When I started c25K, I ran in the clothes I had already. The first several weeks, I was running big cotton shirts and long, heavy cotton, flare-leg yoga pants. Oh, it weighs me down just thinking about it.
Once I realized that this “running thing” was going to stick, I invested in some “real” running clothes. Y’all…the first time out in my new duds, I felt like I was 5 pounds lighter.
If you shy away from shorts like I do (am I the only person who has shorts ride up after taking 2 steps?), consider a running skirt.
The Layla skirt from Splits 59. This is my first skirt; I found it at my local running store (Luke’s Locker), and fell in love. Unfortunately, I can’t find online anywhere, so check your local running shop. It has drawstrings on the sides to make the skirt longer or shorter, plus it adds a cute little detail. Under the skirt, boy shorts. Retails $79…more that I’d probably pay for a REGULAR skirt, but I’ve easily worn it more than 20 times already.
C9 by Champion at Target. After trying on every running skirt at my local running store and Academy, I thought, surely, the running skirt at Target would not work. Guess what? It did. It flares out from the body just a bit more than the Layla; boy shorts underneath. At $18.99, it’s a bargain. Available in stores and online.
Running Skirt from RunningSkirts.com. Our very own Cindy swears by these skirts…and Cindy logs many, many, MANY miles per week…I trust her. She says they are “Absolute. No Fail. Every. Time.” Instead of boy shorts underneath, these have panties…how cute! Great prices, lots of colors and patterns…this black one is $49.
Tuck-n-Run Skort from Title Nine. I love how fun this skirt looks. Maybe it’s the picture of the girl doing the cartwheel, but still, it looks adorable. Boy short underneath. On sale for $42.
Pace Setter Skirt from lululemon. This is probably the flirtiest skirt and I might have to work up my nerve to wear it, but it’s cute, no? Boy shorts underneath which they describe as having a “sticky hem” for no ride-up…love that. Also from their website, “the thick Luxtreme waistband won’t dig in – muffin tops are for Seinfeld.” Seinfeld reference? Sold. Click over to see all of the fun colors…$58.
The Contender Skirt Capri from Athleta. THIS is what I’m buying for fall. I’m in LOVE with this skirt and capri combo! Did you know Athleta is part of the Gap? They have a few stores popping up around the country, too….one in Houston. I’ll make my way down there and report back. Capri skirt…$74. (There is also a cute short version for $64.)
Running Skirts….have you tried them? What’s your favorite?
Bridget Edwards completed her first 5k in April 2012. She blogs about cookies and other dangerous treats on her blog, Bake at 350, bakeat350.blogspot.com.
Brooks makes a great skort with silicone grips for no leg slippage. Unless the humidity is over 95%, they do a great job. Plus it has cute pleats at the hem that make me feel flirty, and it comes in several colors.
http://www.brooksrunning.com/Glycerin-Skort/220352459.020,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=womens-apparel-skorts
My other favorite is an aqua tennis skirt from Nike that has an asymmetrical hem and tulle overlay. Golfsmith often has sales on tennis skirts which work for running.
I have two running skirts and they both ride up and chafe.
One is the C9 from Target, unfortunately. I am seriously considering buying the one with the panties underneath.
I have some fabulous running capris that I LOVE. I’ve avoided skirts because I’m concerned about…ummm…chafing? Do your thighs not rub together? Are the boy shorts long enough to prevent that?
I’ve been looking at skirts for a long time, but haven’t bought one yet. Ruthanne from Eclectic Whatnot reviewed the Gym Girl Ultra Skirt on her blog. I love that it’s longer.
http://www.eclecticwhatnot.com/2012/07/gym-girl-ultra-skirt-review/
After running for a couple weeks, I got tired of my shorts riding up (you’re not alone!) And bought a pair of Champion Capri pants at TJ Maxx ($15!!!) to wear under my shorts. By far my favorite combo. I’ll have to check out all the skirts now! Thanks Bridget!
Nicole & Alisha….for me the “boy shorts” underneath have helped with that issue. They do rise up a bit, but not like regular shorts. Have you every tried “BodyGlide?” It really helps; I found mini sticks of it at Academy.
http://www.bodyglide.com/#/products/anti-chafe-her
I have tried a few running skirts, but have had problems with the shorts underneath riding up and chaffing.
1. Get Body Glide – anti-chaffing stuff that helps a TON. Comes in a tube like deoderant for around $3 at your local sports store (I got mine at Dick’s).
2. I found a skirt this year from Kohl’s, that has a “sticky hem”. So far that has worked well.
How dd I miss that you were a runner? Cookies and running…love you even more. I love my running skirts. Nike pacer is great and so is the lululemon flirty one. I just got it in white and I love it!
I just ran the rock and roll Chicago half marathon and made some cookies to commemorate the race and my girlfriends. I am going to tweet you a pic.
Thanks for sharing!
Kelly in SC
I’m afraid I’m still in the baggy sweat pants and bulky t-shirt stages. Maybe someday I’ll be into the cute little running skirt. I hope so anyway
I LOVE my running skirt! I hate running in shorts- and wearing them in general, they look horrible on me and they ride up instantly. I only have one running skirt, but I wear it for nearly every run. The shorts are a little too big for me, so they ride up a little, but since no one can see the shorts I don’t worry about it!
As for chaffing, I’ve never tried any of the body-glide stuff, I just put a swipe of deodorant on my thighs and that seems to solve the problem
Atta girl, Bridget!! You even posted an image of my FAVE running skirt from runningskirts.com – the black one. I put on those skirts and forget ‘em, except when I need something like a Clif Shot or hotel key from one of their handy side pockets.
Never a chafe, a bag or a ride up in my skirts. Lots of worthy options here, too, it looks like!
i just found a running skirt / bra at tj maxx. i LOVE the skirt. makes me feel cute, even if it’s just me & my treadmill. it’s super comfy, less hot than the bike-type shorts i had been wearing. the price was good too at $17. i am looking for another one so i don’t have to wear the same one all week long!
Yes, I hate shorts that ride up, makes the entire run so annoying having to adjust every five steps. I’ve been looking at skirts but just wasn’t sure, may have to try those Champion ones, and I’ll definitely be checking out BodyGlide too!
So I’ve been contemplating a running skirt, but have yet to try one. This post has me even more intrigued…might have to get one now! (Anything has to be better than my husband’s gym shorts…made for basketball…at least those long things save me from thigh chafing!)
This is such a great post, Bridget. I haven’t found a running skirt I’m really happy with, so I can’t wait to try some of these. My running partner just bought one of the Brooks running skirts that Jenn Marie mentioned (with the grips to stop it from riding it) and she absolutely loves it.
I haven’t tried them yet, but maybe I’ll get brave and give one a go. I do like that last combo from Altheta.
I have a skirt and do wear it, but not on the hottest days. With the shorts underneath and the skirt on top, it almost gets too hot to run in. Love it in the spring and fall.
I’ve been wearing the Skirt Sports Gym Girl skirt for about 6 years now…I love it!
http://skirtsports.reachlocal.net/shop/bottoms.cfm
I saw this post and become obsessed with the idea. I went to Lululemon and picked up the pace setter in a pink stripy pattern. i absolutely love it. The shorts underneath do NOT move while running. The skirt in the back is longer than it you might think. I am curvy so never would have thought it would have worked for me.
I never, ever would have thought about wearing a running skirt without this post, now I can’t wait to put on my skirt and get running.
Thanks for the post!
When I first started running, I bought Champion skirts for $5 and went through a lot of Body Glide because of the chafing. Those days are over. I just bought the Brooks PR Mesh Skort II and it’s the bomb! I’m not built for traditional running shorts so the Brooks skort is perfect. The silicone grippers keep the undershorts in place, the outer mesh skirt is cool (I’m in FL) and the perfect length, there’s a zipper pocket on the skirt and a nice pocket on the shorts for a cell, ipod, gel, etc. and the waistband is flat with no drawstring. I have run twice in my new skirt and I love it! I don’t have to fiddle with anything and the skirt is so lightweight, it’s a dream. Some colors are on clearance at Brooks right now. Definitely try this model if you are on the fence about running skirts.