Thursday, April 9, 2015

Trying Out A New Brand - Titika Active Couture!

I have been following this Canadian brand called Titika Active Couture for like 2 years now.  I've seen some super cute designs by them, but they never shipped to the US!  I actually found some US sites that sold their stuff but the selections were very limited.  Well, a couple weeks ago I saw that they started shipping to the US!  They even offer free shipping if your order is over $100.  So of course I made an order right away.  I got 3 tanks, one jacket and one bra.  The thing I have to warn you about ordering from them if you live in the US is that their site is able to show all prices in USD (great exchange rate for us right now!) but once you are at the final page of check out, it all converts to Canadian dollars.  When I saw this, I thought ok... maybe they just want to show the prices in CAD.  But it turns out that they actually charged my credit card in CAD, which my credit card company then charged me a foreign transaction fee for.  My order was about $170 USD total, and the fee I was charged was a little over $5.  It's not a huge deal, but just a warning!  Since Titika just started shipping to the US, I think they deserve to be cut some slack.  But I did email their customer service to let them know that they should disclose that on their checkout page.  I've had a couple interactions with their customer service so far, and they are very responsive which is always a great sign!

So now onto their products - I received my order in about 1.5 week which is pretty fast considering they ship from Canada.  I really like the feel of fabrics they use and the quality and workmanship seems to be very good!  Since the USD/CAD exchange rate is in my favor right now, I think I'm getting really great value.  Their price point in CAD is not bad either though - a little bit lower than Lululemon I think.

Out of the 3 tanks I ordered, my favorite one is the Born tank in dark green.  It's super lightweight, almost a burnout material.  I love the drapey back and the color is great.  It's actually darker in person than the online photos.  It's only $27 USD too!



I wasn't sure about sizing, but I read that I could go one size smaller than my Lululemon size.  That seemed to make sense since their sizes start at 0 as opposed to 2.  So I ordered this tank in size 2.  It's the right size!




The color is rather dark in person.  It's a dark forrest green kind of color.


You can see better here the material which is semi-sheer:





The bottom is actually banded.  It's not really elastic though.  But it does cinch in a tiny bit:




The next 2 tanks I got I actually returned.  But I'm really going to "exchange" for a different size with one of them.  They don't really do exchanges, so basically you just ship it back for return and make a new order.  They did offer me free shipping on my next order though, so that's nice.

The Monarch tank is the one that I need to exchange.  The design is SO cute, and the fabric is soft and nice.  It's only around $28 USD too.




So it comes in both black and watermelon heather.  I got black, because I have a lot of tanks in that watermelon color family.  I do like it though!  I think the back is so pretty.  I got this tank in size S, but it is way too tight and short for my liking.  I think I can safely size up to M, and maybe even L if I want a loose, flowy fit.  I'm just really not into tight fitting tanks nowadays.   





Here's the up close of the fabric:





The tank that I'm just returning (will probably order a totally different tank style) is the Betty tank in light purple.  It is just too short and boxy for my liking, and it's not a sizing issue because it's already quite loose.  It looks cute on the model though!





I love the back of this tank, of course.  I got it in size S as well.  Unfortunately I just don't think it looks that good on me.  I need a few more inches.  




The fabric of this tank is actually on the heavier and thicker side.






The jacket I ordered was on sale, which means final sale.  But I thought it looked cute on the model and I could take a chance for the sale price of $55 USD.  It is the Flower jacket in bright pink.





When I first put this jacket on, I immediately thought:  the fit and fabric are so similar to the Lululemon Define or Forme jacket!  I then read the fabric composition which is 86% supplex and 14% spandex - that's pretty much luon!

I got it in size 2.  I think this is a form fitting style so 2 is my true to size.  But could also size up to 4 for a looser fit.  I like the tighter fit in the jacket though. 




Even the zipper pull resembles Lulu:







The cuffin, thumbhole and even logo are very reminiscent of Lulu:



I like the fit and the lace inset in the jacket.  But I am not crazy about the black hood pull strings.  Actually I was just thinking that I would rather not have a hood.  Then I looked at it closer and found that the hood is actually removable!!  They don't even say that in their online description.  But the hood zips right off!  Awesome!

The zipper is hidden behind this extra material as shown below, so you can't see at all when worn:




So now this is what the jacket looks like without the hood - I like it better!



You can also see the lace on the back better without the hood:



Ok lastly, I got the Inferno bra in red.  It's also on sale, so it's non-returnable.  It's only $22 USD though.  So I got it too.  The back of this bra is a pretty unique design for a sports bra, and I also love the red.  Plus it comes with bra inserts!




I got this bra in a size up - size 4.  I don't like tight bras so I didn't want to chance of it being too tight.  It's got some fit issues though.  The sides don't lay flat, which bothers me.




You also have to mess with the placement of the upper back strap or it doesn't look good.  I have a feeling it might move around as you move.  Too bad - it's a good idea, just doesn't completely work.  That's probably why it's on sale lol.

It does look cute if you adjust it right though!




So anyway, if I could return this bra I probably would.  But it's not a big loss so whatevs.

In general I think Titika seems to be pretty promising so far!  I wrote to them that I'd like them to consider putting fit advice online about each item.  That would help me order in the future and avoid having to return to Canada (you are responsible for return shipping cost).  When they refund my credit card, I'm guessing it will be in CAD too and I wonder if my credit card company will charge me a conversion fee again!  Argh.  I hope Titika works out these details - ideally if they offer their products to the US with USD prices listed, I'd like to get charged in USD.  

Anyway, like I said, they are new to the US so I'm not going to hold it against them yet.  Excited to see what improvements they make and what other designs they come up with in the future!  Maybe try out some tights too!  Canadian readers - do you have experience with or advice about this brand?





28 comments:

  1. I love that monarch tank! I've been wanting some more fun tank styles, all of lulu's are so boring and Lorna Jane doesn't sell my xxs in the US. :( Good call on that betty tank, I don't think the proportions work either. Thank you for this review and your sizing tips. Their prices are indeed pretty great for us Americans. :)

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    1. I know, I am bored with all the Lulus too! They just keep making the same tanks/bras in different colors... boring! I still like their bottoms though! Wow you are tiny! But it's true that LJ runs quite big, a lot of their XS tops are very loose on me. I had no idea they offered XXS in Australia!

      If you order from Titika, be careful with your credit card company charging you a foreign exchange fee! Maybe find out which card charges the least and use that one lol. Good thing the Monarch tank comes in XS, it fits tight so I think that will definitely work for you! Let me know if you order anything else and how it works out for you. I think I'm going to make another order today.

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  2. I'm Canadian and until I read this post, I'd never even heard of them! They could really amp up their advertising. I have tons of Lulu but I am not thrilled with a lot of their designs/patterns coming out lately, and I really struggle with their sizing inconsistency, as I don't live close to a store to try on and primarily order online. It's a pain and annoying to return frequently due to poor sizing, fit or fabric/stitching quality. Of course, I had to click on the link and check them out immediately! I am particularly interested in their bras - they really find a nice balance between sexy and (I'm hoping!) functional. I am going to order a few to try, so your review on sizing was invaluable as they don't have many reviews listed on their site. We are the same size so I check your fit reviews religiously!

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    1. Yay! Glad I could help! They have retail stores in Canada too, so maybe you live near one and can go in and try stuff on in person?? I'd love to hear your fit reviews as well if you end up finding goodies from there. =P

      I think I first heard about Titika from Pinterest. I found a super cute top and was like wow who makes this!! Then I started stalking them online. Hahaha. I heard they also offer promo codes and have good sales too!

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    2. Looks like they're primarily located in Ontario, and I'm in BC - so no luck there! Public Myth has a retail store in Vancouver though, so I can try on their stuff when I fly there, as I had to check them out too after someone mentioned them as well! I don't know if these stores understand the impact/importance people (myself being a prime example) place on online comments or fit reviews to assist in purchasing if they can't go to a retail location. There are times when I've wavered on pulling the trigger and a fit review by you or Agent Athletica (I noticed she's commented on your blog as well!) tips the balance. If a website doesn't have sufficient customer reviews on the product, then that's all I have to go by.... plus it's nice to see "real" pics of the items - so many times the site pics are misleading for better or worse!

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  3. The first two tanks are so cute. Much better than anything lulu has come out with this year. Is the monarch tank fabric similar to the 105 singlet fabric?

    I was looking at the Titika website and noticed the era tank. It's shown in a lulu print from a couple years ago (ziggy wee stripe.) I thought that was pretty interesting. Or maybe it's a more common print/texture than I realized.

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    1. The Monarch tank material actually does have a similar feel to the 105 singlet fabric. It is a tiny bit thicker and softer than newer 105 tanks (after Lulu made it "seriously light"). The Monarch tank feels more like the older Lulu sheer luon fabric.

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    2. Also, I think Lululemon sometimes uses standard prints that anybody can buy. I remember somebody found a swatch that was exactly the same as the Lululemon laceoflage print a while ago. I'm sure not all their prints are 100% designed by themselves.

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  4. I like the pieces on you exp the pink jkt. That bra is pretty, too bad about the sides sticking out. I heard of this line but haven't ordered any pieces yet. I am in Vancouver and they do not have a store here. I may have to try out a few pieces via shipping. Thanks for the review - so helpful.

    Public Myth is a Canadian company that also ships international. It has some nice things and the quality is good too.

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    1. I've heard of Public Myth too, but I haven't tried anything yet! Any sizing tips?

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    2. Hmm I only have a few tops from them so hard for me to comment on the sizing - wish I could help more. I usually wear an 8 or 10 in Lulu and can get away with med and large for PM. I feel like some of their their items can be more form fitting so I have sized up in a slimmer jkt because I like a little more room. I tried on a couple of bras but love my lulu bras more lol.

      I love the designs and the fabric. The fabric is durable wears and washes well. Such great quality. The owner is a Vancouverite and I think the items are made in Canada. Customer service and shipping are very good.

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  5. Thanks for the review! I just placed my first order with Titika. I got some tops and the Lynx pants. I went with the 1 size down from Lululemon sizing guide for the pants. Cross your fingers!

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    1. Please let me know how the pants work out for you! I'm definitely curious - those Lynx tightts are super cute!

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    2. I just got my order, and I LOVE everything! The Lynx pants look so cool. I am a size 6 in LLL. I ordered a size 4 in everything, and it all fits well. My only slight disappointment is the Coach tank. I wish the armholes were bigger; they're not tight, but I prefer a lower cut in the arms.

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    3. Wow that's so awesome! Thanks for coming back to let me know! I will definitely keep an eye out for their bottoms in the future too.

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  6. I also ordered from titika for the first time last year. And one of the items I ordered was also the inferno bra and I had that same issue with the sides of the bra as well! It was very annoying as I like the design very much. I ended up spending upward of 30 dollars to get it altered. Another tank I ordered - the straps were too long. Also needed to get it altered. So my experience with titika was only so so.

    I love public myth! I typically wear lulu size 6 (except for dresses which I wear size 4) and public myth size small fits me well. I had bought sport bras, jackets, shorts, and tights from them - and no alteration needed!

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    1. Thanks Janice!! I'm definitely going to give Public Myth a try. There are some very cute items on their website right now! =)

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  7. I tried public myth and thought the pants fit was off and returned. I wear a lulu 2 went with their smallest size, it was a little bigger than lulu and the cut was just off and not flattering. Just my opinion. For bottoms I'd stick with lulu.

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    1. Thanks! It appears that everything I like is sold out of my size on their site anyways, so I won't be making an order yet after all.

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  8. Is Tikita the same sizing as Lulu? I couldn't find a sizing guide on the Tikita site. When I tried phoning, there was an answering machine. I'll try e-mail, but just curious how you figured out the sizing.
    I love your try-on posts and thanks for helping expand my horizons beyond Lulu!
    You should be a model, you gorgeous girl!

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    1. Hi! I actually described Titika sizing in detail in this post. It doesn't seem to be all that consistent though, based on my experience (particular with the Monarch tank).

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  9. Did you have to pay duty/customs for shipping into the US? PS - Love your blog! <3

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    1. Duty? I don't think the US does that... they just deliver it to your house without question lol. I know that happens in Canada a lot though.

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  10. I think for the States, as long as the stated value is under 200 dollars, there's no tax and duty. For Canada, it's 20 dollars. Canada definitely needs to increase the limit!

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  11. Forgive me if you've posted this somewhere, but what are your measurements? I think we are pretty similar and I'm looking to make my first Titika order!! THANK YOU for this it was exactly what I was looking for!!

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  12. Thank you for the helpful review here on Titika's fit and sizes!
    Friends and are seeking to order but having trouble deciding what sizes to get..
    I beg your pardon..but may I ask what sports bras sizes fits you? Am a 34c and wondering if 4 would be fine or tight..

    Thank you for your time and kind reply =)

    Angie

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  13. Is it awful that a little part of me was kind of happy that prices were in CAD because I'm Canadian and I get charged a lot in USD! But that aside, I find them fast and the products reliable.

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