in them during high school and are now in your 30s or 40s, it’s ok to let them go. RIP stretched, sagging, faded, stinkey, worn-out running clothes.

“My worst outfit is a running skirt and sports bra so worn out that the elastic on the under shorts of the running skirt rides up my legs and the sports bra that was once white is now a strange shade of beige. Gah!”
~Lisa

4. Sports bras without enough support
If I had a nickel for every time the ladies out there shared stories of their worst running outfits involving inadequate sports bras, I’d be a millionaire at least have $10. For all the women out there, it’s important to find a sports bra and/or tank with built-in shelf bra that provides the proper support for your boobs while you run.

“I used to painfully pull on 2 to 3 sports bras to go for a run – and many a bra rubbed me quite wrong (ouch).”
~Amy

5. Uncomfortably Cute. Fashionably Mistaken.
Isn’t it the worst when you see something incredibly cute but when you run in it there is a painful seam, rubbing or constant riding up? If you’ve bought something because of the way it looks vs. how it feels and fits while running, donate it to your nearest Goodwill or a friend who will have better luck. Choose your running clothes based on comfort, not just cuteness. Most times, you’ll be able to find a good compromise between the two.

6. Overly Intricate Costumes
I’ll openly admit that I’m not a big fan of running costumes. While I’m all for matching tops, Team Sparkle skirts, etc., intricate running costumes – while fun – can make for a seriously hot and not-so-fun running/racing experience. If you do love to dress up for races, try to choose pieces that you would run in normally and that are made for running, but are perhaps a unique color theme, such as creative compression socks, patterned running skirts/tops, sparkly headbands (like Sparkly Soul), etc. You can keep the costumes simple and functional while still being creative.

“My worst running outfit was last October for a Halloween half marathon. I had a costume made, but it was pouring down rain and cold, so I dug around my closet and came up with a long sleeve tie-dye bamboo shirt and bell bottom yoga pants. I had a string of beads and a blond wig. I added a headband, and voila! Hippie! Well, I took off the wig before the race, eventually took off the string of beads that kept hitting me in the face, and by the time the half marathon was over, the bamboo shirt weighed about 50 pounds from the rain. Oh, and it stained my skin purple. Brother.”
~Liz

“I think that the terrible synthetic bee costume our group decided to wear for a women’s run [was my worst running outfit]. Too much sticky fabric for a really hot day. But hilarious pictures.”
~Kati

After all this talk about what not to wear, I’m pleased to share that I was able to help rescue one fellow runner in need of help. Congratulations to Liz C. from Illinois who won my Run Happy Makeover Giveaway. She traded in her nasty, dirty outfit that was destroyed by a recent mud run in for an Equilibrium Racerback tank, Infiniti Short Tights and a pair of PureGrit 2s from Brooks Running.

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. Be sure to stop by on July 9 when I’ll be giving away another exciting collection of running goodies you won’t want to miss! Until then, I hope your miles are happy and fashionable.

What do you do with your old, worn-out, or no longer fitting running clothes? Do you donate them or toss them? Where do you find the best deals on new running clothes?