How to Style Up Your Sportswear: 10 Outfits From New York City’s It-Girl Runners

Nothing gives basic activewear a deliberate edge quite like a great pair of high socks. Whether paired with a tennis dress or a running jumpsuit, adding knee-high socks to your footwear equation is the easiest way to instantly elevate your look.

Jenna Litner proves that a throw-on-and-go dress can make you look like the coolest person running through SoHo. Her look pairs an Iconic Running Tank Dress with Bright White Knee-high Socks to visually lengthen the leg. Finished with reflective sunnies and bold, Striped ADIZERO EVO SL Zip Sneakers, it’s a masterclass in low-effort, maximum-impact dressing.

Jackie Ramirez nails the off-duty athlete look by pairing a short-sleeved  Grey Running Jumpsuit with an Essential Black Bra as the base layer. She bridges the gap between performance and street style with sleek Oakley shield shades, crisp knee-high socks, and White Zip ADIZERO EVO SL Trainers. To keep the look reading "runner clean-girl," she pairs her pieces with her non-negotiable gold jewelry and a flawless slicked-back braid.

If you’re looking for an easy styling shortcut, a cool pair of sunglasses is always the answer. The right frames immediately bridge the gap between high-performance activewear and downtown street style.

Angie Chavez is wearing Onix Running Shorts and a crisp White Sports Bra. She elevates her base layers by tying an asymmetrical black wrap jacket at her waist. The standout details that make the look? High-contrast yellow running glasses, heavy gold hardware earrings, and subtle gold ties woven directly into her ponytail braid.

Safia Atu shows us exactly how functional coverage can look effortlessly chic. Elevating a Stella Mccartney x Adidas Grey-Patterned Windbreaker and classic Firebird Track Pants, her move is layering sleek Miu Miu frames over her Workout Hijab. This look is designed to handle a rigorous long morning run before transitioning seamlessly to grabbing coffee with your girls.

A beautiful study in texture play, Ciara Lucas layers a translucent, monogrammed Mesh Long-sleeve over a White Bra Tank, instantly making the outfit feel elevated far beyond the gym. Paired with sculpting Black Running Shorts and classic brown aviator sunglasses, it’s the perfect look to impress your gym crush.

From paisley bandanas to classic baseball caps, intentional headwear and sleek braids serve a dual purpose: they keep your hair secure through sprinting intervals while ensuring you look completely put together.

Umi Akiyoshi pulls out all the stops for a look that feels very nostalgic. If you're wondering how to give a monochrome outfit a bit more flavor, copy her play on an Iconic White Crop Tank and White Tennis Shorts. Styled with a tied paisley bandana headband over twin braids, sharp oval shades, and knee-high socks tucked into White ADIZERO EVO SL Zip Sneakers, she makes running a marathon look like an elite fashion choice.

All-black doesn't have to mean basic. By playing with technical dimensions—an ADIZERO Running Crop Top, Double-Layered 2-in-1 Shorts, and liquid-chrome striped EVO SL Zip ADIZERO sneakers—Mel’s monochrome look radiates high-intensity energy on and off the track. A razor-sharp, slicked-back braid and stacked gold jewelry ensure this outfit is one your entire run club will be begging for the link to.

Ash Casey nails the classic runner aesthetic. She pairs a Boxy Black Cropped Tank and Dusty Ink Blue Climacool Shorts with a crisp white Adidas cap over her braids. She completes the look with metallic silver EVO SL EXO ADIZERO Trainers, balancing the athletic elements out with delicate silver jewelry and a practical crossbody phone bag.

Neutral activewear will always have a dedicated place in our closets, but these high-octane pops of color bring a much-needed, infectious energy to the city streets, capturing the pure whimsy of a New York summer.

Lisa Ro gives us a masterclass in unexpected color theory. Pairing a  Royal Purple Strappy Bra against ADIZERO Textured Running Shorts, the undeniable centerpiece of the outfit is a Liquid-Gold ADIZERO Jacket tied effortlessly around her waist. It’s the perfect inspiration for breaking out of a color rut.

Opting for an Adidas x Entire Studios Active Maroon Bra, Val brings maximum heat to a pair of cool charcoal running shorts and Cloud White ADIZERO EVO SL EXO Sneakers. The magic lies entirely in the details: stacked chain necklaces, a black choker, red hair ties woven into her braids, and oversized red shield glasses that elevate a standard workout fit into a look you’ll want to wear long before and after your cool-down.

If these looks prove anything, it’s that a morning run is no longer just a workout. It’s an exercise in personal style, a confidence boost in motion, and proof that the city's running paths are the new runways.