Fall is always my favorite time of year for new fitness fashion. I love being able to layer on more instead of just wear as little as possible to manage the heat. I love the saturated colors and the wonderfully cozy fabrics.
The activewear market is still young in terms of the broader fashion world, so it’s really neat to see how the landscape continues to evolve and mature. New brands continue to pop up, and brands that have been around for a couple of years are starting to step up their game and really come into their own.
Here’s a selection of the newness from September.
The latest collection from Carbon38’s in-house label is here, featuring a Japanese-inspired lineup. One of the flagship items from the collection is their crane print leggings, shown above. They also debuted new shine finish leggings in a couple of nice fall colors, like wine. See everything new in the collection here.
Alo debuted a cool new textured mesh on several of their styles, including the new vitality leggings and wanderer long sleeve shown above. They’ve already proven to be pretty popular. I’m really liking the evermint wanderer LS, although I’m admittedly terrified of snagging it. Alo is stocked at many retailers, so even if your size is sold out one place, chances are you can find it elsewhere. I spotted the new mesh styles via Revolve, Nordstrom, Bandier, Carbon38, and even Amazon, to name a few.
High fashion label Prabal Gurung brought their avant garde style to the active fashion world via a collaboration with Bandier. The collection uses abstract prints and lots of angles to bring something a little different to the table. See the collection here.
Speaking of bringing something new and different to the table, another new brand to know: P.E. Nation. They’ve been popping up just about everywhere. Their style is anything but typical, instead emphasizing an androgynous, retro aesthetic. You can find their goods via Bandier, Carbon38, and Revolve. (Photo via Bandier)
Lululemon debuted a new fabric this month: nulux. As the name suggests, it’s intended to be a hybrid between nulu and luxtreme. It’s a lightweight, naked sensation that’s supposed to provide a bit more compression than regular nulu. However, the majority of lulu lovers have lamented the sheerness of the new fabric, so approach leggings with caution. I’m curious about the nulux energy bra and if it would feel smoother and more comfortable than luxtreme.
This past week, lululemon also rolled out the essential rhythm capsule, a yoga collection featuring mesh with nice ribbon designs. This deep green color on the essential rhythm high times pants is a really lovely shade.
If you’re looking for some new outerwear, active brand Lolë has a great selection. I found some of their new releases via Nordstrom, or you can shop other colors and styles on Lolë’s own website. The nicky jacket has to be my favorite. Take note they do use down, so if you’re looking for vegan insulation, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Athleta is really coming in strong this season. I love these two new prints: the multi-colored sonar capris remind me of space, and I love that the luminous powder peak tights (pictured) are paired with navy in the back instead of the usual black.
If you’re on the hunt for cold weather tights this season, add Athleta’s powerlift tights to your list of styles to try. These are made with tech fleece and polartec fabric. I tried on last year’s version in stores and I remember being very impressed with how incredibly warm they were. You can find navy and maroon here, heathered neutrals here, and black with reflective detail here.
More new arrivals from Athleta are here.
K-Deer just released a new “Made for Midnight” capsule. The collection focuses on teals, blues, and purples in a four new geometric prints. The new snake print, hustle (pictured), has to be my favorite of the bunch.
With the release of this capsule, they also debuted a third length: the ankle legging. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s happy to see this addition to their lineup. This cut will be an ideal full length for shorties like me, since it’s between their capri length and their super-crazy long full length. Right now, the ankle length is only available in the newest capsule, but they wrote that more styles (stripes?!) will be made in the new cut soon.
Love this! It’s nice to have so much fresh & new and variety in one spot. You know what’s crazy? I think this is the first time that I’m buying ZERO Lululemon. Most of what I have my eye on is Athleta, then some styles at Bandier. You’re so right- Athleta is coming in strong! I got my Fall catalog in the mail last week, and I loved so many things. I can’t wait to get into the store to try on. (Plus I can order petites online!)
Totally hear you on that! I’m not sure if I’ll be buying more than a couple pieces from lulu this season, especially by comparison. I totally want to buy some Athleta gear, but feel a little silly paying full price given that they frequently have good sales. D:
I agree – pictured alongside other designers like this, lulu is kinda boring and uninspiring.
I like the Athleta stuff a lot and I am trying to get over the bias that I have against them for being a giant corporation off-shoot of the Gap. I have been noticing this pattern in general lately – the bigger a brand gets, the less interested I get. When I first saw Alo stuff a year or two ago I was totally into it, but now it seems ordinary and mainstream to me. I admit that this is a dumb and unfair perspective – why do I feel this way???
I did just order the downabout vest from Athleta… so we’ll see how that goes. I’m trying!
How very hipster of you. ;) Hehe. But actually, I totally get it. I’ve had a hard time getting on the Athleta bandwagon for similar reasons, but that’s definitely been going away. I’m not sure why I feel that way either. Perhaps the thrill is in the chase–seeking out new brands and trying something kind of out there is a lot of fun.
same. it’s not about “i wanna wear brands nobody knows about” or “i hate mainstream brands.” it’s about the people behind the brands. when the mindset is to make amazing unique pieces, and it’s a few people working hard for their customers, that’s great and worth paying for. alala gives off that vibe. werkshop shines, in that regard. when it’s a huge company stealing ideas and gouging customers, no, thank you.
plus traceable manufacturing is a huge plus. i don’t like buying things sewed cheaply by underpaid overworked labor in faraway countries.
yes actually… this feels exactly right to me. i don’t mind big brands if they seem responsible but so many brands seem to start cutting corners in various irresponsible ways once they get big. hmmm…. the downabout vest is already losing points even before its arrival. may have to return immediately :/
plus, i might as well admit it now – when that alala silvery puffer vest drops in november, i will somehow convince myself that $250 is “reasonable”… probably using the arguments WA presents above :)
Every time I spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothing – which is pretty much every time I buy clothing – I use all of these arguments.
Yes!! I think you’re dead on. The personal connection to a brand is so vital. Although that often correlates with a brand’s size, it’s definitely not always the case. As you alluded to, it also feels good to have a sense of where your money is going (knowing where its manufactured, knowing the people whose salary it pays), instead of throwing it into a corporate black box.
Loving all the cool new activewear designers out there!
While the lace stuff from ALO’s fall collection is a cool idea, I’m not really into it. It doesn’t seem very practical and I read a 3-star review on their site for the vitality leggings which basically said as much, especially for shorter ladies (like me). I’d love to try the power crop top though and their high-waist glossy airbrush leggings fit like a dream.
I’m on a shopping ban, but I do need new outerwear. I got the Alala blanket jacket in poseidon during their labor day sale and while I love it, I need something with a hood and more water-proof. I’m thinking about the breaker jacket from Rains, which I saw on Carbon38…
I’m excited to see the new fall collection from Aten Yoga. I recently bought a pair of white leggings from them at their end of summer sale (hence the shopping ban…no shopping until Christmas, basically). Can’t wait to receive them!
Yeah, I’d definitely be worried the practicality of the mesh–itchy, snag-prone, etc. But, good on them for trying something new.
I’d love to hear what you think of Aten Yoga! I checked out their website and they look like they have a lot of potential. I’d love to try them out too.
I love fall activewear and the whole layering aspect which brings in colours, textures, patterns and different materials. It also means more layers equals more budget but I love it anyway. Athleta is definitely looking strong. For me Onzie are totally rocking a beautiful fall colour palette as well. K-deer’s new collection look amazing!!! Unless Lululemon come up with a nicer print and less sheer nulux tights, it’s a pas for me as they are super expensive at £138 in the UK!! Not worth it for me with so many other nicer prints out there at the moment!
Yikes! The nulux is more expensive here, too, but definitely not that high so I definitely can’t blame you for passing that up! Also, very true about fall being a bit more expensive (especially outerwear, YIKES), but definitely worth it indeed. :)
Those K Deers are beautiful! I had stopped checking their site because it never seemed to change, so thanks for the heads up – those colors are gorgeous.
On the outerwear front, has anyone tried either the Lime and Vine Mina jacket or the Alala neoprene?
I have one of Alala’s very first neoprene jackets. It’s a couple years old now, but it’s pilled a bit at the sleeves. I got a great price for it though, so I’m definitely not unhappy with it. I just got one of their new neoprene pieces though, so I’m hoping they’ve improved the longevity/quality with this newer batch. Time will tell. :)
Thanks! I’ve never worn neoprene as outwear – is it warm, or just a light cute layering piece?
I’d call it mid-weight. It’s warmer than a knit cardigan, but you definitely still need a coat if it’s more than a little brisk.
As always, AA, thanks for the great round-up!
Am looking for some new leggings/pants and was wondering if anyone has tried Glyder’s “up town pant”?
FYI: they’re having free shipping all week :)
Re: Athleta – many years ago, bought a bunch of items online, all of which have held up well. In last year or two, now that have access to a store, keep trying things on but only bought one item – that started falling apart very quickly. I agree they’ve got some attraction fall things this year tho.
Thank you to the above comment re: Onzie – have heard the name but finally looked. A couple of temptations there!
Onzie makes great lightweight stretchy stuff for hot yoga for sure! Their leggings are some of the most comfortable to wear, though their sizing may not work for everyone (they do S/M, M/L, etc). They also don’t have flatlock seams (though I don’t know if that has changed with their newer stuff). Honestly, I don’t think they are worth full price, especially since you can find them at a lot of different sites and on sale. fitnessfashions . com has a good selection at decent prices :)
Yes, I’ve always been a bit turned off by Onzie’s odd sizing. I’m never quite convinced it’ll work for me so I’ve never tried. Also kind of a bummer they don’t do flat seams. I looked at some of their new stuff and it does indeed look like regular overlocked seams.
Hmmm, that’s discouraging to hear. :( On the other hand, at least it seems that Athleta is always willing to replace low-quality items, so there’s that to fall back on. Hopefully low quality isn’t going to become a theme for them.
Agent Athletica,
Awesome post with fall active wear. It’s so much easier to go to the gym when you feel confident. Investing in some new active wear can definitely give that boost to get healthy and stay healthy.
Thanks,
Dennis
I tried on the nulux and did find it too sheer for me. I loved the fit and feel though, so as soon as they fix the sheerness issue, I wouldn’t mind buying a pair. I’ve been looking at Athleta also, but feel the same way, I can’t pay full price when I know it’ll go on sale later. =T
Yeah, the premium price tag on nulux is a little hard to swallow given the sheerness! I don’t think they’ve made a solid color of nulux yet, so maybe that will be better?
I’ve been eyeing the Alo Wanderer LS for a bit, I ordered it from Amazon and received it today. Wow, does it run small! I’m usually a small in tops (6 in Lulu) and ordered a large so it wouldn’t be too tight and stress the fabric- the large fit like a form-fitting small to me. I love it so I’m keeping it, it has such a unique look!
Thanks for the fit tip! Do you find the cut-outs uncomfortable at all? That was my main worry.
I haven’t worn it longer than just a try on, but after adjusting it things stayed in place and I couldn’t feel the cut-outs at all. The sides of the cut-outs are smooth and curl out; the shirt isn’t super thin, so I’m hoping it holds up well. I was just careful putting it on- took my jewelry off, lol.
For anyone in the DC area who may not have heard (me until this morning!) there is a store at Tysons Corner Center called Chelsea Collective stocking Alala, Vimmia, Splits59, Lorna Jane, beyond yoga, Calia, adidas by Stella McCartney, Nike and more plus beauty accessories and a ton of athletic/athletic inspired shoes. It was amazing! I would definitely recommend checking it out!
ha i think i know the owner of that shop (through my sister). i’ll check with her whether it’s that one, or another dc shop with fancy activewear. (i know she stocks alala, alo, and others.) :)
nope – hers is s3 active (https://www.facebook.com/sthreeactive/). stocks alala, varley, koral, etc etc. might want to take a look if you’re in the dc area:)
Ah that sounds very worthy of a visit too, thank you WA! :)