Hall Street Yoga
3665 SW Hall
Blvd.,
Beaverton, 526-1728
In the '70s, we jogged in baggy sweatpants, short shorts
and cotton tees. In the '80s, we aerobicized our way into
leotards and bright spandex tights. Snug Lycra leggings
and shorts paired with sports bras ruled Stairmasters and
Pilates classes in the '90s.
Right or wrong, athletic duds have spilled over from the
gym to the sidewalk. As casual wear becomes increasingly
more relaxed, it's sometimes impossible to tell the difference
between clothing intended for the track and garb designed
to carry workers from casual Friday into happy hour.
While some mix 'n' match looks--shiny tights with heels
and crop-tops (think '80s amusement-park chic)--are utterly
tragic, certain sportswear effortlessly clears the hurdle
from studio to street. Yoga gear, no wonder, has perhaps
made that transition more gracefully than any other active
wear. Yoga's phenomenal popularity plus innovative textiles
and fab designs have helped create a fashion all its own.
Danskin, for example, recently launched Zen Sport, a line
of Eastern-inspired, organic cotton-based pieces such as
unitards and karate pants. Supermodel Christy Turlington
has gotten into the act with a Puma-backed yoga line named
Nuala.
Adidas, not the Gap, makes my favorite boot-cut pants--perfect
for yoga class or roaming the aisles of record stores.
Nike makes lightweight, breathable, wide-legged pants that
I've dressed up with boots and a printed blouse more than
once.
But some of the best pieces come from relatively small
California companies like City Lights and Prana, according
to Jessica Talisman, a Bikram yoga instructor. On April
1, Talisman opened the third Bikram method studio in the
Portland area (Bikram is a form of hatha yoga conducted
in a room heated to body temperature). Hall Street Yoga
in Beaverton stands apart because it includes a retail space
stocked with hot tanks, pants and tops. Ironically, there's
an absence of the Swooshes and triple stripes of the two
giant sportswear companies whose headquarters are situated
just minutes from the studio.
City Lights offers soft, cotton/ Lycra blend pieces in
touchstone colors like baby blue, flame pink and cherry
red, in addition to black and white. The clothes are cut
and dyed to order, and the hearty items that Talisman showed
me seem virtually indestructible. Her slim, black, bootleg
pants ($46) have survived countless hours of rigorous poses
in 100-degree heat without fading. An adorable, darted,
bustier tank with gray satin elastic trim and subtle, built-in
bra ($24) has also retained its elasticity and original
hue. (Styles that offer more support for chestier women
are also available.)
Talisman often wears the separates when she's not teaching
or practicing yoga. The pants and tank work with or without
a complementary sweater. A loose-fitting, hooded, cotton
jersey sweatshirt with velvet trim and side slits ($68)
also complements the pants. The boot-cut hem could easily
brush a strappy sandal or ankle-length boot just as comfortably
as a sneaker heel, and thanks to the stylish cut and matte
finish, these pants don't have that "I just came from the
gym" look. The line's cotton twill, boot-cut bottoms trimmed
with ribbon and velvet ($76) almost seem hard to imagine
in the studio.
Talisman also carries Prana, a climbing-oriented line.
Few of the items are specifically tailored to yoga or the
street, but several fit the bill--especially the men's stuff,
which offers a gracious alternative to the Speedos or microscopic
running shorts often seen in class. The men's Dorado pants
($46) have diamond-shaped inseam gussets for unrestricted
movement, mesh lining for ventilation and an elastic waistband.
Another option for men who stretch and sweat is the quick-drying,
Cordura nylon Voyager Pant ($60) with gusseted inseam, Velcro
rear pockets and nylon web belt. Prana gear comes in manly
colors including moss, tobacco and flannel (that's pale
green, brown and gray to you and me).
Much of the City Lights line won't be showing up at Talisman's
studio until May 1, but basic black and white pieces are
already available. And you don't have to do yoga
to sling the stuff.
On the other hand, those boot-cut pants do show off a well-toned
ass quite nicely.
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Willamette Week | originally
published April 5,
2000
|
