Athleisure may be my aesthetic now that I'm a suburban mom who works from home full time, but it wasn't always. When I lived in Manhattan, I worked in an office by day, event hopped by night, commuted in heels, and never skimped on my glam routine. Don't get me wrong, I still love to dress up and relish any opportunity to play makeup artist, but for me, athleisure is more than a way of dressing — it's the current era I'm living in. As a result, I expect a lot from my wardrobe. My everyday uniform needs to be functional, comfortable, versatile, and stylish. The challenge? Finding pieces that check all my boxes without breaking the bank. Enter: CALIA.
The women's performance and casual brand (sold exclusively at DICK'S Sporting Goods) had been on my radar since its launch in 2015, but up until a few weeks ago, I had never tried it. Now, celebrating 10 years of women empowerment, CALIA, which means "beauty" in Greek (pronounced kuh-lee-ah) is experiencing a rebirth. Not only has the brand switched up its aesthetic — releasing new, fresh pieces that speak to various lifestyles and experiences — but it's also honed in on current fashion trends, expanded its breadth of product, and shifted its messaging. Today, CALIA believes confidence derives from internal validation. It champions the beauty that goes into hard work, and embraces the "beauty in the burn" that we all love to hate during a tough workout. It's not just for moms or workouts either — these clothes seamlessly elevate any daily activity helping women from all stages of life feel confident and beautiful.
Further exemplifying the brand's innovation, CALIA produced a 30-second film featuring athletes and musicians pushing each other both creatively and physically to show what's possible when beauty and strength join forces. With all of these exciting happenings occurring in the CALIA universe, there was no better time to put these clothes to the test. Much to my delight, the brand exceeded my expectations and I've been living in its buttery soft fabrics, dynamic designs, and on-trend silhouettes ever since.
:upscale()/2025/04/10/947/n/1922729/2201901a67f83bba8733e3.15085793_PS25_Dick_s_.png)
Ideally, I could go from a jog to a Zoom meeting to brunch all in one outfit (and with some strong antiperspirant). While the typical workout 'fit doesn't usually allow for such fluidity, this look is the exception.
I wore cargo pants, a ribbed T-shirt, and a quarter-zip sweatshirt for a busy day that began with a cafe catch-up, ended with light exercise, and consisted of deadlines and meetings in between. I felt polished enough for my morning hang, comfortable enough to hunker down at home clocking a few hours of work, and sporty enough to hit the pavement for a lengthy power walk without overheating. Typically, all that would require three outfit changes. Not so in my three-piece wonder outfit.
I've since worn these relaxed cargo pants at least once a week (including on an airplane), and the fabric is unmatched. Between moisture-wicking technology, built-in UPF 50+ technology, and a lightweight, breathable feel, they've become an instant hero in my closet. Plus, the wide-leg style is just so cool. The T-shirt deserves a shoutout here, too. For those who think T-shirts are interchangeable, prepare to stand corrected. This one is exceptionally good: stretchy, flattering, wrinkle-proof. I want (at least) one in every color.
:upscale()/2025/04/10/947/n/1922729/27b1071a67f83bbaf340a1.29400125_PS25_Dick_s_.png)
On day two, my look needed to function as a hardcore workout outfit (high-impact sports bra included), but I also wanted it to feel intentional while I checked off my to-do list. The goal: avoid looking like I was shopping in my running outfit. My usual go-to on days like this is a pair of black joggers and whatever sweatshirt is laying on top of the pile. It's a standard weekday look for me, but it's neither inspiring nor makes me feel particularly stylish. This CALIA combo made it look effortless to look this put together. My confidence skyrocketed and I actually hoped I'd run into someone I knew in the produce aisle.
You know who coordinates all of her looks, even the most low-key ones? That girl — and today, I wanted to be her. Coordination is key to looking elevated in workout gear, which is why I stuck with a neutral color palette of cool gray and white. I appreciate how easy it is to style outfits with CALIA because various pieces are available in the same colors across the board. Even the brand's collection of sneakers (in collaboration with New Balance), incorporates the same shades.
From a performance standpoint, each element of my outfit (leggings, sports bra, mesh tank, shoes, and socks) served me well during and after my 5K run. As an avid runner, I'm picky about what I wear on the path — especially when it comes to support — and these pieces matched the quality I'm used to from brands twice their price. Not to mention, the quick-dry fabric and BODYFREE technology kept sweat and odor at bay so I didn't feel gross or self-conscious even when I couldn't hit the shower immediately after my workout.
:upscale()/2025/04/10/947/n/1922729/4512da1e67f83bbb6d8451.15811754_PS25_Dick_s_.png)
From cardio and lifting to tackling chores at home to chasing a toddler around a park, I knew this day's outfit needed to hold its own during an assortment of activities. Pulling inspiration directly from my spring mood board, I chose pieces in trending colors sky blue and butter yellow. Once again, everything from my shoes to my sports bra coordinated, which gave my look the stylish edge I'm usually missing during a busy weekday. As a result, I walked into my fitness class feeling energized and confident.
While it's not recommended to wear your fitness clothes for hours post-workout, sometimes it happens. And I can attest to how comfortable I felt in my odor-reducing, moisture-wicking gear long after I should've taken it off. In fact, I couldn't resist showing off my cute set during daycare pick-up. On our walk home, my son and I stopped at the park to play and socialize for a while. Feeling a chill in the air, I pulled out my Soft Scuba pullover — in the same sky-blue color as my tank top and sports bra — and loved that I didn't have to sacrifice style for warmth.
When it comes to clothing my standards are high but I never had to settle with CALIA. Like many women, I'm a multi-hyphenate — a mom, a runner, a full-time editor — the list goes on. CALIA is the kind of athleisure that reminds me I'm more than the sum of my parts and that doing it all comfortably should be the standard.