Nest Picks - What Sally's Gifting
We could never make Oiselle’s chief bird and lead designer, Sally Bergesen, pick favorites from the designs she holds so dear. Oops… we did! Get ready folks, these are Sally’s top gift picks this holiday season!
While puffy mania sweeps the land, I’d like to point out that there’s a dark horse in our outerwear line up. Cat Lady Jacket! Seriously fuzzy (double sided, high pile fleece that wears and washes like the premium faux fur outerwear style that it is). Seriously warm (warmer than a mom hug, a snug hug, and a bear hug all rolled into one). And seriously #flystyle. If you remember the Livinit Jacket, the Cat Lady is this same jacket - with some just-right updates, including a more premium fleece for durability, and cat lady sass of course.
I’m not going to say who I’m giving it to, but rather who I’ve already given it to: my self, my daughters and my dear friend Liz’s 9 year old son, because he’s stylish like that.
CALL HER JACKET AND VEST
Okay, you know the power of the puff cannot be stopped. And I should confess here that outerwear is my obsession. Oiselle will become an outerwear apparel company, because - hello, outside is everything! And we can’t have the elements, whether that’s rain, wind, or snow - stop us from knowing the beauty of the world. That’s where premium wind/water resistant fabric, plus a sustainably sourced down-synthetic blend from Primaloft come on.
Call Her. The Vest, the Jacket. I own four (wearing the red vest as I type), and have already gifted many. On my list this year, is both my sister-in-law and her boyfriend. Both will get the vest in size XL. She’s a dog lover, tattoo artist, and fan of all things puffy, so I feel I’ve got a home run!
Up until recently when it got super cold and wet, I was a Mesh Cap addict. Something about the lightness, the cord in the back, and the fold-able bill. As soon as the dark and the rain came, though, I had to switch to the Roga Hat. First, it repels light rain and moisture no problem. And if it’s a downpour, it evaporates quickly. Second, reflectivity and a pocket! And bonus: it’s got the same incredible stretch as the Roga Shorts, so it’s a super easy fit, from small heads (like mine) to our office, which it turns out, is filled with big headed women!
As you can probably tell, I’m obsessed with all of our outerwear this year, and it really comes down to one thing: fabric quality. The Vigor Vest, which has become my final layer on so many runs this Fall, is sourced from our friends at Pertex, a Japanese mill with more than 30 years experience making the world’s best outerwear fabrics. The result is ultra lightweight durability. In fact, the rip tests on this fabric are insane. Practically indestructible. But perfectly lightweight and quick drying for running, as we all need some core warmth and love, while keeping our arms free to move. Oh man, the RED is my color. Incredibly beautiful and saturated - plus, bam, a stuff-able pocket bag makes it easy to stash and carry.
Simple. Stylish. Soft. It’s the layer I love to put under outerwear, or just as a mid-weight layer on crisp day. In particular, I love how the rib cuffs and hem bring it up and out of slouch-ville. She’s got more swagger than that. And it works equally well with leggings, jeans, a hoop skirt, you know - holi-dazzle. This is another one of those styles where I could tell its success by how often my teen daughters stole it, the little thieves.
What makes us happy? Underwear. What makes us happier? Running underwear. What makes us happiest? Running underwear with cheeky phrases! Rundies are high tech (seamless construction and yarns mean they’re made to move and sweat), they’re comfy (uber-stretchy and easy fit), and they’re sassy. A pack of three, “get your rear in gear,” “run your butt off,” and my favorite, “lead from behind” are like motivational mojo… from the rear.
MORE STORIES
Reflecting on the Year of the Underbird
This past August, we launched our Year of the Underbird program: an open application for aspiring Olympic Trials marathoners, with a promise to select 5 women for a 6 month contract encompassing a stipend, gear, storytelling, and community support. As we reach the end of our flight with our selected athletes, we invited each of them to share a few reflections on their past 6 months as teammates.
Black History Month: Celebrating Our Athletes
We are honored to support five exceptional Black women athletes challenging norms in the running industry: athletes, advocates, and powerful voices in the sport. We invited each of them to reflect on their journeys through sport: how their identity has affected their development, and how they hope to impact the rising generation of athletes. Hear from Madie Boreman, Kendra Coleman, Brenna Detra, Carmen Pelar Graves, and Ari Hendrix-Roach.
Learn, Grow, Pass It On: Increasing Access to Adaptive Sports
Paralympian, pushrim athlete, and Oiselle Haute Volée, Jenna Fesemyer, continues to pave the way and inspire the next generation of wheelchair athletes. She is committed to increasing access to adaptive sports, including access to equipment and training resources, and recently co-hosted a wheelchair clinic for young athletes in Columbus, Ohio.