Search Results for “Soft summer”

In addition to styling people’s wardrobes and cleaning their closets, I also teach fitness classes at my local gym. I’ve been running, lifting, and stretching for decades trying to keep my inner beast calm. Having crossover expertise in clothing and fitness, I wanted to share what I’ve learned through years of personal fit tests and client research on leggings for fashion, lounge, and of course exercise.

When it comes to clothing there are times to save and times to invest. In general, I believe in buying quality. I keep exactly 6 pairs of leggings in my workout drawer. And while most cost around $98 a piece, I get at least 130 wear out of each of them. I wear them once per week wear, for two to three years. To calculate the cost per wear, take the cost and divide it by the number of times it is worn (ie $98/130=$0.75). Paying 75 cents to avoid itchy seam rashes, sweaty crotchlines, and jiggly embarrassment is 110% worth the investment to me.

However, there are definitely times it makes more sense to save: if you are under 18 and still growing, if you are in-between sizes, if you are on a tight budget, or if you just like to switch things up a lot. In this case, I have found you great options that have at least 70% of the quality for about 20% of the price.

Next, a few disclaimers:

Rise – the only rise I consider is high rise. After giving birth to three babies and having two internal organs reattached #notjoking, I figure my abdomen deserves it.
Length – I am 5 ft 5 in tall. I wear a 7/8 length almost exclusively. Full lengths are typically too long, and hemming a tight is usually a poor solution. You’ll end up with a pant leg opening that is too wide for your ankle because it was designed to fit a calf.

Now on to the reviews –

EVERYDAY
Zella Live-In Leggings, $98 || HOMMA Slimming Leggings, $19.50

When it comes to athleisure-wear fashion, leggings are a wardrobe staple. Since you won’t be tucking in or even showing the waistline for most of your street looks, go for a high waistline which will offer the best support for your soft, delicious center. You want smooth surfaces with no pinching or squeezing. While the Zella Live-In option has more durable fabric and requires less work to get on, if you’re getting this for your daughter, I’d definitely go in the Amazon Homma Slimming Leggings direction. Both options can take you from basic workouts to brunch and everywhere in between.

Honorable Mention: Sanctuary Runway Legging
I’ve actually purchased the Sanctuary Runway Legging three different times, twice in black and once in dark green. It’s a relatively thick blended fabric (on the edge of a legging moving into pants territory). It isn’t as “naked feeling” as some of the options I highlighted: meaning it’s not as comfortable but it offers tons of support…and back pockets for self-conscious booties.

JOGGER LEGGINGS
Athleta Venice Jogger, $98 || The Gym People Tapered Jogger, $28.99

I had to step up my lounge game recently and jogger leggings became my wear-on-repeat outfit. These pants have a smooth waistband like leggings, but more of a relaxed jogger like fit on the leg. The Athleta Venice Jogger has ribbed reinforcements to minimize wear and bunching between the legs and a slightly more comfortable, secure waistline, but if you want more colors with a smaller price tag, the Gym People Tapere Jogger dupe on Amazon is a great alternative.

Honorable Mention: Lululemon Align Jogger
The Lululemon Align Joggers are constructed from a lighter fabric than the options I highlighted, so if you prefer breathability over coziness (maybe during the summer months), I highly recommend them.

YOGA/PILATES
Lululemon Align Leggings, $98 || Yogalicious , $19

Leggings may have been born during the Renaissance period for wear under chain mail, but they really stretched to their current potential in Yoga studios. The standards for this purpose are exceptionally high. Number one, you want zero transparency. You also want a slightly lighter, smoother fabric to ensure there is no chafing or pinching during your mobility practice. You generally don’t need compression or as much sweat-wicking because there is less perspiration and minimal bouncing. My pick for this category is the Lululemon Align Legging. The fabric is weightless and buttery. It will last hundreds of wears without pilling and feels transcendent on. Size up one to two numbers from your standard American size whenever you order from Lululemon. If you’re just experimenting with a yoga mat, and aren’t ready to invest yet, I recommend the Yogalicious knock off. It’s not quite as soft or durable, but it’s a great place to start.

Honorable Mention: Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket Tight
Featuring PowerVita fabric, the Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket Tight is buttery soft, offering light compression, and includes a convenient side pocket. They’ve been a best seller at Athleta for many years and come in lots of fun colors and prints.

2. Lululemon Invigorate High-Rise Tight, $128 / Old Navy Elevate Sculpt, $50

When it comes to running, dancing, HIIT training, and other sweaty workouts with lots of bouncing, you need extra support and moisture wick. One of the reasons that leggings cost what they do, is the fabric. There’s a lot of technology that goes into blending and weaving materials so they are soft, flat, resilient, and dry quickly. There are few things worse than getting half-way into a class only to see it looks like you forgot to use the restroom. You also want to make sure you have compression to support and stabilize your muscles and absorb some of the strain on your body. Both of these tights offer exceptional features for supporting you during your highest impact workouts. Lululemon’s Invigorate Tight has flatlock seams, will last longer without bagging or pilling, and is easier to get into and out of, all without compromising support. Lululemon also includes free alterations like hemming and repairs or exchanges if your gear doesn’t hold up. But if you’re transitioning sizes, or aren’t ready to invest for any reason, Old Navy’s Elevate Sculpt offers very similar features at a great value. They aren’t quite as soft or fluid of a fit, but they do their job well.

Honorable Mention: Athleta Ultimate Tight
This is a great option for sweaty, high impact workouts. I like the fit of Lululemon’s Invigorate only slightly better. The Athleta Ultimate Tight comes in lots of colors and patterns. I even own a pair in a rust animal print that I have never “sweated out.” Which for someone who typically only wears black and dark grey bottoms (like Batman), it’s a very big victory.

3. Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, $98 / Target Wild Fable Faux Leather Leggings, $20

When it’s time to elevate our fashion, that doesn’t mean we have to resort to a zipper and button on our pants ;). Faux leather adds textural interest and a subtle edgy vibe. The Spanx Faux Leather Legging is a cult favorite that holds everything in place beautifully. It isn’t too stiff or sweaty and adds just the right amount of sheen. But if you’re not sure you’ll be wearing this trend on the regular, Target’s Wild Fable option offers a comparable look for a fifth of the price.

Honorable Mention: Vince Camuto Faux-Leather Legging
I love Vince Camuto’s legging options and their Faux Leather version does not disappoint. It has a sophisticated ankle cut that isn’t overly tight, but I would recommend sizing down especially if you’re in between sizes.

Did I miss your favorite? Tell me about it in the comments. I’d love to try them out too.

??, I ordered and tried on over 100 different tees to find the softest, least transparent, most flattering white t-shirts available.

Now, T-shirts aren’t an item it makes sense to pay a lot for; you won’t be able to recoup your cost per wear. Let me explain, whether you buy a tee for $98 or $25, you’re probably only going to get 25 wears out of either of them. Higher quality fabrics are less likely to shrink and pill, but they are just as likely to stain and form little holes at the bottom front from your denim hardware. Which means your more expensive option will end up being almost $4/wear. (You’re less expensive option is just $1/wear). In general, I don’t recommend spending more than $50 on a tee. And all my recommendations here are under $40.

I selected one winner and one runner up for 6 different categories of white t-shirts: best half sleeve, best classic crew, softest fabric, best linen tee, best cap sleeve, best retro pocket.

Best Half Sleeve

Wherever your sleeve hems ends will bring attention to the body area it is nearest. A half sleeve will therefore bring attention to the area just under the ribcage where most women are narrowest. A half sleeve has the additional advantage of offering a bit more coverage for shy arms.

Winner: The Ballet Neck Half Sleeve from Caslon, $29 is an ideal weight for offering comfortable coverage. It’s perfect for dressing up and tucking into a high waisted paper bag pant. Consider sizing up if you want a looser fit.

Runner-up: The Everlane Air Oversized Tee, $25 also offers a longer elbow sleeve length. The fit is more relaxed and slightly androgynous. If you prefer a slightly more disheveled, untucked approach, this fit should suit you perfectly.

Best Classic Crew

Because crew-necks create an uninterrupted expanse from the neck across the shoulders and down the torso, they are going to maximize the breadth of the shoulders and the fullness of the bust. (Cutting the figure into distinct sections with say a V-Neck makes it appear smaller). The slimmer the fit, the more pronounced the effect. This is great cut for a straight upper body or a lower figure with a more delicate upper half. On the latter I recommend tucking the hem into the waistband or finding a cut that ends around the widest part of the hips. You can also soften the effect by moving to slightly lower, round neck.

Winner: J.Crew has been perfecting its Essential Tee, $14.50 for almost 75 years. This tee is perfectly slim, exquisitely soft, and has a high neckline that’s ever so slightly rounded.

Runner Up: T-shirts were invented to act as an under-layer for suits and athletic gear. They existed to absorb sweat and prevent chafing. Whether you use Uniqlo’s Short Sleeve Crew Neck, $14.90 as an underpinning or as an ensemble star, you won’t be disappointed with it’s clean fit and soft fabric.

Softest Fabric

The most common t-shirt materials are cotton, linen, or some kind of blend of these materials with a synthetic material. The first and original is generally less expensive but relatively soft and durable. We’ll address linen shortly, but for now, the synthetic blend or Modal fabric is generally the softest and depending on the blend of fabrics can resist loosing its shape the best.

Winner: Nordstrom’s Halogen Modal Jersey V-Neck Tee, $16.99 may just be my favorite t-shirt of the whole set. The V is neither too high or too low, the fit is relaxed without being sloppy, and the fabric feels like your favorite pajamas.

Runner-Up: Bobeau’s Butter Short Sleeve Tee, $39 has a playful swing cut and is aptly named for it’s buttery soft modal fabric.

Best Linen T-Shirt

When it comes to light and airy, few things compete with a linen fabric. It’s breathable, wicks away moisture, and adds a subtle texture to an everyday basic.

Winner: At $16.99, Banana Republic’s Linen V-Neck T-Shirt rose to the top of this summer staple category. The weight of this fabric was just right: not transparent, but not at all heavy. I also loved BR’s sister company’s option at Athleta, but the price there was more than double.

Runner-Up: I purchase last season’s H&M’s Linen V-Neck, $17.99 and have worn it down to pennies per wear. It’s held up in the wash withstood many a sweaty summer afternoon. The current season’s cut is a bit slimmer with a slightly deeper V, but the fabric is just as durable and soft.

Best Cap Sleeve

One of my favorite combinations this season is a cap sleeve with a relaxed cut. Loose full cuts are extra comfortable and less likely to be see-through even when the material is somewhat sheer. Pair these with a slim bottom like jeans and style using a front French tuck to get the architectural fit without looking overwhelmed. Definitely opt for a liquid fabric over anything stiff and bulky.

Winner: Zara’s Basic T-Shirt, $9.90 is really anything but. The versatile cut offers a flattering cap that fits a bit like a muscle tee, minus the side-view overexposure. The fabric is soft and breezy at an under $10 price tag.

Runner-Up: Old Navy’s Everywhere Slub Knit Tee, $12.99 has a slightly longer sleeve but still ends near the bust line. This is a great length for slim upper bodies looking to balance out a curvier lower body. The slub knit has a subtle texture similar to linen, but in a cotton construction.

Best Retro Pocket

Pocket placement and size can make or break a t-shirt. It becomes particularly important with a close fit as the pocket will be stretched across curves. These two options offer slightly different features, but both nail perfect pocket application.

A tee in optic white (see Madewell’s Crop Tee, $24.50) is the easiest to keep clean because you can use bleach with it to remove stains. However if you have a warm undertone to your skin you may want tot try a cream or off-white, like Madewell’s Easy Crop Tee. A little bit of yellow will make it a better match for your complexion. (PS-I loved almost all of Madewell’s fits and fabrics, but no one else made a crop that was playful without being indecent for someone over the age of 25 😉

There are few brands more iconic than Levi’s. Their perfect pocket tee, $29.50 draws on Levi’s history of durability with an effortless fashion than feels retro and on trend simultaneously.