Best for your breasts....

Q&A with Kimberly Cayce, Bra Fitter Extraordinaire

We all have them, a set of them actually, but do we really "know" our breasts?  Better, yet, do we know what's best for them when it comes to bras?  We all know if our shoes fit and we can tell if we've gained or lost even a minimal amount of weight by just the way our jeans fit.  So why is it so difficult for us to find the ever evasive perfect bra?

24-7 Style was wondering just that and recruited Kimberly Cayce to answer, what seems to be unanswerable questions regarding our breasts and their surroundings.

Cayce is the founder and CEO of KALYX Technologies, a new women's athletic company, specializing in environmentally-friendly, activity-specific, patent-pending sports bras for female athletes who are sporty, sexy, strong, and stylish.  This former professional golfer is now more a Master Bra Fitter to the Stars - having fitted some of Hollywood's most beautiful actresses, models, athletes, and fitness instructors.  Believe us when we say she knows boobs!  While in pursuit of building a better sports bra, she's spent 3+ years researching breast bio-mechanics, bra fitting, and studying the latest innovations in intimate and athletic apparel manufacturing.

Not to be defeated after a tough bought with could-be investors on ABC's Shark Tank in the fall of '09, Kimberly proved that group wrong, much to the delight of breasts everywhere!  Learn more about Kimberly and KALYX by visiting their website (www.gokalyx.com), and learn more about your breasts and the bras you surround them with below!

To read the rest of the interview, visit 24/7 Style.

To learn more about KALYX, visit our ABOUT US page.

Have a Happy Period...

Every so often, I come across something that makes me laugh so hard I think I might actually wet my pants.  A friend emailed me this letter earlier today, along with the disclaimer that "This is an actual letter from an Austin, Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products." She really gets rolling after the first paragraph.. Enjoy!

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'

Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you f------ kidding me? 

What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James?

FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullsh!t. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always. . ..

Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX  

Originally written as a humor piece for McSweeneys.net, this righteous rampage was immortalized in Urban Legend infamy.  While the author is a real person, this letter did not win PC Magazine's 2007 Editors' Choice award for the "best letter sent via e-mail," as rumored. That said, thanks to Wendi Aarons, Proctor & Gamble no longer puts “Have a Happy Period” on their  adhesive strips...

KALYX Woman of the Week: Cindy Whitehead

Talk about a woman with substance and style - Cindy Whitehead rocks. Not only is Cindy one of the first female pro skateboarders, she's the one and only "Sports Stylist®" - she coined the term herself!  Top brands, like Gatorade, Nike and Adidas, hire Cindy to help communicate the message of their brands and deliver ads with integrity for national television and print ad campaigns. 

Whether she is styling Tiger Woods, Michelle Kwan or Shaun White, Cindy taps into each athlete’s individual style to create looks that are authentic and inspiring. In addition to her bag of styling tricks, including diaper pins, fake dirt and fake sweat, Cindy is up on the rules, intricacies and complexities of a wide variety of sports, so she can be sure to style photos and ads so they seem real to people the ads are aimed at—the people who actually play those sports.

On behalf of our entire team, I am thrilled to honor Cindy Whitehead as the KALYX "Woman of the Week!" 

Cindy gives KALYX the scoop...

As a teenager, you signed up for a boy's baseball team.  Did they let you play?

I really was a little tomboy pre-teen , short hair, and when i would sign my name it looked like Andy rather than Cindy as my cursive writing wasn't so good - so when they "assumed" I was a boy I just went with it.  I played a few games, but the practices were a bit much for my time schedule so I eventually quit. I think half of the fun for me was fooling them. 

What was it like being one of the first pro female skateboarders?

I never knew it "should" be hard so I just assumed I belonged there and skated and hung out with guys. I did notice later on that you would not see girls on the covers of magazines (skateboarding) but when I was given a 4 page spread with a centerfold in a skateboarding magazine at age 15 1/2 I once again assumed we were all equal - I did not know that was not "normal" in the male dominated world of skateboarding. I did notice that our prize $ was a 10th of the boys when I turned pro. But I loved the sport so much I just pushed ahead. I would say that most male skaters were very supportive once you proved you could keep up.

Tell us about some of your favorite athletes...

I love all the athletes I get to work with - they are all really awesome people. I am probably closest to Michelle Kwan outside of work as we live near each other and have known each other for over 12 yrs now. She is a wonderful person and someone I really admire on so many levels and so fun to be around.

I worked with Tiger Woods for over 6 years and I never saw any of the things the media keeps bringing up - he is one of the most polite, nicest people, I have had the pleasure of working with. I wish the media would let this just be between him and his wife Elin. Really at the end of the day (for the public at least) its about his ability to play golf and he has proved that over and over. We are all human and make mistakes, but I don't think we have the right to hold top athletes to a higher standard than we do anyone else when they are off the court, field or green.

How do you get pro athletes to take a fashion risk on the set?

As women we seem to have more preconceived notions than men  about what we "should" wear or what "will" look good on us. the fun thing about being a stylist is every person I look at and have the opportunity to dress is a blank slate to me - I don't come in saying "oh yes, I know you will only wear black, and you only wear heels". I keep that out of my head and I try to  look at each person individually and then I can see in my minds eye what I think might look amazing on them - and many times it takes a small nudge to get them out of their comfort zone,  but the end result may be something they never knew they could wear. Michelle used to like only black and one day we did a photo shoot and I had her in jewel tones, brights, etc and she looked so amazing. 

INSTYLE Magazine ended up doing a big piece on her and her home and we again went with rich colors rather than black which made her really stand out in the photos and gave the public a whole new look at her.

As far as on set - I would say athletes male or female are usually pretty quiet at first, but once you find some common ground and they realize I am there to work "with them" on what they want to wear and what looks good rather than "telling them" what they are going to wear - we end up having fun together.  Fashion should be fun and you should always feel good in it. Even if I love it but the athlete really doesn't feel comfortable in it,  in my book its a "No",  as that reluctance will show through on camera. At the end of the day if my client is happy and the athlete is asking what he or she can take home I know I have done a great job and that makes me stoked.

_____________________________________________

Vital Stats:

Name:  Cindy Whitehead

Birthplace:  Los Angeles, California

Where you live: Hermosa Beach, California

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Nicknames:  Cin

Pets:  2 dogs -  Malibu & Riley

Bra Size:  36C

_____________________________________________

Favorites Things:

Vacation Spot: any where tropical!  Palm Springs for a quick weekend get-a-way

Writer:  Jen Lancaster – she makes me laugh!

Cocktail: mojito

Ice Cream: mint chip

Flower:  Hydrangeas

Perfume:  Agent Provocateur

Pair of Shoes:  Tie between my Golden Goose moto boots and my Ann Demeulemeester heels

_____________________________________________

Just for Fun:

What's your best physical feature?

My smile

What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator? 

Milk,  Coke Zero and String Cheese

What's your favorite form of exercise?

skateboarding

What's one article of clothing you can't live without? 

Jeans

What color underwear are you wearing right now?

black

Blackberry or iPhone? 

Blackberry

_____________________________________________

The Nitty Gritty

What is your idea of perfect happiness?  

Time with my husband and dogs relaxing

What is your greatest fear?  

Being lazy

What is your guilty pleasure? 

Reality tv shows and gossip magazines

What is your current state of mind?  

Happy!

Which super power would you most like to have?  

Jumping over large buildings in a single bound

When and where were you happiest? 

Skateboarding professionally when I was younger and styling as I get to be creative & work with amazing athletes - which I love

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  

To be more “in the moment” not 12 steps ahead.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

Being a female Pro Skateboarder & helping pave the way for the girls coming up today.

Where would you most like to live? 

I’m here – the beach! 

What is your motto? 

You can’t succeed if you don’t try

_____________________________________________

Secrets Shared...

Your hardest life lesson learned? 

That I am not indestructible at high speeds

Your gnarliest wipeout? 

Breaking my elbow twice skateboarding pools.

Your best advice to other women?     

Go after what you want in life – good things come to those who push boundaries.

_____________________________________________

ALL ABOUT CINDY...

Cindy Whitehead has always been a groundbreaker. At age 14, Cindy signed her name “Andy” on the Manhattan Beach Little League roster so she could play on a boys baseball team. The next year, she entered the male-dominated world of skateboarding. By the age of 17, she became a pro skateboarding and quickly earned herself the distinction of being #1 ranked professional female skater in the U.S. for pool riding and half-pipe. To this day, Cindy still holds the distinction of being the only female to be featured in the centerfold of a skateboarding magazine.

After retiring from skateboarding at the age of 22, Cindy began working as a fashion stylist. Although she enjoyed it, she was not completely satisfied. She decided to fuse her love of adventure and athleticism with her skills as a stylist and created a niche for herself, becoming the first and only Sports Stylist®.

“I found there was a desperate need for sports styling and no one was doing it,” recounts Cindy. “Most of the time, advertising agencies would just send someone from their office with a bag of random clothes, but they would have no idea how to put it all together or what the real athletes were wearing. They had no idea of trends for different sports and geographical areas. I wanted to change that.”

Cindy is sought after as the world’s leading Sports Stylist® because of her ability to find the most technically appropriate clothing and equipment for each sport and her commitment to maintaining brand integrity. She has worked with the best athletes in the world, including Mia Hamm, Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter.

Still a thrill-seeker, Cindy gets a rush from every new challenge and experience. “I love being around athletes and watching them do what they do best,” says Cindy. “It’s amazing to go to work with people who have worked so hard to become the best in their field and to help create photos and ads that really speak to people.”

Cindy lives in Southern California with her husband photographer Ian Logan and their two dogs. She still skates empty pools from time to time and she is currently writing a book about her experiences as a professional teenage skateboarder.

To learn more visit cindywhitehead.com and gokalyx.com.

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Uplift MAX

The Uplift MAX Story: 

I grew up in Kentucky, and, have always been an avid equestrian.  I was a member of the Equestrian Team in college, and, love to go riding whenever possible.  I also played basketball in junior high and high school.  Something interesting about these two seemingly different sports - unlike marathon running, these high impact activities require a lot of starting and stopping, twisting and jumping...I tend to think of them as "jarring" activities.  

Based on our bio-mechanical research, the breasts move differently during these sports than when a woman is running for extended periods of time.  When we created the EMBRACE running bra, we set out to break the "Figure 8" motion that occurs during prolonged running; however, for other sports, like horseback riding, cheerleading and basketball, a woman is not running continuously for extended periods of time - she is starting, stopping, jumping, twisting, and, especially when riding, bouncing about in the saddle.  The breasts move differently during these types of activities, and, they require a different kind of sports bra. 

For Uplift Max, we developed the KALYX "Power Sling," and, used strategically placed mesh panels and reinforced seams to add support in unexpected places, giving the breasts more support during jarring activities.  This sports bra is the true workhorse of the KALYX collection - it's a seriously sophisticated support bra that still looks stylish and feels great. 

The photo below is of former WNBA star Cynthia Dallas, on the set of our "Play like a man, look like a woman" video shoot.  Talk about some serious excitement - imagine putting your brand new creation on a former pro basketball player and asking her to put it through its paces.  Imagine my relief when Cindy looked at me and said "oh, yeah - this bra feels great" in between takes.  When she added "it's super cute," I just wanted to hug her.  Check out the video to see Cindy and her Uplift MAX bra in action!

KALYX code name: Heather's Bra, after the first model to wear it on a photo shoot.  Heather Wilson - that's her sitting on the beach in Venice in the photo below - former Atlanta Falcon's Cheerleader, Track and Field star at Clark Atlanta, high school field hockey player, mother of a beautiful 2 year old daughter named Lyric...if there's a woman who can put a sports bra through its paces, Heather is the one to do it.  Heather's not just the original Uplift MAX model, she's also the fit model for the bra itself.  Totally "fitting" that we refer to this sports bra by her name!

Ideally Suited For: Just about everything, from basketball to to horseback riding to cheerleading and beyond.  If there is a universal "workhorse" of a sports bra in our collection, this is it. Added bonus, this bra looks like a million bucks when you put it on!

Rave Reviews:

"I wanted a sports bra that would give me a flattering shape and comfortable fit and that is what I got with the Uplift Max Bra from Kalyx!"

~ Erica, Erica Running

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX DD Diva Bra

The DD Diva Story:  

This is the original KALYX Sports Bra.  We sketched the first designs while drinking cappuccinos and talking about aerodynamics and cantilevers at a drafting table in the office of my friend Paul Davis, an architect in Venice, CA.   I know what you're thinking - KALYX bras are for women, by women, right?  Hell yes!  But, that's not to say there haven't been a couple of amazing men who participated in the process along the way!

Paul's original sketches are like works of art.  They were hung on the walls of Jeannie Madsen's Gallery in Santa Monica a few months ago - imagine that!  We took those sketches and turned them over to our bra design experts, and, the end result is the bra we simply refer to as "The Diva." 

Architects, Athletes, Designers, Engineers, Reconstructive Surgeons...at the end of the day, there was a lot of brain power behind this bra. So many incredible features - ventilated front mesh insert to ensure maximum air flow and to help reduce excessive perspiration and chafing, extra wide padded straps to ensure maximum comfort and support, and innovative back design (thanks to Jaymi Z, one of our brilliant designers!) to help smooth the silhouette, and, a hidden secret and strategic layer of micro-thin mesh to give it even more support.  Our revolutionary grading formula ensures a perfect fit.  

Hey - if you are a DD Diva, it's about time you got the respect you deserved.  We get so many emails from women who wear D+ cups...we totally feel your pain and understand your need for bras that fit great, look fabulous and support your precious assets.  Ya know...if you listen to all the "expert" research, you would believe that the 'average' bra size in America is a 34B or a 36C.  So not true...some studies show that over 30% of American and European women wear a D+ cup. 

To all our beloved DD Divas - this one special bra is just for you!

KALYX Code Name: The Diva

Ideally Suited For: The DD Diva - Dazzling, Delightful & Divine

Rave Reviews: 

"Thank you to the people at Kalyx! I just got my new bra in the mail and took it for a test run.  I am completely impressed with the performance of the DD Diva bra.  Being a 34 DD, it is hard to find a sports bra that makes the cut.  Most are usually too big around or too tight in the breasts!!  This allowed me to get the EXACT FIT I NEED!!  I am a runner that logs 35-40 miles a week and I really can not believe how great this was.  The bounce was gone, the fit was very comfortable, and I appreciate the mesh vents for air circulation too.  You guys did it!!  You created the best sports bra I have ever worn!  I have been a runner for almost 20 years,  I will be wearing your bras for the rest of my life!!"

~ Celeste, KALYX Customer & DD Diva Fan

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Embrace Running Bra

The Embrace Story: 

Embrace is one of the most amazing running bras.  

The cool  looking exterior mesh front panels aren't just for show - they break the figure eight movement of the breasts during high impact activity, a radically different approach to traditional compression bras.   The interior structure helps to lift, separate and gently compress the breasts so there as close to ZERO bounce as possible while still maintaining a feminine shape.  

We added the Velcro closure to the back strap to make this bra easier to get in and out of, especially after you get all hot and sweaty - if I had a dollar for every woman who has told me that getting out of a sports bra is like trying to escape from a straight jacket, I'd be a very rich chick.  That said, even I was skeptical about that darn Velcro. 

Talk about teamwork - our designers are so amazing and experienced, they assured me the Velcro would work.  I put my faith and trust in them and waited breathlessly with anticipation for the arrival of our first prototypes.  

After FedEx delivered the first Embrace bra, I couldn't wait to strap myself in and hit Venice Beach for a good long run.  My first thought was "OMG - it works!"  Embrace felt incredible...a totally unique sports bra experience, it was love at first wear.  Truth be told, I still like to pretend I am "beta-testing" this yummy running bra and more often than not can be found wearing it under my clothes at work, whether or not I am actually planning to workout.

 

KALYX Code Name: The "Marathon Running Bra"

Ideally suited for: Keeping it strong, even at mile 20.

Rave Reviews:

"I always had to use 2-3 different sports bras to alleviate the extra, uncomfortable bounce. I now am able to just wear one bra, the Kalyx Embrace, and I feel very comfortable throughout my entire run. Thank you Kalyx!"  

~ Shannon & Lindsay, Simple Mom Reviews

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Uplift

The Uplift Story: 

As a former professional golfer, I have always struggled to find a sports bra that was comfortable and supportive yet also offered a neckline that worked under the collared shirts I had to wear on the course.  And...I'll admit it, I have always wanted a sports bra that was "Ooh La La - super sexy."  I wanted a bra that could go from golf or yoga or a hike in the hills to lunch with friends, or, to meet my boyfriend for a  skinny latte without having to feel embarrassed about wearing a big old uni-boobing sports bra.

Yes, this sexy little push up bra was designed specifically for golfers - engineered to move with a woman's body during the twists and turns of the golf swing. With a fully ventilated mesh back, a woman will stay as cool and dry on the eighteenth green as she was on the first tee.

By now, you can probably tell I am as much a hardcore athlete as I am a lip gloss wearing princess.  Oh yeah, I have always been a bit of a "girlie girl." Don't be fooled - I am a fierce competitor, yet, I still enjoy feeling feminine and looking like a woman. In addition to all the amazing technical features, Uplift was designed to add a little extra "oomph" to a woman's bust line.

KALYX Code Name: The "Hollywood All-Star Bra" / The "Boob Job in a Bra" bra.

Ideally Suited For: Looking fabulous while working on your fitness

Off-label Uses: This style tests off the charts with new mothers looking for a front closure bra that is both supportive and sexy. It's comfortable and stylish enough to wear everyday...

Rave Reviews:

"MY THOUGHTS:  I can see why they call this the "Hollywood All-Star Bra"!  It most certainly is Oscar worthy to me!  I received the bra in the color Black.  The style is exceptionally striking, the material feels dreamy against your skin, and it is just meticulously crafted.  It is so easy to put on, it has a dynamic front clasp that also serves as a decorative embellishment, at least in my eyes!  And once you have this sport bra on you forget it is there, it is that comfortable! The design is ultra cute, very sexy and flirty for a sports bra, don't you think!"

~ Joanna, The Best of Everything for You

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Extremist

The Extremist Story:  

We turned our design team loose with the Extremist bra one and they delivered amazing results.  Our team set out to design a sports bra that offered unprecedented levels of comfort and coverage.  Let's face it - every woman understands that "headlights" aren't only found on cars.  We included a layer of foam padding to offer more coverage, shaping and support.

We also wanted a bra that looked fresh, fun and fashionable - a bra that our x game girls would want to wear when they hit the half pipe.  Our designers get an A+ for creating the groovy architectural look of the back of this bra, the mesh overlay and the flirty double straps are so sleek and supportive.

I admit, I volunteered to do all the "extended wear" tests for this hot little number.  Once I put it on, I didn't want to take it off.  Not to sound hokey, but, I honestly felt as if my breasts were being supported by angels wings, cushioned by clouds, and being snuggled by the Stay Puft Marshmellow man, all at the same time.  Don't give me a hard time for that last comment...trust me, this bra feels damn good.

 

KALYX Code Name:  The "Extremely Comfortable Bra"

Ideally Suited For: Women who like to go fast and aren't afraid to fall down

Rave Reviews: 

"Before deciding to take this bra for a running spin, I wore it doing my P90X workout. My first thought was: "I do not feel like I am wearing a bra." And I meant that as a compliment. It did not tug at me the way my other bras did. It was light and airy and extremely comfortable - and this is not even why it was named the "Extremist". After the workout, no chafing, and better yet, I did not have deep marks in my skin from where the bra was...I would definitely recommend this bra - from a girl with considerable assets!!"

~ Jen, Setting You Free

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Stayput

The Stayput Story:  

Despite my athletic roots, I am a fashionista at heart.  I love the chic and sophisticated look of high end designers such as Armani and Valentino.  Our design team felt the world needed a sophisticated and stylish sports bra, reminiscent of the lovely lingerie made by Eres...such is the inspiration for Stayput.  

Our designers added an extra wide cushioned elastic band and a super supportive adjustable hook and eye closure.  We know - it's a bit like hooking yourself into a very chic sports corset the first time you put it on; once you get yourself in there, this sleek little bra feels so good, like a second skin.  The fierce looking double straps help distribute weight and stress more evenly across the upper back, neck and shoulders.

For fun-loving fashionistas and for women who enjoy sports like kick-boxing and volleyball, this is an amazing bra.

KALYX Code Name: The "Extremely Chic Sports Bra"

Ideally Suited For:  The fashionably fierce and stylish sophisticate who loves to work up a sweat!

Rave Reviews:

"It was a lot more comfortable than what I am used to with other sports bras...Lightweight material without being a "see through bra". I wear this all day as an alternative to a normal bra for more support. You can barely tell you are wearing it!"
 

~ Debbie, KALYX Customer & Stayput Fan

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Kickstart

 

 The Kickstart Story:  

I'm a California girl at heart.  I love hiking in the mountains, walking on the beach, riding my cruiser along the boardwalk, rollerblading and trying my best to learn how to snowboard.  

One thing I noticed during my regular hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains is that many younger women wear bikini tops while hiking in order to minimize their tan lines.  It hurts my heart to see bouncing breasts because I know the long term damage being inflicted on delicate tissue.

We designed this bra to appeal to all the "California Girls" out there - it's ultra lightweight, with flirty, feminine straps and a fresh design.  The center mesh panel allows for ventilation and the shirring makes this bra super sexy - you can totally go topless in this one, even when hitting the slopes for spring skiing!

 

KALYX Code Name:  The "California Girl Bra"

Ideally Suited For:  Playing in the sunshine...hiking, biking, rollerblading, pilates, yoga

Rave Reviews:

"I tested it out the following morning on my 9 mile pace workout and L-O-V-E'd it! I def got sweaty but it had wicked away the sweat effortlessly and the fit was perfect and didn't leave me chaffed at all. I've washed it a few times with absolutely no bleeding of the material or shrinking...over all I'm absolutely in love with this bra."

~ Morgan, Caution: RedHead Running

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories: KALYX Yoga Bra

The Centered Story:

I have been practicing yoga since my mother bought me a book titled "Be a Frog, a Bird, or a Tree" when I was a child. Over the years, I have always struggled to find a sports bra that was comfortable and supportive yet lightweight and flexible enough to wear during yoga class, especially under my favorite t-shirts.

Centered was designed to allow maximum freedom of motion while minimizing the pressure that the straps put on the upper back and neck. It's flirty and sexy enough to wear every day, even under a suit, and, despite the low cut neckline, it offers a moderate level of support while keeping everything in place.  If you saw Team KALYX on ABC's Shark Tank, you might be surprised to know that I was wearing this bra underneath my dress.

Centered isn't just for yogis....it's a wonderful bra for larger-breasted women to wear at night while sleeping and it's a great choice for new and nursing mothers. It's so soft and comfortable, our beta-testers have admitted to falling asleep while wearing this yummy bra.

KALYX Code Name: (No surprise here!) "The Yoga Bra"

Ideally Suited For: Relaxation & Rejuvenation.  Perfect for yoga and great to wear while taking a nap.

Rave Reviews:

"When I first checked it out I was amazed at how soft it felt. I have never seen or felt a sports bra like this. In fact I didn’t even notice I was wearing it as it was super comfy. Thanks Kalyx for making the PERFECT sports bra for the active girl!"

~ Hollie, Real Moms, Real Reviews

To view the entire KALYX Sports Bra Collection visit goKALYX.com

Sports Bra Stories.

Every woman has a story.  Unique life experiences, lessons learned, and secrets to be shared.  These things make us who we are, the facets of our personalities that make us interesting - the things that give us substance and style.

At KALYX, our sports bras have stories, too. There's a secret story behind every bra we make.  I thought you might find it interesting to know how each of our bras came into being and what makes them special in their own right.  So much time, energy, and, love has gone into making every one of our bras, I feel like each one deserves it's own moment in the sun. I'll be posting 8 different blogs, each about a different KALYX sports bra.

Before I get started, I wanted to share a little story about one of the things all of our sports bras have in common, our amazing "K-FORCE Eco-Loving Fabric." Our decision to take our first line of sports bras green was a very personal one for me.

I've followed in my dad's footsteps in many different ways.  My dad's a golf pro.  We played in our first golf tournament together when I was six years old and he was my teacher throughout my entire golf career.  Dad's also an entrepreneur, and, he was my first and only boss.  He taught me most everything I know about building a team and running a business.

About 20 years ago, my dad built Laurel Golf & Recreation Center, in Laurel Maryland.  He's got a groovy driving range, batting cages, softball fields, mini golf, batting cages and a cute little store.  The entire facility is nestled against the Pautuxent River and surrounded by towering green trees.  What most people don't realize when they see LGRC is that it's built on a landfill.  All this amazing green space that can't be used for any other purpose.  It blows my mind to think how much space all our trash consumes!

The thing is, when we were working to develop our K-Force fabric, I knew I wanted to create something environmentally-friendly.  I was visiting our mill, working with our textile developers, going over some of the prototypes they had developed.  Toward the end of the meeting, the lead developer came in with a big smile on his face and presented me with a swatch of fabric.

The minute I felt it, I knew that this was going to be our fabric - it was so soft and luxurious. I just wanted to wrap myself up in it.  Then I heard the best news ever: it's a green fabric, made from reclaimed plastic drink bottles.  The developers explained the process to me, how through the recycling process, discarded plastic drink bottles are reprocessed into yarn and knitted into lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that have the same soft, supple feel as virgin polyester.

My first thought was - oh my goodness, my dad would love this!  My next thought was that this fabric was seriously cool...the whole process creates a "Virtuous Cycle" by reclaiming and recycling the same plastic bottles many athletes drink from while exercising.  By using sustainable fabrics, every KALYX sports bra takes between three to five water bottles out of a landfill, and, helps to heal our planet by conserving energy, reducing landfill waste and cutting CO2 emissions.

Not only is K-Force a green fabric, it feels so good.  It's thick and luxurious, to help you feel comforted and supported; ultra-lightweight and moisture-wicking, to help you stay cool and dry; and, it's silky soft to the touch, to protect your sensitive skin from chafing and irritation.

So...that's the story behind our fabric.  I hope it helps explain why we believe KALYX bras are good for a woman, good for her game and good for the earth!

Building a Better Sports Bra...

I've spent my entire life as an athlete.  I grew up playing golf, tennis, soccer, and basketball. I spent  5 years circumnavigating the globe playing golf professionally on tours around the world, I trained as a yoga instructor under master teacher Baron Baptiste, was a proud member of the Equestrian Club in college,  climbed Kilimanjaro a few years back, dived the Great Barrier Reef, rafted the Klinaklini in northern British Columbia, and, have hiked, biked, boxed, lifted weights, and, every so often, Iaced  up a pair of trainers or two and hit the trails for a good heart-rate raising run.

 When I moved to California in 2006 and enrolled in the UCLA Anderson's MBA program, I  planned to pursue my lifelong dream of starting a woman's athletic apparel company that made cute clothes for women kind of like me: athletes who like to play hard while also being a bit of a "girlie girl."  After my first year of b-school, I was awarded a fellowship to continue my research on advances in athletic and intimate apparel manufacturing, and, to study emerging trends in textile development.  I had been tinkering around with nano-fabrics, green fabrics, Kevlar, technical outerwear, power meshes, and just for fun, recent advances in both bra  design and swimwear manufacturing.    

Oh yeah - I was busy.  Spending too much time studying, not enough time working up a sweat; much to my dismay, I gained a couple of pounds.  I decided the best way to get back into shape was to start training for a marathon.  On my first day of training, I made it exactly 200 yards down Venice Beach before I had to stop.  Apparently, my booty wasn't the only thing that had gotten bigger.   As if by magic (and thanks to some late night pizza delivery) I had  gone from a C to a D cup without surgery.  My ta-ta's were in excruciating pain.

So...off to my neighborhood sporting goods store I went.  It took me a while to find  one or two  sports bras that were even remotely attractive; everything looked like a scuba vest. 

In the dressing room, I promptly proceeded to dislocate my shoulder while trying tonthe athletic apparel industry's equivalent of a straight jacket:  the high impact sports bra.  As I was sitting there on the dressing room floor, surrounded by a pile of the most unattractive, uncomfortable sports bras imaginable, in tears of both frustration and pain, I asked myself... 

"Why can't someone build a better sports bra?"

That was the real moment of inspiration for KALYX.  In addition to my other academic research, I started to focus on breast biomechanics.  For kicks and giggles, I deconstructed things like body armor, tool belts, shoulder holsters, and baby carriers.  I enlisted the help of architects to help me better understand cantilevers, structural engineering and aerodynamics.  I engaged a "dream team" of experts, including not just architects, but also designers, engineers, reconstructive surgeons, seamstresses and textile developers to figure out new and innovative ways to develop a better sports bra. 

 

In the middle of my research, I really started thinking about all the different sports that I played, and, started looking more closely at the way a woman's body moves while engaged in a variety of activities.  Most sports bra companies just stick a woman on a treadmill and say "see, see how she bounces."  Not every woman is a runner, and, for different sports - like yoga, pilates, basketball, golf, cheer-leading and horseback riding - a woman's breasts and body are subjected to different kinds of motion stress than they are when she is running over a period of time.  At the same time, women's bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and, I wanted our sports bras to support as many women as possible.   

That's the story behind our KALYX sports bras.  Fast forward four years, and, we are finally launching our 2010 collection of activity-specific, environmentally -friendly KALYX athletic bras.  It's been a wild and crazy ride.  Some days, it's hard to believe we have made it this far.  I'll admit, I still haven't knocked off those pounds I gained in b-school and am still sporting a righteous pair of D-cup knockers (note to my friends: please maintain eye contact at all times when you next see me!).   

The good news is that thanks to my team, I can now Velcro myself into our Embrace Marathon Running Bra and run to my hearts content in total comfort.  More on the rest of our KALYX sports bras, and, my thoughts on bra fitting and a few fun tips coming soon...

~ Kimberly