Lorna Jane - "Cha Cha" Gingham Sports Bra & "Swift" Leggings

Lorna Jane, the Brand:

Australian activewear brand Lorna Jane makes a lasting impression on multiple fronts: the inventive designs stand out when you first see them on the website, and once they land in your hands, you are struck by the craftsmanship and the quality of the material. Both monochrome and patterns have a place in Lorna Jane, and it seems like the brand is happy to marry the two--the sports bras in a single color may be embossed with a motif of the same tone, and thanks to that black or white doesn't look so expected. Lorna Jane is a mainstay in my activewear wardrobe and there will be a series on the brand on See the Music, Hear the Dance.

The "Cha Cha" gingham sports bra:

More than looking unexpected, Lorna Jane sports bras manage to stay looking new. The "Cha Cha" gingham sports bra came out more than four years ago in 2018, but you wouldn't know. Looks aside, it still hugs the body the way it did, and the under-bust band works like it was attached just yesterday. Gingham is having a moment. Design-wise, adding stripes and front cut-outs is a bit of a gamble, but this one came out a winner in my opinion.

SMusicHDance Checklist:

• Padding for sports bra: Yes, removable (comes with inserts)

• Sports bra straps: Adjustable, with crisscross back

• Legging rise: High-rise, wide waistband

• Legging length: Full length

• Pockets on leggings: Yes

• Support level: The tight under-bust band and padding give strong support. Good for running and gym workout. The leggings are squat-proof and not see-through. Sweat wicking.

• Comfort level: I love this set for working out but would not recommend it for lounging around.

• Fit: Runs even smaller than Lilybod. The brand has its own size chart, based on which I should be Sz Small (US6 / UK10 / AU10 / EU36), but I go up to Sz Medium for both the top and the bottom. Sizing up is not just for comfort; if you don't, you might not even be able to pull the sports bra over your head, especially not one with an under-bust band like "Cha Cha".

Please bear in mind that the US size refers to activewear size, not regular clothes. Speaking from experience, I find North American activewear sizing to run much smaller compared to that of regular clothes. A good benchmark for US activewear sizing is Lululemon, which makes activewear sized 0-20. The size you wear in Lululemon is your US size.

Buying Online:

Lorna Jane activewear is available through the brand's own site. It ships to countries serviced by its geolocation-specific websites, which is many. Free shipping is available for certain countries: for example, for US orders over US$99, and Australian orders over AU$150. Returns for full-price items are accepted if they reach Lorna Jane within 30 days of receipt. Lorna Jane also arranges for a specific courier for return shipping. The above terms are applicable at the time of this writing and you may refer to the brand's website for any update.

The "Cha Cha" gingham sports bra came out in 2018 and is no longer available. For your consideration, I have linked below my suggestions for the current season. *This is not a sponsored post. I acquired the products on my own and receive no compensation for any purchases made via the links.

Photographer: Thomas Paul Hannam