Reader Uniform: Trying Out Alo Yoga

Goddess and Moto leggings

Last week I posted an update on what I wear when I'm reading, biker shorts all day every day. Youhere. They are perfect for the hotter months, especially the now very muggy days of monsoon season in Arizona. I mentioned in that review that when the temperatures drop I am in leggings and an oversized sweatshirt the rest of the year.
can check out three of my favorite pairs that I've tested

Typically my leggings are of the cheaper variety that I find at TJMaxx. My most expensive pair might have been $20.00 and they consist of brands like Yogalicious, 90 Degree, and some Adidas or Reebok. Nothing particularly fancy. The pants just have to meet the requirement that they are soft enough for curling up with a good book but also can actually hold up to an hour long yoga session.

Last November I decided to try a more expensive brand of leggings: Alo Yoga. These super cute leggings are often advertised on Instagram and are seen on many well known models. Their most easily recognizable styles are their trendy moto leggings and the unique goddess legging. Their app is also very appealing with an "Inspo" tab that shows various Instagram posts styling the pants both from the company and sponsored reviewers. You can check out their website here.

I had seen them around prior to November. I thought they were at least cute as advertised, though I feared they might look better on the tall, leggy models than they would on my shorter frame. What kept me at a distance also was the average $100.00 price tag. But soon I started seeing more and more ads. Then last Thanksgiving weekend the pants went on a major sale. I finally caved.

Two weeks into December, after my package wasn't shipped for over a week and was lost at least twice, I got a slightly beat up envelope in the mail with three pairs of brand new yoga pants. Check out below what I thought of the airbrush legging, the moto legging, and the goddess legging and how they've held up to about 8 months of wear.

The Airbrush Legging
Size ordered: Small
Color: Black
Rise: Mid

These leggings are probably their most foundational legging with the airbrush fabric being a part of many of their pants. I was expecting a fairly average fabric, possibly a little cottony based off of the lack of reflection in the images online. What I got was a very thick pair of leggings that I will weigh the pros and cons of below.

The fit of these was a bit off for me. In most clothes I am a size small with no issues. When I first

The airbrush fabric attracts dog hair-as you can see here.

tried to put these on I worried they were way too small as they dragged rather than slid on, but it was really just stretching out the thicker fabric that made it feel that way. Once they were actually on I noticed that the waist was a little loose and if I do a lot of intense activity they do need to be yanked up. If you are a taller individual the length will be perfect, however I am petite and the legs were several inches too long. This extra length was not uncomfortable nor did it hinder my yoga practice in any way but if you are looking for a cleaner look it would probably be a better idea to look for a shorter fit or plan on getting these hemmed. Some people like pulling their leggings over their heals during yoga practice. I was definitely able to do this and it was actually pretty comfortable.

The thicker fabric does feel cottony when on and is quite soft. I would describe the softness more as a cotton t-shirt than as a buttery soft fabric like I really enjoy from Athleta's Powervita fabric. It is very thick though. This is perfect for when it is colder, but can feel suffocating in the summer. I also notice during sweatier workouts or the few times I've been wearing them when it rains that they took longer to dry. Since the finish is not silky smooth these leggings attract dog hair exceptionally well.

I have had these for roughly eight months now and have worn them at least once every couple of weeks since, more frequently when it was colder out. I have not been particularly careful in their care. I wash them on a cold gentle cycle and then throw them in the dryer. I have noticed no fading in color, no shrinking, no reduction in elasticity, and they still feel the same as when I first got them overall. All leggings will eventually pill as they get older. Some are worse than others. These have pilled somewhat but not allover. The only place that I have noticed is on the upper inner thigh, where my legs rub together when I walk. It is not visible when I am wearing them but I can feel it starting to happen.

As far as how these look on, I was actually surprised at how flattering they were. There is zero digging in around my waist/hip area despite these being a lower waisted pant and they hug perfectly along my legs and flatter the rear quite well. The fabric does indeed do what their site says: "sculpts, lifts & smooths". If you are on the petite end of the spectrum, I would probably not recommend the full length leggings as at 5'3" I have a couple of inches bunched up around my ankles.

When it comes to the squat test I would not say that these are squat proof. If you wear seamless underwear that is close to your skin tone you could probably get away with saying that these, in black at least, are fairly squat proof and safe to wear out and about. However, if you are wearing a color lighter or darker than your skin tone I have definitely noticed that you can tell. Panty lines are not overly obvious but are still visible.

If I get another pair of these in the future I would definitely opt for either the capri length or their 7/8 length to better fit my petite stature. I would also probably give the higher waisted option a try to see if that helps solve my issue of them slipping down my hips. While I do not have an Alo Yoga store locally I would like to in the future try on the next size down to see if they fit better, though I am worried that would make them too sheer.

Overall, if I had paid the normal $82.00 price for these pants I probably would have been disappointed with the fit not being as perfect as possible and the few issues I did have with them. However, since I got these for $23.00 I would say they were pretty great for that. They are comfy for sure and I feel confident and cute in them. If they go on sale again I would definitely consider ordering a second pair.

The Moto Legging
Size Ordered: Small
Color: Navy
Rise: Mid

I was excited to get these more for fashion reasons to wear out and about than for anything else. They are very comfortable and fit well whether I am out running errands in a t-shirt and denim jacket, doing yoga for an hour, or curled up in my reading chair. They stretch well and for the most part will stay put. Sometimes, especially on my leaner days, I notice that the waistband will slowly make its way lower and lower on my hips.

These are the same airbrush fabric as the first pair of leggings, so they have all the same properties in
that regards. They are soft, but very thick and not totally squat proof. Some of the moto detailing is more of a silky fabric and looks a bit like satin. While wearing the pants you can feel the moto detailing on your leg. It took a little while to get used to and eventually I was able to ignore it. Luckily, it did not impact my yoga sessions too much. But don't be surprised when at the end of the day you have weird lines on your thighs and shins from the design.

Unfortunately, these have to be styled very carefully in order for me to feel comfortable with how they look when I am going out. As I said above they are very cute with a white t-shirt and my denim jacket. But, if I am not careful with the shirt I pick these can easily make my legs look shorter and thicker. This possibly could be fixed by ordering a 7/8 length in the future to better fit my leg length.

These normally retail for $114.00 but I scored them for $33.00. I probably would not have purchased them if I was trying them on in a store and they were their full price, but as with the pair above I don't mind as much at the reduced price. I am happy that I got them at such a steep discount. They're cute and fairly comfy. I would easily recommend them if someone was looking for this specific look. Honestly, I probably won't buy a second pair as these were my least favorite of the three styles I tried.

The Goddess Legging
Size Ordered: Small
Color: Black lower, Navy upper
Rise: Mid

These were the unexpected all-stars of my Alo order. They did have the same fabric as the airbrush leggings but it somehow felt softer and I noticed that the waistband did not slide as much as it did on the airbrush or moto leggings. When squatting they were still semi-sheer.

When I first tried these on I was pretty aware of the line where the leggings transitioned into the leg warmer part of the pants, and it does leave a line on your leg after extended wearing. Luckily though
I quickly stopped noticing it. I happily did a 90 minute yoga session in these pants without them giving me any trouble and even went on to lounge about the house in them for hours afterwards. I often pair these with an oversized sweatshirt during colder months and find them to be perfect lounging pants.

The leg warmer portion coming over my foot is very comfortable for lounging about at home or doing yoga in, whether at home or in a studio, but I am not entirely sure how well that would transition to street wear. I personally do not wear these for running errands or leaving the house. There would be a substantial amount of fabric around the ankles and calves if they had to be pushed up for shoes.

The normal price for the goddess legging is $102.00 but I got mine for $47.00. I would definitely consider getting these in other colors in the future if they are on sale again.

Final Thoughts

Alo Yoga is good quality overall. The leggings, which were all airbrush fabric, have all held up with less than careful care and proved to be comfortable. I still wear all three pairs of pants regularly and could see them lasting for at least a couple of years without any issues.

The company's advertising is also done very well with all of the clothes being functional enough for the mat but also cute enough you wouldn't feel out of place wearing them to do errands or go out to eat. I have often been tempted to try out their cool girl vibe tops and sports bras as well as the more technical airlift fabric from their other pants. I have also been using their platform for workouts, Alo Moves, that I will be doing another review on in the future. No only do I love the workouts but it appears that all of the instructors are clad in Alo gear.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Title: The Fellowship of the Ring

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Page Count: 408

Rating: A+

Format Read: Kindle

Genre: Fantasy

Keywords: Doom, Good vs Evil, Companionship

Kid Appropriate: Yes, older

Review:

So this is actually my third time reading this book. 2020 has been a massive rereading year for me as I have found myself gravitating away from new releases and more towards my old favorites. This means that I have read a lot of Sarah J. Maas, J. K. Rowling, and now Tolkien. 

The first time I read The Fellowship of the Ring was in high school. My edition was a mass market paperback I picked up after having been gifted The Hobbit and devouring it. When in graduate school I downloaded the audiobook version narrated by Rob Inglis and absolutely loved it. His low gravely voice still reminds me of being a kid and sitting down while your grandparents tell you a story. If you want to check out my review from 2017 of listening to The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring audiobooks you can check that out here.

I absolutely loved the series the first two times that I read it. The world, the creatures, the adventure. It was all perfect and what I was looking for as a kid that could not get enough of the fantasy genre and as a grad student looking to read about anything but international relations theories. This story is a great escape full of friendship, duty, fantastic worlds, and a journey of good defeating evil.

In my third go around, I tried yet another medium of consuming Tolkien's work. While experiencing a massive reading slump I began flipping through my shelves on my Kindle Paperwhite. There were plenty of new books, mostly a random collection gathered through sales or free classics. Then my eye caught on the single volume The Lord of the Rings that I had gotten when its normal $16.99 price had dropped to $4.99. The huge page count of 1,209 pages had me apprehensive to pick up this book. I was already in a slump. Such a big commitment would surely drag me down further? Nope. The second we get to Bilbo's birthday party I am hooked.

I carried my blue Kindle around with me absolutely everywhere. Every lunch break at work I had my eyes glued to the page. Every car ride to the grocery store I was curled up in the passenger seat reading away. Every night, like a little kid, I was reading by the faint glow of my screen. Magically, Gandalf and the fellowship had banished my reading slump and I was excited to pick up books again.

Since my 2017 rereading I have rewatched the movies several times and I always seem to forget how much more bearable Frodo is in the books that he was in the movies. He seems more like a genuine character in the books that you care about at least a smidgeon. This isn't even mentioning all of the wonderful differences and details that the book offers.

If you have not read the trilogy and want to avoid spoilers, skip this paragraph! Some of my favorite details that I had forgotten since rereading (and I will admit my 2017 reread was a bit of a distracted one) were Tom Bombadil and his wife Goldberry after he saves the hobbits from Old Man Willow. Their home and that part of the journey with the ring have always been a favorite setting for me in Middle-Earth. Another, is that Pippin and Merry did not just stumble upon the journey with Frodo and Sam. They willingly chose to go and planned it out in advance with the help of Fatty Bolger, a hobbit definitely not in the movies. He and much more of the shire is explored in the book. One exception of a character hardly being in the books but is present in the movie is the elf Arwen. Her grandmother Galadriel is much more heavily featured. Final detail that I had totally forgotten: Gandalf says "You cannot pass", not "You shall not pass". I had to rereard that line twice. 

Rereading this at 25 versus when I first read this as a 15 year old, I was actually able to enjoy and absorb more of the story. I found that I was better able to follow what I have heard many describe as the "rambling" descriptions of scenery and lore that Tolkien tends to go on. The history and characters more easily stuck in my mind and I was definitely less confused this go around. This is a common theme I've noticed this year as a former hater of rereading. The stories that I loved so much the first time around have even more to offer when revisitied.

Whether you're in a slump, or maybe going through a hard time in general, I really recommend checking out that old favorite book you haven't picked up in a while. I was downright giddy to reexplore the journey of the ring with the fellowship and am now happily diving into The Two Towers. Happy reading!

House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J Maas

Title: House of Earth and Blood

Author: Sarah J Maas

Page Count: 803

Rating: A

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Keywords: Vengeance, Mystery, Friendship

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Amazon:

A #1 New York Times bestseller!
Sarah J. Maas's brand-new CRESCENT CITY series begins with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life―working hard all day and partying all night―until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose―to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion―one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom―and the power of love.

My Review:

To say that I am a fan of Sarah J. Maas' books would be a massive understatement. I get legitimately giddy every time I hear that she has a new book coming out and plan a drive into town every release day. And this one was no exception. On release day I was reading the sample on my Kindle every break I got and was rushing to my nearest Barnes & Noble as soon as I was out of work. The cashier smiled and said that people had been coming in all day asking about the book.

Sarah J. Maas is either an author you are going to love or not. I've seen countless negative reviews for her newer books and they all say the same thing: the reviewer doesn't know why they even bothered because it's just like one of her previous books they did not like. Which is totally okay. There are plenty of popular authors I just don't get. But it's important to make the point that a lot of her books do have similar elements and if a previous book didn't work for you, her future ones probably won't either.

I love the cocky heroines, creatures, swoon worthy male leads, steamy scenes, magic systems, fae influences, animal sidekicks, and adventures. The stories she creates are everything I love in a great book and many of the author's recommended books I have also enjoyed greatly. They fit into what I find entertaining. House of Earth and Blood is in my top five books I've read this year and probably in my top three of Maas books I've ever read.

An element that was heavily featured in this book is the strength and intricacies of friendship, and to a greater extent female friendship. Even in death, the bond that is created between friends is explored and on full display. The questions of friends being your family and how well you can truly know another person are explored. I enjoyed this aspect of the story as Maas' other two main heroines, Aelin and Feyre, have close female friendships but they are not as closely looked into as Bryce's is with Danika and the pack.

One of the places this book deviated from previous Maas books is that it is not a high fantasy taking place in a tech free world. This is technically an urban fantasy. Bryce has access to security systems, cell phones, computers, and TVs. She lives in an apartment. Everything feels modern within the city. When I first read a reviewer state that this was an urban fantasy I became worried that it would feel cheesy and too futuristic. Luckily, that was not the case and the incorporation of magic systems and modern tech melded together nicely and naturally.

There is a romance in this book that tends to stray more towards brooding than steamy. If you are a fan of hate to love romances that slowly build as a friendship and mutual understanding are developed then this is the book for you. We definitely do not have instalove here. Another aspect that makes this older than a YA book is that neither character is experiencing their first romance or their first love. They've dated before. They've broken up with people. They've had loved ones die. It's messy and feels appropriate for the age of the characters. For reference, Bryce is 25 for most of the book. I liked that she was older than Feyre and Aelin and since I am the same age it was easier to relate to her.

A unique addition to this book that is not as heavily featured in Maas' other books is the inclusion of a mystery and investigation by a detective. I personally love crime novels and mysteries so this was a welcome change for me and made me even more excited to keep on reading. Sometimes I felt like the mystery aspect was going to be predictable and there were times I was sure I knew what was going to be going on. Despite this, Sarah J. Maas was able to surprise me and made it a satisfying reveal.

As far as the "feels", this book definitely had them. I was laughing out loud, crying, cringing.  Maas is great at writing characters you want to root for, that you love, and then putting them through some major pain. She does not disappoint here.

Another aspect of Sarah J. Maas' writing that I enjoy is the way she is able to write really epic scenes that play out like a movie in your head. They're beautiful and massive and you just want to see them as a film. Without spoiling the book, there is a scene towards the end of this book that involved Bryce that was epic in proportions. It reminded me of the scene from A Court of Mist and Fury where Feyre is defending the city. I could picture it clearly and was on the edge of my seat.

I loved this book and tore through the massive page count within a few days of release. If you're a Sarah J. Maas fan then absolutely check it out. If you're into steamy romances, angsty characters, corny humor, and hot fae or shifters then I recommend checking this or her other two series out.

Here is the link to Amazon. Happy reading!

Dracul by Dacre Stoker & J. D. Barker

Title: Dracul

Author: Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker

Page Count: 512

Rating: A

Format Read: Kindle

Genre: Fiction, Horror

Keywords: Vampires, Family, Dracula

Kid Appropriate: Teens and older

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The prequel to Dracula, inspired by notes and texts left behind by the author of the classic novel, Dracul is a supernatural thriller that reveals not only Dracula’s true origins but Bram Stoker’s—and the tale of the enigmatic woman who connects them.

It is 1868, and a twenty-one-year-old Bram Stoker waits in a desolate tower to face an indescribable evil. Armed only with crucifixes, holy water, and a rifle, he prays to survive a single night, the longest of his life. Desperate to record what he has witnessed, Bram scribbles down the events that led him here...

A sickly child, Bram spent his early days bedridden in his parents' Dublin home, tended to by his caretaker, a young woman named Ellen Crone. When a string of strange deaths occur in a nearby town, Bram and his sister Matilda detect a pattern of bizarre behavior by Ellen—a mystery that deepens chillingly until Ellen vanishes suddenly from their lives. Years later, Matilda returns from studying in Paris to tell Bram the news that she has seen Ellen—and that the nightmare they've thought long ended is only beginning.

My review:

I eyeballed this book for a couple of years, debating whether or not I wanted to read it. I love vampire stories but my relationship with the original Dracula by Bram Stoker is iffy and made me yawn more than anything. One day Amazon recommended this book to me again, except something major had changed. The Kindle edition was only $4.99. So obviously I downloaded it immediately and got to reading.

We start with a young, sickly Bram Stoker as he lives with his family and their nanny. Already there is something mysterious about Nana Ellen and a creepy atmosphere is developed. The suspenseful creepiness and sense of adventure do not wane throughout this book as we go from one point to the next, the Stoker family fighting to get to the bottom of a mystery that has haunted them since childhood. Often the book reflected moments and scenes that I remember from reading Dracula and it would be a fun book to read either before or after the classic novel. It even inspired me to revisit the original despite my less than enthusiastic reading experience with it 15 years ago.

Stoker and Barker created a richly atmospheric novel that will appeal to fans of gothic horror. Every setting enhances the drama of the story as much as the characters endear the reader to their struggles. A common critique I find with horror books is that the pacing can lag and create an anticlimactic reading experience. I could not say that about this novel. Each night I found myself staying up later and later needing to know what happened next. Honestly, I genuinely loved this book and did not want it to end.

If you want to check out the kindle edition for $4.99 click here. I definitely recommend this one.

Reader Uniform Summer Edit: Biker Shorts

My normal go to favorite outfit for reading and relaxing is a great pair of leggings and an oversized sweater. Unfortunately, as the temperatures continue to rise well above 100 degrees that option went out the window fairly quickly and I went to Pinterest in search of new ideas.

A 90s childhood favorite has come to the rescue and an updated summer reading uniform is now my go to. After some trial and error I have found my three favorite biker shorts that are comfy and cute. They are just as comfortable as my normal leggings but offer a cooler touch and give me serious Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's One for the Money vibes.

Check out the three styles I am obsessed with below! I will include the size that I ordered for each below but for reference I am on the petite side: 5'3" and my normal size is a small in everything.

1) Athleta Elation 8" Short

Price: $59.00
Sizes Available: Regular XXS-XL, Plus 1X-3X
Colors Available: Black

Review: 

I was absolutely apprehensive to order these in the beginning with the higher price tag and these would be my very first pair of biker shorts since childhood. Every pair I had tried on before this to include Yogalicious and Adidas had cut into my thighs and been overall uncomfortable. But I still wanted to give this trend a try. So the nearly perfect reviews and the promise of 20% off my first Athleta order if I signed up for emails convinced me. Within a week of receiving my first pair (in color Volcanic Violet that quickly sold out) I had logged back in and ordered a second pair in black.

First for the fit: These shorts fit true to size. My normal size small sat comfortable at my waist without any gapping or digging in. Whether I was reading or doing an hour long yoga class, that waistband did not move. It was almost hard to believe. The legs were much the same and sat comfortable without creating the uncomfortable squeezing sensation I had experienced in previous styles. After wearing the shorts all day I did notice that sometimes the legs would fold or rise up, but never more than half an inch.

There is clearly thoughtful design in the placement of seems as well with no evidence of the dreaded camel toe. The gusset is also well designed and is the most similar to what you would find in a pair of athletic underwear and makes avoiding panty lines much easier. The lack of seems along the hips makes for smooth wear and no irritation whether you're going for a long walk outside, twisting in a complicated yoga pose, or curled up in couch potato mode. There is an elastic along the top of the waistband but I do not feel it and they sit comfortable. Though if you ordered a size too small it probably would cut in.

The fabric is a nice buttery soft finish that I have put through the washer and dryer multiple times with no issues of pilling or shrinking. The purple pair I have do sometimes show lotion marks or get an odd striping look if they are creased in a certain way for a prolonged period. I have not seen this in the black pair. They breathe reasonably well and the few sweatier workouts I've done in them have dried fairly quickly, with the waistband drying the slowest. As an added bonus: they are UPF 50+.

Not only do they feel great but they also look pretty great. I was surprised to see that they slimmed my legs and despite my petite proportions the legs hit right where they do on the model. Both colors I ordered appear to be completely squat proof. If you choose to wear underwear with them, the panty lines would be difficult to avoid. If cellulite is a concern, the black does a great job of camouflaging it. Only very close inspection would show any bumps. It is a bit more obvious in the purple, but not enough that I feel self conscious. 

Now for animal lovers: dog hair definitely sticks to the fabric.

In summary, I freaking love these shorts. They are exactly what I was looking for to lounge in and do yoga in. They feel amazing, look great, and pair well with a variety of tops to be dressed up or down. I love them so much that I will probably order a pair of the Elation leggings once the weather starts to cool down (bonus they come in tall and petite lengths!).

Check them out here.

2) Always Women's High Waist Bike Shorts

Price: $13.95

Sizes Available: One Size, Junior Plus Size, Extra Plus Size

Colors: More than 30 options

Review:

I came across these while looking for a cheaper alternative to my Athleta faves on Amazon. I was intrigued by the wide range of colors that reminded me of some of the Alo Yoga airbrush bike shorts I had been wanting to try and the overall positive reviews. I initially passed on them. They kept popping up and I was very leery when I saw that they were the one size. But the under $14.00 price range and next day delivery with Prime had me ordering my first pair.

The navy pair I received were very soft and extremely comfortable as was the second pair I ordered in sky blue. Shockingly the one size was not an issue with the legs sitting comfortably and the waist not digging in terribly. There are two different one sizes and I would say that the "One Size" fits a size small well. Other reviewers mentioned it also working well for a traditional size medium. It would likely fit an extra small but not be as form fitting as traditional biker shorts and a large could work but it depends on what fit you are looking for. The Always size chart mentions that One Size is meant for waist measurement 24"-29" in which I fall right in the middle and they fit me well. The Plus Size option is for waist measurements 30"-35".

While the Athleta shorts also had an elastic band at the top of the waist it was less noticeable than the elastic in these shorts. I did not find it uncomfortable as the rise hits right at my natural waist and did not dig in. However, if you are looking for a truly seamless waistband and elastic drives you crazy you might want to try a different pair.

The darker color was fairly squat proof but the sky blue pair that I ordered is considerably less so. Both show panty lines clearly so picking the right undergarments would be important if you plan on wearing these out and about. Unlike the Elation shorts, these do not have a crotch gusset so going commando would be considerably less comfortable and the likelihood of camel toe is higher.

Each color had a slightly different fabric finish as well. The navy were a bit thicker and reminded me of my jersey flannel sheets, very soft and comfortable but a bit warmer. The sky blue felt thinner and I did not have any issues with getting too warm. Dog hair stuck to both equally. When it came to wearing them I did not notice having to be careful with the navy ones but when I wore the light blue and brushed up against a dusty chair it left dirt streaks.

These shorts are less all around useable than the Athleta with clearer panty lines and less of an athletic material, which is to be expected at the drastically lower price range, but I still really like them and have already ordered a third pair in coral. I would say these are great for lounging at home, pajamas, or light yoga workouts (probably at home). What I love most is the price, great range of colors, and they are just really comfortable.

Check them out here.

3) Wild Fable Women's High-Rise Bike Shorts

Price: $12.00

Size: XXS-4X

Color: Black Snake Print

Review:

These were the only pair of bike shorts I was able to find in a physical store. Everywhere else seems to be completely sold out. My boyfriend actually bought these for me when we were wandering through a Target. I was initially apprehensive about the snake print but they ended up being very cute and subtle. The first time I wore them I was approached by multiple people asking where I had gotten them.

These fit fairly true to size in the small. The legs sat nicely without digging in while the waist was a bit looser than on the other pairs I had tried. While they were far from falling off, I did notice a slight gapping in the waist when I was sitting down in the back. I probably could have sized down, but for the fit I was looking for they were perfect. Like the Always shorts, these do not have a crotch gusset.

The snake print makes the fabric feel a bit slipperier than the buttery soft material of the previous two and makes them a bit shiny under certain lights. They are thin enough that I was far from overheating while wearing them but a simple pair of seamless undergarments was not visible under them. They also passed the squat test. Dog hair stuck to them minimally and easily brushed off. 

I would not workout in these as they don't feel like they would wick sweat well. Despite that, these were perfect with a cropped hoodie to run errands in. I highly recommend the Wild Fable Cropped Hoodie Sweatshirt. At $18.00 it is very soft and the perfect length so that it was just longer than the top of my shorts. I went up a size to a medium for comfort. While out and about I did not feel self conscious. They camouflage cellulite, hide seamless panty lines, and there was no issues of camel toe.

These were also comfortable for lounging and reading in. No side seems on the hips meant no digging in or scratchy feelings. These are fun and really quite inexpensive. They definitely surpassed my expectations. And an added bonus? When I was removing the tags I noticed that the fabric is made from 80% recycled polyester. 

Check them out here.