I love it when designers try to be different and unique, and it just comes out weird and off-putting. I’m all for designing and wearing unique clothes and shoes, and carrying colorful handbags that are a little offbeat can sometimes be fun. But sometimes designers just miss the mark when trying to diverge from the norm. Robert Clergerie is a good example of this. What the hell was up with those Frankenstein loafers?! Not a good look. And then Frye tries to get in on the distressed trend, and comes out with these awful sneakers that look like they’re probably as smelly as they are dirty. I bought some new workout clothes over the weekend, and in addition to the pants and tops, I figured I needed a jacket since there are still days when it’s pretty cool out. A workout jacket is great, too, because if the weather warms up, or you just get hot during your workout or run or whatever, you can take the jacket off. As I was looking around for a jacket that was just the right combination of fabric, color, and style—hey, just because you’re getting all sweaty doesn’t mean you can’t still look good!—I ran across this monstrosity that would probably go really well with those hideous Clergerie loafers. Have a look at the adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto Diagonal Hoody.
Why would you want your workout jacket to zip diagonally? What is the point? If we’re talking about style, I can see this working on a cropped jackets, or maybe even a trench if it were done right. But a workout jacket, while I agree it should still look good, is a utilitarian piece of clothing. If I’m in the middle of a workout, I want to be able to quickly zip or unzip it to warm up or cool off. I don’t want to mess with a crazy diagonal zipper. This jacket looks to me like something went wrong on the factory floor, and the jackets were mistakenly lopsided. Rather than losing money by starting over, they decided to market them as being diagonal on purpose. Yeah, I’m not buying it. Literally. If it appeals to you, then it also has two front pockets, banded cuffs and hem, and is made from a rayon/nylon/polyurethane blend. Last time I checked, wasn’t polyurethane what they use to varnish furniture? If the weird, unwieldy design doesn’t put you off, the price probably will. Um, 344 bucks for a crooked jacket? I don’t think so, adidas. You can get it at Zappos.com.
Budget Saving Alternatives
A workout jacket should be substantial enough to provide some warmth, but light enough to not weigh you down when you’re moving. If you want a little extra workout, use hand weights, not a heavy jacket. This Fitzwell Nakita Convertible Wind Jacket is perfect, not just in those areas, but in color. It’s pink! You know how I love pink. The Nakita is a nice pastel shade of pink, with hot pink accents along the sides, and inside the front zip closure. It has a standing collar to keep the wind from biting your neck, and dual size zip pockets to keep your ID and keys while you’re out running or walking. The cuffs are adjustable, and an elastic drawstring around the waist can help accentuate your figure. The outer shell is polyester, while the lining is nylon, and includes mesh to keep you dry. The reason it’s convertible is that the sleeves zip off to turn the jacket into a vest, which is nice as the weather warms up, but you want to keep your core warm during your workout. In addition to pink, it’s also available in navy or black, both with white accents. The Nakita is just $65 at Zappos.com.
As much as I love pink, I think this is my favorite workout jacket so far. The North Face TKA 100 Glacier is a quarter-zip, which means it’s a pullover, which I’m not crazy about, but I love, love, LOVE this color! It’s called snapdragon yellow, so how can I resist? Those are my favorite flowers. They’re pretty to look at, and they’re also like little action figures! RAWR! Wow, spring fever anyone? Anyway, this yellow is a perfect spring color. You may not want to wear this one in summer, though, because it’s made from polyester fleece, which is great on cool, windy days, but would be murderously uncomfortable on hot, sunny days. I’d still wear it in the fall, though, just because it’s so pretty. Plus, it’s by The North Face, so you know the quality is there. The fabric resists piling and fading, and is quick drying. I’d still air dry it, though, to be on the safe side and help it maintain its shape. TKA stands for Thermal Kinetic Advancement, which is a fancy shmancy name for the fabric’s superior insulation and wear resistance. If the yellow’s not your thing, it also comes in fiesta red, shoreline blue, and plain old black. Get a couple in your favorite colors. The Glacier is only $50 at Zappos.com.
