Welcome back to a new week, friends! We hosted our son’s graduation party last night, and it was full of so many emotions! On the one hand, it was amazing to be surrounded with so many people who love and support him. To see him embraced by the community he’s built was such a proud moment for me.
But on the other hand, we’re now one step closer to the end of this season with him. I know the next season will be sweet, but right now, all I feel is bittersweet. And a little sad. And even a touch scared. I know I’ve spent much of this year chattering about this transition, and I so appreciate y’all indulging me, and lifting me up.
Let’s change the subject before I start ugly crying, shall we?! I’m super excited about today’s post…one, because I found the most amazing new pieces; and two, it’s featuring a brand you’ve been requesting for years!! Literally years!
I often ask you guys which retailers you’d like me to add to the mix, and Athleta is always at the top of the list. And for the life of me, I don’t know what took me so long to try them for myself! After only one trip, I’m hooked!
Here’s what I love about Athleta pieces so far…
one // The fabrics are buttery soft and so well made, and most pieces come in petite, tall, and regular sizes.
two // The seams are smooth so there’s no scratching or chaffing.
three // They offer a super liberal return policy, even encouraging you to work out in your new pieces before deciding if you want to keep them!
four // The colors are vivid and the prints so cute. And even better, they fit like a glove for all your active needs.
five // Many of their pieces are made in a Fair Trade Certified Factory
I already have a handful of new favorites, starting with these striped leggings. The material is smooth and cool to the touch, with just a touch of compression. The mid-rise holds you in, without creating a muffin-top. They also have a back zipper compartment for small essentials. Plus, the colorful stripe is super cute!
The tank is a lightweight, silky nylon with a touch of stretch and smooth seams. See more of the detail in the next pic!
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS in both tank and leggings
Cadence Tank | Striped Capri Legging
With the Texas heat, outdoor workouts require shorts! The wider waistband of these mid-rise run shorts help keep them comfortably in place, and the 4″ inseam stay put without bunching up when running. They offer a built-in liner and both a secure zippered pocket and hidden key envelope pocket.
This is the same tank as above, but you can see the cute detail on the side. I might need this in every color!
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS in both the tank and shorts.
Cadence Tank | Racer Run Shorts
Same shorts, but in a fun dark camo pattern! You can see the back also has a concealed ventilation flap to keep you cool. The tank is buttery soft with a touch of compression. It’s also a longer length if you prefer to cover your bum, and the back is a ruched mesh racerback.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing XS in both
Bakasana Crop Tank | Camo Running Shorts
I haven’t played tennis in ages, but I suddenly want to pick it up again! How cute and fun is this pleated skirt? Actually, it’s a skort, thanks to the built-in shorts. It’s a silky lycra material and high-rise waist with adjustable internal drawstring. It offers a back zip and internal phone and tennis ball pockets, too.
The collared shirt is semi-fitted with a notched v-neck and a special Cooltouch fabric that moves with you. It also has added ventilation in targeted spots to keep you cooler.
Fit Tip: I’m wearing an XS in both, but would prefer a size down.
Collared Sport Shirt | Backpsin Sport Skirt
Another surprise to me…Athleta offers clothes outside of activewear! The same soft, quality fabrics, in easy-to-wear shapes. This scoop neck tank is made of 100% organic cotton, and is lightweight and soft. These linen shorts have a comfortable wide elastic waistband and cute front pockets (so no added bulk on the sides).
Fit Tip: I’m wearing XS tank and size 0 shorts, but would prefer a 2.
Meet your new pack-and-go travel dress! This super-soft high neck dress is modal cotton with a touch of stretch. It skims the body in all the right places, without clinging, and falls to the knee. The empire waist gives the illusion of a taller, leaner form, too!
Fit Tip: I sized up to a small for less body-con fit.
And the surprises just keep coming! While shopping Athleta, I spotted Hill City on the Gap Inc site, and added a few things for Mr. SP to my cart. Hill City offers the same amazing fit and high-performance fabrics, but for the guys! Mr. SP lives in athleisure, and has already declared these as new faves for working out and lounging around.
This t-shirt is 100% Supima cotton that dries quickly and fights odor. #praise! I love the simple logo, too. He gives these shorts two very enthusiastic thumbs-up! They’re moisture-wicking, water-repellant, and wrinkle-free! Plus, they offer UV production, and dry quickly. He’s worn them to work out and play golf, and loves them!
Fit Tip: Mr. SP is 5’10” and 160lbs, and wearing a medium in both pieces.
Graphic Tee (comes in 9 colors) | All-Purpose Shorts
These long-sleeve tees are made with a special fiber that dries quickly and wicks sweat, while staying super soft on the skin. The training vest is made of a 4-way stretch that regulates body temperature and fights odor.
Fit Tip: He’s wearing a medium in all pieces, so true to size for a relaxed fit.
Long Sleeve Tee | Insulated Train Vest | All-Purpose Shorts
Amazing pieces, right?! And I’ve only scratched the surface! Athleta also offers swimsuits, bras, shoes, dresses, rompers, jackets and accessories! I don’t know if I’m excited or nervous about Little Miss discovering Athleta Girl!
So tell me, what are your go-to Athleta pieces? What do I need to try next?? And I promise not to wait so long next time you recommend a brand!
[Shop My Athleta Faves]
[Shop Mr. SP’s Hill City Faves]
*This post is created in collaboration with Athleta, Hill City, and ShopStyle, but all product selections, opinions, and humbled blogger feelings are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors.*
The metro city line is great so light weight I own enough to make through a week trip in a small carry on, would love to see you style those pants.
Luv these looks!
Mr. SP!!! Needs a gold medal around his neck, ha,ha.
The bright pink racer run shorts, pair it w/a bright orange top or other way around, you will love this color combo!
Thanks, SPs!
haha, I know!! He’s such a good sport! But he’s obsessed with those shorts and tee, so he made out just fine!! 😉
C.- Is he guilty of “same shirt, different day” offense? ha.ha.
hahah….totally!!!
I’ve never shopped Athleta either, but you and Shay have convinced me to give it a try! There stuff is CUTE! Love the shorts on you.
All my activewear is Athleta, they have the best skorts. And that dress holds up well, I have two from a trip a few years back and they’re still going strong. I’ve never tried the shorts but those pink ones are super cute. #tempting
That’s awesome to hear about the long-term quality!
I love this, thanks! I’d rather invest in quality and buy less. I was wondering, what type of workout clothes do you wear for orange theory? I’ve decided to give it a try
WooHoo!! I wear leggings and a light tank (they prefer everyone wear a full shirt, I never see crop tops or just sports bras). I wear shorts when I exercise outside, but for some reason prefer leggings at OTF. Let me know what you think of the workout!
I love Athleta, especially their leggings. They’re so soft. I like that they offer a variety of tank styles and fabrics, too. It’s expensive but they have decent sales.
Good to know about the sales…I wanted another pair of leggings but was holding out!! 😉
I’ve been following your blog for quite a few years and as the Athleta Community Coordinator in Cincinnati, I was pretty excited to see your love for Athleta here! You found some great pieces; hope you tried the Conscious Crop too, it’s pretty incredible!
Awesome, I’m thrilled you like it!! Definitely adding that piece to my wish list for next trip!! xo. C
Hi Cassie,
I went to Athleta last year for UPF clothing to take to Hawaii with me for hikes.
I’m a melanoma cancer patient and so no shorts for me. I also do not care for the tightness
of leggings so I really like their Chelsea cargo pants– available online only this year. The cargo pocket is perfect for my phone. The material has UPF and is lightweight. They are a bit pricey but I really enjoy wearing these even when not hiking in Hawaii. For my UPF tops, they aren’t too cute but I like the lilac color of the Columbia Omni-shade PFG snap shirts that I also got to wear in Hawaii last year and now home when I’m out in the sun. The snaps are great for opening up and dipping the shirt in the water to cool off while paddle boarding and wearing as a loose rash guard. Ok from one University mom to another– check out
http://scholarprep.org/10-books-parents-soon-college-students/
Also
I like the website Grown and Flown.
https://grownandflown.com/
Wander pants! Love them for travel and they totally work for my fairly conservative office as well. Also love their skorts, maxi dresses and joggers for active vacations/weekend wear! Excellent quality swimsuits also! (In addition to great work out gear of course!) I love Athleta – especially because I can order tall sizes!
Athleta is one of my favorite brands so it was fun to read this post. I especially love their swim suits. (The swim shorts are a great way to cover up cellulite but still feel sporty.)
I’ve been looking for a white sleeveless workout tank with a higher neck and reasonable arm holes forever. This tank is pricey, but I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for highlighting this.
Love their City Pant collections. I especially love the Metro Joggers. I wear them hiking, beaching, and dress them up for work! They wash easily and never wrinkle! And all the praise for elastic waistbands! Even though they have a variety of sizing, they also offer free alterations. Also, I find that their leggings don’t pill at the seams like some other loved brands from other dealers after years of wear. And lastly, all the love for side pockets on leggings…life changing! 😉
I own a ridiculous amount of Athleta and wear it almost every day in some form. My favorites are the Powervita leggings and anything from their restoration (think that is what it is called) collection. Basically loungewear that feels like butter. And good luck with your daughter, mine LOVE the leggings there the best. They hold up much better to me than Lulu/Ivviva.
I LOVE Athleta, and their dresses and swimwear in particular. I get the swim board shorts because I’m 52 and nobody wants to see my old bootie hanging out! Ha! There is another brand called Title Nine that is very similar to Athleta, and love their pieces as well. Glad you finally decided to do this post!
I saw those board shorts…they’re adorable!!!
Ha ha. Last spring at 53, I decided I was going to wear a bikini, dammit. The best fitting bottom was the Athleta “clean medium.”
I just ordered my second pair of the Brooklyn ankle pants. I have them in charcoal grey and I just ordered black. The material is so soft and never wrinkles. The other thing I love is that I’m really short (5’0”) and these ankle pants come to the perfect length on me when I’m wearing gym shoes. I have several styles of the city pants. Worth the price every time!
You have to try Athleta swimwear! The BEST for active swimwear, chest support and being assured you won’t have any X-rated mishaps in front of your kids 😉