Sports Bra Review #2

Part #2 of my series on Sports Bras (see the 1st blog here) is more my opinion on fit, comfort, price and style.  I wanted Jessica's perspective because we could not be more different body types.  Pre-pregnancy I was a 36DD, and since then I've nursed for a full year and lost more than 40 lbs....so now I'm like a 34D.  So for me it's about keeping what I've got in place and not moving....plus looking stylish.

One thing I will say, is that no matter your size, the individual molded cup seems to be the new trend for any shape/size.  It gets rid of uni-boob and provides more stability.

My review is going to be a bit different from the last, I'll break down the styles I have (range in prices) and what I like/dislike and what exercised I use them for....so here we go.

Victoria's Secret Knockout & Incredible bra - I picked these up during the semi-annual sale, because I didn't want to pay $60 for a bra I might not love.  I love one and dislike the other.  Both bras have molded cups and comfortable straps.  The Knockout zips in the front and the Incredible is a pull over with a snap band in the back.  On days where I do heavy cardio (kickboxing) I reach for the Incredible first, I've found that over time the snap back allows me to correct for any 'give' the spandex has relaxed and still keep a tight band.  The Knockout is a perfectly find sports bra for days will less movement, weight lifting, walking, etc.  The band has relaxed and I've felt over time the support has decreased...plus I've reduced my natural band sizing...so I should probably size down.

Overall - Knockout - meh, Incredible - worth it (when on sale)

 
Knockout

 
Incredible

C9 Champion High Support Sports bra - Jesi and I agree on this one!  It's the bra I reach for the most, and will probably buy again.  The style is similar to the Incredible, with a pull over and snap band back.  I use this for kickboxing as well as running and never feel like I'm bouncing.

Overall - FABULOUS!

FILA Sport Core Essentials High Impact Sports Bra - I was looking for another affordable sports bra options, so I started scouring the internet and all my go to sites.  I found this one at Kohls.....which, who has ever paid full price at Kohls....no one....ever.  I used a 30% promo code I found online and ordered two colors in XL....when they came, they were a little large.  So I took them back to my local store for Larges, and they work awesome!  Sizing down give you a snug fit around the band which is what you need, and will allow for eventual give since there are no adjustable straps.  I have two colors, and I love that they have a wide range.  I pull for these on both cardio and weight training days, if my C9 isn't available.

Overall - Great for the money, but not my go to.

Those really cover my most worn sports bras....I have some from Old Navy that I use for weight training only days, and some really old ones I need to rotate out.  I've heard that sports bras shouldn't see a birthday...meaning you shouldn't have them for over a year.  While that's great in theory, if you've got a large bust and shelled out nearly $50 per bra for a set of 3-5, you don't really want to do that every year.  I recommend just keeping tabs on the band fit as it wears over time...and DON'T throw them in the dryer....AIR DRY!!!!

I've got a great fall fashion inspired posts coming, get excited!  Thanks for your continued support in reading, and I'll see you back here, in my closet!

Sports Bra Review #1 (Collabo w/ Girl.Fit.Boss)

First let me admit - I am a horrible blogger.  Hopefully now that we're FINALLY settling into the new house I can carve out time once a week to put some content together for you guys.  Thank you if you do read these!

Ok, moving on....

I've been asked a few times about some of my athletic wear.  Form meeting function.  I will never understand women I see who work out in regular bras.....there's can't be enough support going on in that $25 bra from Kohl's!

So, I wanted to give you, my readers, a full scope.  I know not every woman has my build, so my opinion might not be the best if you have a different build.  That's why I reached out to a woman who not only has a different build, but also helps people motivate and drive themselves to achieve their weight loss goals.  Jessica over at Girl.Fit.Boss and I have known each other since college and I trust her opinion in all things fitness.  And from what she has to say about sports bras, it looks like women of all shapes really all want the same thing....SUPPORT!

I'm going to break this topic into two blog posts....one from Jesi's persective and one from mine.  Here's what she has to say(pictures might not be exact style, but as close as I could find online):
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I'm going to throw it out there:  I'm a cheap ass when it comes to sports bras.  I don't want to wait or postpone my workouts because I don't have a clean sports bra to wear (and with the amount of sweat I generate, wearing one from the day before is just NASTY) or because I need to save up for a new one.  So what's a girl to do?  Head to Target!  These bras are holding me over as I save money and replace them one by one with higher quality, longer lasting bras (that of course, are more expensive).  

A word about my boobs:  I have none.  Well, almost none.  I wear a 34A.  I used to be a 36B for the longest time, then I started focusing on my health and fitness and unfortunately, the boobs are the first things to go!  *insert funeral march here*  A small price to pay for a healthy body!

So here's what I love (and sometimes hate) about my favorite bras:

1.  C9 Champion® Women's High Support Sports Bra

     For a sports bra on the cheaper side of the spectrum, this is my go-to!  It's a pull over your head kind of bra with no clasps or ability to adjust the straps, but it fits perfectly snug without cutting off circulation.  It has molded cups, which I really like in all my bras.  I do a lot of high-impact exercise, like running and plyometric cardio, so this one is perfect for keeping the girls in place and minimizing bouncing.  When I workout, I want to make sure I'm not putting any unnecessary strain on the ligaments and soft tissue that hold my breasts up, so I may look even more flat chested than I already am with this bra, but at least I know I won't have to tuck my boobs into my belt when I'm 70.

2. C9 Champion® Women's Power Core Racer Sports Bra

     This is a good bra too for being on the cheaper side of the spectrum, but I probably won't be purchasing anymore of these.  These are also bras designed for high-impact exercise and pull over your head with no strap adjustments.  The downside of this bra are the removable cups.  I didn't look closely enough when I purchased all 4 of them at once to realize that they had removable cups, else I wouldn't have gotten them.  The cups come out in the wash or get all folded up inside the lining so I'm constantly having to put them back in and/or flatten them out.  When you're wearing the bra though, it's perfect!  The cups don't move around and it gives exactly the kind of support I need.  A plus is that this bra doesn't flatten my chest as much, but I still feel fully supported.

3.  Moving Comfort Fiona Bra

     This bra is my first REALLY NICE bra.  It's not cheap, but it's also not outlandishly expensive.  I bought it specifically for running and while I wear it for all forms of exercise, it's the only one I wear for a race!  The ONLY downside to this bra is that it doesn't have any padding or cups, but I'm willing to live without for the awesomeness that this bra brings.  The adjustable straps use velcro instead of metal adjusters, so it's nothing but soft comfort.  It has a clasp in the back to adjust as well, instead of having to pull it over your head and squeeze it over the girls.  It doesn't flatten me out, but it's snug enough to provide support for a high impact workout.  This bra has a higher neckline, so even when I was wearing it as a 36B, I didn't have any issue with a "boob muffin top" (you know what I'm talking about!).  When it's time to replace one of my cheaper bras, I will definitely be getting another one of these!

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I hope you all got some great info from Jesi!  I'll try to put my review out in a few days!

I've got a bunch of stuff swirling around in my head to get out to you guys (product reviews, fall capsule wardrobe planning, house progress!) but I just have to put it all down in a schedule :(

See you all later, back here in my closet!

Stitch Fix #3

Little blogging gets done when you're trying to move.  Hopefully once I feel settled, I'll get back into a more regular content update, I've got a few posts filling up my potential list :)

But, onto a happy day!  I got my latest Stitch Fix on Saturday, and.....I had mixed feelings.  With the move I've started this new found purge of all things unnecessary, which makes it hard to justify buying MORE things to wear...more on that as I talk about what was in this month's box.

I got 3 tops, a skirt, and because I requested more accessories, a purse.  With the hectic nature of a move and now having a toddler to look after, I didn't get to do as much styling on the items as I wanted.  Let's break it down:

This blue and white striped top had a really fun back detail, which I would have been all over if the whole thing had a little more structure.  I've come to know I like things to accentuate my curves, but not be overly risque.

Next, I got another skirt since my stylist liked how much I played up the last one.  But that's the problem, I'm not the person that needs multiple printed skirts in the same color palette.  Although, this skirt is a nice breezy fabric that has a little flip in it as you walk down stairs or twirl around.  If I didn't already have something that I felt covered this category, I'd be more interested.

This next top was a hard one to let go.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but it's a cream V-neck blouse with black like 'lightening bolts' all over it.  It was far and away my mother's favorite, but again, I already have 3 cream blouses and I'd just gotten rid of two others.  But, it did give me a reason to break out my black circle skirt for this styling.  I forget how much I love it, mainly because it's a little to short to wear to work (without tights).

Finally onto the piece I kept, this turquoise tank with white embroidery.  I like it's fit and color and I could see it easily transitioning from casual to work wear (with a blazer).  The only thing about this one was there was a smudge on the embroidery, so I'm looking at how to return it and get an exchange.  The purse was a nice mix up, but the style was too Boho for me.  I like more structure, which I told my stylist in this month's review. 

All in all, not a great box, but not bad.  I'm thinking I am going to re-adjust my price points as the fall comes around because I think I'll get more lux pieces that might call to me more.  If you're interested in seeing what I got in my other fixes click here or here