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Posts tagged ‘sportswear’

THE BEST ACTIVEWEAR FROM 2016

Tara wear hoody by Zakti Active. Cropped top by Gap Active. Leopard print leggings by Born Nouli. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Tara wears hoody by Zakti Active. Vest by Gap Active. Leopard print leggings by Born Nouli. Trainers by 361 Sports.

This shoot was so much fun. Photographer, Charlie Troman and  I wanted to work with models that could really move. Enter stage Tara Blanchard, fitness model from LA, plus Gabriella Darlington and Portia Prince from Model Fit Life blog. I was bowled over how physically strong, fit and flexible all the girls were. Most importantly, they showed off all this fabulous fitnesswear so well. I’m definitely jumping for joy!

Gabriella wears cropped top and leggings by Nike. Trainers by Hotter. Portia wears cropped top and leggings by Nike. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Gabriella wears cropped top and leggings by Nike. Trainers by Hotter. Portia wears cropped top and leggings by Nike. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Tara wears geometric print top and leggings by Sarah & Sorrentino at Style Sportif. Trainers by Hoka One One.
Tara wears geometric print top and leggings by Sarah & Sorrentino at Style Sportif. Trainers by Hoka One One.
Gabriella wears cropped top, leggings and jacket by Gibson Girl. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Gabriella wears cropped top, leggings and jacket by Gibson Girl. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Portia wear camouflage print cropped top and leggings by Ivy Park. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Portia wears camouflage print cropped top and leggings by Ivy Park. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Orange cropped top by Lorna Jane. Leggings by Style Sportif. Trainers by Hoka One One.
Tara wears orange cropped top by Lorna Jane. Leggings by Sixty Ninety at Style Sportif. Trainers by Hoka One One.
Gabriella wears cropped top and leggings by Lorna Jane. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Gabriella wears cropped top and leggings by Lorna Jane. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Portia wears Pink cropped top by Gap Active. Print leggings by M&S Activewear. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Portia wears Pink cropped top by Gap Active. Print leggings by M&S Activewear. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Pink vest and blue print leggings by F&F Active. Hoody (worn around waist) Zakti Active.
Gabriella wears pink vest and blue print leggings by F&F Active. Hoody (worn around waist) Zakti Active.
Portia wears cropped top, leggings and jacket by Adidas. Trainers by 361 Sports.
Portia wears cropped top, leggings and jacket by Adidas. Trainers by 361 Sports.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY – CHARLIE TROMAN. FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN. HAIR & MAKE-UP – AMANDA ROBBINS. FITNESS MODELS – TARA BLANCHARD, GABRIELLA DARLINGTON and PORTIA PRINCE.

2016’s FITNESS WEAR GUIDE

Moulded Sports Bra Crop Top, from £40, sizes 28" to 40", cup sizes B-H and Matching Running Shorts from £18, sizes XS-XL all by Freya Active.
Moulded Sports Bra Crop Top, from £40, sizes 28″ to 40″, cup sizes B-H and Matching Running Shorts from £18, sizes XS-XL all by Freya Active.

Oh dear! Having eaten my body weight in turkey and mince pies I now look like a Christmas Pudding. I’m 7lbs over my fighting weight, so the gloves are off and at last I’ve taken action. I hauled myself this morning to North London’s YMCA Fitness Centre. My first class of the year was the much needed ‘Body Conditioning’ with dynamic instructor Natasha. I knew I was in the deep end – Natasha is like a sexy girl version of Rambo, often wearing camouflage fitness gear complete with khaki bandana and today she wasn’t taking any prisoners!

As I was being put through my paces I really thought I’d better up my game not only fitness wise this year, but ever the stylist I needed to do some research into cool workout wear too.

Zone Sculpt Training Tight, £90, sizes XS-XL, by Nike.
Zone Sculpt Training Tight, £90, sizes XS-XL, by Nike.

First stop is Nike. I really love their fitness apparel. The new Zone Sculpt Training Tights look amazing. Modelled by talented tennis player Genie Bouchard these leggings seem like they would be a great fit as well as stand up to a vigorous training routine.

Purple Mesh Back Vest, £7.99, Geometric Print Leggings, £17.99 both sizes XS-L and Trainers, £22,99, sizes 3-9 all by New Look.
Mesh Back Vest, £7.99, Geometric Print Leggings, £17.99 both sizes XS-L and Trainers, £22,99, sizes 3-9 all by New Look.
Grey Zip-Up Jacket, £24.99, Crop Top, £12.99 and Matching Leggings, £17.99 all sizes XS-L by New Look.
Grey Zip-Up Jacket, £24.99, Crop Top, £12.99 and Matching Leggings, £17.99 all sizes XS-L by New Look.

I’m so impressed how many high street chains now do active wear. I suppose it’s not surprising as fitness activities are getting more and more popular.  Last year in the UK  over 6 billion pounds was spent on sportswear. One of the stores that really gets it right is New Look. Their range boasts an urban stylish look, mixing block colours with geometric prints in leggings, cropped tops and tracksuit tops.

Pink Cropped Top, £3.50, Neon and black Vest, £5 and Leggings, £6, all sizes 6-18 by Primark.
Pink Cropped Top, £3.50, Neon and black Vest, £5 and Leggings, £6, all sizes 6-18 by Primark.
Tie Dye Crop Top, £5 and Leggings, £6 both sizes 6-18 by Primark.
Tie Dye Crop Top, £5 and Leggings, £6 both sizes 6-18 by Primark.

Other amazing value workout wear is found in Primark. I don’t know how they do it. I like how they mix vibrant, neon coloured crop tops and vests with sleek black leggings. Their tie dye collection has a certain Ibiza cool about it with prices starting at £3.50!

Orange Bra Top, £12, sizes 32B-38D and Matching Leggings, £16, sizes 6-18 and trainers, £22, 3-8, all by F&F
Orange Bra Top, £12, sizes 32B-38D and Matching Leggings, £16, sizes 6-18 and trainers, £22, 3-8, all by F&F
Neon Zip Top, £16, leggings, £12 both sizes 6-18 and trainers, £22, sizes 3-8 all by F&F
Neon Zip Top, £16, leggings, £12 both sizes 6-18 and trainers, £22, sizes 3-8 all by F&F

F&F have a brand new Active range which I think is brilliant. They’ve got everything covered from cycling, yoga to high impact sports with stylish comfortable designs using quick drying fabrics in strong prints and zingy colours.

Long Sleeve Running Top, £49 and Full Length Seamed Leggings, £45, both sizes 8-16 by The White Company.
Long Sleeve Running Top, £49 and Full Length Seamed Leggings, £45, both sizes 8-16 by The White Company.
Seamed Racer Back Vest, £39 and Shorts, £30 both sizes 8-16 by The White Company.
Seamed Racer Back Vest, £39 and Shorts, £30 both sizes 8-16 by The White Company.

The White Company are also doing their first sportswear collection this season. As you can imagine it is so tasteful, mixing monochrome, black and white with charcoal. The quality is beautiful and quite honestly I can’t wait until it hits the stores.

Moulded Sports Bra, from £38, sizes 28" - 40", cup sizes B-H and Capri Pants, from £43, sizes XS-XL all by Freya Active
Moulded Sports Bra, from £38, sizes 28″ – 40″, cup sizes B-H and Capri Pants, from £43, sizes XS-XL all by Freya Active

Lastly, but most importantly I turned my attention to the ever essential sports bra. Lingerie brand Freya too have a new active range. These bras and crop tops are fabulous, designed not to be hidden under sportswear but to be very much on show co-ordinated with matching shorts or with stylish black Capri pants.  Technically they are brilliant – perfect for high impact sports with strong supportive fabric, wide curvature wire and wide padded straps. They also go from a B to an H cup so all us ladies can get active, such good news. No excuses now. On your marks…Let’s go!