Today I went to the store to return my Bleached Coral Rise and Shine Pullover (only really "need" one new rulu piece so kept the White/Dune Layer Me LS. BTW, LA-area stores did not get the Rise and Shine PO) and Frond SL Swiftly (too short, not really my color) and tried on a few of the new items. I was very curious to try the new Heat It Up Crops since they are made of three different materials - luon light on the top of the thigh, luxtreme on the sides, and full weight luon on the backside. I didn't care for them at all. The hit right below my knee and rode up to the joint. The bottom opening is a bit too tight. They should have used a wider or ribbed cuff to make it more comfortable. I also thought the luon light material was very itchy. I tried on both the solid black and the Bleached Coral versions.
I liked the Proceed With Speed crops a lot. I thought they were very comfortable. However, they are $98 and the lack of pockets would rule me out from buying them. I like to put my iPhone in the back zipper pocket of the run bottoms and use both front pockets for gel blocks during long runs/races.
I tried on the new reversible Frond Wunder Unders. Like most reversible Wunder Unders they have that rubbery feeling but they are thicker than the diamond patterned WUs so if those didn't work for you you might want to try these.
I ended up going home with the new Inkwell Ocean Stripe Inspire II crops. I haven't liked Inspire crops that much in the past, even before the tinkering with the waistband, though I know they are super popular. I never liked the circle mesh portions on the back of the leg but that has been replaced with the new version of "circle mesh" which is stretchier than the old version. The waistband has been changed back to the original width (people were saying it was smaller and was giving them muffin top) and thickness (I think the rise was toyed with) and I found it very comfortable. I'm not sure about what has happened vis-a-vis the gusset. I know the run crops have always had a triangle gusset and these do, too. I tried on the Ocean Stripe Inkwell, the Bleached Coral/Pop Orange Dune, and a solid black version. I thought the solid black ran a little small compared to the other two - the waistband was smaller than the others when I compared them. I ended up with the Inkwell because I wanted a pair that were solid at the bottom and all my Swiftly tops will go with Inkwell. I would say the fit is TTS but I remember the Inspires of the past feeling snugger all over than they did today (however I have lot a little weight since the last time I tried some on). The fit reminded me a lot of the Run For Your Life crops.
Also, I learned that the swim line is coming in March. There will be a new pink coming and a teal or aqua color (I believe).
I got my Mellow Lemon Ocean Stripe CRB today and love it. It's so much more interesting than a solid Mellow Lemon or solid Burning Yellow.
20 comments:
Can you post a pic of your yellow/yellow crb? I have not seen a good one of it yet and I have it on the way from troutdale!
Agree with the need for pockets for run crops. The absence of them really does not justify the $98 price tag.
Really looking forward to the new green color! Frond is just too bright for me.
Out of topic, but did anyone notice the upload of the non-reversible WUP in Tender Violet? I know they uploaded them reversible ones way back in October, but I find it weird they are just putting these up now. Maybe in prep for spring? Really waiting for some nice, non-sheer WUs in fun colors. The different waistbands with black pants just don't do it for me.
What size would you recommend for a CRB?
I've never bought one and don't know have a LLL close to me to try one on.
I've bought a No Limits Tank and Free to Be Tank from WMTM, I measure an 8 across the chest, but I ordered a 6 in the No Limits Tank and fits great. I ordered an 8 in the Free to Be Tank and it fit in the rib area, but way too big everywhere else. (I usually wear a 36A). Thanks!
I love the Inpire Crops and want to get an additional pair of running crops, but when I looked at the Proceed with Speed Crops, I immediately knocked it out because of the price and lack of pockets. I need those front pockets- those make LLL pants MUCH better than other brands! Not sure why they would design a run crop without the pockets (and raise the price!)
It really is a shame those new run crops don't have the usual 3 pockets b/c they are pretty cute, but for $98, they definitely need those 3 pockets. I, too, cannot live without my pockets and that is one of the things that drew me to lulu in the first place --- the pockets on the speed shorts.
In other news, I got my order from last week and I ordered the frond/white first base tank and the bleached coral/pop orange first base tank, and they are both a bit shorter than the older versions out from around xmas time. Not a deal breaker b/c I love the colors and when laid out it was only a half inch difference btwn the older ones and these new colors. Anyone else notice this or did I just get two slightly shorter ones?
I also ordered the inkwell gingham crb and wish I hadn't listened to the reviews on lulu's site saying to size up, b/c the 8 is quite baggy...so it sadly must go back :(
I tried the black/frond reversible WU, and found the black side completely sheer, so much so, that you could see the green right through. The green side was better, but the quality of the fabric was horrible, so I did not end up buying them.
Just wondering if anyone out there noticed the new water bottle in the picture for the black/bleached coral/pop orange Heat it Up Crops. It looks like tender violet maybe? I was wondering also if the new teal/aqua colour LLA heard about is being previewed in the photo of the Namaste Yoga Tote IV with the water bottle and yoga mat... any thoughts? I think it is an awesome bag and would definitely snap it up in another colour!
About the swim line: is this one going to be more for triathlons, swimming laps, etc., and there will be a more "beachy/casual" line closer to summer? I'd prefer to hold out for more casual swimwear, but I definitely want a lulu swimsuit so don't want to miss out if I don't bite in March. I can't remember what lulu's swim line history has been....
Deteriorating quality, increasing prices, gross colour blocking and other ugly or juvenile designs, short cuts (triangle gusset, scuba stretch, shorter tops etc.), and now eliminating pockets?! When will the madness end! The reasons to shop elsewhere are really starting to add up.
@ anon 7:43 pm- some people have commented they think the crops may have been designed with cross fitters in mind. They have to lay on the ground so the back pockets bother them. They'd be fine for spin, also.
@ Courtney, Based on the online sizing, I measure a 6 in the waist and hips, but an 8 in the chest, and a 6 CRB fits well. I tried on the Free to Be tank in an 8, and it fit me in the chest (36" bust), but was too big in the waist and hips. Hope this helps :).
Thanks so much, @anonymous 9:02pm, that does help! :)
Any feedback yet on the Work it o ut Track pant? Does it fit like the studio pant where you have to go down a size or is it tts? Still no reviews online...Must not be selling. Any thoughts?
Sizing recommendation for the run inspires? I'm a 4 in WUC. How is the waistband on the run inspires? I had a baby not too long ago so I struggle with muffin top issues due to loose skin (LOL) ;)
in terms of the proceed with speed crops. I agree with LLA that they are for cross fitters, sprinters, and people who weight lift and then do cardio.
I run but am not a long distance runner, most I do is 10 miles and that is once in a blue moon, I don't have the need for a lot of pockets.
sometimes when I run to the beach and do a quick body workout the last thing I want to deal with is a zipper digging in my back and an iPhone getting sandy. I would like to try those on, wonder if they are too sheer for yoga.
M
If anyone is interested H&M has a boys (or girls it is pretty unisex- just in boy's section) run reflect all over (or whatever it's called) jacket sizes 2-3 to 12-14 I believe that is EXACTLY the same material- it reflects all light- we had a game of "shut off all the lights and I find you with a flashlight" when I brought it home for my 4 year old and it works great! Perfect for dusk/evening walks to the park!!!!! I'm pretty excited I found one for him! Oh and it's $34 Canadian....
I'm curious too!!!....
Run Proceed with Speed Crop states designed for run. If it's more aimed at bootcamp, crossfit etc., why not say designed more for those activities and running (if you so choose less pockets). Why don't they state "no zipper pocket to dig into your back during crunches" and the like?
When they threw a zipper pocket on the side in 2012 for some crops and pants, I actually thought that was a good design move that both runners and crossfit etc. could appreciate and utilize.
Less pockets, naked seam technology = not worth anywhere near $98, imo.
Glad I bought the run for your life while it was on WD. I use crops from bike commuting and definitely need back pocket for quick key access when locking up. This is a sad "update". I thought crossfit was a small market. Wish lulu would just keep catering to its loyal base instead of expanding in wierd ways.
8:02 I agree with you in regards to the price of those crops, I would buy them if they were less, I do a lot of circuit training and I think those would work for my needs, but the price is a total turn off.
M
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