Amazing and Adorable Athleta!

Does the title of this entry give it all away?  Today I am blogging or bragging about Athleta, my new find for workout wear and post gym ensembles.  Athleta is in the GAP family (Old Navy, Banana Republic), and there are over 60 Athleta stores in the U.S.  Check out their website at athleta.com.

I have been getting Athleta catalogs for a year or two now, and I always thought that their clothing was cute, but for some reason never placed an order.  Last month I received their January catalog, and I saw some really adorable and fun pieces.  It was so enticing that I decided to check out the Athleta store near me in Northbrook Court (Illinois), which just opened this past October.

There was so much to see at the Athleta store.  The athletic wear came in great Spring colors, fun patterns and seemed very functional.  Dare I go so far as to say that the experience made me want to hit the gym?  Not only that, but the pieces did not scream "athletic wear" to me.  Athleta has clothes that can be layered so that your base is what you wear to the gym, but the jackets, vests, sweaters and sweatshirts can take you from the gym to your everyday.  Also, the top and bottom base pieces for the gym come in bright, lively patterns that are so spectacular that you can be fashionable when you work-out too.

Not to mention that Athleta's choices for bottoms seems endless.  There are some that don't even look like you are wearing yoga pants (check out the "Bettona Classic Pant")  Let's face it, we don't always have time to shower and get gussied up after they gym.  Some days are just go, go, go.  Plus, if you work at home and/or are chasing around little ones, you want to be comfortable too.  Athleta's clothes are great for transitioning from the gym to everyday life without looking and feeling like you are wearing your gym clothes or sweats all day long.

I was initially drawn to these fabulous tights below called the Chat Tights (or "Chaturanga"), and they are amazing.  They are so comfortable and flattering on.  They come in so many different patterns, colors and styles that you just have to check them out.  You can get them full length or capri.  And, Athleta does complimentary hemming.  Love the Chat tights!!

This is merely as small sampling of the great items that they are featuring for their Spring line:

  

 Lightweight down in a stunning amalfi blue

Great tie-dye styles

These tights are not only cute but functional with a back pocket for your cell phone

 

 I am seeing a lot of vests for spring, and this one is very lightweight and has a great funnel neck

 

Cute patterns in jackets and in the "Chi Tank".  The tank above is "mocha beige".

This moto jacket is so on trend and should not be worn only to the gym.















Other styles that caught my eye:

 

 As I will be writing about in an upcoming Spring trend post, mint is back and better than ever!

 

This little dress is adorable for summer.  Who cares if you play tennis or not?   The end of the January catalog has some really stylish cover ups and swimsuits.  I plan to check out Athleta when that dreaded day of swimsuit shopping comes around.  It looks like they have some great options.

This is the "Printed No Sweatin' It Sharkbite Top".  This is a definite go to for "to and from" the gym and running errands right after.

  

This top has a side pocket, perfect for storing the essentials.

I couldn't even get the whole selection of bottoms that Athleta has into one photo.  There are so many options:

In the coming months, I will be returning to Athleta and report back on more great finds.  If you have recently discovered Athleta or had a great Athleta experience, be sure to let me know.  I would love to hear about it.