Sunday, March 13, 2016

The Fashionista That Wasn't

I'm no fashion maven.

In fact, over the course of my lifetime, people have showered me with COMMENTS about how poorly I dress, how I should do my hair differently, how I need to accessorize more, how I could maybe stand to wear more skirts, how I should swap out my comfy pumps for more flashy heels, and how I need an entirely different wardrobe for TV...shall I go on? No disrespect to the well-intentioned, but I think I'm good, though. 

The truth is, I've never cared much about how I look--as long as I'm clean, don't smell, my hair isn't matted, and most importantly, as long as I'm comfortable. It is said that how you present (clothes-wise) is important as it gives an impression of who you are. But I'd like to think that the degree to which I have comfort with myself is way more important than which shoes I wear. I'm finding as I get older, I care way less that most think I should and, well, I don't really let that stop me from meeting new people, seeking out new opportunities, and well, just being. I've got to use the limited space in my brain for other things. In fact, I know immediately if a workplace is not for me depending upon it's rules (both stated and unstated) for dress code.

I once worked as a paralegal, legal assistant, and translator for a couple of law firms in NYC, and I found that I just COULD NOT wear suits. They were constricting, expensive, and I thought, ugly. (This was back in the late 90s--there were still shoulder pads in a lot of things, and I like my shoulders to look like what they are, slanted and soft, without the added football-player look) Suits didn't represent who I was and I did not last in the legal profession (although I very briefly flirted with the idea of taking the LSATs, working in international law at a boutique firm, and then retiring early.) I also taught at a school in the city whose student uniform was so strict, it seemed to wrench any and all creativity from its individual students. That was not who I was or what I was about, so I didn't last there either.

Enter the whole running thing, and not only have my fashion interests been piqued, but I am actually open to considering color choices and matching footwear, but only as they pertain to athletic apparel. This may be because I could live in and be very comfortable in running clothes for the rest of my life.  I admit that I do push the envelope on our employee dress code at my current school, but I digress....

The truth is, these days there is a WHOLE NEW WORLD of athletic apparel for people my size and I wanna try all the things: long tights, shorts, capris, socks, tops, shoes, jackets (ok--actually, we still have a ways to go re: functional and fitting athletic jackets...), and accessories that help people do their workout without worrying about the previously dysfunctional fabrics and cuts that were reserved for queen/plus/women's...choose your euphemism 

I am fully embracing athletic apparel fashion, and I'm NOT talking about the whole ath-leisure thing that's being promoted on Facebooks by designers like Tory Burch. Because I am a complicated human, my non-care of how I look does not transfer into the running arena. I mean, I don't care what others wear, but I like to look the part, makes me feel like a BAMR.

Before we get into the spring/summer season and all of the amazing capris and shorts it entails, I thought I would pay homage to my favorite pieces this year. They're my faves because in addition to looking good (whatever that means) they feel good and WORK for the most part. For all of the serious jumping around, running, weight-lifting, and stretching that I do, I need real compression bottoms with waistbands that don't roll down and that hold a jiggly tummy in (because jiggling hurts), bras that support the ladies, tops that don't look like square tents (trust me, I LOVE tents--you know, the ones made for camping in the backcountry) and are well-cut/non-hiding/flattering, socks that don't cause toe chafing, shoes that comfortably fit big feet and Flintstone-like toes (some folks in my family used to call me Pebbles), and accessories that actually work around my waist or on my head or around my shoulders.

Here are some of my favorite functional and fashionable fitting athletic apparel made for us: ( I realize that my size 18/20 self does not represent everyone who is plus sized. Baby steps, y'all.) I will be updating my favorites as I test out more Skirt Sports and Merrell stuff in the coming weeks and months:



I love the above skirt/pants combo by Skirt Sports and I wear it a lot. For this girl that once said " I will never wear a running skirt," I stand corrected. These aren't even compression but they feel so good and fit so well and I never find myself having to pull them up. I also like the crazy print on the skirt. The half zip jacket is also by Skirt Sports and it's perfect for layering in the winter. It's not too thick but it is very warm when paired with a compression thermal top. The fingerless gloves are by my favorite knitting-runner, Rebecca at Bexter Designs. The handheld bottle is by Nathan. It's specially designed for keeping your hydration unfrozen. I don't remember which bra I was wearing this day.

Here I am in this skirt again at the right, this time with a different top on. I don't absolutely love the top for jumping and high intensity activities, but it's cute. It does tend to rollup when I am jumping, so if that's a concern, go with another one. (It's great for weightlifting, though.)

The next photo has me in tights from Breeze Activewear, a new company based in Florida. They sent me a pair of beautiful and bold tights a few months ago and I tested them out while running, yogaing, and walking my friend's dog. If you like your tights to be tight, these may run big so you should probably order a size down. The Breeze tights are perfect for a brisk walk, a short jog, and yoga. I didn't try them out while weightlifting, but I imagine they are functional for that too. I would not recommend them for endurance activities like long-distance running or walking. The seams are such that they will rub your skin raw (unless you coat yourself with Body Glide and Vaseline) on a long run or walk. Otherwise, they are great--and cute. Also, on top is that jacket from Torrid. Flattering and functional (unless it's actually cold out...) The shoes are Hoka Stinson 3. 

The Redemption Capri from Skirt Sports is probably my favorite pair of tights apart from the Under Armour Heat Gear Capri and The North Face GTD Capri--they are available in a variety of different  prints, like these in Safari print (the shoes are Hoka Mafate trail shoes)



and these in Free Love print--the shoes here are Merrell's new All Out Crush trail shoes, which felt great for the entirety of the Naked Bavarian Trail Marathon I DFL'd last weekend.


A note on the socks: they are Swiftwick and they are amazing. I have had nary a blister, ever, wearing them. That's pretty spectacular given how big and unwieldy (but STRONG AF) my feet are.

I know this post is full of Skirts Sports, but I really love that there is a company making REAL athletic wear for women like me who like their clothes to fit and be flattering. I shall be scoping out some other companies that do the job too.

So stay tuned friends!






29 comments:

  1. The blue safari print is my favorite too. Thanks for the heads up on the socks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are so right about the jacket! I could not find a jacket I liked for this past winter. I was training for a half marathon and ended up in a big bulky fleece because I couldn't find anything in my size (22).
    I love Skirt Sports! Need to get Swiftwick. Just was sized into 11.5 shoes!
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loooooove that print on the skirt, except I'm not a skirt person, but give me a brightly coloured top and I'm all over it. I wish Skirt Sports would bring that print out in their free - me top (my fave of their tops). I would wear it every day :-) And I'm hearing you on the compression tights that won't roll down, one of my pet peeves. Finally 2XU have a wonderful higher waisted compression tight that I love. I also love that it glows in the dark when lights shine on you, even better for night running. I call them my disco tights ;-) Really enjoy your blog. You keep it real.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the skirt pant combo too. I haven't seen fun skirt patterns with the pants yet! I'm going to look into that!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Do you have a favorite sports bra brand? I've struggled to find one that can actually wrangle the ladies. I'm currently using a high impact Target brand one that works well for control (I'm in Australia, not sure if we have the same styles are as USA Target?), but it has some seams right across the middle of the cups that I'm not crazy about. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Look at Moving Comfort bras

      Delete
    2. I have a victoria's secret (ikr? who would have thought? ) bra that hooks in front, and has another layer that zips up over that. It also has an underwire. I can never remember the name of the style, I have to look at them online, but let me tell you, those girls don't go anywhere! They stay right where they belong, running, at cardio class, yoga, zumba, whatever.

      Delete
    3. My friend swore by the Victoria's Secret bras when she was pregnant. I like moving comfort and some of the champion bras.

      Delete
  6. I was thinking this week that I needed to write a comment to tell you that I love seeing all your colorful workout gear and here is the perfect opportunity. I am enjoying seeing how those colorful pants look on someone who is not a size -1, so I can actually imaging how they might look on me. One day I might even buy and wear a pair (I am a uni and non-bright dresser generally).

    ReplyDelete
  7. You will love sparkle skirts too! Esp the hiker chic!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am what used to be called a tomboy. I wear suits for work, frankly, because they're basically Garanimala for adults. But running gear? I find myself spending an inordinate amount of time researching its properties, reading reviews and worrying about whether a print will match a particular race shirt. Sigh. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I call it hobo running...you just grab that first shirt and first bottom you can get your hands on. Typically things do not match. Oh well...at least I am out there doing something, I figure.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You look great in all of your fun running clothes! I have a Skirt Sports skirt in the same pattern as your skirt/capri combo and love it...so many of my running shirts go with it! I wear it over my own capris - a cobbled-together look that is similar to yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am 5'10" and wear a 28 or 30. I've spent most of my life hating my size and wanting to change it. I have read a number of size acceptance books but the logic didn't sink in for me. I discovered something to make me feel super pretty and support who I am. It's an online makeover program called Dressing Your Truth. It's like the color analysis they did in the 80's except it is based on your personality. I get a lot of compliments and I feel pretty inside and out now. I'm really interested in the clothing in this post. I had only heard of Woman Within and Junonia for plus size athletic wear. I have always been quite sedentary. Right now I am training for a 2-day, 50-mile charity walk at the end of April. I'm getting fitter with all the walking training.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kohls Department store had a nice selection of plus size workout wear. Everything isnt plain black either which I like. I noticed Belks also started carrying plus workout wear too.

      Delete
    2. Kohls Department store had a nice selection of plus size workout wear. Everything isnt plain black either which I like. I noticed Belks also started carrying plus workout wear too.

      Delete
    3. I used to get ALL of my workout clothes from Kohls and Marshalls. They did have great things, but the selection was so small. I'm sure that now things have changed for the better!

      Delete
  12. Love your blog and the apparel review!

    ReplyDelete
  13. INKnBURN

    Don't sacrifice fashion or function at all❤️

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you haven't tried Sparkle Skirts you NEED TO! My "gateway drug" to running skirts was SkirtSports, but as soon as I found Sparkle Skirts I won't "run long" in anything else! The fit is amazingly comfortable and cute, and the pockets are amazing! The SparkleTech skirts go up to a 3X (which is a generous cut, so check out the sizing chart with measurements).

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Lisa. I'm from Oz and have found the brand 'sixty 4' absolutely brilliant for running. I got into it via women's running magazine. So comfy and holds the girls in place. Lol. Can only order online. Google it, you won't be sorry. Leica. ��

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a plus-size gal and I recently found some great leggings at Bombsheller. http://shop.bombsheller.com/launch

    ReplyDelete
  17. I hope you will try out my personal favorite www.nuu-muu.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. These fit me perfectly (I am 5'3" 110lbs and ordered xs) the work out gear is not tight nor loose nor see thru!! YAY! I do Hot Yoga but they always keep my cool even though they are not super thin material. It is like magic material it doesn't stick to me nor is it too hot it is just PERFECTION!

    ReplyDelete