Despite the popularity of synthetic fabrics for workout clothes, I still love the feel of cotton. It's soft, and moves with me all day in a way that synthetics don't. Granted, cotton doesn't dry as fast or wick moisture like some of the new synthetics, so if your Pilates or yoga practice makes you sweat like crazy, cotton isn't for you. But if your workout is moderate, there is a lot to be said for the totally natural feel of cotton (with a tiny bit of spandex, of course). Which brings me to Hyde's mostly organic cotton workout clothes.
To my eye, yoga pants and tops from Hyde are a little bit young and trendy, in an organic kind of way, without being too granola clunky or woo woo. It feels funny to add that Hyde Yoga styles are casual (isn't casual implied in the term workout clothes?), but some workout clothes are very structured and feel almost formal compared to Hyde's simple Divine drawstring yoga pant and Trieger tank top. These are easygoing, everyday workout clothes with a bit of hip styling. And the color choices are clear, vibrant tones from nature's palette. My favorite.
The Divine Drawstring Yoga Pant
This Pilates or yoga pant is a light-weight 92% cotton/8% spandex drawstring pant. And it is a hip hugger. I like the idea of a drawstring in a low-cut pant for Pilates because we have several exercises that make you want to control how firmly your pants stay above your underwear. There is no side seam here, and the hem is just a pearl edge. The overall effect is no-fuss chic. $69.00 - lots of colors.
I can't summarize a whole line of workout clothes based on a pant and a top, but a look at the website and catalog add to my feeling that the target audience might be a little younger (I'm solid middle age) and a little trimmer than me. I got a medium top because I'm always a medium, but the tank is waaay too small. And darn, because I like the Trieger tank ($42.00). I went up a size in the Divine pant and they are just right, but still hugging my curves. I can't help but think that though the spelling is different, there is a play on "animal hide" here -- the clothes feel a lot like a comfy second skin.
Hyde reports that it is a socially conscious company. The line is produced in a sweat shop free environment, and the fabrics are mostly made from organic fibers.
Disclosure: Review samples provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
