LYRA MAG.

NIKE, PolarFleece, ROKA, TYR Yup-we are admiringly obsessed with Nike's NYC World Cup and Sew-options... choose a jersey or two-and these styles get made with them...wow! only at Spring/W Broadway store in USA yup-on sale already-and a huge line -always-and it's by appointment too. WC worthy soccer tops...customize for your hometown 'hood-artwork-patch   Can't troop downtown to the Big Apple to make an appointment...there are other athletic inspired options for the sporty types...available on line.... Points on the retro logo PolarFleece -made in New England... BUILD YOUR OWN Andover Fleece $120-the soft/warm/ techy Polartec®solid 200 weight fleece made of recycled poly, comes in loads of colors-plus personalized tonal options-sleeves, body, pocket, grosgrain ribbon, collar, placket, snaps, binding---even the neck loop!!! Estimated time 6-8 weeks. Order now and have by late summer when temps start to d...

SAXX UNDERWEAR, RHONE, ALPHA INDUSTRIES, RYU Apparel, LA SPORTIVA, ORIGINAL PENGUIN, CLOTHING ARTS via GIPHY Cooling looking/wearing performance garb.. . courtesy of the best small label athletic brands deliver wardrobe friendly  separates. Bonus-all are easy care travel pieces -ready for anywhere indoor gyms -and the great outdoors ---PERFECT for the buff or those with Dad bods . (Judgement Free Zone). SAXX Underwear makes every guy's fave briefs-boxers (really BF approved!!!)-smartly branches out into  performance separates for run/training this season. The Kinetic shorts deliver in a bunch of lengths-made of quick drying-fabric w/ some stretch...the inner  breathable supportive micro mesh inner briefs have the signature  BallPark Pouch™...the short sleeve tops (3SIXFIVE or Ultra TRI-BLEND)-classic good looks made of super prima cotton-or super soft feel fabric blend, respectively. RHONE's premium activewear/fitness offerings are stylishly urban...

Athlete Essential: Part 2 via GIPHY source www.jakematthew.com Thermoregulation textiles  proven to lower surface temps of active wearer's skin -has been around a few years....and one of the best fabric suppliers, chemical free-patented CoolCore (and its technology)-  smartly shows off  its new M/W tops/bottoms for those on the go. Proprietary construction-manages+distributes body heat - excels moisture wicking and evaporation...CoolCore built into fibers-won't wash out and maintains performance level... sweat activated surface temp can be lowered up to 30%!!! Available June 1 our fav piece-racer back tank top-with side/back sweat zones WHAT ELSE: Dr. Cool Ice and Compression Wraps  (using CoolCore) designed to incorporate the aforementioned healing attributes-wet, or freeze them---then wrap around dry skin-in sizes S,M,L

FREE PEOPLE MOVEMENT, REEBOK, TIEM Spin Shoes via GIPHY Higher waist bands, autumnal tones, two tone prints pops-and a lot more white separates than usually sees in Fall-mixed in with year round pieces-for indoor, casual and workout wear -wherever ...

Part 3 HARD TAIL FOREVER, SPIRITUAL GANGSTER, THREADS 4 THOUGHT Metropolitan Pavilion Bold Black/White stripes from Hard Tail Forever (MADE IN THE USA)-can see how these graphic pieces work with cool black or white lifestyle staples-like their cool  to jacket Hard Tail. ..also had several shades of gray-in subdued camo casual sweatpants-jogger style with comfy drawstring waist- and tie dye patterns in stretch pants/leggings hybrid with slimming flat waist. At this tradeshow-we saw prints in layered bands as pictured above on the left-which imo-more flattering (slimming)---vs last season's overall bright patterns that add visual inches to thighs. Probably why we see very few overall print pattern bottoms at the gym we belong too-but see loads of-mesh inserts in all black leggings/capris-that adds a fun lingerie element to gym wear. Spiritual Gangste r-yoga inspired clothing-black/white crop new High Neck Bra top-racer back available now $48... Threads ...

Part 2 ALOYOGA, lucy, ONZIE via GIPHY Street to studio, or skip the workout and just be casual comfy-wearing performance wear aimed at the yoga-pilates-gym pursuits...aka athleisure wear...is a celeb clogged category-but our top picks are from the smaller labels that showed great Fall 2017 pieces--- that would really work year round...less super hot times. ALOYOGA Moto Legging is our most coveted item---available now in six colors $114-and adding more next season (pictured above). Mixed matte shine fabric with mesh detail, hidden key/card pocket in waistband, and spot on-moto inspired quilted stitching legging. A big plus the comfy wide band high waisted, and functional high wicking, four way stretch, anti-microbial material. LOVE.

MPG, RHONE Part One The NY version of the sports-yoga-workout wear focused Active Collective had loads of terrific athletic style-that anyone would wear on or off the courts, in a gym, or outdoors on weekend downtime. IMO-athleisure is a permanent lifestyle apparel category...and we saw plenty of multi-tasking pieces made from tech fabrics for Fall 2017-in subdued autumnal colors, fewer prints (than what we have seen for Spring)-but interestingly enough...a bunch of bold black/white items at several exhibitors. MPG ( MODETTA PERFORMANCE GEAR ) started as a fashion savvy- dancer focused collection of studio separates to wear off th barre- but has grown into a brand for athletes pursuing various activities-with performance pieces for runners, gym-heads, yoga buffs and dancers---and comfy casual wear that also doubles as versatile travel pieces. In the front-cozy long knit cardigan for woman-belt it for wearing to an office-or keep it loose for downtime comfort, In back te...

DARE 2B, SKEA, SNOWMAN New York, ALPHA INDUSTRIES Winter worthy outerwear- assuming it might get cold --- has sleeker silhouettes this season -courtesy of warmth without the bulk functional 'smart' fabrics / insulation that keep wearers dry in all sorts of weather-and heartbeat rates... moving out moisture from output activities ( Primaloft Gold/Silver/Black, Polartec's Alpha , 3M's Thinsulate)-keeping wearers from chattering teeth when still, encased in stretchy easy to move in textiles embedded with wind/water stopping tech  that breathes (slew of Gore-Tex® technologies , Pertex Quantum + Shield)- to name just a few name brand textiles. via GIPHY source comedycentral.com AND although harsh conditions/extreme destinations require the utmost tech wear to survive...most other jaunts-whether to resort mountains or city bars...can be served by multi-tasking-fashion-y-stylish pieces-that are  versatile- durable-and protective enough. we've reviewed several...

PART ONE CR9 Champion-Target, Altra Running, Rhone We live in  roller coast weather - casual world...with the blurring of seasonal attire-and streetwear-workwear-athletic apparel.  ' Athleisure ' is dead - uttered by peeps on the luxury fashion apparel payroll maybe dismiss the reality we see everyday-with all sorts of humans-including non-athletes- wearing activewear apparel (bumped up atheleisure)...  made for high cardio output activities-all the time. Affordable, stylish, comfy and usually made from easy care fabrics that move with the body- breathable/moisture-wicking (ideal attributes- going from hot to cold-to hot temps)-and retain shape after stretching---IT'S easy to see the appeal of this clothing segment. Plus-if your work locale allows dogs under the desk-chances are the powers that be could not care less about what one wears under a hoodie. A HOODIE! via GIPHY Some Highlights... Women's Activewear -C9 Champion-Target C9 Champion-Target...

X-Static®, XT2® SILVADUR INTELLIFRESH™, COOLCORE™, ColdPruf®,  Terramar® We do enough sweat inducing long distance triathlons-to have pure sympathy for those volunteers at water stations-and at the finish line-who get tasked with the possibly odorous job of unstrapping those timing chips. Mercifully-even if our sunscreen/deodorant wilts before before we do-at least our outfits are more or less aroma free and slightly cooler...courtesy of what is now standard for athletic wear-some kind of anti-odor/microbial woven in-or bathed in treatment-and increasingly-more rapidly evaporating fabrics with cooling sensations. Some Highlights:  When we see pricey outerwear pieces not made from naturally smell depressing materials such as merino wool...we are shocked that readily available offerings from companies such as Noble Biomaterial or Silvadur... aren't in the mix. And that includes fashion apparel too. We wrote up  NOBLE BIOMATERIAL S'  Circuitex™  last ...

Part 3 SLC/NYC Athletes are benefitting from the surge in types of high performance textiles/fabrics...so much so it seems like items bought just 3 years ago just  seem so ...Windows XP ish. From Primaloft-the first synthetic insulation we ever wore-comes a microfiber engineered with breathable warmth technology and multi-directional stretch- aimed at the high-output active types... PRIMALOFT GOLD INSULATION ACTIVE ...year round wearable-depending how apparel makers use it...as a light liner material-mid-layers for day training- to breathable stretch shell materials-like LL Bean's Mountain Hoodie Pro hooded fleece jacket, pictured below. No surprise-adopted by many labels, ALREADY! handsome and functional-available now-LL Bean Mountain Pro Zip Hoodie ( men's ) features 60 grams Primaloff Active Gold insulation in front, back, and  hood for warmth, range of motion and breathability-side panels and sleeves are uninsulated to vent excess heat, elastic pull cord at hem......

SLC/NYC Unless one lives in a self-contained bubble, thinks like one -or maybe-is running for public office, there's no denying climate change. It's why it is SOP that tech materials' trick out performance -outdoor footwear and apparel for wearers' comfort in all kinds of weather...multi-tasking for Spring like Decembers and winter like Springs. There are many textile companies with measurable thermo-regulating products-aimed at keeping wearers cooler -or warmer-by getting rid of the wet/sweat-helping to maintain real comfort when active or at rest. FYI: The ideal body temp of 37.5Cº happens to be the descriptive name of a Colorado based company-who has a patented tech that works to - enhance fabrics by capturing and releasing moisture vapors away from  fabrics-via active particles permanently embedded in the yarn captures heat from the body's infrared energy to speed evaporation, cool itself...and dry faster too.

AKA the reason why it $s so much for some apparel/footwear Part 1 Convex Vest -Voormi   Tis the season for 2016 F/W apparel  deliveries...and consumers are carefully counting their pennies when it comes to clothing buys. With performance/athletic wear- outdoor urban types-with limited time for adventures and closet space...are demanding more that just style/fitted 'stuff.'  PLUS- the more rugged and risky outdoor pastime, the more the garment components need to perform-including versatile textile features and superior manufacturing quality...with meaningful warranties.  When one's life is on the line- trekking a summit, snowboarding backcountry-or 'just' strolling around town- multi-tasking apparel-made with performance-more eco/sustainably made fabrics/wools/synthetics- are the norm...including many of  the musts- breathability, moisture wicking, warm when wet,  four way stretch, anti-odor...easy clean. SOME HIGHLIGHTS: S...

New Jackets, Tops, Pants, Coats For Climbers, Hikers, and Anyone Taking A Stroll... Outdoor Retailer/SLC adidas OUTDOORS shares the same DNA as it's snazzier fashion-lifestyle collections less the ONLY FIRST NAMES NECESSARY (Pharrell! Kanye! Stella!) brethren. Meaning-good looking 'modern progressive' pieces - that multi-task--- with a performance outdoorsy athletic slant-ready for ANY ADVENTURE.  via GIPHY theodysseyonline.com Expect all tops, jackets, pants to be super durable, well made-using the latest in tech fabrics -for example- weather wet tough   Pertex Quantum , Primaloft Gold - primo synthetic insulation , Gore-Tex Active -engineered to vaporize moisture/breath for the fast aerobic activities, Polartec Power Wool  a moisture wicking-anti-odor merino wool/synthetic blend ).

Media Preview/NYC Runway collection-NY Fashion Week Rugged outdoor and sporty brands have embraced the urban marketplace -and the millions of customers looking for inspired everyday wear-years before the so-called athleisure phenom got coined...but now the pile-on for those consumers is ginormous...thanks in part to new ways of selling to that audience, collabs with the fab, and getting the buzz out. We/ve been to enough trade shows over the years, previewing the wares (wears) of apparel/accessories/footwear brands...looking to extend their company logos beyond the items worn by the much fewer in numbers, elite high performance bunch...with mixed feelings on-and about- if they succeeded in the fashion realm with a lot of the offerings. When it comes to previewing Lacoste though, no doubts ever come to mind from this original performance brand...that over the DECADES has refined its sportif chic MO into a cohesive editorial vision for its many assets/licenses... like ...