Carbon38
Exciting news from Carbon38: besides being fitness fashion stockist extraordinaire, they just debuted their very own activewear label today!
Right now, the collection is all basic black and focuses on core functional styles. Pictured: sprint compression legging, speed elastic bra.
The jab bralette plays with some not-so-basic design elements by incorporating thin horizontal straps.
Carbon38 chose a compression polyester blend fabric for each of these pieces. The prices are moderate as far as high-end activewear is concerned (ranging from $52-$98). Pictured: interval basic tank.
The new line definitely has a lot of potential. Carbon38 is in the business of activewear already and sees hundreds of luxury activewear styles come through their office and likely has a good idea of what makes activewear good vs not so good. I like to think they’ve incorporated that experience and knowledge while designing their own collection. The one thing that I don’t love is that the new styles are only made in XS-L. Yes, these are obviously the most common sizes and therefore the most financially viable, and yes, as an XXS I’m a little biased, but I think offering 5-6 sizes is a more robust and complete range and helps consumers get the best possible fit. Hopefully they are just testing the waters and will expand in the future.
I also really like to see that Carbon38 mixes their own collection in alongside dozens of other brands. I’ve noticed that some brands seem to feel somewhat threatened or defensive at the very mention of competing brands (especially if it’s in a positive light). In reality, competition is good for ALL of us, and there’s no reason that competing brands can’t coexist and even complement one another. There’s always room at the top, and just because one brand does something well doesn’t mean that another brand can’t also be adored by fans, too.
Anyway, I’m so curious to try the new line, but I don’t have much of a need for basic black right now, so I’ll hold off and see what else they have up their sleeve!
The full Carbon38 collection (so far) →
Alala
As I mentioned in this weekend’s Carbon38 sale post, Alala had a little surprise up their sleeve with these new pewter styles. They uploaded the newness to their site yesterday! The drop was fairly small, featuring just a few of their core styles in new, festive colors.
My favorite piece from this capsule: pewter captain crops. Swoon! Unfortunately, Alala is already out of XS–crazy!! Fortunately, Revolve still has XS in stock, so I went ahead and ordered them there. I almost ordered the new blocked crop tights with pewter accents, too, but decided to hold off for now.
I thought about getting the pewter captain ankle tights instead, but I like the idea of crop length since I can wear them year-round. It also doesn’t help that the photos for the full-length just didn’t turn out as nice as the crop pics, imo.
A few styles got updated with metallic mesh accents, like the infinity scarf. This mesh is still pretty and a little sparkly, but a lot more subtle than full-on pewter.
Besides the shiny silver, Alala also debuted imperial purple in the fractal tee and toughie tank. I love these, but have to draw the buying line somewhere! So tough to resist though–the color looks so nice with the new pewter! My Alala wishlist is about 10 miles long now.
See everything from the new capsule here →
As always, AA readers get 15% off with code AA15!
Varley
You might not have heard of Varley before–they’re a newer fitness fashion brand with a luxe aesthetic that blends London and LA style. I’ve been wanting to give Varley a try for a while, so I checked out their new fall/winter ’15 collection this week.
They use a lot of abstract and nature-inspired prints like granite and leopard. I like that the prints they choose often have a luxe look about them. Shown: pacific rose leopard tight (matching palisades bra), Sofia marble compression tight (matching Margot bra).
Here’s another print: claret croc, on the Sofia tights. The moto zip detailed Sofias are a signature Varley design that really helped put them on the fitness fashion map.
Saving the best for last: I am absolutely in love with these Sofia tights in navy. The color is just gorgeous, and the gold zip accents are just perfection. All of Varley’s tights are made of polyamide, so I’m guessing they’ll have a similar feel and quality as the polyamide pants from The Upside that I recently got.
I 100% will want to try these navy Sofias, but Varley charges $15 shipping if you order from their website, so I’ve been holding off and stalking Bandier and Carbon38 to see if they upload Varley’s new collection. Fingers crossed! (Update: quite a few pieces from the new collection are now on Carbon38 here, including the navy Sofias in XS-L.)
While I absolutely love all the new pewter items from Alala, I was put off by the hand-wash-only instructions. I’ll be curious to hear whether people try washing them on gentle cycle in a lingerie bag and how that works, because that’s as far as I’ll go with special care for clothes. I do, though, LOVE the new color in the fractal tee. Maybe if someone has a great thanksgiving weekend deal I’ll get it. Those Varley Sofia tights were in one of my magazines a while back, and I loved the style so much I checked out their site. They really stand out!
I would think that if you have a trustworthy washing machine with a delicate/handwash setting and a bag, it would be fine. I don’t think that’s THAT much different than literal hand washing, so it’s probably what I’ll be doing with mine. I feel like care instructions are generally more conservative than they have to be.
I received my revolve order today and kind of disappointed. First of all, they sent me the small size of the pewter crops even though on the order slip it says xs. I tried them on anyways even though they were too big, and didn’t love the fabric. It’s basically black crops painted metallic on the surface, which gives them a rough feel, and also rubs off a bit onto my hand. They also have a “cracked” appearance when stretched where you can see the black fabric. I really want to love them, but they seem like they really won’t stand up to workouts for long before looking faded. I ordered the blocked crop also, which actually seem a lot better. The black fabric is very nice, and the strips of metallic are small enough that I don’t think they will show the wear as much as the full pewter ones. So I’m torn whether I’ll exchange the pewter for my correct size to try them out or just forget about it and keep the blocked ones. Sigh.
Such a bummer!! I’m so sad to hear this :(
FYI: If you need a replacement similar type item: I ordered the sukishufu leatherback leggings on c38 (the bright silver ones). they rock. the material is awesome (it is actually silvery grey fabric with metallic print that does not stretch or fade weird). I also have never seen my butt look so good in a pair of leggings. EVER. I showed my sister a pick of my behind and she said “what the F***!??! How is that possible” lol… thanks sis. Anyways, I got them on one of the recent sales, but they are worth every penny.
Ooh thanks for the tip, those are pretty! I may definitely jump at those if I see a good sale. I know I’m sad about the alala crops also. The more I think about trying to order the xs and make them work, the more I think I should just stick with the blocked crop ones because I’m not sure how much I’ll use the full pewter ones with them seeming so delicate. Although if AA ends up raving about them maybe it will persuade me lol.
yes, everything that I had previously overlooked or been “meh” about, I all of a sudden NEED if AA raves about them. lol.
Sorry they didn’t work out for you! I like my pewter ones, but I don’t mind a little distressed look, and they get just as much attention as my werkshop dragon tights:) I like the blocked crops too if you decide to keep those. I, too, am super influenced by AA’s reviews in part because she makes everything look good!
Ack, I almost bought the Sukishufu leggings on C38 F&F but reigned myself in. I’ve been eyeballing them for like a year! Now you’re the one who isn’t helpful. ;)
Thanks for the feedback on these! I’ll have to watch for those issues you mentioned. Mine coming Saturday, but I actually won’t be back in town til Tuesday to try them on. As always, I’ll report back!
No problem, I’ll be curious to hear how you like them. I tried them on about 5 more times (in the wrong size so obviously that could be influencing me also), but every time I tried on the pewter blocked crops I liked them more and more. The black fabric is seriously gorgeous in them- so silky and breathable yet opaque, but they still have the unique pewter accents. I’ve decided to keep the blocked crops and not bother trying to reorder the pewter captains in my correct size. I definitely see myself getting a ton of use out of them, and loving my first Alala purchase!
Oh wow those navy Sophia tights are GORGEOUS! Definitely let us know if you find them on another site or maybe they will run a promo for Black Friday with free shipping. Of course when I have a lulu gift card sitting around I want everything from all these other brands!
Oh good call, I’ll have to watch their site for a Black Friday promo. :)
those sophia tights are already on c38. they have XS.
Yup, looks like they JUST added them. Too bad the C38 buyer almost never gets XXS, I really want (need?) that size! : Hopefully Bandier will have it.
Update: Bandier didn’t get the Sofias in navy at all. SIGH. :(
I saw that… super LAME!
I thought of you and looked when I saw Bandier’s “new Varley!” email in my inbox.
Major bummer.
Maybe you can just buy Sukishufu now instead ;)
I purchased the Varley Sofia tights with the zippers (in black). Sooooo disappointed. On the hanger they are really cool, and have definite edge. I am an 8-10 (8 in Lulu) pants and I took a sizr medium in these. I also tried on the large but they offer zero compression in the large. These leggings are super super thin material, and even in the medium it’s a stretch to say they are “compression” tights. The zippers are cheap, and they are pure look, no function. Behind them is a weak piece of material to reinforce them. I’m concerned about the metal on the zippers tarnishing and looking duller if I wash them. I really wanted to love them so I gave them a whirl at the gym. First squat, I felt a pull in the seam along the gusset. Sure enough, a thread popped and it’s just continued to unravel from there. I choose pants that are not tight on me, so I take a size 8, purely because I cannot stand things too tight. I do prefer a hugged fit though, and these stretched out quite a bit once they got sweaty. I had to keep pulling them up. I would much rather spend $110 on pants that will meet multiple needs and not just fashion….and these unfortunately will be resigned to my casual wardrobe after I take them to a seamstress to fit the gusset. They are seriously thin material so they do show every little bump. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on the navy pair too but thankfully the black ones arrived and I was able to test them out. They are super cute and edgy but not functional. There aren’t other reviews out there on websites that sell them so I thought I’d let everyone know. It’s very much like the “naked” Align pant fit/feel but without the softness of the align and slightly thinner material.
Thanks for the review! I ordered them recently to try but haven’t received them yet. Your points were all the things that I was thinking could be wrong with these. Nice for my wallet if I find the same problems with them :)
Thanks for this useful info
Thank you for posting this! I’m so sorry to hear you were so disappointed. :( If I do decide to order a pair, I’ll have to watch for the potential pitfalls you mentioned. If you haven’t already, I might email Varley with some feedback. Some brands will send you a replacement pair if it’s their design flaw (which it sounds like it may be here, with the seams tearing). If nothing else, it can be helpful to them to know where to improve.
Unfortunately I bought them from a boutique store that ironically was listed on the Varley website as a stockist but I never imagined our little St. Louis suburb (Ellisville) would have a store from a London based company. Final sale after use. :(
After seeing the post I went in and bought them with full intention of also getting the navy color online if these worked out. I’m just used to a little more “substance” to my leggings. Now that I know Varley started as a swimwear company I completely get why they are so thin. These leggings are similar to a thin swimsuit material. I’ll write Varley to let them know for feedback sake. I did end up getting the Alo motto leggings in navy tonight hoping they will be a little bit thicker and as nice of a blue. I will miss the zippers though, such a cool look. Thanks for a great blog! Because of you I know about Alala, and Varley, and I happily own the Sophisticate Alala neoprene jacket (bought the neoprene pants tonight too), Alala foldover pants and track pants, and the Alala blanket jacket in both colors. Very happy you share your try on reviews! :) Those brands are lucky to have an unbiased honest advocate like you!
Ahhh that makes sense. I hope you’re happier with the Alo leggings! Another commenter mentioned she got them and like hers. Same with Alala–I have and love all of the pieces you got, so those seem like good choices in my book. ;)
Thank you so much for saving me $110. I was going to get the burgundy croc pair but won’t now.