Today's top-of-the-line active-wear makes it possible to sweat buckets and still look good. Jude Hathaway reports.
Ensuring a girl can perspire and stay pretty is becoming easier by the minute as active-wear manufacturers produce gear designed to flatter the body as well as have the technical savvy to keep it comfortable.
It doesn't matter whether they're running marathons or putting their bodies through a tough workout in the local gym, yoga or Pilates studio, most women are no longer content to simply throw on a pair of old shorts and a baggy T-shirt their partner painted the fence in before Christmas.
They want to at least feel good while they sweat buckets!
In the past two decades, active-wear fabrics have seen dramatic changes and designers of technical gear have had the nous to see that a little bit of fashion flair does not mean their garments become frivolous or downgrade performance.
Right here in Otago, Emily Cooper, in collaboration with her father, David Cooper, released her first range of natural silk active-wear back in 2002 after completing a degree in clothing and textile science at the University of Otago.
Twelve years on, her Silkbody label's high performance hard- and soft-core clothing is now sold around the world, including through dedicated online sites in Europe and the UK.
It's produced in a range of silk-based fabrics, including silk and merino and silk, merino and cotton blends, and targets men and women for everyday wear, travel and sport.
It is worn by runners, cyclists, in gyms and soars with hang-gliders.
As a base layer it also helps clad mountaineers on climbs of Mount Everest.
(Much earlier, Sir Edmund Hillary wore silk glove-liners on his ascent of Mt Everest).
Many Silkbody garments are the perfect companion for travellers - particularly in the over-45 age group, who want to enjoy the luxurious tactile feel of silk against the skin.
''The garments can absorb 30% of body moisture without feeling damp and dry quickly with no residual odour,'' Emily says.
These are clothes that have the stamp of practicality as well as a built-in style factor.
''Because many of the garments are designed on fairly classic lines, they can be worn in just about any situation and it's interesting to see just how well they adapt to a wide range of sports activities.''
Her classic lounge pants are a fine example of this versatility.
These look as good worn on a walk with the dog as they do exercising on the yoga mat.
''They're in our Silkspun fabric, which is 72% silk, 13% merino wool and 15% cotton. It has that little bit of stretch and tends to glide over the skin rather than clinging to it.''
Her recently introduced slim-line yoga pants have a similar versatile quality, as has the smart Pilot top designed in collaboration with a hang-glider pilot as the perfect base layer.
It's also great for cycling, hiking and snowsports.
Lululemon is a more recent name in active-wear in New Zealand.
Across the Pacific in Canada a couple of decades ago Chip Wilson, after 20 years in the surf, skate and snowboard business, discovered the exhilaration of yoga.
He was, however, unimpressed by the clothing so he set up a studio to design yoga apparel with technical fabric blends and design details.
The brand was launched and in 2000 the first ''real'' store opened in Vancouver's beach-side Kitsilano area.
The ''Lululemon'' name, incidentally, was chosen from a short-list of 20 following a survey of 100 people.
Fourteen years on Lululemon, with its philosophy of health and fitness, is a global entity, with stores selling the distinctive Lululemon active-wear in many countries as well as online.
Six stores operate at strategic New Zealand locations.
The Queenstown shop opened in 2011, manager Naomi Richards joining the team six months later.
''Lululemon clothes are technically designed for a number of pursuits, from yoga [to] walking, running, golf and cross-training and for all shapes, sizes and ages,'' she said.
''Garments wash and wear really well, always feel amazing and dry quickly. And it's great that they look good as well.''
Four-way stretch, chafe resistance, hidden waistband pockets (for stashing cards and keys), racerback shapes and thin straps for ease when twisting are some of the features of the range that includes singlets, crop pants, energy bras and shorts.
Situated in Shotover St, the store attracts international and national visitors passing through the resort town.
Many are already aware of the brand and its philosophy.
''Those who know the brand are always really happy to see us here,'' Naomi said.
A feature of the store is its complimentary yoga class every Sunday morning, , which is open to everyone.
R&R Sport in Dunedin stocks a wide range of sports and active-wear and this summer saw the long-established New Zealand active-wear company Icebreaker tap into the trend for wellness clothing with its yoga-inspired garments.
Launched in the spring and wear-tested by yoga instructors, this core collection of women's merino wool tops, tights and shorts is inspired by the functionality and design ethos of yoga but is equally at home in the gym or on a run.
''Some customers are surprised to learn that Icebreaker merino clothing is ideal for summer. But the wool fibre regulates temperature, breathes to prevent overheating and clamminess, is soft and non-itchy against the skin and resists odour for days, sometimes weeks,'' says Natalie Durrant, the store's wool department manager.
Among the pieces in the range are three-quarter Capri pants and the Sublime tank, which comes in a range of colours, has a wide waistband, a flattering front panel and a cut-away back for ease of movement.
''To give extra stretch, the fabric has a small degree of Lycra added,'' Natalie, who wears them to Pilates classes, pointed out.
A casual but stylish batwing hoodie is also included in the line.
Also at R&R are yoga-inspired garments from two high-end United States outdoor clothing specialists, Prana and California-based Patagonia.
''Both these companies have gone into the more fashion-oriented lifestyle clothing, which includes yoga gear,'' said Natalie.
These include comfortable feminine tops with cross-strap backs and long yoga pants built to flatter.
And the flatter and comfort factors are what it is all about really, which leaves those of us in post-holiday mode no excuse whatsoever not to get moving, one way or another.
