Today is International Women’s Day! In honor of the day, I’m highlighting one of my favorite woman-owned activewear brands: Alala.
Despite the raging popularity of women’s active fashion, you’d be surprised how many activewear businesses cater to women but are still run by men. Alala was founded by Denise Lee, who still heads up the company. She’s joined by a predominately female staff, making the company founded by women, run by women, and made for women.
Their ethos has always had overtones of empowered, strong women. Their name is actually taken from mythology: “Alala” refers to the Greek goddess of the war cry. I already like to support small, independent businesses, and the extra layer of strong women is another element that I can totally get behind. As part of that, they wrote a Women’s Day featuring this totally butt-kicking lady who’s rocking Alala at 90 years young.
Alala recently released their first round of products for spring, and I was so excited to try a few new pieces from their new blue tide capsule. Read on for more info on the new gear.
Besides celebrating woman-run active brands, take a moment out of your day to celebrate the women (like you!) who wear it!
Thanks to Alala for supporting this blog by sponsoring this post. All opinions are always my own.
Mesh tank
I’ll admit it, this mesh tank isn’t something I would’ve thought to try on my own. But once I put it on and wore it for a workout, it completely won me over! Here’s why.
The mesh fabric is extremely lightweight and breathable. The light fabric, loose fit, and low cut armholes combine to create the cool feeling of going sans shirt, but the longer length and high neck keeps you covered. The soft blue looks great with my fair skin tone. The back tie detail is fully functional and can be left loose or tight.
The slightly cropped length is on fire right now, but besides being trendy, it’s flattering for us shorties. I recommend pairing it with higher rise bottoms for both extra coverage and for maximum leg elongating effects.
Seamless layer bra
The new seamless layer bra melds edgy mesh with delicate, feminine straps. I love the simple but stylish back design and its super-comfortable, no-dig fit.
The seamless fabric is very stretchy, meaning the size S (the smallest size available) fits an XS as well. Its stretchy qualities also means the bra offers only light support. The high neck offers coverage for fuller busts, which is really helpful for me. I would recommend this for lighter impact activities where you don’t need strong support. If you’ve tried any of Alala’s other seamless bras, this layer bra has a very similar fit and feel.
New compression fabric for tights
One important note about Alala’s spring collection: they have a new bottoms fabric!
Both the siren tights and heroine tights in this post are a brand new fabric made of a polyamide/elastane blend. The new fabric offers strong compression, with a tight but still breathable and cool feel. It’s not as silky as their old fabric, and instead has a tighter knit and more technical feel. It’s fully opaque, so even if you’re bending and squatting, you can wear whatever you like under these.
Because of the additional compression, the new fabric fits a little smaller in my opinion. It goes on tight, but the fabric molds to your body after a couple of wears. Previously, I would’ve recommended sizing down if you’re in between sizes. With the new fabric, I recommend sizing up for in betweeners.
I’m personally really excited about the new fabric. It fits me very well and has fantastic performance qualities. I’m not sure if it will be on all bottoms or just some, so look for the key word “compression” in the product description if you want to give the new fabric a try. I will definitely be buying more in this fabric as new releases roll out.
Siren tights
The siren tights are an all-new design with the all-new compression fabric. They’re accentuated with seam details, pindot, and mesh panels. The mesh panel hits just below the knee, but the seam does not dig in. They have a high rise that reaches up to my belly button and holds everything neatly in place. There’s a waistband pocket at the back hip rather than the usual front hip area.
As I mentioned above, these tights run slightly small. I’m wearing my usual XS and recommend going with a larger size if you’re not sure.
Heroine tight
Last but certainly not least, the heroine tights are Alala’s first foray into 7/8 length territory. This new pair was on my wishlist, so I was really excited to receive them.
Like the siren tights, these are made of Alala’s new compression fabric. They feature similar details with the mesh and pindot fabrics, but with the addition of a swath of color that ties in perfectly with the blue tide mesh top. The side hem is curved, creating a flattering, feminine effect.
Sizing is the same as the siren tights, except the heroine tights are a medium rise. Instead of reaching my belly button like the sirens, the heroines fall about an inch below. Also unlike the siren tights, I don’t have any bunching at the ankles due to the petite fit. As you can see in the photos, they reach exactly at ankle length on me (I’m 5’3″).
Overall, each of my new pieces from spring are fabulous. Alala is a staple label in my closet that I keep coming back to season after season. They continue to improve with every collection and so far, this spring is no different! After such a strong start, I’m really optimistic to see the rest of the spring/summer season.
Shop the post
Heroine tights in black/blue tide
More new spring arrivals from Alala →
Discount for AA readers! Get 15% off when you use code AA15 at checkout.
In response to your previous comment, I did notice that the Heroine leggings had more compression, but I was still the same size in them as in all their other leggings. This is because although the smalls fit once they’re on, they make a distressing seam ripping sound when I pull them over my hips. It’s frustrating because I feel like that’s the size I should be wearing, but can’t. (that’s one of the reasons I haven’t bought any Alala leggings) Now with this new fabric, the Heroines are on my list, and the Sirens are as well.
i’ve had that ripping-sound problem with alala leggings before. i think it’s something with the fabric not being stretched or something, because it stops after a couple of wears and then they just fit, no rips. definitely scared me the first time i heard it.
Yeah, I actually agree with WA here. I’ve noticed the first time I try on leggings (especially ones with a seam at the top of the waistband) I will sometimes hear a popping sound or two as I wiggle them past the widest part of my hips. It doesn’t seem to be the seam, but perhaps the elastic on the inside. I’ve never actually gotten a broken seam from it. So, if the pants fit otherwise and no seams are broken, you’re probably safe, even though it’s definitely a horrifying sound!
Good to know! I haven’t had this experience with other leggings, so I didn’t want to take a chance and end up embarrassed in the middle of class.
Totally understandable! Hopefully you can avoid any wardrobe malfunctions. :)
I recently bought the Ace seamless leggings, crest bra, and mesh hoodie top. I love the mesh hoodie, which was the biggest wildcard. It is super awesome, and not very see-through so good for wearing around in public. The leggings are awesome too, although a bit hot. I was thinking they would be mesh based on the pictures, but the bottom mesh-looking part of the fabric is actually just a design woven into the seamless material. They are very cute though!!
P.S. Speaking of “wearing activewear around”, please tell me all of you have seen this:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=682629625243057&id=363765800431935&refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com%2Fviralthread%2Fvideos%2F682629625243057%2F&_rdr
Yes! I got shown this by a colleague at work yesterday coz I wore my align pants to work…:s
Whatever! I got no shame! And I do work out I promise:-)
So funny!!!
Hahaha yes! It’s so true…
The mesh hoodie is cute! Thanks for the mini-review on it and the ace tights. Too bad I can’t wear the hoodie to work, which makes it less practical for me. Bleargh. I’m considering the rose gold fuel jacket and shorts next…
I just ordered the gold fuel jacket too! Had been looking for a windbreaker forever and this one is so cute! I tried the silver one at Bandier and it’s super nice. I’m usually XS in their outerwear but the S fit great as it doesn’t have any give. I’m also trying the ace leggings as I really love the seamless quality.
Oh awesome, thanks for the tips. :) I think I might give the rose gold one a shot.
Love the new pieces and how you styled everything!
I’m excited to try the Heroine tights and just the new fabric in general. I’m 5’1″ and the only pair of Alala tights I own (leopard captain ankle tights) feel a tad loose and long in the legs for me. I wanted to try an XS, but was worried about muffin top…the new tights might just solve that issue! Again, don’t need new leggings any time soon, but they are definitely on my wishlist anyway!
Yes I think if you stick with the same size the next time around, you’ll probably like the fit of the heroines a bit better! :)
Oh my! Those siren pants are calling my name!!!
It all looks really cute on you. That tank is super cute too with the back detail.
Thank you Sherry! :)
Looking forward to trying Alala’s new fabric. Though I might just wait for some lighter/brighter colours to come out over the summer. The mesh top look so cute tho!
Happy Women’s day to all of you fit n fab ladies on this blog! X
Yes I’m so curious to see what other colors they have up their sleeve. I saw a bright green in the spring preview, but I have no idea what else we might see. I’d definitely consider another pair of heroines and matching mesh tank in a nice new color!
In the past I’ve always found the Alala tights too sheer for me but that is not the case with the Heroine tights! I love the shade of blue Alala is using in their spring line and thought I’d give the compression fabric a try. They are a little bit of a wiggle to get on but the compression and fit is really nice and the coverage is great.
Yes I had to wiggle a bit too, but they are perfect once they’re on! Glad you like them too.
…and I just used your discount code to grab the sirens! Hope they come out with some more styles in this material. Wore the others twice this week to make sure they pass the HIIT workout test, loved them!
Huzzah!! :) I hope you love the sirens, too, I certainly do!
Hi, Can you tell me what size you got in this mesh top? I have similar build to you and just would like reference! Thanks !!!!!
Size XS, it runs a little loose.