FitSugar

Cool or Not: Topshop Designing Cycling Gear

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

After invading New York retail, Topshop is now invading the world of cycling gear. According to the UK Telegraph, this week the fashion-forward retailer is releasing a line of biking shorts, jackets, and accessories for female cyclists. The edgy, brightly colored goods were designed by Cyclodelic and will be available in the UK. British safety experts caution that hats and headscarves are no substitute for helmets, but I'm loving the bags in particular. Would you pick this stuff up?

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Danskin Yoga Gear Goes Organic

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

You try to eat organic, but do you dress organic? Organic cotton is becoming increasingly popular among eco-minded types, since it's grown without the
large amounts of pesticides that bathe conventional cotton - about 1/3 of a pound of chemicals per one cotton t-shirt! Organic cotton is better for the environment and our health.

So since I've been happy with the Danskin clothes I've been testing out lately, I was delighted to see that the gear brand is getting into organic cotton. Perfect for yoga and Pilates, all of the Danskin Prima Organics are constructed from organic cotton with nontoxic dyes. For details on the line, read more.

The cotton-jersey fabric on these pieces looks like that of a high-quality t-shirt, so at first I was afraid it might ride up or chafe. But it actually feels much lighter on the skin; it breathes well and wears nicely. The only complaint I have is that it feels like it might lose its shape over time, but it's tough to tell after just one wear and one washing. Here's a look at the line.

Double V-Neck Jersey Tank Top ($52) This casual tank provides plenty of coverage and has a built-in bra that stays put perfectly.
Y-Back Jersey Tank Top ($48) Soft and stretchy, this basic form-fitting top is nice and long for ample coverage.
Long-Sleeve Hooded Top ($52) Like the tank top, this hoodie has a nice long silhouette, and it's cozy without being bulky.
Interlock Bootleg Pant ($56) These stretchy slim pants are great for stretching and even cold-weather jogs.
Interlock Crop Pant ($50) The cropped, wide-band pants were incredibly flattering and fell nicely on my legs.

Review: Danskin X-Training Jacket

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:45:13 -0700

The weather is starting cool, considerably in some parts, and that means wearing more layers - sometimes even indoors. I don't like feeling cold, but so many sweaters, jackets, and hoodies are just too bulky, so I have been looking for something form-fitting, cozy, and thin. I put on my new Danskin X-Training Jacket ($76) a couple of days ago and have yet to take it off.

It meets all my requirements and then some. It's perfect for typing in my shady house and walking the dog. The fabric is super soft: The jacket feels good on, and my husband loves hugging me when I am wearing it. Since I am wearing it all the time, that is a good thing.

For more details on the jacket, just read more.

The jacket is form-fitting without being tight, and it has a dual zipper so you can unzip at both ends. The side pockets are zippered, too, which makes this a great outer layer if you are on the go. I also love the back stash pocket, which fastens with Velcro, it's very helpful for carrying bags when hiking to clean up anything my dog Bonnie might leave on the trail. I also like the iPod port that goes from the front left pocket inside the jacket and out the collar - this feature would be handy for a run. Although there is a bit of reflective detailing on the jacket, it's not enough make you super visible if you are running at night. But I appreciate that the jacket is long and covers most of my bum. I am definitely wearing this under my ski jacket on cold mountain days once ski season starts.

Since I am trying not to buy black clothing - I have so much of it already - I got the jacket in purple, aka "prism." It also comes in pink (snapdragon), black, and pale green (arctic). You can order directly from Danskin.

If $75 seems like a lot for a jacket, I rationalized my purchase this way: Since I can wear it inside, I won't have to turn on the heat for a while, and when I do, I won't have to crank it because I will be so cozy in my Danskin jacket. Check out the other colors and the collar iPod port below.

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Get Your Butt in Gear: Danskin Now at Walmart

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I've been reevaluating my budget these days and it's no surprise that my fitness and health habits can be pretty costly. In an effort to save cash but still be able to keep myself motivated I've been on the hunt for cute, and cheap, workout clothes. A friend of mine was telling me that she's gotten a few workout clothes from Walmart, so I did a little investigating. I am loving the Danskin Now knit boot-cut pants ($10) and women's piped scooped tank ($6). Both come in a cute variety of colors and at $16 for the set, you're definitely not blowing the budget, even if you get a few pairs.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Trendy Tennis Clothes

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Have you heard? Tennis is trendy. Ticket sales are up for the US Open, and participation in the sport increased 18.7 percent last year. As a result, sales of tennis clothes are also on the rise. In the US, tennis apparel rung up $294.6 million in sales last year; Reebok's US tennis revenue alone is up 62 percent!

I certainly can't blame shoppers for snatching up cute clothes for one of the most fashionable sports. If you play tennis, or even if you don't, you're in luck, because there's more choice now than ever. Of course, I love an excuse to wear cute tennis dresses and skirts. Nike and Adidas are churning out especially stylish styles lately; right now I'm eying this Nike Paris Tennis Dress ($100). Inspired by Maria Sharapova, it's a fashionable blend of feminine and sporty. See the rest of my picks when you read more.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Team Speedo USA Collection

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Before we all came down with Michael Phelps fever, I told you about the Speedo LZR Racer, hailed as the world's fastest swimsuit. If you've been watching the Olympics, by now you are intimately familiar with the $550 full-body suit that all the swimmers are wearing.

If you want an LZR of your very own, you'll have to wait until October, but you can preorder one now on Speedo's website. The aquawoman one piece comes in three styles: the High Neck Bodyskin ($550), the Recordbreaker Kneeskin ($425), and Recordbreaker Bodyskin ($475). If only we could get a sassy stars and stripes version like Natalie Coughlin's.

Speedo also has a fun selection of other Team USA gear, most of which is a lot more colorful and a lot less serious. Even if you aren't a swimmer, wouldn't you love to get your butt into these USA Terry Shorts ($24)? Take a look at some of my favorite finds below.

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Get Your Butt in Olympic Gear

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

While the majority of you were not big fans of the Olympic gear designed by Ralph Lauren, there were many of you who were. For those of you who'd like to own Olympic goodies and sport the same clothes the Olympians will be wearing during the opening ceremony, Ralph Lauren is now selling the collection online. While I am not sure I want to be wearing a shirt with "BEIJING" across my chest, I do think the little red, white, and blue belt is kind of cute.

Shop the entire collection at RalphLauren.com. Prices range from $40-165.

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Get Your Butt in Gear: GapBody Sport Essential Perfect Pants

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I will freely admit it; I am a workout pant fanatic. When you try go to the gym every day, you need a bunch of workout pants or you'll end up with a lot of laundry every day. So I am always on the watch for new pants, especially comfortable and flattering ones.

My girlfriend recently told me about her favorite new workout pants, the GapBody Sport Essential Perfect Pants ($44.50). So I had to check them out myself and they seem like a great moderately priced workout pant to add to your fitness wardrobe. I've personally always been a fan of GapBody underwear because it's comfortable and soft, so it makes sense that their workout gear would be comfy, too. From what I can tell, they don't have any wicking properties or fancy stuff like that (made of just polyester and spandex), but sometimes you want to wear "comfortable and flattering" instead of "fancy fabric technology." Interested? Then buy them here.

Review: Run Don't Walk Pants

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:45:00 -0700

Are you looking for some pre- or postgym pants that you can pull on over your workout gear? I'm always looking for a flattering yet comfy fit and that's what I found in these Run Don't Walk Pants ($110) made by Cloudveil.

I know that may seem like a lot of moolah, but you've got to feel this amazing material. It's super-soft, light-weight microfiber that's smooth on the outside and lightly brushed velour on the inside. They are perfect for slipping on over my workout gear to head to the gym and I also wear them after my workout (since I'd rather not head to the grocery store in tight spandex shorts). Since this fabric wicks moisture and dries super fast, I've also worn them while strength training or doing yoga. My favorite part is that the material is thick enough to keep its shape, so they never look really baggy. Plus I've washed them at least 10 times and they still look like when I first got them (making them worth the price). Might I add that I wear them all the time while lounging at home? I live in the chocolate ones, but they also come in black and kiwi. If you're interested in checking them out (and I suggest you do) you can order them here.

Get Your Butt in Gear: SpreadShirt

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:30:00 -0700

If you're training for a marathon for charity then you're probably looking to get more donations, so one way to be creative and up those charity dollars is with SpreadShirt.com - and design your own gear shop online. Not only can you give away personalized T-shirts to your donators (say you charge $25 for the shirt, which means $10 to create it and the remaining $15 can go to help support your charity), but you can also create your own shirt to make a statement on the race day, or whenever you wear it. I mean, how cool would it be to have your kids wearing a "Team [insert your name here]" shirt as you cross the finish line?

Let's be honest, I've been wearing my custom FitSugar shirt (pictured) all the time, because I think it's cute and it performs well on my runs - and no, I'm not training for a race. It's not very expensive, this design I created on the wicking performance tee was only $31.40, but there are a lot of shirts (and other accessories such as hoodies and bags) to chose from, so it's fun and easy to do. Get started here.

You saw mine, now tell me yours. What would your personalized fitness shirt say?