One of the most common questions I get from friends, family and followers is how to dress up comfy clothes and athleisure for everyday wear - and where to shop it. There are so many options when it comes to leggings, sports bras, sweats and kicks it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why I was pretty excited to hear that SIX:02, Footlocker’s women’s only athleisure store, was finally opening a flagship in New York City.

The flagship store is within the new Footlocker 33 store on 33rd street just west of 6th Avenue across from Macy’s. Within the store, there are several mini-boutiques. You’ll find Puma, Jordan and Nike basketball, a New Balance wall with exclusive pieces oft only seen overseas, adidas, a kids section, Under Armour, seasonal sections (right now - Timberland), and of course, SIX:02. What’s different about SIX:02 compared to Lady Footlocker or similar women’s boutique is that its focus is more on fashion, limited and collaboration collections. For example, there are more high-end style brands in their bi-weekly "The Collection" section as well sneaker mainstays like Nike, adidas, Reebok and Puma. The store is also home to in-store activations that are targeted to the millennial woman with giveaways, braiding and nail bars, DJ’s and of course, great gear to shop. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in New York for the grand opening event that featured a huge re-stock of previous sneakers. Soon after, the Fenty x Puma collection dropped complete with a visit from it’s designer, the iconic Rihanna. Thankfully on my last trip I was able to tour the store and pick up a few different pieces that could be worn at the gym, out with friends and even on date night! 

The next few posts are focussing on how I styled pieces from SIX:02 and worked them into my rather limited travel wardrobe (living out of a suitcase for months on end can get rather dire - fashion wise). For the first look, I had to pick up something from the Rihanna Puma “Fenty” line. I’ve had my eyes on a few different pieces since the original collection photos were released, but the price point was steep for my budget. I tried on all sorts of stuff, but my favorite item is the sweatpant with lacing details. They’re surprisingly super comfy given that they’re fleece lined and warm, however making the lacer tighter or looser works like a ventilation system, along with a styling option. There’s a snug inner spandex waistband and a draw string do you can wear the sweats higher on your waist or sag them, given whatever your preference is. I’m wearing an extra small in the photos and usually more of a small in sweats, as I carry my weight in my lower body. The fit is a bit oversized but still flattering. I decided to style the straps hanging as it was a windy day in Bed-Stuy but I also love wrapping the straps around my legs for a sportier take on bondage straps.

I mixed it with a few of my fall staples, a Theory bodysuit and a Helmut Lang mini moto jacket from their sample sale over the summer. I did a shoe swap to show how the look can still be versatile, wearing the white and gum Nike Uptempo that I purchased from the kids section of Footlocker (a grail pair of mine, since I’m a 90’s kid) and my distressed red cow hair booties from Opening Ceremony. Let me know what you think of the look and how you’d like the RiRi collection. 

Outfit photos by Simone Hamilton, store photos of SIX:02/Footlocker.