My Favorite Athleisure Brands

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and Collective Voice. The product selections are my own, and I only highlight and promote items that I truly love. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Sheaffer Told Me To! 

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There are lots of brands that you’ve seen on the blog consistently over the years. You see them over and over again because I have some brands that I’m loyal to, brands that I go back to again and again because they never let me down. Like y’all know that if I’m wearing jeans, they are most often going to be Wit and Wisdom. And if I’m wearing athleisure, there’s a good chance it is Zella. A couple of years ago I also became a huge fan of Vuori, so I wear (and talk about) that brand a lot now as well.

In today’s post I’m highlighting both Zella and Vuori. Most of today’s pieces are new to me, but some are pieces I’ve had and loved for a while (I’m looking at you MUST HAVE leggings and MUST HAVE joggers).

 

OUTFIT #1

This first outfit mixes Zella and Vuori. I’m wearing a Vuori knit hoodie with a Zella vest and leggings, and I LOVE all of it.

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

Let’s start with this Vuori lightweight hoodie. Gosh it’s good. In previous years, all of the lightweight stuff from Vuori has been shorter (almost cropped). I still have and love those pieces, but I was super excited to see this longer option from the beloved brand. (For those of you that prefer your bootie covered with leggings, this hoodie is for you!) It’s made of the DreamKnit fabric we’ve all fallen in love with, and if you’re not familiar, it’s incredibly soft and comfy. I’m wearing the “dark metal heather”, which I think totally reads as olive. It also comes in black, a pale grey, and cream.

I would say this runs on the large side. I sized down to a small and it is still a little bit roomy and still long enough for me to pair with leggings and still have full backside coverage.

lightweight hoodie / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

Okay, it’s leggings time y’all.

I named these 7/8 leggings a MUST HAVE several years ago, and they remain a must have both in my closet and my heart. 😉

The 7/8 length is the perfect ankle length on me. I’m 5’4″ with long legs (and no torso) for my height, but I know the leggings stretch and they work lengthwise on taller people as well. For size reference, I wear a small in the leggings.

They have a high waist with the perfect amount of compression. They suck you in, while still allowing you to breathe, and they don’t roll down on you! You definitely need the black, but after you fall in love with them, I feel certain you will grab one of the fun colors as well. I think “purple moon” is the next on my list so I can do a monochrome look with the vest from this outfit and the tee from outfit #4.

lightweight hoodie / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

Okay, the vest.

Off the top of my head, I can’t remember ever featuring a vest on the blog.

Well, my review is in, AND I’M OBSESSED with this vest.

It’s super lightweight, apparently super packable, and of course super cute. I’m wearing the “purple moon”, but it also comes in black and ivory.

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

I love these colors together.

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

This duffle bag is fantastic. My girlfriend Cassie started talking about it years ago, and I took the plunge earlier this year. I was thinking it would or course be a great gym bag, but Cassie actually sings its praises as a travel bag (which is great for me since I don’t go to the gym). Haha! The back of the bag even has a sleeve that allows it to slip onto the handles of a carry-on suitcase very easily (see on site).

For me, it’s going to be a perfect bag to pack for the ranch for long weekends.

This would be a great Christmas gift for any travel lover on your list.

You can carry it over your shoulder, or you can use the detachable cross body strap like you see it on me below.

The material is soft and the bag is incredibly spacious with so many pockets. You will be SHOCKED at how much you can pack into this baby! Go read the reviews and you will be convinced. It also comes in chocolate and matte black.

All Calpak options at Nordstrom can be found HERE. Maybe you’d prefer a bigger expandable tote, a backpack, a smaller crossbody, or a belt bag.

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

AND NOW FOR THE SNEAKERS, LADIES! I’m wearing them in all 4 of today’s outfits.

On Cloud is another brand I discovered a handful of years ago, and I’ve never looked back.

• Cushioning: absorbs impact and distributes weight for consistent, buoyant comfort under each step
• Lightweight: puts cushioning and performance underfoot with an emphasis on streamlined comfort
• Removable insole
• Speedboard™ construction moves naturally with your foot to transform every step into springy energy
• CloudTec® sole provides a smooth ride that moves naturally with each stride
• Textile and synthetic upper/synthetic or textile lining/rubber and synthetic sole

These are the “white copper”, and I think they are a great combo of white, rust, and a deep lilac. They’ve got some serious fall vibes and will look great with jeans and sweaters too.

MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

When the weather turns cooler, I will wear this on my morning walk, I’ll get some work done at home (while totally comfy), and then I’ll run around town doing errands. This outfit is a real winner. I’m so comfy, but I think I look totally put together.

lightweight hoodie / packable hooded vest / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

 

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OUTFIT #2

In Outfit #2, both pieces are Vuori.

1/2 zip hoodie / performance shorts / sunglasses / huggie earrings / similar cross necklace / On Cloud sneakers

This 1/2 zip hoodie is what cropped sweatshirts dreams are made of. It’s obviously shorter than the hoodie from Outfit #1, and it’s thicker and warmer as well. In fact, it’s warm enough that I probably won’t pair it with shorts again, unless it’s a top layer that I can peel off when needed. And while I just said it’s “cropped”, it’s not too short at all. This one definitely covers my waistband and not a bit of tummy is showing. If I had tummy showing, it would be a no go for me.

And while the lightweight hoodie in the first outfit ran on the large size (I was wearing a small), this one runs on the small side. A medium fits me in this hoodie, but I’m actually wearing a large in the one below. I wanted it to be quite roomy, and to be honest, it was the only size they had in this color in store and I really wanted it.

1/2 zip hoodie / performance shorts / sunglasses

1/2 zip hoodie / performance shorts / sunglasses

The huggie earrings are tiny and sparkly, perfect to wear with everything. They’re huggies, so the post doesn’t stick out the back. You can talk on the phone with them in and sleep in them without any trouble. They won’t poke you at all.

I always get lots of questions about my cross necklace. It was a Christmas gift last year from Chris, and I wear it every single day. I found one that’s super similar HERE, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed this morning that it’s STILL ON SALE!

1/2 zip hoodie / sunglasses / huggie earrings / similar cross necklace

Do you already have the Vuori performance joggers that I named a MUST HAVE a couple of years ago? Well, these are the shorts version!

These performance shorts have a wider waistband than their jogger counterpart, but they still have the cute little signature drawstring. They’ve got pockets and tiny little slits on the sides. I wear a small in the joggers, but I grabbed these in a medium.

1/2 zip hoodie / performance shorts / On Cloud sneakers

Remember, in case this exact duffle is sold out (it keeps going in and out of stock), all Calpak options at Nordstrom can be found HERE.

Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

Don’t these outfits make you want to get out and get moving?

1/2 zip hoodie / performance shorts / sunglasses / On Cloud sneakers

 

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OUTFIT #3

Outfit #3 is a little bit of a different take on Outfit #1. I’m wearing a slub tee instead of a hoodie (it’s much less expensive), and I’m wearing an oversized vest instead of a slim-fit vest.

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

I’m wearing the same long sleeve slub tee I’ve highlighted several times throughout the years. I own this one tee in countless colors…. black, white, red, and hot pink just to name a few. I’ve had and loved these tees for years, and I know tons of y’all have them and love them as well. For some reason, the reviews on the site right now are terrible, but I disagree. It’s a thin tee with a super relaxed fit, and it’s great for layering. For size reference, I wear a small in these tees and they are still oversized.

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / huggie earrings / similar cross necklace

The vest is oversized and boxy. I prefer the fit of the vest in Outfit #1, but I know there are some of y’all that might prefer this fit. This one is also super lightweight and packable. I’m wearing a medium here, but I need it in a small.

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag

I don’t know what is about a vest, but you can throw one on and suddenly look put together.

oversized vest / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

If you’re in need of a new jacket this year, this insulated jacket from Vuori is thin and lightweight, but still warm. It runs a bit big, so I would suggest sizing down (I’m going to exchange this medium for a small). I think a small will still have enough room to wear thick sweaters or sweatshirts under it. This is the “vintage pistachio”, but it also comes in basic black and bone.

insulated jacket / long sleeve tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE 7/8 leggings / Calpak duffle bag / On Cloud sneakers

 

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OUTFIT #4

Outfit #4 is an outfit formula that I’ve been wearing for years and years, and I’m guessing I’ve shown it on the blog at least 10x.

A favorite tee + A favorite denim jacket + MUST HAVE joggers = outfit perfection in my book.

denim jacket / crewneck tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE performance joggers / On Cloud sneakers

This denim jacket is a bit oversized, and I reach for it all the time. It’s got a bit of stretch in it, and it isn’t stiff at all. I would actually describe it as soft and comfortable! For size reference, I’m wearing a medium.

denim jacket / crewneck tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE performance joggers / On Cloud sneakers

The crewneck tee is lightweight with a boxy fit, which is how I like my tees when pairing with leggings or joggers because I don’t want them clingy at all. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium. Because I have a short torso I will still able to do a half tuck with this, but if you have a long torso you probably won’t be able tol

denim jacket / crewneck tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE performance joggers

denim jacket / crewneck tee / sunglasses / huggie earrings / similar cross necklace

These joggers are a MUST HAVE for me and have been for years. I have them in several colors and wear them all the time

They have a slim but relaxed fit with a slightly cropped leg, side pockets, and drawstring. They are designed with Vuori’s softest premium stretch fabric, and you can trust me when I say that they’re going to be your new go-to.

These babies are the gateway product to the brand. I’m telling you, once you purchase the joggers and start wearing them, you will have an undeniable need to try more pieces from the brand. I can vouch for that because that’s how it went down for me. They definitely made me a believer.

I wear a small in the joggers.

denim jacket / crewneck tee / MUST HAVE performance joggers

This is an outfit that I wear on repeat in spring and early fall.

denim jacket / crewneck tee / sunglasses / MUST HAVE performance joggers / On Cloud sneakers

 

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That’s it for today, y’all! Hope you enjoyed checking out some of my current athleisure favorites.

A huge THANK YOU to Nordstrom and Collective Voice for sponsoring this post.

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