How to Look Good when Running

Co-authored by Kai Ng and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: December 10, 2022 References

Running is a great way to get in shape, but it is not necessarily the most glamorous sport. Red cheeks, sweaty armpits, and unruly hair can make you look less than your best. If running is your exercise of choice, but you want to look good while doing it, then take the time to work on your running form, choose nice looking, high-quality workout gear, and prepare yourself before heading out for a run. By doing this, not only will you be healthier, but you’ll look good, too.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Workout Gear

1
Choose colors that flatter your skin tone. The majority of running clothes come in very bright colors in order to make you more visible on the road. While these colors may be pretty, they might not always be the most flattering for your skin tone. For example, if you have a warm, dark complexion, you might look fantastic in neon hues, while dark colors might look dull against your skin. If you're fair-skinned, you might look best in darker jewel tones.^{[1]
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- For safety reasons, it's a good idea to have at least one article of clothing that stands out, either because it is very brightly and boldly colored, or just because it is a lighter color, such as white or lavender.
- Skin tone matching matters most around your face. Your skin tone is less important on your torso or limbs. Bright safety colors will work fine for your leggings or shorts, for instance.
2
Buy a pair of high-quality running shoes. Running in an old pair of worn-out shoes can be painful, and those old shoes probably don’t look that great anymore. If you want to look good (and be comfortable) while running, you should invest in a good pair of running shoes. It is probably a good idea to choose the shoes in a more neutral color so that they won’t clash with your different running outfits.^{[2]
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- You could also try to purchase all of your running clothing in the same colors. This way, you can also purchase the shoes to match your outfits.
- Don’t forget socks! Many running stores sell socks specifically made for running. These socks help keep your feet cool and comfortable. If you want to look good while running, opt for ankle socks that won’t show too much above the top of your shoe.
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3
Wear running tights. Running in a pair of worn out shorts or a pair of baggy sweatpants will not help you look good. Therefore, you should look for running pants or shorts that are tight and stretchy. Not only will they help keep you cooler by wicking away sweat, they will also make you look good.^{[3]
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- If you are self-conscious about your legs and know you won’t feel comfortable wearing skin-tight clothing, then look for running pants that are a bit looser. However, avoid pants that are too baggy, as they can look sloppy and may be difficult to run in.
- Running tights come in a multitude of colors and patterns.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kai Ng
  Certified Running Coach
  Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.} Although you should buy whatever makes you happy, it may be easiest to purchase all of your running tights in a neutral color such as black or grey. This way, you can choose any color top you want, and it will always match well with your pants.
- If you choose grey pants, be aware that this color may show sweat more readily than other colors. If you are worried about sweat stains, stick with black, which will hide sweat.
4
Choose a fitted top. Rather than choosing an old t-shirt, opt for a fitted running t-shirt or a tank top. Many of the big sports brands make very stylish tops that also wick sweat away from your skin. This will help you stay cool, which in turn will keep you looking good.^{[5]
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- If you are self-conscious about your size, you can also look for looser running tops, as these are becoming more popular these days. A flowy shirt won't cling to your skin, giving you a more relaxed, flattering appearance.
- Make sure to choose tops in colors that flatter your skin tone.
5
Wear a high-quality sports bra if you are a woman. Regardless of your bra size, you should wear a sports bra. Not only will this keep you more comfortable, it will also be more flattering.^{[6]
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- If you have never been fitted for a sports bra specifically, it may be good to visit a sports store, where they can help show you different fittings, and types of sports bras. This is especially important if you are a woman with large breasts, as running can be very uncomfortable, and even dangerous, without the right bra.
6
Consider sports underwear. Many companies make underwear specifically for sports. These underwear can help keep sweat contained, and help you avoid wedgies, which don’t look good. Some shorts and running pants also come with built-in underwear, which means you don’t need to wear underwear at all.^{[7]
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7
Wear sunglasses. A good pair of sport sunglasses can be a life-saver on a bright day. It will also keep you from squinting into the sun, which will give your face a scrunched look. Many companies make sunglasses designed to stay in place during sports. These glasses come in various shapes and sizes, so there is bound to be something that will suit your face well.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Opthamologists
Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research
Go to source}
- Avoid wearing regular sunglasses when running. More often than not, these sunglasses will simply bounce around while you are running, or they will slide down your nose. Not only will this be annoying for you, but it probably won’t look good either.
8
Make sure that your outfit goes well together. When you get dressed to go out for your run, take a second to look in the mirror. Ask yourself if you like what you see and whether the outfit you’re wearing help you feel more confident during your run.
- It’s important to take a quick look in the mirror. Sometimes we think an outfit looks great when we lay it all out, but somehow it doesn’t flow as well once we put it on.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Working on Your Running Technique

1
Keep your shoulders relaxed. As you start to get tired, you may notice yourself starting to lift your shoulders. Not only will this make running even more of a challenge, it will also make you look tense and uncomfortable.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} If you want to look good, focus on keeping your shoulders down and relaxed.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Kai Ng
Certified Running Coach
Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.}
- It is easy to do this without realizing it, so try to remind yourself every now and then to see if your shoulders are starting to creep up. One way you can do this is by lifting your shoulders up to your ears. Then, on an exhale, let your shoulders relax as much as you can.
2
Pick up your feet. If you are not in very good shape, or if you are getting tired, you are likely to let your feet drag lazily. However, if you want to look like good while running, you should focus on picking up your feet. You don’t have to lift them high into the air. Instead, just focus on keeping your feet energetic.^{[11]
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- Doing this will help make it look as though you have lots of energy and are really enjoying your run.
3
Keep a relaxed facial expression. When running, many people have a tendency to scrunch up their face into a grimace. Running can be very challenging, so this facial expression is understandable. However, if you want to look good, try to keep your face relaxed, and your expression friendly.
- It will help if you keep your breathing as consistent and steady as possible. Take deep breaths in, and then try to breathe out in a controlled way.
- If your face starts to tense up, you’re unknowingly wasting extra energy. Keeping your face relaxed can help give you a little extra boost that you can put into your strides.
4
Keep your stride even. It may be tempting to take very long strides to look as though you are running faster. However, if you want to look good while you are running, you should keep your stride a bit shorter. Don't take baby steps, but also, don’t try to stride out as though you are a gazelle. Not only will you look silly, but you will also be wasting energy.^{[12]
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- It is recommended that you have around 180 foot-strikes every 60 seconds. You can see if you are getting around this number by counting the number of times each foot hits the ground for 15 seconds, and then multiplying that number by four.
5
Avoid heel striking. Heel striking is a common mistake that runners make.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Kai Ng
Certified Running Coach
Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.} This occurs when you let the heel of your foot hit the ground first, rather than the ball of your foot. If you want to look good running, try focusing on getting the ball of your foot to be the place where your foot first contacts the ground. Not only is this good for your running technique, but it will also make you look better while you are running.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- By doing this, you will appear relaxed and more energetic.
6
Keep your arms at about a 90-degree angle. Many people tend to let their arms flail around when they are running, especially if they are tired. When you are running, keep your arms bent comfortably, and let them pump back and forth naturally. Also, try to keep them going only backward and forwards, rather than moving them sideways across your body. Not only does this waste energy, but it also looks a bit silly.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Conserving energy will also help keep you looking fresh during your run.
- Don’t worry about keeping your elbows bent at a perfect angle. The most important thing is to keep them relaxed.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Skin and Hair

1
Wear sunscreen. When you go outside, you should always wear sunscreen that's at least SPF or higher to protect your skin. Apply about 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) of sunscreen to your skin, or enough to fill a shot glass. Make sure to apply it to your face, the tops of your ears, and any skin that will be exposed while you are outside.
- Remember that the sun’s rays can still harm your skin even on an overcast day.
- You can look for a body moisturizer that includes an SPF in it. This way, you will be moisturizing and protecting at the same time.
- If you want to add a bit of glow to your sunscreen, mix a bit of shimmery powder into your sunscreen before applying it to your skin.
- Don’t forget your hair! While it may not be ideal to put sun cream directly on your hair, there are hair products on the market that contain an SPF to protect your hair as well.
2
Fix your hair. Unless you have very short hair, you will want to do something with your hair to keep it out of your face. If you have bangs, it is best to pin them up so that they won't end up a sticky, sweaty mess. One way to do this would be to fold your bangs back to create a little poof. Then, use two bobby pins to hold the poof in place.^{[16]
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- If you have long, straight hair, brush it into a sleek ponytail. This will help keep you cool, and make you look fresh. You could also consider braiding the ponytail to keep it more contained.
- If you have curly hair, pull your hair up into a messy bun, and use bobby pins to secure any unruly curls.
- Sport headbands can also work great for helping keep your hair sleek, and out of your face.
3
Put on a little makeup if you enjoy wearing it. The idea with looking good while running is to make it look effortless and natural. If you have a full face of makeup on, then it will look like you are trying very hard. Try wearing waterproof mascara, tinted moisturizer with SPF 20, lightly-tinted lip balm, and a light-colored, waterproof eyeliner.^{[17]
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- Look for lip balms that have an SPF to help keep your lips protected.
- Tinted moisturizer will help keep your skin looking natural while also providing a bit of coverage to help with any blemishes.
- Avoid wearing heavy foundation. When you are running, you are going to sweat. If you choose a full coverage foundation, chances are you will sweat it off, and there will be streaks all over your face. The combination of sweat and foundation can also clog your pores, leading to breakouts.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should you look for in running shoes?

Tyler Courville
Professional Runner
Tyler Courville is a brand ambassador for Salomon Running. He has run in 10 ultra and mountain races across the United States and Nepal, and won the 2018 Crystal Mountain Marathon.

Tyler Courville

Professional Runner

Expert Answer

Choose shoes for support first and style second. It's important to know how much support you like on one hand, and how much you need on the other. If you have really high arches you typically need shoes with higher support. If you’re really flat footed you might want shoes that are supported differently.
Question

Will how I look affect my running?

Clare Flanagan
Former Competitive Runner
Clare Flanagan is a former competitive NCAA Division I cross-country runner for Stanford University. She has been running for over a decade, previously having won six Class A State Championships in Minnesota, set a Class A State record in the 1600m, and qualifying for the Nike Cross Country Nationals.

Clare Flanagan

Former Competitive Runner

Expert Answer

My high school cross-country team had a mantra: 'Look good, feel good, run good.' For the girls' team, this meant braiding each other's hair and tying it in matching bows on race day. For me personally, it also meant giving myself a fresh manicure, wearing my lucky pink tie-dye sports bra, and even wearing a little makeup. It made me feel more powerful and energized before tough workouts and races!
Question

Why should you run nice and tall?

Kai Ng
Certified Running Coach
Kai Ng is a USATF and RRCA Certified Running Coach at Run Coach Kai. Kai has competed in over 55 races and over 15 marathons, and has trained with 16x USA and World record holder Patti Catalano Dillonso. He specializes in coaching runners of all levels and showing people that everyone can be a runner. Kai is committed to helping his clients reach their goals by showing them how to run with proper form and holding them accountable to train consistently.

Kai Ng

Certified Running Coach

Expert Answer

It is essential to run nice and tall so that you do not restrict any muscle from helping you to generate the most power possible. By leaning too much towards the back, you may limit your quads. If you lean forward too much, your hamstrings may restrict your movements.

Warnings

Although you want to look good running, don’t sacrifice safety. If you are running at night, make sure that you wear light-colored clothing, and something reflective if possible. This will make it easier for others to see you.

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