Written by A Wild Dove
Activewear is generally divided into two camps: The head-to-toe black ensembles that read “do not even look at me until my adrenaline kicks in”, and the ultra-neon, intensely patterned spandex concoctions that are almost more Burning Man than Barry’s Bootcamp. Fortunately, Tyler Haney—a Parson’s graduate turned fitness fashion dynamo—saw the need for something new. She launched Outdoor Voices: a casual collection of active-slash-ready-to-wear that has sent the collective athleisure crowd into a must-have tailspin.
The hoodies and tanks are versatile, super soft essentials, and the Merino blends have a special kind of magic that makes them surprisingly seasonless. According to Haney, the materials are produced at the same factories as other, bigger activewear lines, so you know they’ll be getting the job done right while you’re mid-sweat. Bonus: the compression feels great against the skin. You won’t be stuffed in like a sardine, so you’ll feel like you can move freely through a workout and through the day.
The line reflects Haney’s upbringing in Boulder, Colorado, where exploring the great outdoors and breaking a sweat are seamlessly integrated into the everyday. The pieces are minimal with a cool, clean aesthetic—so while they’re perfect for the front row of The Class, they’re just as appropriate for brunch or errand running around the city. There are none of the ubiquitous, shiny black capri pants. Instead, OV has lighter options in a chic heather gray or weathered, washed out black. We’re obsessed with the two and three-tone leggings and all of OV’s fun, fresh color-blocked ensemble sets. A combo of hunter green, ballet pink and slate blue? Yes, please.
You can purchase all of your future favorite OV items on-line or at the brand’s new shop on Centre Street. Think bright and dreamy with chic fabric cushions you’ll want to steal for your home. And if you bring your wee ones along for holiday shopping, they’ll have as much fun as you are. The space definitely makes you want to stay, lounge longer and then try on every variation. There’s even a super cool collab with APC.
But the real best part (and it’s hard to choose just one) is that at just 27, Haney is helping to pave the way for young women to take risks and inject themselves confidently into traditionally male-dominated spheres—which is as impressive as the line itself. #doingthings
