Embrace Athleisure

If you bought Lululemon stocks five years ago, you would have seen your investment being more than tripled so far. And this year Lulu had apparently left all the negative news behind and is now heading north all the way again. Despite complaints of its dropping quality year after year and my unwavering verdict of this "overrated sports brand that charges premium mostly on its brand image rather than anything tangible", I have to admit that Lulu had spearheaded in bringing in a new fashion trend that is in full blossom this year -- Athleisure.

The perfectly descriptive buzzword shows women's desire to live a comfortably confident life in style. And for that reason, I see this change of tide more permanent than transient. From designer yoga pants to layering cashmere sweaters, these gym-to-street pieces are functional and comfortable, and at the same time, stylish and curve hugging. And the good news is: now we have more brands to choose from beyond Lululemon.

I've got a few running pieces from Under Armour and Nike recently. I happily notice that they are now taking a page of Lulu's style book and offering more body hugging styles, all with their fast dry fabric designed for serious workout maniacs.

Take this springy Under Armour 1/2 Zip top for example: When I put it on in the fitting room, I just loved seeing myself from every angle. It was definitely body hugging, but in a comfortable and flattering way. The fabric used in UA's ColdGear line wicks sweat away quickly and keeps you dry and warm. I've been using it in my outdoor long runs and weekend hiking trips. No complaints. The only improvement I would suggest to UA is: add pockets please.

Top: Under Armour Women's UA ColdGear® Cozy Printed 1/2 Zip

Jeans: James Jeans

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff MAC

Roadrunner's Gear in Spring/Fall

Spring and fall are the two best seasons in the Northeast for running. Crisp air, cool breeze and golden sunlight easily boost up your energy and keep you going, as long as you've got the right gear to keep you warm at the start and wick away the sweat on the road.

My favorite fall/winter running tee comes from Under Armour. I have this Coldgear tee in multiple colors. Its super stretchy material feels silky and soft to the touch, and keeps me dry and warm from start to finish. Compared to the popular chic Lululemon tees, this one feels more substantial and seems more durable with absolutely no see-through. Honestly I just couldn't convince myself to buy those flimsy Lulu long sleeved tees even at sales price.

CW-X compression tights keep me warm and dry, when the temperature falls between 30F and 50F. Those rights are designed to help stabilize muscles and joins, and some people claim that they also shorten recovery cycles. I've never got muscle sore from running (well, I'm slow on the road...), so I can't comment on the second part. But those tights are really tight, and they do keep your muscles in the right place. CW-X have different types of compression tights. I've got Stabilyx, Pro, PerformX and Expert. I personally cannot tell the difference among all these tights. They all feel tight and comfortable. If you pressed me for recommendations, my answer would be: "Go with the least expensive pair in the market unless you are a professional runner or have serious joint problems."

Finally I love my Lululemon Forme II jacket! It is stretchy and body hugging. I've never worn it running, but always throw it on on my way to the gym prior to my long run (I usually drop my gym bag in the locker room, go out for a long run, and stretch & shower in the gym).

Tee: Under Armour Coldgear Infrared Crew in Magenta Shock
Jacket: Lululemon Forme II Jacket (current season, similar)
Tights: CW-X Stabilyx Compression Tights (here, also like Pro, PerformX, Expert)
Running shoes: Nike
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Super Duper Strength
Tote: Coach