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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Lululemon Run: Inspire Pullover & Run: Cross Train Crop

My boyfriend went to Lululemon today and picked me up some new items.  Yay!  I love it when this happens!  He got me the new running luon pullover - Run: Inspire Pullover in both heathered lolo purple and heathered seniorita pink, because he didn't know which one I would like better.  Apparently he took a poll among the Lulu employees and got mixed opinions there as well.  Some thought the pink was too bright, some really liked it.  He likes the purple one better, but thinks pink is "not bad", just really "pink".  So now the decision is up to me!




I think my verdict is the pink one, because first of, I just bought a power purple Hills Pullover not too long ago so I'm not really wanting another purple running top.  I do love this pink.  It's so bright!  But not as bright as the pictures show.  I don't know why but the "heathered" portion of the pink makes reflections in photos and make the color look more saturated than it actually is.  I don't quite know how to explain it.  In person it is bright, but not "silvery".  I wonder if this color will bleed when I sweat in it.  My potion purple Push Ur Limits bled on my towel when I was stretching after a kettlebell class.  It was my gym's towel so I didn't really care, but still kind of annoying.

Secondly, I like that the body mapping stripes aren't as obvious in pink as in the purple one.  But to be honest, while I think this pullover is cute, it really is nothing special to be worth $99 especially when I have many other running tops from Lululemon.  I think the lines are a little busy.  Again, not so obvious in pink, but definitely way more noticeable in purple.  The overall style is quite similar to the Energy Pullover or the Hills Pullover with the zipper in the front (but this one is reflective) and zipper pocket on the back (reflective again), except I think those tops are cuter and cleaner looking.  And my favorite running pullover ever from Lululemon - the Run Brisk in bold blue, is an awesome top and beautiful color, and it was only $78.  I really wish I had bought it in seniorita pink as well, and if I did, I wouldn't even be considering the Inspire pullover right now.  Seriously the only reason I'm inclined to keep the pink one is because I've been wanting a pinkish or reddish running pullover.  And the weather has been much cooler this week in the lower 70s, a long sleeve top is looking more attractive.  Oh, and of course because my wonderful boyfriend picked it up.  =)

This detail is cute though:  If you turn your cuffins inside out, it says "Cold Hands" on one side and "Warm Heart" on the other.  Too bad it's not on the outside of the cuffins.  I don't think I've ever turned my cuffins inside out.  My hands just don't get cold when I'm running outside.  The coldest it ever gets here is like 50 degrees. 

So I will sit on it and think about it.  I feel like out of principle I outta own every piece of running luon pullover Lululemon ever makes, but I don't know why I have this idea in my head lol.

Update: A reader pointed out that the back pocket of the Inspire pullover felt uncomfortable against the skin so I went and took a closer look at mine.  Turns out, the top of the back pocket is not even sewn in (unlike the other Lululemon running pullovers from the past which are completely sewn in using flatlocked seams), and they even left the corner with the zipper unsewn.  It sticks out like a sore thumb, looks very cheaply done, and I can see how it would very easily irritate the skin.  I usually wear only a sports bra under my tops so I'm not thrilled about this.


The top right corner (and the whole entire top side) of the inner pocket not sewn in, with the scratchy zipper underneath


The sides that are sewn in looks like half assed sewing job to me
I can definitely see how the zipper would irritate the skin when moving around in this top


The Run: Cross Train Crop is another luxtreme crop about knee length on me.



The color he got me is the black/static coal/lolo purple.  I think it's supposed to match the Run: Cross Train Pullover that I got a few weeks ago, so it's weird that the crops came out so much later.  These crops have mesh on the back of the knee and calves.  Otherwise, the fit is pretty similar to my Passion Crop.  The waistband is about the same as the Passion Crop as well - bummer.  I wish they would have made the waistband about an inch wider.  There is also a zipper pocket on the back waist, which is ok I guess, but I don't usually like a zipper being in that area because it makes it uncomfortable when I'm trying to do sit ups or whatever exercise that requires lying on my back.  There are two little gel pockets though - one on each side on the front.  The inside of the waistband is lolo purple which is a cute detail, too bad nobody can see it but me, and only when it's going on or off!  There is static coal color blocking on the outer thighs, which I haven't decide if I like or not.  I have a hunch they kind of make my legs look shorter, but maybe I'm just being crazy. 


 Here's a pic of me wearing these together with the Cross Train Pullover... so matchy matchy!  And, didn't realize the details of the crops would show up like that under my top.


Ok, I realize that I only have one pose.  Gotta work on that!

27 comments:

  1. I got the purple and the pink too and am deciding which one to keep...

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  2. Well my vote is for pink for the reasons listed above... but purple is a more subtle color if that's what you prefer. I think maybe I've been just having too much purple lately...

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  3. How nice of your boyfriend! I think if you have the Hills in purple, go pink for the Inspire. I'm not sure if it's due to the difference in lighting, but I think I like the pictures of the pink Inspire better on you.

    It is weird that the Inspire and Cross Train crops did not come out at the same time as their matching pullovers.

    I love the Brisk LS top too (mine's in Faded Zap). Also like my Run: Energy pullover in Black. I appreciate the honest input that the Inspire is not necessarily all that exciting or worth the cost...since I have these other 2 tops.

    I'm starting to think long sleeve tops because it just got a little cooler here on the East Coast too (it hasn't yet warmed up to 70 this morning!) It's a nice break from the summer's continuous 90+ temps.

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  4. I thought I was going to be all over the inspire and I think that the only one I like is the pink. I have two engery and 1 hills, and love my black engery more than my house, so I was hoping to feel the same way about the inspire..

    The pink and the crops both look great on you!

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  5. Does your BF have a twin brother? He sounds like a keeper, how sweet!

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  6. I prefer the pink Inspire for the reasons you gave but lolo purple looks fantastic with your coloring. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the Energy Pullover gets re-released.

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  7. Did you try on the inspire with just a sports bra? I received mine in the mail today, and something's irritating my lower back - not sure if it's the seam where the pocket is, or where the static material meets the solid material - but whatever it is seems itchy to me. Wondering if you had the same problem. Can be solved by wearing a CRB underneath, but would like the option of just using the pullover by itself. Thoughts?
    -Angela

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  8. Wow, what a great boyfriend! They both look great on you. I had the same problem trying to decide the colour. I ordered the lolo this morning and kept thinking about the señorita all day so I ordered it this afternoon. I think both will be a keeper for me.

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  9. What did you end up deciding about the Tadasana pants? Mine came today and I truly love them and I may never take them off!!!

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  10. I just love that senorita pink inspire top. I'm heading to Toronto tomorrow and I REALLY hope there's a couple in stock for me to try on. Did you find it was true to size?
    I also really want the pink armwarmers and ear warmers and running gloves from today's upload. (Probably for NOT wearing all at once, hehe!) But, seriously, those items would be perfect for fall/winter running here! Thanks for the great pics, all that Lulu looks terrific on you!! :)

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  11. Thanks guys! I think my boyfriend will appreciate all the nice things you are saying about him... hahaha... and no he doesn't have a twin brother, but he does have a brother who is single and available!! =P

    I told my boyfriend to take the purple one back to the store today, and I'm really thinking about keeping the pink one, even though I don't think it's that big of a stretch from my other pullovers, style-wise that is. I just really love this color though! Or should I wait until another running luon pullover comes out later? It's just getting into fall right now so I'm sure more are in the pipeline... but I don't want to regret it later if I let it go now - I know I won't be able to get another one later in my size. Hmmm decisions decisions!

    @Angela - I tried it on with a regular bra under, and did not feel itchy. I will go try it on again when I get home tonight and see. When I'm running outside, I normally wear my long sleeve pullovers with just a sports bra underneath, so that would definitely be an issue for me if it scratches my back!

    @Tara, I ended up taking the Tadasana pants back, but the store I went to didn't have any for me to try on the next size up (it's a showroom that just opened last weekend, so they didn't have much). So if I go to a store this weekend, I will probably try on the size 6 and see. I think they are cute pants for sure, and I love the drawstring on the bottom. Glad to hear you like them! Did you get your regular size?

    @Dawn, thanks! I think the Inspire pullover is true to size and fits very similar to the Energy pullover if you have that. Just a little looser (especially in the chest) than the Hills pullover in the same size. I did a comparison with my Energy pullover last night and they are exactly the same length as well. I wish it was cold enough here for all the cute accessories!! Hey if you wear them all at once, at least you know you won't get hit by a car! But might cause an accident because the drivers will be mesmerized by how hot you look. Hehehe

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  12. @Angela - You are completely right, it's the back zipper pocket of the Inspire. The top of the pocket is not sewn in, only the sides. But even the top right corner is not sewn in (where the top of the zipper ends). So that must be what's irritating you with that chunky zipper underneath and the scratchy material around the zipper. I looked at all my other running pullovers, and all the back pockets are completely sewn in on all sides and all corners. The workmanship on the pocket of the Inspire looks very cheap and rushed compared to the others. I mean it's not even cut straight! The top inch that's not sewn in is just sticking out all uneven. I didn't feel it when I tried it on yesterday, not until you posted it out, but now that I know I can't seem to un-notice it! And out of principle, I don't think a $100 top should have this poor workmanship. Very disappointing.

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  13. Ok I posted updated pictures of the back pocket on this post (somewhere in the middle portion) if you want to check it out. Not sure if this will make or break your decision of this top.

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  14. Thanks! - Just wanted to make sure I'm not alone. I might keep the static black as just a basic piece to keep me warm in the winter over/under other things, but I was considering keeping both that I got, so I'm think I'm going to send the other back. You're right on the shoddy craftsmanship - I would think it should be all the way around, too.
    Thanks again! :)
    -Angela

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  15. Yes I stayed true to size 6 but I could have even went with the 4. I usually wear 6 with lulu tighter pants and 4 in more relaxed fit like DSP's.

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  16. My Run: like the wind has the pockets sewn all the way around so when I put my blackberry in it it doesn't bounce at all. This really sucks. Mine is supposed to arrive today so I'll be sure to check the back pockets.

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  17. I know. I don't understand why they didn't sew the pockets in, it looks and feels very sloppy. Maybe I got a bad batch. Please let me know how yours looks!

    Maybe this is a sign that mine should be going back to the store this weekend, and wait for something else to come along in the not so distant future. Sad face.

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  18. I have a feeling they had issues with production which is why it was so delayed coming to Canada. It got to the website first actually before it got to stores here. I think they rushed getting them out.

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  19. Probably did rush - I bought mine through the GEC in all four colors so I could decide, and they came from three different warehouses. All four have the pocket issue, so I'm not sure it was just one bad batch. I just had the itching issue, I wasn't even thinking about the fact my ipod might bounce around while in the back pocket, thanks for pointing that out. Ugh. So I bought four and I'm only keeping one - maybe not even that. And I would have been tempted to keep three without this issue. Silly Lulu, you lost $200... ;) Well at least I saved the money in hopes the Spirit makes a comeback.
    -Angela

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  20. May I ask what crops you are wearing in the top pics? I think they look great on you. I ordered a Inspire pullover myself, but if this poor workmanship is an issue, I may have to return it. Sadly I think I only bought it because of the writing on the cuffins.

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  21. Angela, you bought 4 Inspire pullovers?? Wow this issue must be really disappointing for you then. I was really leaning towards keeping the pink one, but now I think I will tell my boyfriend to just go return it - don't want to deal with more potential problems later! But you are right, better to save some $$ now since they may make something even better than the Spirit pullover later on! I would love a combo of Spirit pullover and the Brisk pullover. I would die of lust. One could hope. =)

    @Anon, the crops are just some old school Groove crops from back in the day when the seams were still on the side vs. the back. They are super soft like running luon and in great shape still, no pilling at all. I so wish they still made Groove pants/crops like that!

    I think the writing on the cuffins are cute on the Inspire, but not enough for me to keep it, esp since they are hidden anyway.

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  22. Hi there,

    I have a quick question, I just bought the pink pullover, but I noticed when I got home that one side of it is already "sueding" - if that's even a word. It's not quite pilling, but the matieral is almost creating a suede effect. Since you've had yours a while now, have you noticed that? Did I just get a bad one, or is it going to do that eventually anyway?

    Thanks!!

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  23. Aww I'm sorry but I told my boyfriend to return mine after discovering the pocket issue... just couldn't live with it I guess.

    I don't remember any fading or anything on the side though when I had it. So maybe you did get a defective one. I'm not sure... maybe if you still have time you can take it back to exchange or return?

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  24. Oh I missed that part of your post!! Haha!

    I tried to return it and the guy said "wash it a few times, and it will look like that all over - that's just how running luon is." Clearly he doesn't know how much I know about lulu products :) He was a jerk though, so I didn't want to deal with it. I emailed the store manager since I know her pretty well from shopping there for a while - I'm sure she will let me exchange it. I had taken the tags off and worn it for like FIVE minutes, so I think that's why he was giving me a hard time.

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  25. Check out your crotch, you have a camel toe! Corporate BS has you thinking you look good. You have joined the nation of camel toe woman.

    Congratulations

    Sam K

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  26. Actually no, I don't have a camel toe in these pictures. If you are so against Lululemon then why do you search the web for their products? It's fine if you are against their corporate policies, but this whole camel toe thing is just plain stupid. Get a life.

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