I will be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to athletic clothes. However, I am not usually partial to a particular brand, as long as it’s pretty high-end. I have workout gear by Nike, Under Armor, North Face, Adidas, lucy activewear, and lululemon athletica — various pieces of clothing from all of these brands have met my standards and are capable of surviving my rigorous roller derby practices and cross-training workouts.
I’ve been looking to add some more purple to my workout wardrobe (it’s the “secret” Queens color!). So last week when I noticed that Nordstrom was having a big anniversary sale, I quickly snatched up a pair of Nike capri pants and the matching sports bra. I also picked up a pair of Asics running shoes since my old ones were falling apart (even though they are only a year old! I guess they’re seeing a lot more action these days).
Nike 'Twisted' Running Capris
Nike 'Shape' Sports Bra
ASICS 'Gel Landreth 7' Running Shoe
My Nordstrom package arrived earlier this week and I tried on all of my new athletic gear as soon as I opened the box. I was immediately disappointed with the running capris. First of all, they are a really awkward length. They hit just below my knee (like they do on the model in the photo above…length is never the same for me as ON THE MODEL since those girls are all like 6 feet tall!). Because of this, as soon as I started walking around in them, they rode up around my kneecaps. Also, the fabric felt really weird. I don’t know if Nike is trying out something new, but I’ve never felt fabric like this before. It is not as silky as many of their other athletic clothes; the fabric has a rougher texture. (Maybe the spandex content is lower or something? I don’t know. All I DO know is that these felt like crap against my skin.)
I decided to ignore my initial feelings and wear the pants to derby practice that night (because hey, who doesn’t like to work out in their new workout clothes RIGHT AWAY?!). Big mistake. On the plus side, my kneepads held the pants in place and prevented them from riding up, and the roughness of the fabric seemed to dissipate after the pants were completely soaked through with my sweat. However, I also discovered that the fabric is very thin; as soon as I squatted down in derby stance, you could see right through them. Gross. And these capris usually retail for $58! Granted I didn’t pay full price for them, but I was still miffed.
The sports bra turned out to be a giant fail, too. I am pretty picky about my sports bras. I like the fabric to be nice and thick and thoroughly lined so that NOTHING shows through (ladies, you know what I mean). This bra was none of those things, even though the color was cute.
I ended up returning both the capris and the sports bra. You might argue that that’s what I get for doing my shopping online, but I have enough Nike stuff to know what size I wear and that it’s generally high quality stuff. (Also, have you ever tried to find tiny-sized athletic clothing ON SALE in stores? The small sizes are always long gone by the time stuff hits the clearance racks. I know, I know….#skinnygirlproblems.) I guess you just strike out sometimes. Le sigh. At least the new running shoes worked out!
Then, yesterday at lunch I trekked up to SoHo and wandered into lululemon. God I love that place. I had seen the lululemon Track Time Crop online and was hoping this pair of crop pants would satisfy my need for a pair of black workout pants with purple piping.
Lululemon Run: Track Time Crop (back)
OH MY GOD. They feel like heaven. The fabric is silky smooth (probably due to the 23% spandex fabric content). They are just supportive enough without the fabric being restricting. The length is perfect. Plus lululemon clothing always has the handiest pockets! I think it’s these little details that make people willing to spend crazy amounts of money on their stuff. Because yeah, I paid a pretty penny for these…but they are going to look great on the track and will be making their roller derby debut at Queens practice on Sunday (they already made their running debut on a 3-mile jog last night)!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I found you by look for the dayzeroproject. Do you plan on doing another one?
Anyway, I too am a athletic clothing snob. I don’t actually have that many pieces because I’m also cheap. I don’t have the tiny girl problem though…short girl maybe, but I’m a firm medium. I’m a big fan of outlets and T.J Maxx :)
I may do another round of the Day Zero project, but not just yet. My life is much busier than when I started my first one (planning a wedding, playing roller derby)…for nearly the last year of my Day Zero project I accomplished very few goals because I had no time for any of the ones that were left! I might give it another go if I find myself with more time to devote to the project.
I know how you feel. I wear only Nike for running and it upsets me when they stop making my fave things….well, in the summer. In winter it’s all Under Armour all the time, except one Brooks jacket. :) I find that the cheap clothes just don’t cut it.