Hiking Is Hot: Here's How to Look Cool
Filed under: Fit Beauty, Fitness, Reviews & Products
How many of you have a serious itch to celebrate these sunny days by being outdoors? We've had some beautiful weather where I live lately, and hiking is the perfect way to enjoy it. But, outdoorsy or not, we are fit beauties, so one question has to be answered before we hit the trails: What should we wear?
In my mind, the perfect hiking clothes need to have three elements. First, they have to be comfortable -- soft but flexible fabrics that are also lightweight. Second, they have to be easy to pack -- if they take up a lot of room, it's a deal breaker. And third, I have to like them, ideally enough to get some use out of them when I'm not trudging through the woods.
Tops
Any top I wear hiking needs to be long enough to allow me to stretch and bend without exposing my midriff, so the Be Present Women's Short Sleeve Tree Tee ($47) is a great option. It's fitted, so it won't get in the way, super lightweight, comes in loads of great colors, and is plenty long (and I'm tall!). Also, it's eco-friendly, which makes sense for something you're wearing while appreciating nature.
Beneath every great top, there's a good bra. I'm digging the eco-friendly KALYX reversible "Centered" sports bra ($40) for a few reasons. First, it provides good support without making me feel like I've bound my breasts. The reversible feature is fun, but I especially like the crossover detailing that makes it cute enough to wear on its own if you decide you need a little sun.
Not every place you hike is going to be bright and sunny all the time, however, which is where a great, packable jacket comes into play. I wore the Lucy Misty Windbreaker (currently on sale! $44.99) hiking through the rain forest, and loved that it kept the dampness and cool breeze off my skin without making me feel stuffy. As a bonus, it folds up into a tiny pouch, so you can always find room for it in your pack.
Bottoms
I'm sure there are people who love hiking in tiny shorts for the ease of movement, but when I know there's a possibility of climbing over logs and rocks, I like to have something a little more substantial covering my backside. The Lucy Women's Vista Shorts ($58) are Bermuda length, ending just above the knee, and the durable, ripstop, stretch woven lucy flex material is great for hiking. A zippered back pocket lets you keep things like keys on your person and secure, and they're quick drying -- handy for when you find a hidden waterfall pool you're just dying to swim in.
The Kona Pant by Be Present ($59) has a great stretch to the quick-drying material, making climbing around like a monkey a piece of cake. Even better -- the back rise of the pants is a bit higher, so you're less likely to flash any hikers behind you when you're bending and stretching.
Shoes
Ah, shoes. Perhaps the most important part of the hiking ensemble. After all, if you're hiking and your shoes aren't working, it's not going to be much fun!
If you need a lot of support, the Kuru Kruzr II ($89.97) is terrific. The bold reddish-orange shoe (yep, that's the only color it comes in, but I think it's great) has breathable mesh to keep feet cool and dry, PORON foam in the heel and forefoot to absorb shock and supportive suede side panels. But the rubber outer sole is what I really like -- it provides loads of traction, even on slippery surfaces. And -- fellow plantar fasciitis sufferers take note -- the company makes shoes specifically designed to help.
If you're looking for a shoe that really makes you feel close to nature, the kigo star ($49.99) is for you in more ways than one. For starters, the company is fully committed to the environment -- just check out their ecological footprint. The shoes, which are designed to be worn barefoot, are light (five ounces), easy to pack (they fold in half) and water and stain resistant. Walking or running in these gives you a true barefoot feel, which is great, but does work different muscles, so be careful wearing them on a long hike if you haven't adjusted to them. A two-mile run in them left my calves hurting in an awesome way for days.
The New Balance 100 ($74.99) weighs only an ounce more than the kigo star, but is more of a traditional shoe with a solid sole and serious tread. The front of the sole is made of ROCK STOP, which provides protection from sharp rocks on the trail. If you know you'll be interspersing some trail running with your hike, this is the shoe for you. Plus, they look like perfectly normal sneakers, so you can pop them on with jeans or shorts when you're heading on a "hike" through the supermarket.
Accessories
Hey, every girl needs a good bag to go with her outfit, right? I've been carrying around the Ivar Revel backpack ($95) because of its ingenious way of storing all my stuff. Rather than one or two big compartments dividing the bag and allowing everything to settle at the bottom, Ivar bags have a shelving system that distributes the weight of your pack more evenly, resulting in a more comfortable experience. It even has a laptop section in there, but if you take your computer with you on a hike, well, we need to talk.
To top it all off, you need a hat. And not just any hat -- a hat that offers protection against the sun, rain and unfortunate pictures of your hair. Tilley Endurables has been a leader in hats for hikers, sailors, fishermen and travelers, and the lightweight nylon version ($79) is just about perfect. It's only three and a half ounces and can be smashed into your backpack without losing shape. It floats quite well (yes, I tested it) and, coolest of all, has a secret pocket where you can stash your I.D. or a bit of money for cab fare in case you decide not to hoof it back to your starting point.
Looking for another cool hiking accessory? How about a CamelBak Hydration Pack?
Be Present, Lucy, KALYX, Kuru, kigo, New Balance, Ivar and Tilley Endurables provided these items to That's Fit for review purposes.
It doesn't matter how lovely your gym's locker room is -- getting ready for work when you're anywhere other than home presents some challenges. We've looked at shortcuts for styling hair and applying makeup, but what about your clothes? How can you keep them from getting wrinkled in that little locker while you spend an hour spinning?
Short answer: You probably can't. But there's good news -- there are ways to walk out of the locker room wrinkle-free without taking drastic measures. (Lady who lays her garment bag out on top of the lockers during her workout, we're talking to you.)
Spray it down
I would never travel without a bottle of wrinkle-releasing spray, so why would I go to the gym without it? Downy Wrinkle Releaser is under $3 for the travel size. It's small enough to stow in your gym bag or even your purse, easy to use and frighteningly effective. Two pearls of wisdom for you, though: First, test it in an inconspicuous spot on any fabrics that might show water spots (like silk). Second, leave yourself a little time before spraying and wearing. Deep wrinkles require more spray (no kidding), which can leave the fabric slightly damp, so if you can allow a few minutes to let it dry out, you'll have a much more comfortable commute. Trust me on this.
Iron it out
No, we don't expect you to lug your big ol' iron and ironing board to the gym with you. But, you can easily tuck a tiny little travel iron in your gym bag. That's Fit had a chance to try out the Rowenta First Class Travel Iron ($39.99), and if you would rather obliterate wrinkles than just release them, well, an iron is the way to go. The Rowenta is small, heats up almost instantly, and easy to store both before and after use (it comes with its own storage bag and and handle folds down flat against the iron). Additionally, it can be used to steam items either horizontally or vertically. Also, it's pretty and purple. No, that doesn't make it work better, but it sure doesn't hurt.
Find the right fabric
Sometimes the best offense is a good defense, right? And in this case, that means taking work clothes made out of wrinkle-resistant fabric when you know you're going to have to fold them up in a bag. Synthetic fabrics tend to be more wrinkle resistant, so although they're not the most eco-friendly option, you might want to opt for recyclable polyesters, Stylesight.com's Active Sport Editor Jeanine Pesce told That's Fit.
"In terms of eco-materials, merino wools are ideal and are the ultimate in wrinkle resistance," she said. "Fabrics to avoid are linens, cottons and natural based fibers as they tend to wrinkle easily."
Pack it properly
Sometimes, it's not what you pack, but how. "The night before you are going to the gym, choose your work outfit along with jewelry, stockings, shoes, under garments and put them in your bag," suggests fashion expert and best-selling author Carol Tuttle, whose fourth book, "Dressing Your Truth: Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile," will be released later this month. "Your outer clothes, pants or skirt, blouse, jacket, etcetera can all be hung on one hanger starting with the pants or skirt and stacking the other clothes on top. Create an instant garment bag by throwing a large plastic garbage bag over everything, and when you're done working out just throw your sweaty workout clothes in the same bag."
Looking for some new workout clothes for spring? Check out our top picks. 
It doesn't get any more unfair than being a plus size women who wants to go to the gym, but can't find attractive workout clothes in the right size. Fear not! You don't have to resign yourself to wearing baggy sweat pants and an over-sized tee. In fact, you shouldn't; those clothes only add bulk. The clothes below will fit and flatter, helping you feel more confident and beautiful no matter how sweaty you get.
Pants
As with your everyday clothes, fit is of utmost importance, and just because a pair of yoga pants is stretchy, that doesn't mean you should go with the smallest size possible. Look for a straight leg, fitted yoga pant that fits comfortably on your most challenging areas, like these from Target ($29). If you're looking for pants that will take you from gym to street, fabric is really important -- make sure it's thick enough to hide panty lines and hold their shape.
If you're wide in the hips, stay away from any pants with stripes down the sides -- they'll only accentuate the negative. Also, if you opt for a crop pant, look at where it hits your leg. If the hem is cutting off your calf at its widest point, it's going to make your leg look bigger. But the right crop pant can be cool, comfy and cute. Shorts have the same danger, plus they can ride up in the crotch (which is neither comfortable nor flattering).
Tops
First things first -- you need to make sure you're wearing a sports bra that provides proper support. This Enell sports bra ($66) comes in up to a 52DD and has been seen on "The Biggest Loser" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." From there, go with what feels comfortable, but don't hide beneath a t-shirt that's three sizes too big. If you like the t-shirt style, look for one that skims along your shape, like this V-Neck Top from Land's End. If it's made of a fabric that's designed to wick away sweat, even better!
I really like working out in tanks because it's less constricting, but often, they're really fitted, which isn't terribly comfortable if you're self-conscious about your tummy. Watch for tanks that, like the tee, skim along your shape, and another trick? Go for patterns. They'll camouflage any lumps and bumps. Remember, you're looking for it to fit, not to be tight.
A beautiful track jacket is a great way to keep things covered in style until you're ready to start sweating. Once again, fit is key -- it should create a clean line and zip without pulling too tightly across any part of your body. Stay away from hoodies that are too loose and baggy; those that fit properly are just fine, though.
I found some lovely pieces at Target, Land's End, JCPenney, Old Navy and more. Do you have a favorite place to shop for plus size workout wear? Please share in the comments!
Now that you've got your clothes covered, let's top off the look with a bag that will take you from the gym to the office and onward! 
This time of year is so darn tricky. If you prefer workouts of the outdoor variety, it's difficult to determine whether to layer up so you stay dry and warm, or go with something light so you don't sweat to death before you get back home. And, if you stick to the gym, you still need appropriate clothes -- it's often still too cool and rainy to wear your sweaty clothes from the gym to the car. I mean, sure, you could just pile on layers of sweats, but wouldn't you like to look as hot as you feel? Here are a few items that will help you transition from winter to spring without missing a single stylish beat.
Jackets
The ideal spring jacket is light enough to offer just a little protection from rain and wind, but can layer over a long-sleeved top for added warmth. For spring days that aren't all that cold, just a little damp, I'm loving the lucy Misty Windbreaker ($88). That's Fit had a chance to try it out, and not only were we impressed with the flattering cut, but we loved the fact that the thin material packed up so small that, folded, the jacket could easily fit in a pocket or corner of a bag. Looking for something a little less expensive? Check Old Navy -- their Women's Active Windbreakers might not have as stylish a fit, but we love the pink color (and the sale price of just $20).
Tops
The Athleta Reversible Caspian Cover-Up ($98) bridges the gap between jacket and top with ease. The tunic-length organic cotton sweater will hide a sweaty top and looks great with yoga pants, jeans, or over a bikini on a breezy day at the beach. For something a little lighter, we love the idea of tossing on this Alo "Lotus" Hoody (on sale for $37.90 at Nordstrom) over a sports bra or running top -- it's fitted enough to look feminine, but not so tight that it will soak up all your sweat.
Pants
If you're looking for pants to wear over your workout clothes, look no further than the Fila Loose Fit Pant ($60). Loose fit is great -- baggy (like your boyfriend's XXL sweatpants) is not. Another terrific option is Gaiam's ActiveSoy Ruched Pant ($68), which can be worn as long pants or adjusted by the ankle ruching to fit as capris.
Looking for other clothes to suit your needs? These yoga duds are both fab and functional! 
One of the things I love about yoga is that you can wear pretty much anything. You generally don't need a ton of support in the bust, like you would for, say, step aerobics, and because everyone is focused on their own practice, you don't have to worry about looking super cute.
(Don't misunderstand me. Looking super cute is always a good choice if that's a concern of yours at the gym. But it's great when it's just that -- a choice.)
However, in addition to having a choice regarding how fashionable your yoga attire is, you can also opt for functional yoga clothes. That's right -- these clothes are actually designed to help you!
The Perfect Core Collection - lucy
Lucy, a company that has long been a favorite of mine for quality workout clothes that fit really, really well, now offers The Perfect Core Collection. With xBAR technology (eXtreme Body Reforming & Alignment) and the ultra-compressive lucy powermax in long pants ($98), capris ($88) and a racerback tank ($64), there's an option for everyone. And, as an added bonus, this same technology also works to smooth and slim trouble spots. Don't believe it works? Check out the site's reviews!
Knee pad yoga capri - Fila
In both yoga and Pilates, you spend a lot of time on the floor. For those of us with tender knees, the Fila Knee pad yoga capri ($55) is a godsend -- trust me; Fila sent That's Fit a pair to review. The pants look normal enough that you could wear them while running a few errands on the way home from your yoga class (though the knee pad isn't completely unnoticeable).
Stick-e Yoga Socks
Another common gripe in yoga (at least for me) is that my sweaty feet slip and slide all over the floor. But, I'm not about to give up the feeling of my individual toes connecting to the floor. That's where Stick-e Yoga Socks ($19.95) comes in. Your toes stay exposed, they absorb sweat and provide a non-slip grip, not to mention they let you practice comfortably everywhere, no matter how slippery the floor is. (They offer gloves that provide the same benefit, too. You know, in case your hands "glisten" when you hold downward facing dog for more than 30 seconds.)
Once you've got your gear, maybe you'll want to try it out with Jillian Michaels' new yoga DVD!