I have a confession.

I’m addicted to workout clothes.

Slowly but surely, I’m accumulating so many leggings and sports bras that my drawers won't properly close. I can't choose between one pair of plain black leggings and another. I can't even throw out leggings that I've sewn back together at least a dozen times.

It’s taking a toll on my bank account. Every two weeks, I eagerly wait for my direct deposit to hit my checkings account. Will it be leggings or a sports bra this time? Both?

However, I can justify my addiction.

My favorite pair of black jeans is as expensive as quality leggings. The clear winner in comfort is the leggings, but not only are they comfortable, but they're versatile! I can obviously work out in them, but long days at the library or in bed watching Netflix are perfect opportunities to wear leggings. Late to class? Leggings. Brunch? Leggings. Writing an Odyssey article? Leggings. Work? Leggings. First date? Leggings. The possibilities are endless. And no matter what I do, I can still go to the gym after.

Don’t get me started on sports bras. They’ve come a long way since I first started buying workout gear. As the bralette trend continues—which, by the way, is another addiction of mine—I’m trying to find ways to stretch my dollar. I couldn't afford both addictions, so I needed to find a middle ground. Sports bras were my answer. Their strappy backs, keyhole cutouts, or knotted details (just to name a few options) give me just the right amount of detail to add to my outfits. Even better, they offer far more support than bralettes. They're even beginning to function as crop tops because midi sports bras are becoming more popular. Since their hemlines are lengthening, both my gym and party wardrobes are growing.

Some may say my addiction is silly, but I say it’s not. In high school, I used to wear baggy sweatpants, a shapeless t-shirt, and a sports bra with no support to the gym, and I could barely look in the mirror. My unfitted and unstylish clothes were warping my perception of myself and making me deeply unhappy with my body. I didn't think I deserved cute clothes because I wasn't fit and wouldn't look good in them. In an attempt to conceal the body that I was still growing into, I was hurting my self-esteem. But now, after many years of building up my confidence, I wear tied up t-shirts with a floral sports bras and bright blue leggings, and I'm happy. When I wear cute workout clothes, my workouts are body-positive experiences.

If spending money on cute workout apparel is going to make me feel good and want to work out more, then so be it; I'll gladly spend $45 on a pair of leggings

Now, excuse me as I buy another outfit for the gym.