NAYAD Aqua Sportswear

Nearly two months ago I was contacted by the awesome ladies at NAYAD Aqua Sportswear and asked if I would like to try out their athletic active and swimwear for women.  I took a look at their website and said, “yes please!”  The pieces looked so functional – and cute I was thrilled to have the chance to try them out!

If you’ve never heard of NAYAD here is a little about the company:

Nayad suits are made for women, by women with the intention of creating the most comfortable suit that allows for any range of indoor or outdoor activity without compromising aesthetic design personality. They are ideal for any physical activity including running, walking, swimming, surfing, sailing, beach volleyball, yoga, pilates, stand-up paddle boarding, zumba, triathalons, tennis, cycling, wind surfing, kite boarding, weight lifting, kayaking, chasing little kids around the water’s edge and more. Nayad suits provide soft but firm support without the use of wires, clasps, knots, bulky padding, buckles or hardware of any kind. They will not chafe, hike up or fall off no matter what activity a woman is engaged in, thereby enhancing both physical and psychological mobility. Women can choose a specific design from the existing Nayad collection that caters to a variety of fashion personalities or customization options are also available. An extensive variety of styles, colors and sizes can accommodate a wide range of body types, lifestyles and fashion preferences.

One thing I really loved about the ordering process was how detailed it is.  Because each piece is custom made to your size and style/colour preferences you have total control over your pieces.

The only real problem I had?  Trying to decide on my colour scheme.

There were different print options when I ordered (and fewer – thank goodness, or else I may still be trying to decide!) but all of the solid colours were the same.  In the end I opted for a cross-over front racer back aqua sports bra, and a pair of the fold over waistband aqua shorts.  After much debate I chose my colour/patterns and sent my final selections off.

Considering my pieces were hand made, I was really pleasantly surprised how quickly they arrived.  It was only a week or two before I found a happy little package in my mail one morning (on a rather good mail day 😉 )

(Ollie inspects all incoming packages)

Inside I found this:

Everything was nicely packaged inside the reusable bag, and then inside plastic to keep it clean.  Also in the bag I found the NAYAD contact card.  I was really excited that the colour I chose was even more vibrant in person (what can I say?  I like colour!)

Being a total girl, I immediately tried everything on

(Excuse my dirty mirror)

I was so thrilled with the fit.  The top fits perfectly without digging into my shoulders like many sports bras do, and the shorts fit me perfectly in the waist and hips which was almost a miracle.  Since I’m heavier in the hips than in the waist I often have to get shorts that are too big in the waist in order to fit comfortably in the hips but not this time!  I also love that the shorts I ordered have a fold over waistband so I can wear it turned up if I want a higher waisted short, or turn it down for a lower fit.

You can see that I went with a solid black short and used the print and solid colour from the top for the two colours in the waistband. While I love colour, sometimes a girl needs a pair of plain black shorts.

Because it’s late November in Nova Scotia (meaning it’s COLD) I haven’t had the opportunity to wear the shorts for exercising, but I’ve been wearing the aqua sports bra at least once each week to Zumba since receiving it.

And you can’t see it here, but I was even wearing it when I had some professional photos taken a few weeks ago

which was the same night I recorded some new videos so you can also see me wearing it in those

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ3UJqMqBiw&feature=share&list=UU5oNyl8PSy-rYxxUOgqLZFA”]

It is super comfortable.  Like I mentioned above, many times I find sports bras dig into my shoulders, but not this one!  In Zumba we do a lot of high impact and jumping movements so you want a sports bra made for high impact activity and this one does a wonderful job.  Things stay put if you know what I mean 😉

It definitely gets two thumbs up from me for Zumba!

I’m really looking forward to next year trying it out in the pool (along with the shorts), and I think the shorts will be my go-to shorts for running in the summer.  I really prefer this type of short for running and all of my lulu groove shorts were too big in the waist so I sold them to one of my friends so I’ve been “shortless” for a while!

I think it’s really awesome that these pieces can take you from a run or playing sports right to the pool.  Sometimes after classes I’d like to come home and fall in the pool but don’t want to subject my sports bras to the chemicals in the pool, but knowing this one is made for the pool makes it just that much more versatile.

At this point I imagine you are all wondering about costs, but let me tell you these custom made (did I mention they are custom made?? 😉 ) pieces are no more expensive, and compared to some brands are less expensive than similar (ill fitting) pieces you would get right off of the rack.  For example, the top sells for $64 and the aqua shorts $58.  I know I’ve spent that much on items that weren’t safe for use in the water and weren’t custom made for me.  Plus, if you live in the US shipping is free!

If you struggle finding sports bras and shorts, or bathing suits that fit, you really need to check out NAYAD, I promise you won’t be sorry!

Be sure to check them out (and “like” them on facebook , and if you are on Twitter you can find them at @nayadwoman.

Disclaimer:  I was provided my pieces from NAYAD free of charge in exchange for a review, I received no other compensation and all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.