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What the Team Behind Athleta Wears to Work

Welcome to Working It, where Racked follows street style into the office.

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Athleta's Sonoma County office isn't all that different from the world depicted in the brand's ads: happy people take group yoga classes in the company's on-site studio; staffers borrow loaner bikes for a lunchtime lap around the nearby lake; and friendly dogs accompany their humans on walks across the grounds.

Known predominantly for its workout apparel, Athleta is as much a lifestyle brand as it is a performance label. The company's knit dresses and swimsuits work for warm-weather getaways, and last fall's puffer vests and slouchy sweaters screamed après ski. Below, see how staffers mesh athletic wear with traditional ready-to-wear labels for a classic, California-casual vibe.


Simone Lopes

Simone Lopes, Assistant Merchant for Ecommerce and Catalog, is wearing the Athleta Gel Chaturanga capris, an Athleta Strut leather jacket, Athleta 811 training shoes by New Balance, an Enza Costa tee, a Coady Culha necklace, Margaret Elizabeth earrings, a Giles & Brother bracelet, a Rolex watch, and rings by H&M and Cartier.

Describe your personal style in three words.
Ready in 15.

What's your go-to workout look?
I tend to wear a lot of black with a pair of statement bottoms, either color or printed. I'm all about the base!

Describe your weekend wardrobe.
I like to keep it classic: J Brand skinnies, a great tee, and flats. Makes it easy to do a quick edit for night time by throwing on a leather jacket, booties, and red lipstick!

Athleisure is so hot right now. Who are your favorite designers for clothes with an athletic edge?
I love Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, Rag & Bone, and Derek Lam 10 Crosby! I've been working on our Athleta collaboration with Derek Lam and can't wait for it to come out next fall.

Do you have a post-workout beauty ritual?
Working out is my beauty ritual!


Liz Tausend, Retail Marketing Coordinator, is wearing the Athleta Cabrillo Sweater, a Lucky Brand leather jacket, Gap jeans, Dolce Vita boots, a Banana Republic necklace, and a scarf and earrings from a trip to Paris.

Liz-Tausend-athleta

What's your go-to workout look?
I like to sweat, so usually capris and a tank. And if I'm running, a hat! I'm always worried about spending too much time in the sun.

Describe your personal style in three words.
Casual, classic, and feminine.

What's the worst workout trend of all time?
Prancercise! Although, could that really be considered a trend?

What's your typical office look?
I sort of run the spectrum of workout clothes to something a little dressier, depending on my workout schedule and what might be going on after work. I'm most often in jeans and a comfortable top with flats or booties.

Walk us through your weekly workout routine.
I just joined ClassPass, so my workout routine has been all over the place while I try get in a groove. In the last week, I did a Body Rok class, Barry's Bootcamp, a TRX class, and a Burn SF class. I go to yoga with friends and get outside with my dog, Gus, on the weekends.

Liz-Tausend-athleta-2


Melissa Barragan, Design Director for Trend, Color, and Print, is wearing the Athleta Ponte Moto Pant and Mesh Splice Chi muscle tank, and Rag & Bone boots.

Athleisure is so hot right now. Who are your favorite designers for clothes with an athletic edge?
Alexander Wang—he's truly a creative genius!

Do you have a post-workout beauty routine?
I make homemade health shrubs, kombucha, and veggie green juices. Workouts usually follow with one or all three of these. I also drink a lot of water and eat really clean.

What's your typical office look?
Athleta mixed with fashion pieces, similar to my outfit today.

Describe your personal style in three words.
Tomboy-chic, understated, neutral-color palette.

What is your go-to workout look?
Lately I've been inspired by unexpected proportion play. I'm loving our High Rise Chaturanga tights paired with our 3/4 bralette, and the studio crop sweatshirt as an after class throw-on.

Melissa-Barragan-athleta

Jacqueline Judge, Copywriter/Creative Writer, is wearing the Athleta High Rise Chaturanga tights, a Madewell blouse, a J.Crew jean jacket, a Penfield Sherpa vest, a vintage Double-H Packer boots, a handmade yarn bracelet from Puerto Rico, a leather bracelet from Guadalajara, and a vintage-inspired engagement ring designed by her fiancé.

Jacqueline-Judge-athleta

Describe your personal style in three words.
Equestrian, country, bohemian

What is the most creative way you've incorporated athletic apparel into a non-workout look?
I've worn an Athleta skort as a skirt before, the Printed Sprint skort. It was one of our shorter styles so it felt young and fresh, plus the print was really cute, almost Free People-ish. I'd wear it for tennis or hiking and then I'd slip on my Jack Purcell sneakers, a white tee, and jean jacket right after.

Are there any athletic-wear trends that you dislike?
I hate wedge sneakers. Athletic trends should always tie back to a function for me, much like equestrian boots could, theoretically, still be worn for horseback riding. The design elements have changed—they're maybe not the best choice for riding depending on construction and materials, but the functionality is still there. You can't do anything active in wedge sneakers. Stick to heels if you want heels.

Jacqueline-Judge-athleta


Joanne Steinbauer, Design Director, is wearing the Athleta High Waist Chaturanga tights, Saucony Sneakers, a Gap striped tee, a J. Crew vintage shirt, the Athleta Fuse vest, and a beaded leather bracelet by Chan Luu.

Joanne-Steinbauer-athlea-2

What's your typical office look?
I always wear Athleta because it's so versatile! One day I'll sport tights, a cute top or tee and a down vest. Then next day I could wear a pair of our uber comfortable City Pants with a seamless tank and one of our oversize sweaters. I've also been known to show up in my running gear, which no one bats an eyelash at, even after a mid-day run!

Describe your personal style in three words.
Casual, preppy, neutral.

Describe your weekend wardrobe.
I'm usually running after my kids on the weekend, so it's something casual like my work attire. Jeans or leggings, loose tees, cozy hoodies, or sweaters, and a pair of sneakers.

Who are two of your style icons?
Jenna Lyons and Gabby Reece.

What is your go-to workout look?
I used to be a triathlon junkie. Now I do all three sports, but separately. For swim, I always wear one of our lap suits. For cycling, my go-to is my Athleta cycling shirt and Cannondale shorts. And for running, I love our Relay Capri paired with a bright Athleta Chi Rank and a similar color Athleta Hullabraloo sports bra.

Joanne-Steinbauer-athleta-3