Getting Through the Dark & Cold with Oiselle

Fast fashion is not something that really interests me now that I’m nearly 50 years old. I don’t care as much about how flashy or cute something looks. I care more about how it feels, how long it will last, and what it can do for me.

 

These very things are why Oiselle is at the top of my list of favorites, and what’s even better is that their clothes are absolutely cute as well as functional and comfortable and all the other things that check off the boxes on my list of requirements. Oiselle is the brand that thinks of everything, even things that I didn’t know I needed.

Though I don’t plan to jump on a soapbox for Women’s Rights, (not yet anyway,) a lot of activewear companies don’t seem to get that women require something a little different than men. Oiselle is thoughtful in their designs, from luxuriously soft materials to watch holes to inner loops to hang your sweaty shirts from. Oiselle just gets it.

I am always over the moon when I get a chance to review Oiselle clothing, as I’ve never received anything from them that I didn’t love. I was super excited for my latest haul which contained the Luxe Highline Hoodie, the Firecracker Insulated Full Zip, and the Glow Tight.

Looks

I received the Luxe Highline Hoodie in a gorgeous purple color called “Dusk.” (There’s also a color called “Robin” which is a teal color.) Oiselle thought of everything when they designed this, as it’s got the watch window that made me fall in love with Oiselle many years ago. (Side note: I was recently talking to a running friend who JUST discovered that these cutouts in the sleeves were for exposing your watch and not the rest of your wrist and now she can never go back.)

There are also thumbholes, which are fast becoming an essential go-between if you can’t decide if you need gloves or not. The star of the show though, in my opinion, is the built-in neck gaiter, but more on that later.

If you are familiar with Oiselle, you’ll see some familiar patterns in the Insulated Full Zip and the Glow Tights. I received both in black, though the tights also come in a color called “Redwood” if you want a pop of color. I personally love black because it goes with everything, and you’ll still be seen in these even in the dark color due to all the reflective material.

The beauty of Oiselle’s reflective clothing is that it looks like everyday activewear in the light of day, but it transforms at night whenever light hits it. The Glow Tights have reflective strips down the sides of the leggings and the classic Oiselle trademark bird pattern (also reflective) between those strips.

The Full Zip has the same reflective bird pattern on the arms, shoulders, and back of the jacket, so there’s no question that a car with it’s headlights on will see you on the blackest of nights.

Function

The Lux Hoodie has a generously sized drop in pocket in the center of the low back for all your storage needs. The built-in neck gaiter is a fabulous addition that sets this apart from other hoodies, because we all know that wind can be extremely chilly when you’re running against it.

This is such a great way to protect your face from the biting cold! And when the gaiter is down, it acts as a wonderful turtleneck, but it’s not overly constrictive around your neck.

As for the Glow Tights, I love absolutely everything. For one .. Pockets! Pockets are SO helpful for runners and these tights have side pockets that can fit a phone or a gel. There’s also a back center pocket, great for a key or something else.

There are even utility belt loops in the waistband, so if you’re too hot in your top layer, you can peel it off and stick it through the loops and carry it there. There are also zipper openings on the legs of the tights so you can easily get these suckers on and off.

As with the tights, the Full Zip has plenty of pockets … Five pockets to be exact. There’s also a hidden hood inside the collar, so you can keep it tucked away if you are one of those people who doesn’t like a hood bouncing up and down when you don’t need it. Warmth and weatherproofing are big priorities with this jacket, as it will keep you both warm and dry in addition to well seen with all the reflective material.

Construction

The Highline Hoodie is made with Oiselle’s famous lux material. If you’ve never experienced anything in the Oiselle Lux line, you’re missing out. The material is high-tech but also buttery soft against your skin. It dries fast and it’s something you’ll want to wear whether you’re running around the neighborhood or hanging out at home for the day. The quality of this material is evident the first time it touches your skin.

The Glow Tights are made with compressive Nyelle fabric, and the second you slide them on, you’ll feel cozy like you’re wearing a very lightweight blanket. Somehow though, the material isn’t thick and hot like some brands. The first time I put them on, it was right before a night run in the 30’s, and any chill I would normally experience was non-existent. The warmth will carry you through whatever chill might be waiting outside.

The Full Zip’s design has Polartec insulation concentrated mostly on the front of the body and along the shoulders. This is sure to keep your core nice and warm on the coldest of days, especially when you are running against the wind. This jacket is surprisingly thin for something that will keep you toasty for the duration of every run. I love that it’s not bulky but still very warm.

Fit

The hoodie has a semi-fitted style, made for a woman’s curves. I received it in a size 8, which is generally my size in this brand, but I feel I could have gone with a size smaller and been just fine. A little oversized is great though, as it makes it easier to layer in the constantly-changing weather.

Oiselle’s long-sleeved tops generally have nice length on the arms, which I know is a plus for folks with long limbs. I don’t fall under this category, but I like to pull my sleeves all the way down to my knuckles when I’m cold, and this hoodie fits the bill.

The Glow Tights are a high-rise style, which is great for keeping everything covered up in the cold. Though these are meant to be a bit compressive, I don’t feel they are constrictive. I got them in a size 10 and maybe could have gone with a size 8, which is probably more true-to-size for me currently. However, I can still put things in the side pockets and the tights don’t sag, so this is a huge win.

I opted for a size 8 in the Full Zip and it fits perfectly. I can wear a thin long-sleeved top under it, though I wouldn’t want to wear anything too bulky underneath it. Since it’s insulated, I don’t feel like I need to layer it with anything heavy, but I do think it’s semi-fitted style is something to be aware of. If you have more of an hourglass shape, your true-to-size will likely work well, as it tapers in a bit at the waist. If you carry most of your weight in your belly, you might want to size-up one. There is some give when you zip it up but it’s definitely fitted more through the waist.

Overall

The elephant in the room with Oiselle is that the price point on their clothing is a bit higher than some brands, but once you wear it, you see where that money goes. Oiselle is very thoughtful in their design on activewear, and they want to make sure that there is a practical use for every feature.

The materials are always high quality, and their clothing is meant to last. In my opinion, it’s worth it to have a few staple pieces in your running wardrobe that you reach for again and again, and I feel like Oiselle always hits the mark here.

The items I reviewed here will be on constant rotation throughout the dark and cold winter months. They are comfortable, flattering, and functional.