Blast from the Past & A Wish for Lululemon

After being underwhelmed with my latest Run: Inspire pullover from Lululemon, and at the request of a very cool fellow blogger, I've decided to post about possibly the prettiest running top I've ever seen - the Run: Spirit Pullover that came out in winter last year. 

It's a mid-layer running pullover made from tech fleece.  It's very soft and warm on (a little too warm for the climate here!), but it's got these pretty reflective whimsical details all over the back and the sleeves that give the top a very feminine look.  It's the quintessential combination of style and function.

I also think the strategically placed black panels on the back flatters the rear!  When the front zipper is completely zipped up, it covers most of my neck.  I can see how this would be a very nice feature to have in colder weather, but I've never zipped it up when I've taken it out running before.  It feels a little tight to me when I zip it up and kind of pulls on my neck a little.  So I think that if you have it zipped up, you probably also should put the hood on to give the neck a little more breathing room.  

The hood on this pullover is a pretty snug fit.  Though I've never worn the hood while running, I believe that the snugness would definitely prevent it from falling off mid-run.  There is a pony tail hole on the hood - very good idea for someone like me with long hair!  I remember this was a huge selling feature when I bought it at the store, but I think I look like I'm going scuba diving when I have the hood on.

The only minor complaint I have about this top is the seam that separates the shoulder piece and the sleeves.  It kind of feels and looks like it's sliding off the shoulders, and I think I have broad shoulders.  But the cut makes them look even broader.  I would be happier if the shoulder and sleeves were one connecting piece of fabric, at least on top.  But the rest of the pretty details trumps this issue by far!

Too bad the only times I can wear this here in LA is during the coldest of the winter nights, when it's like 45 degrees out (gasp!).  But last winter I wore it all the time to and from the gym, or even running errands.  I remember getting tons of compliments everywhere I went and people wanted to know where it was from.   But I only wore it out running maybe 2 or 3 times and got too hot.  =(

BUT, I am still very glad I bought it.  I was pretty hesitant at first because it was like $120 or something, which is quite pricey.  It didn't stop me from wanting to get the power purple one as well though.  But I couldn't find it in my size anywhere which in hind sight is probably for the best since I can't get that much use out of it.

I'm wearing the matching Run: Passion crop here which just happen to be one of my favorite crops from Lululemon as well.  I think they are meant to match the Spirit pullover, but not sure.  

Now my wish for an ultimate running top would be something like the Run: Brisk with the pretty features of the Spirit.  

I'm trying to show the bright yellow (faded zap?) ring around the thumb hole, but it didn't turn out so well on the pic

The Brisk is a tighter fit than the Spirit.  It is made of running luon, with some mesh panels on the sides for breath-ability.  It doesn't have the crazy seams and lines like the current Inspire pullover.  It's simple and functional.  I love the collar, and the pretty ruching detail on the back which is the only decorative detail of the top.  It's overall a very clean look.  I would be so happy if Lululemon could just stick some of those pretty reflective stickers from the Spirit pullover to the Brisk, and add a zipper pocket on the back, and maybe the black panels on the back bottom (don't care so much for a hood), then I would buy every single one!