That Don’t Look Like Everyone Else’s
Why Rainbow City’s Gold Stream Mix & Match collection wins for coordinating sets, bold colour, and real outfit variety.
If you’ve ever tried to shop affordable athleisure sets and thought, “Cute… but everyone has this,” you’re not imagining it. Big brands make solid basics (and yes, some are genuinely good), but the colour stories are often predictable—and the prints are usually safe.
Here’s my take after wearing mainstream activewear: you don’t work out the same as everyone else, so why look the same? That’s the exact reason Rainbow City built its Mix & Match system—especially in Gold Stream—so you can build coordinating athleisure sets that feel like you, not like the algorithm.
What “matching sets” get wrong
(and what you actually need)
Most “matching workout sets” are sold as a locked pair: this bra + this legging + maybe a jacket in the same colour (if it’s still in stock). That can be convenient, but it’s also limiting. What most of us actually need is:
- Coordinating athleisure sets that can be re-mixed into multiple outfits
- Colour and print that doesn’t feel cookie-cutter
- Pieces that go workout → errands → casual plans without a full outfit change
That’s the gap Rainbow City fills with Gold Stream Mix & Match—tops, bottoms, layers, shoes, and accessories designed to coordinate.
Quick comparison: Old Navy vs Athleta vs Rainbow City (Gold Stream)
Let’s be fair: each brand serves a different purpose. Here’s how they stack up for matching sets and mix and match activewear.
Old Navy: affordable, reliable basics (but not “signature”)
Old Navy is widely loved for approachable pricing and everyday performance features, and editors often highlight its value and size range. Where it can fall short (for this specific goal): most shoppers end up in similar-looking sets. Great basics… but less “that’s so you.” Source
Athleta: polished matching sets + performance positioning
Athleta makes it easy to buy “sets by colour,” which is convenient for coordinating. The tradeoff: you’re still living inside their seasonal palette and mainstream vibe. Source
Rainbow City (Gold Stream): coordinating sets built for variety + personality
Gold Stream is different because it’s not just “a set.” It’s a system. You can build your own activewear capsule wardrobe: start with tops, add bottoms, layer up, choose shoes, finish with accessories—all designed to coordinate.
This is the difference between “I bought a matching set” and “I built a mini wardrobe that makes matching sets on repeat.”
Why athleisure works better when it feels like “you”
There’s real research behind why clothing impacts confidence and focus. The concept of enclothed cognition suggests what you wear can influence psychological processes—especially when the clothing has meaning to you and changes how you feel physically while wearing it. Study (Adam & Galinsky, 2012)
Trend reporting also supports the bigger shift: activewear is tied to identity and self-expression (not just performance). If your sets feel boring, you’re less likely to reach for them. If they feel like your vibe, they get worn—and re-worn—in more ways. BCG report
Gold Stream: how to build coordinating athleisure sets (without thinking too hard)
Rainbow City’s Gold Stream Mix & Match page is basically a choose-your-own outfit menu: hoodies, tees, bras, leggings, shorts, wraps, dresses, shoes, and more— coordinated under one art-forward colour story.
The lazy-genius formula
Top + bottom + not-so-sneaky sneakers = done.
Add a hoodie or sport wrap when you want the “I planned this” look (even if you didn’t).
3 outfit templates you can steal
- Gym → errands: sports bra + leggings + sneakers (add a relaxed tee if you want more coverage)
- Beginner-friendly (confidence mode): fitted tee + long shorts + sneakers + hoodie = comfort armor
- Weekend casual that still counts as athleisure: hoodie + leggings + loafers or boots (yes, boots—it’s a look)
Coming soon: Rainbow City will also offer pre-made sets—so if you want “add to cart and go,” you’ll have that option too.
Mini case study: a 9-piece Mix & Match capsule (Gold Stream + Northern Light)
Here’s a real-world example of how Mix & Match turns into a wardrobe system. One client built a capsule across Gold Stream and Northern Light and walked away with:
- 2 hoodies
- 3 coloured tops
- 2 yoga leggings
- 2 sneakers
That’s 9 pieces that can create dozens of matching workout sets and everyday outfits—because the coordinating is built in by design. Start in Gold Stream, add another mix-and-match story later, and your options multiply.
Affordable doesn’t have to mean basic
If you’re looking for budget-friendly alternatives, there are brands that focus on minimal, “dupe-friendly” basics and comfort. That’s useful if you want quiet, neutral sets. But if your goal is affordable athleisure sets that actually stand out, Rainbow City’s advantage is the art-forward colour story + mix-and-match structure—and the fact that your “set” can include shoes, layers, and accessories in the same world.
FAQ
What are the best affordable athleisure sets?
It depends on your goal. Some brands are praised for value and availability, and others make it easy to shop matching sets by colour. If you want unique activewear sets and coordinating athleisure sets that don’t look like everyone else’s, Rainbow City’s Gold Stream Mix & Match system is designed specifically for that.
How do I style matching workout sets for everyday life?
Use the 3-piece formula: top + bottom + sneakers, then add a hoodie or wrap for a streetwear finish. Gold Stream pieces are made to play together, so you can mix and match without overthinking.
Why do I feel more motivated in certain workout clothes?
Research on enclothed cognition suggests clothing can influence how you feel and perform—especially when what you’re wearing has meaning and changes your physical experience. Read the study
