My Fellow Sole Sisters,
When I was querying each of you
for best 2015 books and it gave me a chance to reach out to our Texas based
runner gal, Nell. She sent me an email with the
subject line: “Confession & Question” which started a clothing dialog. We
concluded this would make a great back and forth with the collective so I
submit Nell's starter email and a little bit of our volley and asked you to
weigh in on this most important matter. This blog represents the amazing collective knowledge synergy of the Southern Sole Sisters.
NELL writes:
So, Pandora
advertises Fabletics constantly to me. I’m usually like whatever but
there is now a really cute pair of running pants that are mostly black but have
fun bright designs on the lower part of the leg so I’m intrigued.
But going to
the website, you have to join and that looks like something else I have to sign
up and manage in my life? Yeah, no thanks.
Just
curious… I don’t know of anyone that buys it so it got me thinking to ask
you?
I’ve also
boycotting Athleta as their stuff doesn’t hold up AT ALL. I’m becoming
more and more in love with Lululemon. I prefer to try to buy stuff at the
outlet but the stuff I have holds up so well, I’ve succumbed to their awful
prices. My husband will buy me stuff there but he gets so mad at
their unfriendly snobbiness!
SADIE writes:
You know I belong to
this amazing Facebook page called Buckhead/Referrals and Advice and people post
all kinds of questions and get feedback. I know I saw something about this and
copied it below. (Sisters – ill send you that feedback if you want to see it). I
do buy from Athleta for clothes but I don’t really buy their work out stuff. I
really like workout clothes that hold up and are functional and inexpensive
over fashionable. So I often shop sales at Dicks or on Roadrunner. For my
Bottom half though I pretty much am addicted to compressions so I buy pricey
CWX on sale but it lasts for many years so I probably spend less over all. My
new favorite for workouts-cycling, yoga, stellar bodies, etc is MPG. I went to
Westride and could not believe a pair of capris was $54 and the store owner
told me they are well made and relatively (compared to all else) inexpensive.
So now I have two pairs of their capris and they are my favorites. This would be a fun topic if you want me to
expand and get more feedback. Alot of our tribe are Lulu devotees and they
might be able to tell you their tricks for sales, etc.
NELL writes:
Yeah,
those replies are in line with what I expected. I don’t want to join
anything. Sometimes
its worth over paying if you only have to buy one and love it!
Sure.
Could be fun to see everyones fav? Mine is definitely lululemon which
really conflicts with my cheap side.
CLAIREE:
I
LOVE Lululemon, but I don't love their price point. I usually try to hit
the sale rack, or order online. However, I got "schooled" if you will
when my teenager wanted a pair of their tights and I refused to pay $125 for
the pair she wanted. We spoke to the salesperson and she was very nice
and informed us of a few things. Some I knew, some I didn't. She
said that most of their running and cycling gear is made from medical grade
compression fabric that is meant to circulate blood flow more efficiently and
thus help you perform better. They also stand behind any product for 5
years, so if you experience a hole, pilling, anything fundamentally wrong with
the fabric, they will make it right. She also mentioned that the sizing
runs very small, and that you generally need to buy a size bigger than you wear
in clothing.
Lululemon aside, I have had wonderful luck, and very close to the same level of quality from tights and sports bras that I've purchased from marshalls and old navy for $12.99 and up. Fun designs on plain and fleece lined tights that are super comfy and hold up well. They don't have the cute Lululemon head or the Nike swoosh, but they work all the same. A pair of tights that I get compliments on every time I wear them cost $16.99 at marshalls- it's the MPG brand I believe. Love Nike as well, but again, I try to catch the sales- found my last Nike stuff at Dillard's. Nordstrom rack has a great selection, also.
Lululemon aside, I have had wonderful luck, and very close to the same level of quality from tights and sports bras that I've purchased from marshalls and old navy for $12.99 and up. Fun designs on plain and fleece lined tights that are super comfy and hold up well. They don't have the cute Lululemon head or the Nike swoosh, but they work all the same. A pair of tights that I get compliments on every time I wear them cost $16.99 at marshalls- it's the MPG brand I believe. Love Nike as well, but again, I try to catch the sales- found my last Nike stuff at Dillard's. Nordstrom rack has a great selection, also.
BETTY:
I
love Lululemon too :) another brand for tights is onzie. I have them in Capri's
and long tights, price point is around $60 at Nordstrom, they have some really
cool patterns which I love!! They don't have the compression of some of
the other tights but are perfect for yoga and I wear them to fast twitch. One
of my friends always has the cutest tights and everytime I ask her they are
Nike :)
Hope everyone has a
great day!!
BLANCHE:
I'm
pretty loyal to Nike in the tights & Capri categories. I love the way their
"Nike running" line fits. For tops, layers, etc. I'm all over
the board mainly using UA, Nike, and some Brooks. No matter what I buy, it's
always on sale at Sports Authority (unless it's Lulu than it's neither of the
before statements)!
PETUNIA:
I'm
all about lulu for the fit (not the price) and it lasts. I haven't had
anything fall apart on me. I will also get random pieces off the sale rack at
marshals or sports authority but I ways find myself disappointed with the lack
of pockets and features so end up back at lulu.
seems like Tory joined the athletic apparel market - for
you research. http://www.torysport.com/shop-by-sport/running/?icampid=hp_sbs_run
HAZEL
I
like certain brands for different things, so I thought I’d break it down by
piece. Here it is:
Long
Tights:
*Lightweight:
Lulu
*Fleece-lined: Nike &
Reebok
Capri
Tights:
*Running: Nike
*Cycling (no padding) - Lulu
*Yoga: Lulu, Onzie, Teeki,
Nux
Shorts:
*Running: Athleta, Lulu
TOPS:
Tanks:
*Running: Lulu
*Cycling: Lulu or any
thin cotton tank (Mossimo, Flywheel, Chaser)
*Yoga: Lulu
Long
Sleeves:
*Running: Lulu, Nike
Long
Sleeve Fleece:
*Running: Lulu, Nike
*love Nike 3/4 zip or
hoodie with front pocket sweat shirts
Down
Vest:
*Running: Lulu makes
the best vest and down options
Hat:
Mizuno & Lulu
Gloves:
Mizuno
Socks:
Feetures & Smart Wool (winter)
Bra:
*Running: Nike
*Cylce: Nike & Athleta*
*Yoga: Onzie & Athleta*
*I
use to be a big Athleta fan, but definitely think the quality has gone down
since being purchased by Gap. Still purchase for casual summer clothes.
I
hope this is helpful.
Can’t
wait to run, cycle or yoga with all of you in your best fashions!
One more note about Onzie. In my opinion, they
are definitely constructed and marketed as a studio (yoga, stellar, spin, fast
twitch...) tight, rather than a running tight. They do not have the support or
compression found in running tight, thus they may end up around your knees😳.
ZELDA:
Thought I would add to some of what Hazel said (see purple below).
I think Lulu has the best features relative to
pockets, detailing, etc. I have found their quality has gone down but in
general, I still find most of their stuff to be good quality and worth the
price - mostly for the features and because it's so damn cute and doesn't
look like just workout wear.
I am a big fan of Athleta and haven't
experienced any changes in quality. I think Athleta is a more affordable option
than Lulu but they are still expensive.
Fleece-lined tights are the best! My favorites
are from Lulu from several years ago as well as some newer ones from
Athleta.
No one has mentioned Title Nine yet and they
have great running (and other types) of gear. They sell lots of different great
brands like Oiselle and Moving Comfort.
I also agree with Clairee and Sadie on MPG - my
new favorite, affordable brand.
Shorts:
*Running:
Athleta, Lulu - NorthFace makes some of my
favorites - light weight and do not ride up.
Skirts: Favorites are all from Athleta or
Title Nine. Skirt Sports also has a lot of cute running skirts that come
in different lengths. I don't personally own any but I know some in our group
do.
Gloves: Mizuno (Best
gloves ever!- http://www.amazon.com/Mizuno-Running-Breath-Thermo-Glove/dp/B00DVFMXXS)
Socks: Feetures & Smart Wool (winter) I like Experia for both. They have wool for winter.
Bra:
*Running:
Nike, Moving Comfort
*Cylce:
Nike & Athleta*
*Yoga: Onzie &
Athleta
FRANCES:
-
I
feel like such a loser as I don’t have one stich of lulu clothing. All
our lulu $s are used up by my husband and daughter (she’s an Ivivva fanatic). I
think I was put off by the sizing when they first started out and I had to buy
a super large size. If you make be buy a large size, I won’t buy your
clothing.
-
I
really like the athleta tights. Only had one issue but they policy is so
great it was no problem to return.
-
Used
to love my Nike capris until I was hiking in them in CO and split a seam in a
very revealing area. Not cool.
-
Def
going to try Onzie and MPG based upon the below.
-
I
know you all think I only own like 3 tops. I really have a bunch but my
favorite one that I ALWAYS wear is only $8-$10. Mari used them for her
bootcamp instructors and for whatever reason I love them. Brand is Next Level
and you’ll see that a number of boutique gyms use that brand for their logo
shirts. http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Tank-Top-Burnout-Racerback/dp/B00OWJCC3S/ref=pd_sim_193_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51QCcrRssLL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL200_SR160%2C200_&refRID=08F8072EVPY22KJXMZ0T.
Cotton, thin, long and they don’t cling.
RUTH:
I trust you all more than the internet but came across this post
when searching for some much needed fleece-lined tights. Interesting that UA
came in #1 with a $38 tight.
SUCH GREAT STUFF SOLE SISTERS!!! If you have more to add or did not yet get a chance to comment, just reply to original email and I'll update the blog.
Blogging Away,
Sadie
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