Good morning! Yesterday was completely insane…as Wednesdays usually are…so I didn’t post but there wasn’t much to share anyway. I taught an early yoga class and then spent the remainder of the day alternating between sending rapid fire e-mails, sitting in meetings and working the front desk at Metro CrossFit. Luckily, the day ended with hot yoga and eating chips, guacamole and salsa for dinner with my yoga friends so that was nice. What a healthy bunch we are.
I have received some questions lately on my workout clothes so I thought I would share some of my basic staples as well as a new playlist with you this morning.
I think most of you know that I’m a pretty loyal lululemon devotee. I was introduced to their clothes when I was asked to be an ambassador and I haven’t turned back since.
I know that it is expensive but the fit and quality make it 100% worth it for me. I still wear the very first lulu outfit that I ever got, a Power Y Tank and Run Inspire Crops. I’ve washed it hundreds of time and it still looks great. Also, when workout clothes are your work attire, you want to look good in them and I always feel confident in lulu because the fit is so flattering. My favorite thing about their tops are that most include built in support and removable padded cups.
I have shared my favorite pieces before in bits and pieces but here is a look at my staple tops and bottoms. I own multiples of all of these items!
These are my three staple tops:
1. Run Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve – as soon as it starts getting cool out you will find me in this top. I love to layer it under my Metro t-shirts so that I’m not freezing in the gym and it’s perfect for running and workouts as well. I especially love the thumb holes!
2. Cool Racerback Tank – this is lulu’s most basic and affordable tank but the fit is great and the length is perfect. I layer it over the Flow Y Bra.
3. Power Y Tank – I have this tank in so many colors. It features a built-in sports bra with the removable cups. The straps are well-placed, never dig into me and the open back allows for full range of motion with maximum comfort. One little note…the link above is to the “Luon Light” version that the made for the warmer months. I recommend the regular weight fabric. I find the Luon Light to be a little too light.
And my staple bottoms:
1. Wunder Under Crop – if I had to pick one pant to wear exclusively this would be it. These are the all-around most flattering pants that I own. The wide waistband prevents spill over and I recommend getting them in black because it hides everything! I also love the Wunder Under full-length pant…especially in the winter with Uggs. So comfy.
2. Speed Shorts – I wear these shorts most days of the week during warmer months. Again, love the wide waistband and also the length. I have short legs so I prefer a shorter short. Now that I have started wearing the Speed Shorts I think my Nike Tempos look terrible! I even teach and practice yoga in these shorts. They’re awesome.
3. Run Inspire Crop – these are my go-to running pants for cooler weather. First, I love the weight of the technical fabric. Not too heavy or too thin. Second, the length is perfect. I prefer a longer crop versus those that hit right below the knee. And third, there are two pockets for gels in the front and a zippered pocket in the back. The back pocket is actually big enough to hold my iPhone and a key/credit card. I have worn these pants for many races. However, I do not recommend wearing these for yoga.
And some new workout tunes…
lulu love…yes or no? What are your staple items? Any new favorite songs on your workout playlist?
I got my first lulu outfit this summer when we were on vacation (I don’t have one nearby), and I love it. I wore it to tape my BP instructor video, and I do believe it offered some good ju-ju. For me, it just helps to look the part – and lulu is really good at helping me do that.
I’m a huge fan of “Too Close,” too, and I’m hoping to fit it into a circuit class next week!
LOVE lulu! Seriously addicted. Agree that it’s expensive but SO worth it. Everything fits so much better and it lasts forever.
This is like deja vu. When you posted your orange top the other day I almost asked for a post like this! I am thinking about biting the bullet and getting some lulu just because EVERY time I see a yogi wearing it they look great no matter their body shape or size!
Do you know if they normally have markdowns in store? And can you wash the clothing with a regular sport detergent? I wish an outlet was near me but to no avail.
they have a sale category on their website under “we made too much”. They always are updating it with the previous seasons colors. and they offer free shipping always!
I am absolutely obsessed with Babel… Mumford’s best album yet in my opinion!!!
I LOVE the Lululemon speed shorts; they are my favorite shorts ever. I don’t workout in them so I can wear them for longer periods. 😉 I think they get a bad rep for being expensive, as other brands can be just as expensive but not as great in quality. Love your blog by the way!
I don’t own an Lulu but a store recently opened nearby so I have been wanting to go. I wasn’t sure what to buy or where to start because I know I will love everything! Your tips will be a great starting point when I finally make my first Lulu purchase!
I love when you post your music. I love your selections and It always inspires me to purchase new tunes, which equals much better workouts. Much Thanks!
I’ve never tried on any Lulu but I am in love with Athleta! Have you checked them out?
My favorite song on my playlist is Reba McIntire’s “I’m gonna take this mountain” – it gets me going every time!
i LOVE lulu and agree with you 100% – it’s worth the price! when i’m heavy into training, i’m running 8-10 hours per week and lulu’s clothes can take the beating.
i love their power y, racerback, swiftly long-sleeve, wunder under, priti crop, and groove shorts. wow – i have a serious lulu addiction!!!
I loooove the new Mumford & Sons album!
I’m going to FL in a few weeks to visit family and discovered that their city has a Lululemon! I want to get myself something from there for Christmas, so I’m excited to go and try stuff on and see what I like!
i LOVE my lululemon turbo speed shorts – i have two pairs and could live in them. unfortunately my little college budget doesn’t have room to get buy else from lulu at the moment- guess i know what’s going on my birthday wish list! that and my favorite $9 a jar Barney Butter, haha 😉
I, too, am a Lulu Ambassador and as I’m reading your post I am sitting here in my run swift gray, red wunder unders and new gray/white striped power y. Holla! 🙂
I don’t any any Lulu, but have a few pieces from Athleta like someone else mentioned. They’re pretty good, but I hate not being able to try things on, and have recently been tempted to go to my local Lulu and give it a shot! Your suggestions are a great starting point! On a different note, do you have any thoughts or experience with compression shorts/tights/etc? I’m running my first half in a little over a month and have been curious about the benefits..
Hi Stranger – they are now opening up Athleta stores. There is currently one here in Seattle open!
Also – I often use compression socks when I run because one of my calves got a little sore when I ran a lot. There are fancy ones, but also Smartwool makes some nice knee-highs that compress.
Pretty sure I’ve been under a rock musically for a while, but a new to me track that just pumps me up for anything – Young the Giant’s ‘My Body.’ Even if it comes on while I’m driving in the car, I want to *run* and not stop.
If I ever get a chance to visit a lululemon store, your post has given me a good starting point. I hear you on Tempos – never liked them and always prefered the harder to find Pacers.
I can’t get enough Lulu stuff! Sometimes I get entranced by the cutesy fancy shirts but at the end of the day, the tried-and-true wunder under crops and the power Y tank are what I go back to time and time again. Definitely expensive, but Lulu clothes hold up so well.
Oh but if only I could afford lulu! I admire their clothes on other people and on the web… one day when I am not a full time Graduate student… for now I will have to stick to my Nike Tempos and TJ Maxx specials 🙂 haha but really I love their stuff, they just opened the new on in Omaha, luckily it is on the other side of town from me!
I just got my 1st lulu outfit about 2 weeks ago and I am in l-o-v-e! I got the cool racerback tank and speed shorts! I don’t love that their stuff is uber expensive, but if they last as long as everyone says and with how comfortable they are –> totally worth it!
I have a few Lululemon pieces (some shorts and a bra) but I like those Wunder Unders. However, what is that Milky Way color/pattern when you click on the link?!
Great post, Jen! Thank you!
Love, love, love Lulu! I bought my first outfit two years ago–cool racerback tank and wunder under crop pants–and I still wear both pieces regularly; talk about great quality. It’s been a while since my last trip to Lulu, so I might find my way back there within the next few weeks. 😉
I haven’t tried Lulu yet, but I do have my eye on the Nothing to Hide Mini. I have been putting off buying it because there wasn’t a store within hours of me. I hate buying online the first time. I need to try things on! Now I live just 30 minutes from a store, so I may have to buy one for my birthday later this month!
As a fellow yoga teacher – i pretty much live in lulu. I like other brands too, but I always come back to lulu. My staples are my Wunder Under leggings and the Power Y as well. I also have a sad but true obsession w/ their bags. Currently I’m loving their latest backpack for hauling all my stuff around w/ me (while doing so safely for my spine!)
As mentioned by several other posters, I’m an Athleta girl. Just can’t quite stomach the Lulu prices and Athleta has huge, amazing sales, often. I think the quality is fabulous, and with their free shipping and return policy, I’m ok with not being able to try on first. I have never had to send anything back.
Hey Jen, just curious if you’ve ever tried out Lulu’s Studio Pant? They look super-comfy but I haven’t got my hands on any yet!
I am a die-hard Lulu fan too! Once you go Lulu, you never go back 🙂 I live in the Run Swiftly long-sleeve tees in the cooler months- they are so comfy and great alone or layered under vests and jackets.
Yes I am obsessed with Lulu! Why don’t you recommend the Runinspire crops for yoga? And I also love when you post your playlists, I always find a few new good songs from them 🙂
Good workout songs for me lately:
– Barbara Streisand (Original Mix) – Duck Sauce
– Houdini – Foster the People
– Don’t Worry Child (Radio Edit) – Swedish House Mafia
– Diamonds – Rihanna
– Your Body – Christina Aguilera
– Feed The Dada (Radio Edit) – Dada Life
– Cinema (Skrillex Remix) – Benny Benassi (ft. Gary Go)
– Between the Raindrops – Lifehouse ft. Natasha Bedingfield
– Bonfire – Knife Party
– Calypso – Excision & Datsik
– Retro City – Adventure Club
🙂