Pam sent me this race pic from this weekend:
Is that background beautiful or what?! And those two runners aren’t half bad either…
Your lame quotient goes up by at least 100% when you refer to yourself in third person. need to remember that.
Speaking of running skirts, Sunday was the first time Pam ran in one. And I’ve received a ton of emails and comments asking about my skirt collection so let’s chat. Boy readers, this is right up your alley.
The skirt that launched a hundred inquiries. These two skirts are the same: the Nike Dri-fit Challenger Tennis skirt that isn’t for sale anymore.
I run almost all my races in skirts and most of my training runs in shorts. Find what you like and own it, just like Ali and her legwarmers.
Most of my skirts are actually tennis skirts because I like the extra frilly details and I think tennis skirts are generally more girly than running skirts. You just have to pick whatever you like and what you feel comfortable in <—this is HUGELY important.
I’m awesome at ironing.
These are from RunningSkirts which are great skirts to ease into because RS come in a variety of lengths, cuts and sizes. The top aqua skirt was gifted to me from RunningSkirts and the bottom navy blue one was given to me by my mom.
You can tell the top one’s shorter and it has briefs where the navy one has full shorts underneath. It goes without saying that you need a skirt with something underneath it, otherwise you’ll be wearing shorts underneath your skirt and that defeats the whole purpose.
Runningskirts are a little pricey, around $55-65 but they’re great quality and you can find a good fit and length with lots of different print options.
Like I said, it’s most important that you wear something you feel comfortable in. The one downside of buying online is that sometimes it’s hard to get a good fit on something you haven’t tried on.
I received this Nike tennis skirt from Refuel with Chocolate Milk for the Las Vegas Marathon; I can’t find it online anymore either. I just look online for any skirts on sale and that’s what I buy. I rarely buy a skirt for full price because they’re so dang expensive.
I also prefer shorter skirts that sit lower on the waist so that’s what I tend to buy, but just shop around and pay attention to the length. If it’s too short for you to feel comfortable in, don’t bother even looking at it.
This is a Lucy skirt that I bought on clearance two years ago:
I love the colors of it, but there’s a lot of fabric in it and it’s heavy and can feel like it’s weighing you down. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you can find a super sale.
I bought this SkirtSports skirt last summer; it’s very lightweight and a nice silky fabric but sorta plain for me; I wish I would have bought a different print or something. I like me some flair! But there’s some nice features to it (it’s made specifically for runners) and it’s 25% off right now.
I just bought this Adidas Adizero Feather skirt on sale two weeks ago; I love the “bubble” skirt and wished I would have bought the blue color too. Of course, now I can’t find it in my size.
There’s a ton of different options and brands out there that I haven’t tried. For example, I think Lululemon makes adorable skirts but I don’t wanna drop that much money on one.
So to review:
*If you’ve never worn/bought a running skirt before, go try one on at a store; don’t just buy it online. Do you prefer the briefs or the shorts underneath? How short do you want it? Do you need pockets or not?
*Make sure you feel comfortable and covered in it. If it’s too short, too bright, too girly, or just too much, find a different one. YOU HAVE TO FEEL GOOD IN IT. or else you won’t wear it.
*Once you know the skirt you want, Google around online for the best deal… as with everything in life. Google owns me.
*If you’re like me and still regret not being a cheerleader and like bright, girly skirts, look for tennis skirts online; they’re usually cuter IMO.
*And if you are really not sure about the whole skirt thing but kinda wanna try it, check out the “skapri”. You get the coverage of capris and the cuteness of a skirt:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I want y’all to go check out Without Borders. In 2010 reader Stephanie ran the Chicago Marathon for the 3 babies she lost in different pregnancies. Now her and husband are adopting a baby from Ethiopia!
They need to raise $15,000 more to bring their baby home so Stephanie is holding the Race Without Borders 5k/10k on April 21st. It’s “without borders” because you can run it anywhere! So sign up, raise money, change a life.
Laura had a nearly 5 minute PR at her half marathon this past weekend!
While you’re checking her out, go check out Laura’s auction going on right now. All money raised goes to Team in Training and there is nearly $4000 worth of running gear up for auction!
Do you run in skirts? What’s your favorite brand of skirt? Hate running skirts? Love them?
Twitter
Facebook
{ 84 comments… read them below or add one }
A friend gave me my first running skirt a few weeks ago from Lululemon. It is sooo cute, flat front, ruffles in the back. The shorts totally ride up though.
So sad. I have Skirt Sports compression shorts and those are great. Anyways, speaking of ‘skirts’ a friend and I make running tutus as a fundraiser for Girls on the Run SD. If you’re interested, I’ll send you one! glam-runner.com Let me know the colors and size. glamrunner@gmail
i bought an atletica skirt online. big mistake. it does NOT fit! i feel like i definitely need to try that stuff on before i buy it. oh well!
The first time I tried on a running skirt I was sold. So comfortable. I wear a skirt for races and train in shorts too.
That is a great collection of skirts you have!!! They make for good race pictures!
I have an Adidas skirt that I love to run in. It is boring black, so thank you for the tennis skirt idea.
You always look super “cute” in your racing pictures.
I love running in skirts! I have one from Sport Skirts and a “Skapri” from them, and I pretty much rotate them every day. But now I HAVE to add that Adidas one to my rotation! Thanks for the review. BTW- that’s me thanking you, NOT my wallet. Heehee
I am in LOVE with the frilly pink Nike skirt!!! I’m running my first half marathon which will be on my 30th (eeek) birthday and I orginally wanted to run in a tutu, but I NEED that skirt!!! Where did you find it for sale at?!!?
this is where Choc Milk bought it: only has large and xl left: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Nike_Womens_Holiday_Set_Point_Skort/descpageWANIKE-NWHSPOS.html
booo, I need a small =/ Hopefully I can find it before May! Thanks for the help =)
I love skirts!!! I feel girly and badass at the same time. I also shop tennis and have a couple dresses as well – combo the sports bra, tank top and skirt all in one. Throw on some running undies and it’s all good!! I also train in shorts, capris, tights. I think I want to save my skirts for the race because they’re prettier. I don’t want to wear them out. And I do glitter skirts too. Priss. Diva. Own it. Wish you could still get that Nike Challenger. I’m luvin’ it!!
I’m a skirt lover! So comfy! I don’t have a preference for the briefs or shorts. When it’s colder out I’ll throw on capris underneath. I’ve got a few brands – Nike, C9 from Target, EMS, and the Gap(which is one of my favorites). I’m on the verge of ordering one from Lululemon. They are so cute!!
I love running in skirts! My favorite brand (currently) is Skirt Sports. The shorts underneath have a pocket on each side and there is a reinforced hole by the waist for your iPod cord to go through. They sit just above my hips, which is fine with me! They are expensive, so I only buy them when they are half-price
I love my 5 or so Skirt Sports brand skirts. I also have 2 of their dresses. I switched from shorts and don’t think I’ll be going back. I agree – it’s all about what you feel good wearing. I think being cute is a huge confidence booster while I’m running to know I look good. I visited RunningSkirts’s store while in Encinitas before Tinkerbell & I think I’ll try one of theirs next!
I have two Lululemon running skirts (awesome husband bought them for me as anniversary presents!). I LOVE THEM. They are my favorite thing to run in. They have the shorts underneath and a key pocket in the back along with a small gel pocket in the waistband in the front.
My favorite thing about a running skirt is that it’s different from the usual “uniform.” They make me feel feminine, sexy (weird right?) and cute – and I think that feeling good about how I look in my running gear makes me run better.
I love that Adidas Adizero skirt… so tempted to order one up right now! Awesome post!
I laughed at skirts when I saw them….until I tried one on. I have 5-6 lululemon skirts and 1 gap athletic wear. I got almost all my skirts on sale, but would pay full price because I love them so much!
I was a tennis player for 10 years. I loved those built in undies.
Great info! Love the frilly skirts as well… so cute!
I’m a runner and a golfer, and adidas makes dri-fit golf skorts with compression-ish shorts underneath. I’ve run in them before, another option
Also, $65+
I love the skirts! Great post
As a new reader, I’d like to know why you race in a skirt. Comfort? Cute factor? Just curious b/c I have never tried one on!
i think they’re comfortable and cute. i always want to look good for races and skirts never bug me as far as irritation, riding up, etc.
I only run in skorts, they are just waaaay more comfy and cuter! I have several from Brooks that I love simply because they have the no-slip-band on the inside of tights underneath…love that. Most skorts that I have looked at don’t have that.
The skirtsports brand doesnt have the no-slip grip but they don’t seem to need it. Somehow their shorts are the perfect material that they don’t ride up.
I have a couple lululemon skirts that I love. My husband will be cranky that I discovered the Tennis Warehouse – they have so many cute clothes! And they ship to Aus!
I actually mainly wear my skirts for training, and race in fitted hot shorts + sports bra most of the time.
I just bought a running skirt and I really like it. I like the length too! Great post, girl!
I only run in Lululemon skirts. Super cute and sassy. The grippy band at the hem prevents shorts from creeping.
I LOVE running skirts. Like you, I train almost exclusively in running shorts and then race in running skirts (except in the winter). My favorite brand is Adidas, and the CUTEST skirt ever is their Basic 3-Stripes Synergy Skort. The sides have a small slit that shows the striped inner shorts. Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Womens-Basic-3-Stripes-Synergy/dp/B002GQB9RY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1328666540&sr=8-10
I have that one in aqua blue. I too only buy on sale.
I love that you featured Stephanie’s race! Thank you- That is my future niece/nephew that we are raising funds for! I ran with Stephanie in the Rock ‘n Roll half in Chicago and cheered for her when she ran the full marathon. What an incredible inspiration she is to me!
Hmmmm…maybe I will try one! I play tennis and love the skirts, so I don’t know why I have never tried running in one!
I’ve never run in a skirt, but yours are so cute! I feel a new purchase coming on …
I love all of your skirts! I usually buy mine on sale at Athleta.
You are adorable in every pic! I had to look at the one with the yellow shirt/gray skirt for like 3 minutes before I figured out what was on your head. That bush in the background makes you look like you are rockin a fro!! Ha!
Hmmmm…I’ve never tried a skirt before, but I’m thinking I should. I usually run in shorts (sometimes capris) and the shorts always ride up on me. I can’t stand that! I’m guessing the skirt doesn’t have that problem?
I try to always rock a skirt when I race. I have a good collection now and I agree that you have to try them on. I have several size S Nike ones, but I bought one online and it was super short and the waist was too big. I play tennis once a week, so I use them for both which is great. My husband is a tennis player, so he always tends to pick one up for me as a gift when he travels. I have a couple lululemon ones with ruffles and I LOVE them. The shorts are tight enough to stay in place and they have great feminine details.
I’ve never been a fan of running skirts, and I never really knew why. Then it hit me: I always look like crap when I run, so why buy purposefully cute things to wear? So I will just keep wearing my 18-year old shorts with holes and my highly unattractive race T-shirts.
I think skirts are soooo cute to run in but I always have issues with chaffing and the shorts underneath riding up so I’m always fussing with them. Any tricks (other than getting rid of my thunder thighs!) or any skirt that doesn’t have these issues for you guys?
Skirtsports for sure! The gymgirl skirt stays in place, no grippy thigh tape needed. I have tried a lot of skirts and have the same issues with chafing but you have to try the skirtsports brand!
I love my running skirts but can only do 5 milers before I start having the chaffing issue. On longer runs w/ the skirt I lube up. I’m sure going for a longer skirt option may help but then it just seems like so much fabric.
Love running in skirts! And, I loved them even more when my sweet friend gave me a bunch of cute hand me down tennis skirts from the country club ladies. YAY. I have a fun collection of them so I wear them a lot.
I love running skirts too! Lululemon is my favorite but I also like the Nike Set Point. I bought mine online from Nordstrom they still have the white in all sizes. They also have the black in XS, L, and XL.
Well thank you for doing this post! I am one of your faithful readers who inquired about running in skirts and I am so glad you did a review. I love your Nike skirts and have been trying to find the set pointe in my size for so long. Boo. Nike has it in grey and black still on their site, but only in certain sizes. I love the grape. Anyway, thank you for your recommendation by email, I ended up wearing a runningskirts.com skirt in pink for Tink. I got the athletic skirt which was perfect for me… a little longer and with shorts. I’m not sure I’m ready for just briefs underneath. Maybe ten pounds from now. Maybe twenty… maybe never?
I’m with you on the skirts – love them short. And in bright colours and/or prints. I wear Running Skirts.
Skirts make bums look cuter. And bum staring is a favorite marathon pastime.
I don’t have a skirt. Yet. A skirt is on my list of wants.
But I do have that Costco shirt in that color. And the other four colors! Love them! I bought three originally and liked them so much I went back to get the other two colors, too. I love that they are longer and don’t ride up. Plus, no built in bra to irritate me.
I have one running skirt from Target. It’s not very comfy to run in, but I like to wear it around the house. I guess I just need to find the “right” one. Thanks for the reviews and tips!
I’m very tempted to attempt skirted running sometime now, but I’m worried about chaffing. Have you had that problem?
no i havent but maybe the skirt with the capris underneath would solve the chafing issue?
I am a fan of running skirts and have a ‘lucky’ one that I wear pretty exclusively for races…I even wrote a blog post about it:
http://shiawaselife.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/luckyskirt/
The skirt I blogged about is a Lululemon skirt I got on clearance at the Georgetown store (DC) but I do have a few other skirts…two Nike ones, another Lulu, and a Team Sparkle that I plan to wear for my upcoming Shamrock Marathon.
I’ve never run in a running skirt before. I’m a little skeptical because my legs are so big. I don’t want to look bigger in my race photos, than I already do. Having said that, I might just go out and try one. http://www.dashingdiva.net
I generally don’t wear skirts at all, so running in them doesn’t hold much appeal to me. I tend to run in shorts or spandex compression shorts.
I’ve never tried a running skirt, but I really want to! I just have to find the right one. Do any of your running skirts have pockets? I always lean toward running shorts/capris/tights that have some sort of pocket in them.
the tennis skirts dont but runningskirts.com and the skirtsports.com skirts do have pockets.
I LOVE running skirts and almost always wear them now when racing. I remember trying to find your Nike Set Point skirt this past summer on line and discovered they were all sold out (I even contact their customer service to have them check the warehouse for me LOL); I did find a very similar skirt, the Nike Set Point Flirty though and got it in yellow and blue…it is the cutest ever and I always get compliments on them at races. The price for running skirts is just always what gets me…and by the time the cute ones are on sale most size options are gone. Oh well.
Great post!!
You have GOT to try the Athleta Swagger Skort. They are SOOO cute and girlie. They run a bit big but all of the reviews stated that so I went down a size and they fit very well and are super flattering! I got two and want to order more. You’d look great in one
i have to admit, after seeing how darn cute you look in skirts, i have become a fan.
I love the RunningSkirts, have one in girly pink camo that I wore in my last marathon, Surf City 2009, wow it’s been a long time. They work great for us bigger girls cause you can get the longer ones with longer shorts underneath. And I love that it is a company created by 2 sisters.
These guys have good stuff too, more targeted at ultra runners. http://www.inknburn.com/women/skirts.html
Will go check out that site, can’t imagine what it takes to go thru an adoption, God bless them. There is nothing worse than that burning desire for a baby.
I also kind of refuse to do the lululemon thing. The cost is almost a new pair of shoes, and shoes are more important than skirts for running.
I have seen tennis skirts for sale many times but have always shied away because they are tennis thinking it somehow might not work. Perhaps that was the wrong strategy – next time I see a cute on at like Sports Authority or something on sale I should try it. I only have the Target ones and they are ok, but, sometimes the inner thigh seams are a little chafe-prone.
I absolutely love running skirts. I have about 10. My 4 favorite are Lulu’s. They have like rubber elastic on the shorts that keep them from riding up. I also love my nike skirts but I feel like they ride up a lot on me and I always get really weird looks when I wear the ruffly skirts to the gym.
I have never worn a running skirt before, but am interested in trying it out… I’ve always been scared of chaffing!
I bought a skirt from a running store for my first marathon. I think it was mizuno. Not sure. Because I’ve got a small problem with monsterous thighs, I had to buy the kind with the shorts built in. I couldn’t do the briefs. But I really liked it. It was cute and colorful, I had a fun little race outfit. I also like that if you suffer from thunder thighs like myself, you don’t have to worry about your shorts riding up between your legs and everyone seeing it. Running skirts hide that business. Total plus. Like you said, boy readers are probably loving this post, and all its responses! I will be doing some skirt shopping, thanks SR!
I have not tried a skirt to run, yet. Although I have played a ton of tennis in my life and have worn plenty of tennis skirts. I think my thighs might be too big for skirts, but you rock them pretty well!
I wish I could run in skirts–that Adidas one is awesome! But if I ran in a skirt my legs would rub/chafe so bad it would be ugly–and with shorts underneath the skirt would be too long to be cute. Sad. Maybe someday they’ll lean out and I can wear a skirt.
I don’t run in skirts for the same reason I don’t run in shorts – Chafing! Ack, it kills. Skirts are really cute but I can’t see how I wouldn’t be uncomfortable in them.
I’ve never tried wearing a running skirt. However, I’ve had so much issue with my shorts creeping up between my legs (ridiculously awkward!). Because if that, I much prefer wearing running tights or capris. But I’m all up for trying a skirt now! Plus, I find that trying new gear is one of the best motivators in existance for getting me out the door on days when I don’t feel like running. =)
I love running skirts! I was apprehensive to try them, but now that is all I want to run in! I have 2 from Lululemon, and one from Brooks. I highly recommend all of them, but if you are looking for something more affordable, Brooks is definitely the best option!
Thanks for posting about the Race Without Borders 5k/10k. I ran with Stephanie in her first Half Marathon and I will be running and raising support for her to bring her son/daughter home from Ethiopia! Lets bring this baby home!
I love running skirts!!!!! If I’m not wearing my capris because it is cold, I’m running in skirts. I usually wear Nike (although I am really tall and they are VERY short on me) or for a cheap but good option, Champion from Target. When I lived in Boston I got this amazing skirt at Marathon Sports and it has compression shorts underneath that are a bit longer. The tag has worn off because I have worn them so much. I wish I knew what brand they were so I could buy more!
I’ve been dying to try a skirt, but haven’t found the right one yet. Still working on it. Thanks for the information!
I want that pink ruffly Nike skirt so bad! I wish they still had it. I played tennis in high school and college (10+ years ago) and I’ve been busting out my old tennis skirts to run in, they are totally “vintage”, even rocking that super old rectangle Nike logo, I feel classy that way.
I LOVE Lululemon skirts but only own two cause they are so pricey. Seems like I buy them once year haha. The last one I got was on sale when I went in the store so that was a plus.
Do you prefer the Running Skirts with the brief or the shorts under it? I have on with the brief but I don’t quite like the cut of it. It’s still to long for me, guess I’m just too short.
I still haven’t bought one. I need to get off my duff and drive to a running store, good advice about not buying online the first time. Thanks. Jessica
runningtobeskinny.com
THANK YOU so very for the mention, girl!
I love the Glycerin running skirt from Brooks. At first I wasn’t really into running in skirts but now it makes me feel girly and well-ventilated and I like that. Friends swear by that Lululemon skirt with all the ruffles… I have some thighs to work with so can’t wear it but super skinny friends sure look hot in it!
The advertisements imbedded in your post are crazy. I really enjoy your blog, but I can’t handle these pop-outs that cover the text and take forever to shrink back down. I know you’re trying to make money, but this is overboard.
Cute photo of you and Pam in Carlsbad! Such a beautiful ocean backdrop and you girls look like you’re in a Cali running skirt ad!
I’ve tried running in a Brooks running skirt but the compression shorts underneath weren’t tight enough so they rode up and the chub rub was too much on my inner thighs. Option 1 is to buy a new skirt, or Option 2 is to lose the inner thighs. How about both!
Wow you have a lot of comments on your more recent post so I decided to go back one. First of all I love your blog! So motivational! I have a couple questions for you if that’s okay. First of all I was wondering what kind of stretching you do before a long run? And I was also wondering if you work? I’m trying to build up my miles and I’m a student so wondering how you fit it in!
Thanks for this post. I have a lot to start looking for a first running skirt. I’d love a bit longer one than the usual one though, are there any other than skapris?
You are correct, this is right up my alley. People often ask me why I like running skirts and I always reply, “Cause they provide the comfort of spanx without your business being all out there.” My favorite is the North Face Eat My Dust as it’s a little longer so doesn’t cut unflaterringly across my thunder thighs. I don’t own a single pair of shorts.
LULULEMON…..nuf said
I love running skirts!! I am currently looking for a Camo one so if anyone knows of where to get one please let me know. Patricka9@hotmail.com
i love running in skirts too. cute and comfy and you can go out for coffee after a run. Alot of you have mentioned the problem with the shorts and chaffing. I don’t have the chaffing issue because I only get skirts with the compression shorts underneath. Generally, I have to tighten up the leg on the shorts so they don’t ride up, which is a cinch, literally, with some skinny elastic. Just make a tiny cut on the band of the short’s leg, run some elastic thru, try on for best fit, then sew the elastic together. I don’t sew up the tiny slit and I have had no problem with it. Simple way to get a good fit.
Hello! I am looking to buy a RunningSkirt. Do you know if they are true to size?
Thanks!
yes i think theyre mostly true to size if not a little small.
I too love running in skirts. I have purchased several cute skirts from RunningSkirts.
You should out lululemon in the sale, I saw lots of cute ones for $19 this week!
{ 5 trackbacks }