Cool Guy Clothes at Prana on 50th.

 Pamela Diedrich at pd-photography.com

In the southwest metro we hike,  bike, run, dance and wear lots of performance pants. Just when you think 50th and France would burst its Lycra seams in active wear stores, another one opens its doors.

Prana set up shop a few doors down from Title Nine, but caters to the Y chromosome (as well as the X).

Curious, I browsed the grand opening last night and learned this place has a lots of “cool guy” clothes.

“Who is the target market or ideal poster child?”  I wondered, as I poked around the reclaimed wood clad, loft-like space.

 “Brad Pitt?  Nah.  Definitely not  dorky Chanel Brad,  but maybe facial-hair Brad…”

A little more poking and I changed my mind.   I learned it was the CEO I unknowingly asked to help me find a size.  CEO in the house? -Nice- A refreshing hands-on approach for a national brand.

I see. This place is more for the “real guy;”  one would shovel his own driveway (bye-bye Brad) smoke his own ribs or maybe grow tomatoes, and would definitely run the lakes in January.

I texted hubby…thinking he should meet me in five– but he of texted me back stating I took every set of car keys.  Oops.   So shopped for me:)   Score: winter powder parka jacket, black jellyfish tee, tank top and a truffle. (to-go)

Back to the “Y.”  Prana had  lots of lined denim  and good “guy gear” -like those hiking pants that zip off at the knee and become shorts.  Also- outerwear that looks ruggedly handsome, but not too Dinty Moore.

It will be nice to have a “real guy” option in the hood.

And YES gals ) …lots of ladies performance pants.  They seem to be  of the “quality machine-wash gentle, hang to dry” sort,  but with  prices that don’t necessarily hang you out to dry.

Shop Here 

 Pamela Diedrich at pd-photography.com

Silenced by The Lamb’s Wool. Warm Workout Wear Really Makes the Difference in the Winter.

Below Zero Temperatures Never Stop this Guy.

Running the 10 steps from my backdoor to my car is about the extent of my January outdoor exercise. I don’t like to be cold. My husband, on the other hand, runs regardless of temperature. “You just gotta dress for it baby,”  he says optimistically though as his neoprene face mask.

“Alright Hannibal… Have a nice run,” I’d say a little mockingly.

Then one day, late for my INDOOR group fitness class, I grabbed for whatever clothes were still on the floor and scrambled to get dressed. As I pulled a random  warm-up over my bed-head I had to stop and pause…. “What is this warm, wonderful thing I’m wearing?”  

I looked down at the baggy, black, shiny shirt.   I had grabbed Jeff’s shirt! 

“Is this what micro-fleece feels like,”  I wondered.  

Indeed, this pullover top was made with  high-tech fabulous fabric.  I held this shirt hostage for three days and wouldnt give it back.   I even slept in it.   That tiny little layer of micro-fleece made me a believer in Jeff’s advice,  “You just gotta dress for it.”   It seems my “mocking”  was silenced by the lamb (or at least its fleece.) 

While I still refuse to exercise outside in January temperatures  (beyond dog walking) I do look forward to February power walks wearing my OWN outdoor attire to inspire.  Since then, I’ve learned a great deal about functional, fashionable, outdoor workout wear  from the folks at Title Nine,  Lucy and Steele Fitness.  I wrote about it  for Patch.com.  Enjoy:    Attire to Inspire Winter Work Outs.   (That’s a link…)   🙂