The Wardrobe Stylist

Now that summer has officially started, it’s time to list the top summer activewear items. What are the must haves of activewear?? As this category keeps expanding and creeping more and more into mainstream styles, fashionistas everywhere need to pay close attention to it. While the joggers are all the rage, there are other summer activewear items that are topping my list.

Leather Sneakers

Now on to footwear. With many brands providing cool and awesome shoes, I’ve always been a fan of the underdog, the up-and-coming, the rising star: Ushuu creates edgy yet classy sneaker inspired shoes. They offer
a variety of luxury footwear in a multitude of styles, materials and colours.

For their official Kickstarter launch, they’ve decided to to narrow it on “The Black Collection.” These shoes are made from 100% rich calf leather (something that’s becoming harder and harder to find with the increased use of vegan leather), suede, crushed rhinestone, snake style embossed with normal calf hair and patent leather.

Might sound a bit expensive to sweat on…But they are the type of shoes you can wear for your light weight days and then walk out of the gym looking just as stylish as you did inside. The dudes at Ushuu are true believers that style and comfort can be used in the same sentence. One doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other.

Printed Workout Gear

For the girls with flair who want to stand out at the gym with some art inspired pieces, check Yizzam for your next workout.

With the rise of print in workout clothing and accessories, and the upward trend of customization of clothing, Yizzam creates light hearted all over print leggings
inspired by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, as well as retro comic classics, favourite food prints, and various animal prints. All their products are decorated in the USA and made with enviro-safe water-based dye. Shoppers can customise their own styles for women, men and kids.

Weight Gloves

A favourite of workout buffs Jessica Alba and Kristin Chenoweth, G-loves is all about putting fun in fitness for the season ahead. G-loves workout gloves come in a range of fashionable collections so you can look good lifting those heavy sets.

Crafted from neoprene, they protect delicate hands from calluses, are lightweight and durable. G-loves also designs stylish wrist straps and chic new weight belts to complete the workout outfit.

They’re ideal for lifting, tough mudders, crossfitters, cyclists. Essentially any hardcore activity that requires grip and support. They come in a multitude of hues and prints from metallic, to neon, to animal print, camo, and even some studded with Swarovski crystals.

Men’s Summer Activewear Lines

For the guys, Eddie Bauer has a great looking new line of summer activewear for men, called Motion. From tops to bottoms and swimwear, the Motion line is perfect for training, fitness and yoga. Each item is built with versatile fabrics for maximum performance and comfort while you train for your next adventure. The men’s tidal shorts are one of my faves.

…lost is the leading surfboard manufacturer that also design men’s surfwear, sandals, beach towels and hats.

While it may compete with some of Eddie Bauer’s collection, I believe they each seek a different clientele with the latter engaging a younger audience. With funkier ensembles, these items are great for college or high school guys, and guys a little later in their twenties.

Eco-Friendly Ladies Swimsuits

For chicks active in the water, weather it’s at the pool or at the beach consider Naja’s eco-friendly swimsuits. They offer environmentally and socially conscious bra and swimwear line made with fabric that’s created out of recycled plastic bottles.

They’re always looking for ways to impact the planet less while making you comfortable in your water activities or under your summer activewear.

Canada’s Shining Moment

While we’re on the subject of sports, and given it’s a big year for it in Canada with the upcoming PanAm games, and the Women’s FIFA 2015, it’s worth mentioning that Canada’s design museum, the Design Exchange (DX) is launching next month the highly anticipated second nomadic installment: SMARTER. FASTER. TOUGHER.

It opens on July 8 and will dive into the evolution of sportswear from ethnography, nature, fashion and performance. Presented and Commissioned by Panamania, the exhibition is perfectly timed and located with PAN AM in Toronto’s Distillery District.

The exhibit will include products from:

• Puma x Chalayan;
• Puma x Cedella Marley;
• Stella McCartney x Adidas (Canada);
• Fred Perry
• Blue Glue;
• Koru;
• Onitsuka Tiger;
• Shapeways 3D printed Bikini by Contiuum;
• Tommy Hilfiger;
• Stella Jean;
• Canada Goose;
• Speedo;
• Virus;
• Loudmouth;
• Griffin Studio;
• Maharishi.