I thought it would be useful to re-visit some of the recent products I did a fit review for to report on how we'll they're performing.
Athleta Relay Capri
- Use: Running
- My Fit Review (fits true to size)
- Pros: Awesome fabric--soft and thick but very breathable. I tend to overheat while running and didn't get too hot in these during warmer days. Matte fabric doesn't cause thin/silky tops (including Lululemon Swiftlys) to ride up. I like the fabric much more than Lululemon's Luxtreme. Thick waistband stays put. Lots of color options.
- Cons: Only one pocket in the back. Very, very slight pilling in the top thigh/crotch area. Some of my older Athleta Pilayo pants have some pilling, but that's after years of wear. Curious to see if the pilling gets worse.
- Price: $69, on sale for $44.99 or less
- Bottom line: Ideal for spring and fall running. Haven't tested in very hot and humid weather, but I think I'd prefer a shorter knicker or skort for summer. Because they have only one pocket, I don't think I'd pay full price for these (especially because I'm not sure if they'll hold up to pilling, as mentioned above).
Athleta Elite Striped Half-Zip 2
- Use: Running, casual wear, hikes
- Fit: True to size
- Pros: Awesome fabric--buttery soft but not too thick. Long zip allows for a lot of ventilation. Large zippered pocket in the back of the shirt. Thumbholes. Reflective details.
- Cons: None! If I had a wish, I'd make it unstinkable, but that's it.
- Price: $79, on sale for $59.99
- Bottom line: Ideal for spring and fall running. It keeps me warm but isn't too hot, and I can unzip it when I start to heat up. I like it so much that I've worn it for casual wear (taking the dog for a walk, running errands, etc.) I'm glad I bought two.
Lululemon Long Sleeve Swiftly
Last fall I bought my first Swiftly--a long sleeve white, scoop neck. I wore it as a base layer for every single winter run I did. It's very lightweight, helped keep me warm, and wicks sweat like crazy. However, the Swiftly fabric is infamous for being delicate and easy to snag, and the snagging is what kept me from buying more. When I read that the Heathered Cadet Blue Swiftly was thicker and softer (and perhaps less prone to snagging) I bought it. I've worn it as a standalone shirt on warmer (45-50 degree) days in the past few weeks. It kept me warm enough but wasn't too hot, and not only wicked sweat great but dried quickly, which was great on Saturday when it was windy and I had a long walk back to my car after my run. I hate buying Lululemon products because I think they suck as a company. But last week they had a glitch with their online orders and gave everyone who was affected a $25 gift card. (I rarely buy Lulu now but just so happened to buy during that glitch and got the gift card.) So, maybe Lulu is changing their ways.
- Use: Running or a base layer when you'll be sweating a lot
- Fit: My regular Lulu size top (6) fits very snugly. This is a 6 in the pic. I sized up to an 8 in the white scoop neck for the longer length, which gives a very roomy fit.
- Pros: Awesome at wicking sweat and drying quickly. Warm without being hot. Lots of color options.
- Cons: Fabric is very delicate and requires gold treatment care--and even then it is likely to snag.
- Price: $69
- Bottom
line: I think buying one is a good investment, especially as a base layer in winter. However, given how prone they are to snagging, I probably would not buy a lot of these because they are too expensive to snag like they do. I would definitely feel the fabric first and buy the thicker, softer ones.
Yogasmoga Tippy Toe Leggings
- Use: Yoga, strength training, casual wear (I have not worn them for running)
- My Fit Review
- Pros: Designed and made in the U.S. using eco-friendly processes. Gorgeous purple color. Waist stays put during yoga and even plyo exercises. Super, super comfortable--most comfortable leggings I have. No pilling so far.
- Cons: Logo is on the front bottom leg near the front--it's a bright orange logo so very noticeable. Attracts pet hair like crazy, but it's easy to wipe off. No pilling so far. If I wear them for a few days before washing them (which I do if I'm doing yoga or non-sweaty things), they tend to stretch out a bit. I wonder if I should have sized down.
- Price: $96 (I got them for $71 during a promotion)
- Bottom line: I don't think I'd buy another pair because of the logo placement. It really bothers me. However, I would like to try their capris, which have the logo on the back waistband instead of the leg.
Oiselle Infinity Scarf
I have worn this every single day since I got it! I have even gone to bed with it on because I don't want to take it off.
- Use: Casual wear
- Pros: Fleece is very soft. Feather motif is subtle. Good substitute for the pricey Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf (which I also love.)
- Cons: Infinity style can be a bit hard to style right. This is where it falls short to Lulu's Vinyasa, which has snaps to help it style right.
- Price: $26 on sale
- Bottom
line: Will definitely order more scarves from Oiselle. The one I got is no longer available, but this one looks just as nice.
Athleta Long Sleeve Breathe Top
I didn't originally post a fit review on Athleta's Breathe series of tops, but because they just came up on sale, I thought it might be useful. I have a long-sleeve Breathe top in Aqua Blue Heather and just ordered a tank on sale. Here I paired it with a Lululemon Clear Mint Cool Racerback, Athleta jeans-style Bettona pant (on sale for $59.99), and Oiselle scarf.
- Use: Casual wear, hikes, light workouts
- Pros: This top definitely scrunches, so you can wear it scrunched up like I'm wearing to let a tank peek out or pulled down (it actually comes down to mid-thigh). Extremely comfortable for a fitted top. Sleeves are long and have thumbholes. Wearing it scrunched is very forgiving if you have a bloated day. Heathered colors are very pretty. Top is very wicking; when I spilt water on it, it dried very quickly. Fabric is made of organic cotton and gives a true cotton feel.
- Cons: Can make you look busty (a con for me but maybe a pro for others). Some people have complained that the shirring added bulk to their slim waists. I have a small waist but don't feel it added too much bulk, but I do like the scrunched look.
- Price: $69, currently on sale for $54,99.
- Bottom
line: This top and my Betttona jeans-style pant are a must for active days (taking the dog for a long walk, running errands, etc.) when I don't want to look like I just went running. The spacedye colors are so pretty in the tanks and tees. I just bought a spacedye tank on sale.
Labels: athleta, Beyond Lululemon, Lululemon, Oiselle, workout outfits, yogasmoga
