Columbia recently took another look at what women are wearing and developed a collection that is not only technical but also fits Columbia’s consumer’s lifestyle. The company expanded its existing collection to include functional and fashionable pieces that appeals to the stylish woman on the go. The skirts and dresses are made of the same material Columbia is known for: Omni-dry (the ultimate moisture management technology) and Omni-shade (protection against damaging UV radiation).
I had the opportunity to try on several of the fall 2010 line pieces. My favorites were the Mighty Lite Jacket shown below (Retail $85.00) and the Explore Your Soul Tunic (Retail $75.00).
The Mighty Lite Jacket is an ultra-warm and lightweight jacket featuring Omni-heat thermal insulation and Omni-shield advanced sun ray protection. It has interior security pockets with a comfortable cuff and thumb holes. It was love at first sight when I saw the bold, red colored Mighty Lite Jacket. I slide into the jacket knowing I would like the fit but uncertain about its ability to keep me warm. As I suspected, the jacket fit perfectly. It was lightweight, form fitting and warm. Yes, it was warm. The warmth really surprised me given its lightweight. I am one of those people who believes that you have to wear a heavy, bulking jacket to stay warm. But when I wear those heavy jackets I feel restricted, weighed down and dowdy. This jacket made me feel stylish while feeling warm, which is exactly what I wanted.
Explore Your Soul Tunic (which will be available this fall) is a great layering piece featuring material that protects you from harmful sun rays while being water and stain resistant. The material is perfect for vacation travel or fall days in New York when the weather can change on a dime. Even though the medium sized tunic was large on me, I could still feel how comfortable the material felt against my skin and see how fashionable the design looked on my body type. The tunic is designed so a woman can dress it up with a wide belt and jeggings or wear it by itself to look fashionable while strolling down the sidewalk of Paris or the streets of New York. The best part is that you will be smiling, regardless of the weather, because your tunic is ready for anything…rain or shine.
To learn more about Columbia Sportswear women’s collection or to find a store near you, please visit http://www.columbia.com. You will be pleasantly surprised by the collection. See below for some more pictures from the launch event
