On Torontogirl's fitness capsule thread, UmmLila expressed interest in the brand Outdoor Voices. As it happened, I'd just placed an order for a couple of items. I really like that they offer women's gear in an array of "real clothes" colours like navy, burgundy, forest green, etc, not the neons and jewel tones that many gear companies choose for their women's lines. I also like the idea of having a few gear pieces in stylish, modern, more urban silhouettes -- but only if they're functional.

I'm in the market for some new tanks, so I ordered the merino muscle tank in burgundy. Free shipping and returns, so I tried a S and a XS. The XS fit better, but both were pretty voluminous on me, especially around the shoulders and the arm holes. I realize that's the style, but I couldn't really imagine myself running or hiking in this and not being annoyed with all the extra fabric. Also, the neck hole was really tight. I like a higher neckline (less sunscreen), but this was much more constricting than your average crewneck. It's a shame, because they're merino is gorgeous -- very soft and silky but still substantial. I might try more of their merino in a different cut.

I also tried the Reservoir Capris in navy, in both XS and S. I'd love to find some really lightweight loose-fitting pants for hiking, dog-walking, trail running, etc. Again, the fabric on these was really lovely -- silky, quiet (not swishy), very light with a bit of stretch. The small was definitely too big, but the XS was just a bit tighter through the legs than I would have liked (this is a perennial problem for me, especially in pants with letter sizing instead of numeric). I might have kept the XS if it weren't for an obnoxious, prominent curved seam that runs right over the knees -- so irritating! I'm pretty sure some of the other customer reviews mention this as well. I'm pretty tired of seaming and stitching on gear that doesn't serve any purpose other than aesthetics. They make garments less comfortable, and every extra seam is an added potential point of failure...

Anyway, I might keep an eye on OV, because I find their colours so appealing, but I'm skeptical of whether they'll ever prioritize fit and function over form.

Oh, one thing I do like -- when you request a return they issue instant credit, so you can try something else right away without having two overlapping charges. It's very clever on their part, but I actually see it as a perk for customers as well. I hope other companies, especially those with lots of seasonal colours/high sell-out rates, will consider this (I'm thinking of Everlane in particular...).