Ballin' Chain: MC Sports

Score a hot summer look at this athletic outfitter.

By Andrea Kasprzak
Published: July 13th, 2010 | 5:20pm

The World Cup is over, and we'd rather leave sporty to the Spice Girls. Preferring to admire athleticism from the sidelines of a two-seasons-past Wang runway, we tend to shun activities requiring uncomely spandex and knee pads all together. But for this installment of Ballin' Chain, we got into the spirit and scoured jocky MVP MC Sports. Here, a few ways to score a hot summer look (and amp up your workout wardrobe, too):

Cheerleader Shorts

Soffe shorts, the unofficial sartorial must for cheerleading captains and WB-drama DVD-watching in the dorm room, are actually pretty awesome. They're comfortable, they make your butt look great, and if you aren't rolling them down with exposed navel piercing (hi, Britney!) they can work outside the slumber party. Pair them with a filmy blouse or a blousey silk cami and add a pair of French girl–approved sneakers for an alternate errand running ensemble. Bonus: under $10 a pop.

Wink blouse, $167, Urban Outfitters; Soffe shorts,$7.99, MC Sports; Bensimon sneakers, $54, Lori's Shoes

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Leotards

Anything you can do to make yourself look more like a ballerina is an automatic A. Leotards are sexy without being super obvious and are like the fashion world's answer to sliced bread: they go with everything. You can't go wrong with a leotard. Pull on a pair of cutoffs, dress up with scalloped shorts, or try with a high-waisted skirt or a pair of jeans for an easy look. In the cooler months, tie on a boyfriend button up or add a cardigan. Basically, the entire dance department is a style gold mine.

Queen's Market shorts, $72, Queen's Market; Danskin leotard, $19.99, MC Sports; Pixie Market sandals, $139, Pixie Market

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Tennis Apparel

Here's another department that works off the court if styled appropriately. Temper a black or white tennis dress with a broken-in boyfriend button-down and serious shoes, or toss a slouchy well-worn sweatshirt over a tennis skirt with wedge heels.