Vintage Pink Pace Pusher LS, Rain On Jacket, Street to Studio Pant, and More

I went looking for this new light luon Pace Pusher LS at my store today but no luck. I am loving this Vintage Pink top - finally some color! Shown with the Raspberry Glo Speed Shorts. The headband style is new, too, called the Be Radiant. This top is supposed to be uploaded this week. However, these photos are from a Massachusetts store so they are arriving in US stores this week, too.

A white Pace Pusher LS shown with the Brushed Illusions Run Times Shorts and the Silver Stripe Cool Racerback. I saw this CRB in the store today - it's nicely thick and soft.

Photos of the new Miss Misty Jackets in the new Naval Blue/Seaside Silver Fox Alberta Lake print and black Animal Swirl. Also shown are Keep It Tight compression socks.

New Rain On Jackets in Fatigue (Wren?) and Black. Shown with  the Just Breathe LS and pretty new print in the High Mileage Duffel.

Bark Berry Bomb Bomber Jacket. I still haven't been able to try this on.

 Street to Studio Pants in Fatigue. Shown with the Pleat On LS.

Plank Tank and Street to Studio Pant.

Mail Day - Lotus Camo Miss Misty Jacket Photos

 I got my Lotus Camo Miss Misty Jacket late last week but ended up returning it to the store today. It's a nice windbreaker, if a bit overpriced. I found the arms, chest, and shoulders to fit me fine, though I have read a fit report from a person with broader shoulders that she found the fit snug in the shoulders. My biggest issue with the jacket is that the color is kind of dull compared to the same print in luon. I really love the rich blue of the Lotus Camo Define and this jacket doesn't have the same look.

Showing the reflective strip on the back.

Reflective zipper garages on the front.

The underside of the arm has perforated material for cooling.

Hang tag.

OT: Athleta's Floral Fade Sonar Capri, Heavenly Hail Hoodie, and Chi LS (UPDATED)

Notice no side seam on the outside of the leg - Athleta was inspired by lululemon in this.

The latest Athleta catalog has caused chatter among lululemon fans and the item I've seen mentioned the most on the lulu boards are the new Floral Fade Sonar Capris ($74). It's probably because the print has a lulu-esque quality or maybe lululemon prints have had an Athleta-esque look about them lately. Whichever reason, there is a growing convergence of designs/prints between the two companies. I made a trip to Athleta last week to check out the new items and ended up coming home with these crops plus a couple of tops. Interestingly enough, a lululemon store posted a photo of a yoga class a couple of days ago and the Sonar Capris were featured:

Athleta Floral Fade Sonar Crop with an older lululemon tank.

I've tried on Athleta's technical items in the past but usually don't care for the fit or feel of the fabric. I have quite a bit of their swim line but have never kept any of the technical wear. The Floral Fade Sonar Capris were the first crops that I've liked enough to buy. The fabric feel and content is very similar to fullux.

Close up of the print.

Front view, ambient light.

Taken with flash. Logo is on the front of the right leg.

Back side, no flash.

With flash.

The back zipper pocket is big enough to fit my iphone 5S without its case.

The waistband pocket. There are no slot pockets for gels.

Inside view.

Gusset

Fabric content for a pair of fullux Inspires (Fatigue Camo is the tag I dug up) is 70% polyester and 30% lycra spandex. I found the feel of the fabric on the Athleta capris to be a bit silkier and maybe stretchier than lululemon's fullux. I also think they are thicker. The print is totally opaque. Even though the design is backed in white I don't notice much fade when stretched. I weighed both crops - a pair of Sea Wheeze Chevron Fullux Inspires came in at .44 lb and the Sonar Capris came in at 0.57 lb. so that verified my impression that the Athleta material is a bit thicker. I have not worked out in them yet so cannot comment on breathability.

The fit of the XL Athleta Capris is a bit more generous than size 12 lululemon Inspires. 

Inseam: 22.5" (Inspires: 22")

Waist: 17.5" (Inspires: 17")

Crotch: 24.5" (Inspires: 22.75") (crotch is measured from the top of the front waistband through the gusset and back up the backside to the top of the back waistband)

When I line up the backside of the gussets you can get an idea of the difference in the crotch measurements.

Floral Geo print Athleta Sonar Capris

The hip measurement for an Athleta XL is 43.5 (waist 33/34") and lululemon size size 12 is 43" (waist 32.5") so they are equivalent sizes. Athleta has more generous waist measurements, reinforcing the impression the brand is geared to an older demographic. I usually find the waist too big on Athleta crops but since the Sonar's have a waist tie I think these should work fine. I think this particular color  - Floral Fade - in the Sonar Capris runs large. I also tried on the  Floral Geo print Sonar Capris and found them to fit a bit snugger. They were also a little see-through in the rear since I could see my nude underwear on one side. Pattern placement might fix this, though. Inconsistent sizing is a big issue I have found with Athleta - different styles in the same size can result in vastly different fit - so I've found everything really needs a try on.

I also picked up this pullover - the Heavenly Hail Hoodie ($89) in Glass Blue Heather. Athleta tends to heather most of their tops - I really prefer solid tops - but I thought the effect was most subtle in this color.

I'm not thrilled the fabric content is all polyester but I figured I'd give the top a try. I was after a longer top and this one measures 27" inch from shoulder to hem. This is the same as my Race with Grace pullover. I think the fit is TTS.

I also bought the Chi LS ($54). It's also polyester but very soft. It's a nice basic long sleeve top. I've worn it a couple of times and really like it. The material is thin and can cling so I got an XL so it's on the looser side. I think it's a nice basic. I tried on the Chi tank but found the fit a little problematic. A size Large clung to my tummy more than I liked but the XL was too large in the chest and gaped in the armpits.

 Angel Blue goes really well with these crops - this photo shows an Angel Blue Swiftly on top.

Shown with a Fresh Teal CRB on the left and the Angel Swiftly on top. The Athleta pullover is on the right.

Overall, though I tried on a ton of items at Athleta I didn't care for most of them due to the scratchy feel of their fabrics. I really like the fit and fabric of the Sonar crops so I'll be keeping my eye on this style for interesting prints. I definitely like the Chi top as a nice basic so I'll keep my eye for cute colors in this. They also make an extra long version that I might order. 

March 17, 2015 Wear Update - So I finally wore the capris for a run yesterday and really liked them. I even got a compliment on them from the girl who runs the smoothie bar in the gym. They stayed in place - no slipping at all - and I didn't find them overly hot. I ran indoors for 2.5 miles (I'm just getting back into running again) and found them about as hot as a pair of fullux crops. I've worn the Heavenly Hail Hoodie a ton and like it a lot. It's become one of my favorite pieces and I'm thinking about getting another one.