I first saw a woman running in a skirt several years ago. It was a cute little hot pink number by Skirt Sports. My first thought: Who would run a race in a skirt? My second thought: I wish I could pull that off.
Jealous, I tried to convince myself that a woman who ran in a skirt was more interested in her looks than her times. Still, I secretly longed to ditch my baggy booty runner shorts for form fitting fashion.
Over the past few years running skirts have become more and more popular. I regularly see them at local races, and I observed multiple women wearing them at last April’s Boston Marathon.
A few weeks ago Skirt Sports sent me a Wonder Girl Dress to test for review. I was both elated and petrified. If I wasn’t ready to run in a skirt, how would I ever have enough estrogen to pull off a running dress?
When the Wonder Girl Dress first arrived I let it sit there for a few days. Once I did work up the courage to try it on I realized it was everything I had feared: comfortable, freeing, and darn cute.
Still not quite ready to step outside in it, I took the Wonder Girl Dress for a test run on my basement treadmill. As I slowly cranked up the speed, I got my first taste of what it's like to run without pants, and I liked it.
The Wonder Girl Dress comes with a built-in shelf bra. Designed for women with A to C cups, it offered plenty enough support for me, the chestily (is that a word?) challenged. Women who need a little more support could wear another sports bra underneath.
Unlike the Skirt Sport skirts, the Wonder Girl Dress doesn’t come with a built-in bottom. If you fear showing a little too much skin, it could be easily paired with a pair of bike shorts, some spanx or a capris length tight.
The Wonder Girl Dress also comes with a Cleavage Alley Pocket. Adding a key pocket to a dress can be challenging for a designer. Some choose to put the pocket at the hem or on the side of the dress, options that can detract from the fit and finish.
Putting the pocket between your two breast friends is an interesting idea. I found it perfect for a house key and some cash, but when I tried to add my bulky car key and a credit card, it looked a little odd. The Cleavage Alley Pocket is great as long as you stick to smaller items.
On my 5'4" frame the Wonder Girl Dress cut a couple of inches above my knee in the front, an ideal length. The dress is also very flattering, and the semi-relaxed fit nicely highlights your assets while still allowing for movement.
It took me a few days, but I eventually ventured outside for a run in the Wonder Girl Dress. To my surprise, no one stopped and stared or pointed and laughed. I guess running in a dress is no longer new or surprising to people. In the end I realized that there is nothing wrong with looking cute while out for a run, and that toughness is in the eye of the beholder.
It may take me a few months before I’m ready to race in the Wonder Girl Dress, but I’ll get there. For now I’m having fun on my training runs, and I’m not embarrassed to stop by the store for a box of waffles afterward, salt caked skin and all.
The Wonder Girl Dress retails for $75 and is available online from Skirt Sports.
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