Athleta Review: Elation Snow Dye 7/8 Tight & Exhale Bra

I love Athleta- the brand, the clothes, what they stand for. Did you know that they actually make post-mastectomy friendly workout bras? They do! They think of women going through all sorts of experiences in their lives. And that’s what we need from a brand that promises to make women feel and look their best.

While Athleta’s activewear comes with a hefty price tag, the value for money is unarguable. I still try to get Athleta activewear on sale (because spending an average of $89 on every pair of leggings is not sustainable).

I haven’t found my go-to Athleta leggings yet (you know, the ones that your S.O begs you to finally change out of) but I’m working on an Athleta round-up review post. While I was searching for leggings for the round-up, I saw that they had just released the most gorgeous marble-like print set and I knew it would be a good candidate for a review!

Sit tight for my review of the Athleta Elation Snow Dye 7/8 tight and Exhale Printed Bra.

Details

• Size: XXS-3X
• Fabric: Polyester/Lycra, PowerVita®
• Care: Machine wash cold, no tumble drying, no bleaching, no ironing
• Features: Quick-drying, moisture-wicking, UPF50+ protection
• Price: $143

Description

 Athleta Elation Snow Dye 7/8 Tight Review

The Elation Snow Dye 7/8 tight is a high waisted legging designed for low to medium impact activities. The Snow Dye legging is printed, so the marble design is printed on the right side of the white fabric alone.

Fabric & Support

The fabric is smooth to touch and has a soft compressive feel. Although the fabric is quick-drying, the breathability factor is amiss; a.k.a, this is not your summer workout set.

Waistband

The Elation Snow Dye legging has an unusual waistband made of three-layers of fabric. Usually, leggings have a doubled-lined waistband (or double-faced, whichever you prefer to call it), but the Athleta legging has a third layer which I think is made out of mesh fabric. The 4.5″ waistband hits right at my belly button but may vary depending on your torso length. You’ll be happy to know that there’s a pocket in the backside of the waistband that’s 3″ wide and reaches the entire depth of the waistband.  

Coverage

While most white leggings are notorious for being see-through, the Elation Snow Dye tight is surprisingly squatproof, probably because the marble design creates the perfect distraction. If you’ve seen any of my previous activewear reviews, you’ll find that panty lines and crotch sweat are the banes of my existence. You should opt for seamless underwear for your Elation Snow Dye leggings, but you might be better off going commando in your leggings to avoid panty lines altogether.

Quality

Athleta has been in the activewear for a very looong time, so it comes as no surprise that their leggings and sports bras have top-notch design features and construction. The seams are well placed, the stitches are sturdy, and the fabric has the perfect combination of comfort and compressive. Also, the Athleta Snow Dye tight is fitted with a triangular gusset that’s reinforced with some kind of mesh fabric for breathability. So don’t you worry about it getting steamy down the crotch because these Snow Dye leggings will keep you dry and comfortable through your sweat-sesh!

 Athleta Exhale Printed Bra in Powervita Review

The Exhale Printed Bra is a scoop neck sports bra designed for low impact activities. The Exhale bra is made from Athleta’s signature Powervita fabric which is a super soft, cottony-feeling, and breathable fabric.

Breathability

The bra is lined with mesh fabric for ventilation and the strappy back design leaves a lot of open space for you to cool off easily.

Support

The Exhale bra has some features that give it a decent level of support: a super thick elasticated underbust band that’s about 1″ wide; removable paddings; and a thicker front strap for extra support. Nonetheless, the Exhale bra is a low impact sports bra so you’ll still experience some bounce.

Coverage

I love that Athleta makes their bras for different groups of cup sizes. I got the Exhale bra for D-DD in size small and the coverage is quite decent. For someone who prefers to have her boobs locked away in a super-max prison impact sports bra, I’m surprised at how comfortable I am in this scoop neck design bra. The Exhale bra hits many spots for me; I can’t see my boobs from the top, it doesn’t go too low down the sides (no boob spillage!), and it extends a tad lower down my torso.

 

“Overall, both the Athleta Elation Snow Dye and Exhale Printed bra have a super luxe look and feel, with the level of support and comfort that makes it worth the price.”

Athleta Sizing Review

For reference, I’m a 27″ waist, 32″ bust (DD cup), and 38″ hip, 5’8″, and US clothing size 4. The Athleta Elation Snow Dye 7/8 Tight has a 25″ inseam. I bought the Exhale sports bra and Elation Snow Dye leggings in size small and they fit true to size, for the most part.

If you’re in between legging sizes, go with a size on the chart that’s within one or two inches of your true hip and waist measurements.

For example, if you’re a 26″ waist and 34″ hip, you can wear an XXS or XS depending on the fabric. You could size down to XXS in the Elation Snow dye tight but be aware of the extra compression fabric in the waistband.

I used to buy Athleta sports bras in size XS according to their size chart but found them to be too tight. I decided to size up to an S for my Exhale bra and I’m glad I did. It is comfortable, chafe-free, soft, and supportive enough for low impact workouts. See the Athleta bra size chart below.

What I loved

Here’s what I loved about the Athleta Elation Snow Dye legging and Exhale Printed bra:

1. Style

This Athleta activewear set is the most stunning thing on their website. The purple, blue, green hues blend in soo beautifully to create the perfect marble print. Also, the strappy back style bra is super cute and perfect for pairing with anything in your closet!

What I’d Improve

One downside of this Athleta set:

1. Fit

While I love the fit of the Exhale bra, I can’t say the same for the Elation Snow Dye tights. For me, the waistband is the opposite of compressive. Perhaps this is a sizing issue, but there is a bit of a gap in the backside. I didn’t have to pull them up frequently, but the backside gap means that deep squats (or any leg day workout) are out of the question. I think the back pocket is the culprit, so I believe side pockets would have been a better option since the waistband is already bulky from the three layers of fabric.

Should You Buy The Athleta Elation Snow Dye Tight & Exhale Printed Bra?

Perfect for low to medium impact activities.

Great for yoga, barre, pilates, running errands, and lounging.

Perfect for athleisure styling.

Not for the frugal active chick. See more affordable activewear brands.

How To Care For Your Athleta Activewear

Avoid excess heat from washing in hot water, tumble-drying on high, or ironing as this can affect the strength of the fibers and degrade the fabric features. Instead, wash your workout clothes in cold water, and use a drying rack. Also, avoid using fabric softener since it can seal the fabric, causing the fabric to become less breathable.

Place your Elation leggings and Exhale bra in a mesh bag before throwing them in the washer. This will ensure that the smooth and soft fabric doesn’t get snagged by parts from other clothing.

Remember to air out your workout clothes before your next laundry day to prevent the odor-causing bacteria from ruining your activewear fabric. Follow these steps to keep your Athleta activewear in pristine condition!

Where To Get Athleta Elation Snow Dye 7/8 Tight & Exhale Printed Bra

You can find the Elation Snow Dye legging and Exhale printed bra in two beautiful colors (Rosario pink and Opal Green) on the brand’s website.