Tried and tested: Eco-friendly workout wear from Carrot, Banana & Peach

Carrot, Banana and Peach is the brand that brings you fashionable and eco-friendly fitness gear.

We’re a pretty healthy lot here at Style & Then Some, what with our exercise endeavours and diet diaries. Myself, I’m a runner, and once a week after work I do an hour of Pilates. Now, I don’t know about the other girls, but my usual workout wear is seriously sub-par, consisting off some old black running leggings that I borrowed from my Dad and a neon t-shirt I got a year ago that was relegated to Pilates classes only status when it turned out lime green wasn’t really my colour.

Clearly, I could do better.

So I was very excited when some samples arrived in the post from Carrot, Banana & Peach, the company that makes fitness gear that’s as sustainable as it is stylish.

Carrot, Banana & Peach was founded in the late nineties, inspired by a visit to the South East Asian rainforest, and specialises in yoga wear. The brand aims to create comfortable, great-looking clothing that’s responsibly manufactured, using fabrics derived from the likes of bamboo, beechwood and aloe vera, that are kind to both humans and the environment.

For week one of my new term of Pilates classes I donned my berry-coloured Aloe Vera Gathered Tank Top (above). With a built-in bra and cross-back straps I felt totally supported, even without a sports bra (there’s just no easy way to get one of those thing on is there?) and the aloe vera fabric is supremely softly and feather-light. Plus, my Pilates teacher was all like ‘who’s got a sexy new outfit today?’ so that was pretty nice.

Week two, I tried out a Modal Racer Back Long Top and Banana Roll Down Capri leggings (below). Modal is the liquid that naturally oozes out of beechwood trees and can be spun into yarn – no trees are chopped down to harvest it so it’s a highly sustainable product. Similarly, banana fabric is produced from the waste that’s left when bananas are harvested. Both are lightweight and absorbent, ideal for sweaty workouts.

Did my stylish new gear help my Pilates practice? I’m not sure it made me stronger or stretchier, but it was way comfier than my usual old duds, and I sure felt good in it. There’s definitely something to be said for getting kitted out properly in well-fitted, comfortable sportswear rather than relying on old hand-me-downs, especially when they’re so eco-friendly and chic. Gwyneth Paltrow eat your heart out, that’s what I say.

Visit www.carrotbananapeach.com.

Operation: Stop being lazy (now to look the part…)

Now I’m fully into my fitness stride, I’ve decided my ancient gym clothes make me look like I‘ve jogged into the studio via the lost property cupboard. I’m not quite ready for pro-type athlete wear; you won’t find me taping up my shoulders with Kinesio tape or sporting a triathlon number bib, but like any wardrobe, a quick refresh goes a long way.

Appearance and gym-going need not normally be discussed in the same sentence.  It’s a given that expectations are low.   If you’re one of the gym bunnies that hop in with full make-up (inc. lashes), straightened hair and a magazine to read – you look ridiculous.  The gym is where you should look your worst.  If you don’t look horrific, I would suggest, you’re not doing it right.  Additionally, if you can read OK! Magazine and do a workout, you’re not doing it right.  However – vanity rant over- sportswear is something that can look good and make a difference to how you feel and perform.  High-tech fabrics keep you cool/warm/non sweaty and close-fit designs aid movement and comfort, prolonging or enhancing your workout.  Technology sometimes outdoes your comfy track pants and boyfriend sweatshirt, it’s a lesson I’ve learnt the hard way too.

I realise it’s Christmas and sportswear sales have probably hit their annual low but think of it as getting a step ahead.  Add it to your Christmas list so when the calendar changes, you’re ready to go – no awkward pyjama/uni T-shirt pairings to be grappled with.   If anything, a stretchy legging and relaxed-fit hoody are perfect eating attire too…

 These are my favourite, versatile gym wear options:

Skins RY400 Women’s Compression Long Tights for Recovery £85

Shock Absorber Sports Bra, £25

 Adidas Colorado Track Top, £55

 

 

adidas by Stella McCartney Women’s Axyridis Shoes, £100

 

Puma Essentials Racer Back Tank £7

Top Ten Spring 2012 Catwalk Trends

Now that the autumn/winter 2012 shows are almost over, we can get back to the task at hand: our spring wardrobes – or at least daydreaming about them like me, when you have nigh on zero budget for clothes shopping. Here’s a refresher course in spring 2012: the trends, plus some shopping ideas (click on the photos to shop).

1. The decade: 1920′s. Blame Baz Luhrmann and his forthcoming The Great Gatsby remake. Ralph Lauren, Alberta Ferretti and Gucci all went flapper happy on the catwalks, as did Spijker and Spijkers at London Fashion Week. This trend is a dead cert to hit the high street too – you won’t be able to escape dropped waist dresses on the shop floor soon.

2. The life aquatic. Karl created an underwater dreamscape at Chanel and Donatella picked the starfish as a recurring motif at Versace. Who are we to argue with the Kaiser and Queen of Fashion?

3. Seaside summer. We’re all going on a summer holiday declared Daks and Mulberry. It’s a traditional British jaunt, so pack fifties skirts, ice cream colours and a cagoule (because, obviously, it’s going to rain).

4. Out of season. Heavy outerwear at Burberry and leather at Chloe could be forgiven (those are their specialities, after all) but fur? Really, Kanye West? And that was just one of Yeezy’s many errors.

5. Bare bellies. This spring the most unforgiving, flesh-exposing trend is decreed by fashion dowager Miuccia Prada. Both her eponymous and Miu Miu shows featured cropped tops, as did Viktor and Rolf’s. Check out my Pinterest crop tops board for more inspiration.

6. Print setup. Easily the most ubiquitous trend, even pattern-averse New Yorker Alexander Wang had a go at florals. In London, it was business as usual for print pros like Mary Katrantzou and Erdem.

7. Safari so good. NYFW stalwarts Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors both came straight outta Africa with their khaki safari pieces, soft tribal prints and a healthy dose of zebra, of course.

8. The colour: tangerine tango.  In their trend report, palette experts Pantone point to this scorching shade as taking over from mustard as accent colour of choice next Spring, taking cues from Victoria Beckham, amongst others. Helen told ya so.

9. Ruffles up. Not tiny delicate ones, we’re talking stiff waves of fabric, seen on practically every look at Givenchy. The wavy peplums at Alexander McQueen were cute too. I think the Man Repeller will approve of this vaguely vaginistic trend (no, I don’t think that’s a word either).

10. What a mesh. Almost entirely New York-based, led by Derek Lam and Alexander Wang, this trend took a sports kit fabric from the playing field to the catwalk.