When I stepped into a pair of yoga pants by Vie Active, who knew they could make me feel so POWERFUL? Maybe it’s all in the print, says Ruby Warrington.
Since leaving my full time job to work from home and create The Numinous, my wardrobe has undergone a TOTAL TRANSFORMATION (not unlike my brain, my relationships, and the way I view life in general – but that’s a whole other story).
Having spent most of my adult life dressing primarily for the ‘outside world’ (i.e. dressing to ‘be seen’ by the people I encountered in my day), I now get to dress mainly for comfort and mainly for me. Which means way less uncomfortable, trend-led outfits, and way more…yoga pants.
Okay I’m no way alone in embracing the whole lululemons-over-skinny-denim thing, and actually how crazy and cool that my lifestyle overhaul has coincided with the whole ‘fitness-fashion’ crossover thing. It basically means I can totally slob-out, and still feel pretty put together.
Overall, I feel like the movement has been pretty empowering for women – kind of like when the corset finally went out of fashion; ‘aaaand breathe.’ (Totally ignoring my friend Ben’s comment about walking around in yoga pants all day; ‘I can basically see your vagina.’ Thanks for that).
And if I had to pick one item from my new yoga-pant-based wardrobe that crosses effortlessly over into hardcore boardroom meeting territory, it would be my black leopard leggings from Aussie brand Vie Active. I’m not big into posts that are just about one brand, just trust me when I tell you these leggings are something special.
Sure, there’s the fact they’re made of this amazing compression fabric (I swear they shave actual inches off) – but there’s something about the PRINT that brings forth a kind of animalistic surge in me. If I used to brush up against that same sense of empowerment toting the latest Givenchy handbag, it’s like I get to fully embody it when I wear these.
Leopard legs #selfie
I’ve always loved leopard print – and I know I’m not alone. When I did a guided meditation to meet my spirit animal last year, I realized that embracing the traits of our four-legged cousins is a way to empower ourselves. And maybe this is the reason leopard is so many women’s go-to when they want to feel both sensual and invincible.
I recently got to meet Noa Ries, the woman behind Vie Active, when she visited NYC for a trunk sale. I fell in love with her when she told me that raw cacao is basically her go-to to get over jet-lag – and again when she said this sense of potency was why leopard print is in the DNA of her brand.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about it,” she told me. “As a Leo (eds note: and there’s a “leo” in “leopard”!) I’ve always been quite a loud, confident and extroverted person, and wearing leopard has always helped me make a statement.”
But beyond that, what leopard qualities does she find most relatable? “Leopards exhibit an incredible strength and power, but they’re able to balance this with a calculated, graceful way of navigating their environment.” Which can actually impact your way of being when you wear it.
Yes. “If I’m struggling to get through a run I always think; ‘leopards don’t walk, they run,’ which gets me to pick up the pace pretty quick. Wearing leopard print always makes me feel more confident.”
I once went to a fancy dress party where the theme was “wear a color” – and I went as “leopard” to that. Leopard print skirt, sandals, top. I’ve got leopard print scarves, a bikini, even some leopard print earrings. But I never felt fully in tune with the graceful power of the leopard until I discovered these leopard legs.
