Hands down, one of the biggest perks of my job is exposure to new brands. As you can imagine, I’ve come across hundreds of designers since becoming a fashion editor, but I find the most joy in discovering BIPOC designers that are on their way to the top. Recently, one such brand has caught my attention, and it’s available exclusively at Kohl’s. Barbara Clarke Ruiz designed the latest athleisure drop from Tek Gear. She’s an innovative designer with more than 20 years of experience crafting fashion-forward designs for the active/sportswear industry. She’s bringing her inclusive vision to this collaboration and is serving up all the bold, bright statements I’m looking for this season. My fellow editors, Indya Brown and Sierra Mayhew, are also craving some color right now, and they’re turning to Kohl’s for all its hidden gems. Below, they’ve put together four looks featuring pieces from Tek Gear and another Kohl’s private brand, Intempo (both of which have extensive on-trend plus-size options, by the way). Keep scrolling—the results are nothing short of perfection.
“A bright, colorful tracksuit is not off the menu for me,” she says. “You won’t find color combos like this, which makes the outfit feel super unique.” The way she styled it also helps—the heels-and-tracksuit combo is a major power move that dresses up the outfit just the right amount. As Indya describes it, this set is “the fashion-girl way of doing athleisure.”
“I’m really into coordinating strong colors, so essentially like color-blocking but a little more nuanced,” Indya says. Take the cerulean-blue dress she’s sporting with electric-yellow heels, for example. “Strong color has been trending for a moment, and I’ve been aboard that train from the beginning!”
“Bold pops of color have been brightening up my workouts as the weather gets colder, so investing in a new set is always a good idea. Getting up for that early-morning workout class is always easier when you have a cute look to wear for it,” she says. “I’m always looking for pieces that not only fit comfortably in my budget but also feel very elevated. I’ve never had a problem finding exactly that from Kohl’s, and whenever I shop there, I find something no one else has.”
“As we get closer to fall, utilitarian pieces have been catching my eye, and you’ll often find me in cargo pants or low-rise jeans that are more utilitarian juxtaposed with blouses that show off my feminine side,” Sierra tells me. Cargo pants have been trending for months now, and Sierra is sold on this pair, which is exclusively available at Kohl’s. “I feel like I might have found the best pair I’ve ever owned. The cinch at the ankle makes them so flattering,” she says.
