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What to Wear? Inspired Athletic Attire

Posted September 20, 2007 at 02:00 PM by Jessica Galvano

Section: Her Fitness, Her Gear & Apparel

It’s almost too easy to find a reason not to exercise. If it’s not the heat, it’s the cold; if not the wind, then the rain; if not too early, then too late. Or, the default excuse for the truly determined: nothing to wear. 

Innovative apparel has recently remedied the issue of colorless clothing. Big-name brands, including Adidas, Asics and Nike, have all developed more breathable, ergonomically efficient athletic attire. Adidas’ ClimaCool® and ForMotion® technologies ensure comfort and muscular support throughout your run. For $55, the Supernova Capri Tights are an ideal foundation piece for any gym-rat’s wardrobe; combining Adidas’ newest fabrics, these tights are a preferred choice for bottoms whether summer or fall, rain or shine.

At a comparable $52, Asics offers their Compression Capri which feature Meryl Skinlife construction and a Biomorphic Fit. Asics stresses that these capris were designed with versatility in mind. While they are a favorite of runners, their supportive benefits and no-chafe flat seam stitching appeal to biking and yoga enthusiasts as well. And for the rawer months, Asics makes a full-length version of these tights with the same technological advantages.

To top off your bottoms in style, Nike’s notoriously extensive color options bring personality to athletics. Whether your signature is a bold red, offbeat teal, or traditional black, Nike is sure to please all palettes. Of particular merit for the remaining warm weather, the $40 Seamless Long Sport Top is Nike’s newest take on the essential basic tank. In the past, women’s sports tanks have exhibited an unfortunately minimalist trend. The tummy-bearing lengths and boxy cuts have made many leery of the athletic tank; however, with a fresh longer and leaner construction, Nike may have finally gotten it right.

Looking ahead to the fast-approaching fall season, Nike’s ¾ length tops are both layer- and entertainment-friendly. Thin enough to be worn as a base layer underneath a zip-up or jacket, the $65 Control UV Top and $60 Nike+ Top are so eye-catching that you may, however, hesitate to cover them up! Nike’s own description of these shirts as “pretty performance” says it all—these are tops that fulfill the fashion and function needs of the female athlete on the run.

For outdoor athletes, the Control UV Top boasts innovative fabrics that provide protection against the sun. A health-conscious shirt, this top’s Sphere technology also ensures that perspiration does not exceed a manageable glisten. The Nike+ Top—available in short sleeve or ¾ sleeve—incorporates an ipod pocket on the upper left sleeve, integrating song time with sweat time. With built-in ventilation and music compatibility, the Nike+ Top will likely have you turning up the volume during your next workout. Nature-lover or songstress, Nike’s apparel upholds the company’s familiar motto, providing female athletes with fun, functional clothing that eliminates excuses and instead, provides incentive to “Just Do It.”

On rainy days, the adilibria Wind Jacket by Adidas and Storm Shelter Jacket by Asics promise to drive gloom from the mind and rain from the skin. Adidas’ all-weather jacket relies upon ClimaProof® fabrics to counteract the elements, keeping you moving, even in the worst conditions, at a price of $100. Flatlock seaming guarantees that staying dry comes at no sacrifice to comfort: this extra layer adds little bulk, ensuring a comfortable, chafe-free workout.

Asics’ Storm Shelter Jacket, with the same $100 price tag, offers a few additional advantages. Fully-sealed seams function to keep moisture out while ventilated areas at both front and back allow for a cool, dry workout. Unlike other rain jackets that seem to announce their arrival with an audible swishing, the Storm Shelter Jacket is a silent shell against the elements. To break the silence, Asics enhanced the jacket with an internal media pocket. So, find your personal soundtrack and kick up the tempo of your next damp-day workout.

If you find yourself too often staring into drawers of less-than-inspiring exercise attire, it might be time to give your athletic wardrobe a facelift. With recent developments in fabric technologies and newly function-conscious designs, the hackneyed t-shirt and shorts ensemble has faded into the distant past of exercise faux pas. Now that cotton tees and mesh shorts have joined neon spandex and windpants as athletic retirees, apparel could be the perfect incentive to hit the pavement, even if it is raining.

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Tags: adidas, asics, biomorphic fit, exercise clothing, nike, storm shelter jacket, supernova capri tights, workout fabrics, workout gear, workout style

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