Where to Shop: Title Nine

Posted on January 12th, 2010 Written by 1 Comment

This Sunday, Well Styled will be hosting a Specialty Shopping Trip at Title Nine. The event was created for women to find some fantastic looking and durable workout wear while learning more about the specialty stores in our community.  In 2010, Well Styled wants to bring “personality” to many of the stores you may pass by as you head to work, class, or to your kidos baseball practice. We hope that the quick Q&A below with Assistant Manager – Paige Frederick-Pape, helps in getting to know Title Nine a little more.

To attend our shopping event at Title Nine, click here.

How long has your store been open and what was the inspiration behind opening your business?
Title Nine opened in Austin on March 13, 2009.  Title Nine as a catalog company, was founded in 1989 by former collegiate athlete, Missy Park.  Missy still owns the California-based company, and has successfully expanded into the retail storefront with 15 stores from California to Texas to Minneapolis.    Everyone on our team,  from Andrea to myself, and including Patricia, Susan and Suzanne, live locally and are athletes in sports uniquely our own.    Having a local store enables us to channel the energy and excitement of the catalog directly to Austin women.  We support women’s participation in sport; understanding that in a busy life staying active is beyond being healthy, it is empowering, it is confidence-building, it’s playful and liberating, and most importantly it is self-care.  We are here to offer women, “clothes that move, for women who are on the move”.  Our clothes will: transition from a workout to errands, offer easy care and comfort, present a long-lasting value, and all-the-while looking feminine, cute and stylish.

What’s your favorite part of running your business?
Our customers.  We meet the coolest, most inspirational  and interesting women on a daily basis.  I’ve never worked in any environment where such an energetic, enthusiastic, diverse group of women come in front of me every day.  It is a pleasure to meet such loyal, long-term Title Nine catalog customers;  and there will even be days when half our shoppers are from out-of-state (having  seen our sign  from across the street).  We’ve had the opportunity to offer solutions for  women  looking for workout clothes,  a summer dress  or a  great  sports bra.  Helping someone,  knowing our customers by first name and establishing working friendships with gals from our  in-store Boot-Camp have been  some of the high-points from my personal experience.   Undoubtedly the most rewarding  event is finding  the perfect bra for a customer (whether an  everyday or sports  bra).  These women leave the store with such  excitement in their faces-it changes their posture, their attitude, their shape, and their outlook about fitness.  Without question our bras are the most important item we put on every day.

What’s your favorite item(s) in your store?
Aaahhh such a loaded question………our Tomboy collection (of dresses, skirts, tanks, and tees) for its softness, classic lines and beautiful colors.  It is easy care, versatile, and is great for travel.  Our Spring 2010 yoga collection is a breathtaking array of color and design, with tanks and cover-ups for the “after-class errands”.  It makes a non-yoga gal like me want to embrace the “om”.  For bras, hands down it is the “3 Reasons Bra”  this is a Moving Comfort sports bra with adjustable straps and band for long-wear and custom fit.


Fit Style

Posted on January 1st, 2010 Written by No Comments

Goes without saying, new year = new motivation to get in shape. One of the best ways to get your fit on is through great workout wear. I’ve asked two leaders in fitness, Chris Heidel – owner of Libra Fitness and Karen Shopoff Rooff – owner of Balance Physical Fitness to give us all advice on the best fitness gear.  Here’s to a healthy 2010!

 

Chris Heidel of Libra Fitness is a friend I’ve made through the fabulous world of FaceBook Networking.  As a “fan” of hers, I love that her fitness M.O. is help you get there–and stay there! I say, Amen to that.  Chris is offering Grand Opening Prices plus a 5% discount to all Well Styled readers.

The most important piece of workout wear for most women, especially for running or other cardio is a good-fitting sports bra. The more top-heavy you are, the more of a specialty item you may need in this area. A fitting at Petticoat Fair in Austin [or any undergarment specialty store] is a must for full-figured ladies! Another tip…Rit dye is your friend. Many specialty sports bras only come in (or may only be stocked in) white, but you may want beige or black to look best with your workout clothes. Buy the bra based on fit, and then dye it if you need to.

After that, buy workout clothes that make you feel good NOW, not what you want to look good in 20 pounds down form now! So many of my clients complain about how distracting their belly hanging over the top of skimpy workout attire is! Don’t buy that stuff! Move around a lot in new workout clothes while still in the dressing room. If your breasts are popping out of the top, or if you are having to pull the pants out of your crotch, this problem will NOT improve on a 5-mile run. Make sure that whatever you buy is functional and comfortable. At the same time, you deserve to have at least a couple of cute workout outfits, so make sure that you feel special in the outfit, too. Also, baggy clothing can either get in the way or make it difficult for you, your trainer, or instructor to verify your form on certain moves and exercises. So, though you might want to maintain modesty, you’ll be better off if your workout clothes are at least slightly form-fitting.

Lastly, if you have trouble finding workout clothes that are large enough, try the following site: http://www.junonia.com/  This double-layer short is a FAVORITE with my larger clients.

 

Karen Shopoff Rooff of Balance Physical Fitness is a no stranger to Well Styled. Karen has been a Shopping Field Trip participant and has volunteered in the past for blog post on easy summer wear. Currently , Karen is offering a package of a 1-hour consultation & fitness assessment plus 10 hours of personal training (in the client’s home, workplace, or a park) for $500.
 

My one must-have piece of workout wear is a long tank from Gracie’s Gear.   I love that it is long enough that it never rides up, it comes in feminine colors, it accentuates a woman’s curves very nicely, and it can be worn either by itself as a tank because it has good coverage or as a sports bra layering piece.  It has a handy pocket right on the chest for keys, gels, or an MP3 player, and whatever you carry in there doesn’t bounce even when running.  The “Gracie” of Gracie’s gear is a real runner and a real mom, and she definitely knows her audience and thought of them when designing this top.  Can you tell I love it?!  Gracie’s Gear can be bought locally at bettysport.

 
Gracie Sport Tank

Gracie Sport Tank

 My favorite pants are nothing fancy C9 yoga pants from Target !  They hold up really well.   I probably have 4-5 pair of them and wear them almost every day.  So comfy, so good for everything from walking to weight training, and they’re nice enough to wear them to the grocery store. 
I definitely recommend that women invest in a good sports bra.  Title Nine  has an amazing selection, and it’s clear about which bra is good for which activity depending on body type.  Title Nine also has the most fun selection of general fitness wear— clothes you can exercise in but feel good about wearing out and about, too.
I admit that I have not bought into the whole running skirt craze.  I know it’s popular and fun and flirty and feminine, but I want more coverage on my thighs when I run. 

Sage Long Sleeve

Sage Long Sleeve, Title Nine

 

Gold Standard Run Short
Gold Standard Run Short, Title Nine


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