columbia sportswear

October 19, 2015

Worth the Hike

julia dinardo adirondacks
julia dinardo fashion pulse daily adirondacks
I always want to put forth my best self, be it mentally, physically, or sartorially. No matter the activity or challenge, I want to be well-prepared and dressed for the occasion, which may involve a shoe switch or two. Pictured above is how I dressed for my trip to the Adirondacks; I was decked out in Columbia gear that was prepared to repel any kind of wetness the weather threw at me, but depending on where we were, in a town or hiking trails, all I had to do was swap out my shoes in order to blend in. It was such an easy switch to make, and although I saw many-a-folk hiking in inappropriate footwear, like flip flips, before, the last thing I knew I wanted to worry about or be distracted by on this trip was my feet.

Now, back to the city: casual but still pulled together, a bit of a chunky heel, with a hiking-style boot resting on top is what I will wear the most, since this is my usual “natural habitat.” What I love about these shoes is that they have that hiking boot vibe, with my city-centric needs met via a stable, sturdy heel being, not too high or spindly, and great with boyfriend jeans or skinny pants. I’m working on merging my country and city style sensibilities, but for now, we will have to keep plenty of great footwear options within reach.

julia d
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November 10, 2014

It’s Cold Out There!

by Julia DiNardo

Us New Yorkers certainly live in a sea of black during the colder months, and sometimes even in the warmer months as well. Of course it always looks pulled together, sophisticated, and best of all, slimming but also creates a sense of anonymity when it comes to personal style. I’m a huge fan of black and white, or black and white with a pop of red to add some variance, however, when the weather turns cold, there’s no faster way to make a fashion statement than with a colorful topper. As our bodies are our vehicles in this sprawling metropolis, layers and an ultra warm yet lightweight coat are a must.

You can’t always anticipate a coat check option every where you go, so being able to fling your coat over the strap of your bag without making your arm feel like it’s ripping out of the socket is a valuable feature. I’m also always adorned with a lot of accessories, so I’m already weighted down a bit by that, along with a ton of reading literature, a water bottle, beauty products, and iPhone chargers tucked neatly inside my (usually) massive bag. I’ve been wearing Columbia coats since high school with very little interruption in between, and for good reason: they are exceptionally warm, innovative, and stylish. I’m especially loving the new Turbodown jacket, which looks just as good in an urban setting (in this case, Park Avenue) as it does on the slopes, or rather, more my style, après–ski!

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October 30, 2013

Columbia’s New Active Pieces Let You Work Out Hard & Not Let it Show

by Julia DiNardo

See the serene scene pictured above, of perfectly placed stretch bands, softened volleyball, and plush mats and carpeting? This is what it looks like at Physique 57, a workout method described as “barre-based workout with intervals of cardio, strength training, stretching and recovery,” before I got quite a bit of early morning exercises that challenged muscles that felt like they’ve never been used before! So yes, I was perspiring, shaking, and focusing on proper posture and technique, all the while staying in tune to how the brand new, spring 2014 Columbia Freeze Degree Tank in Laser Red ($50), coupled with the Trail Drier Windbreaker Jacket ($90), were reacting to my spikes in body heat and sweat.

The class, provided courtesy of Columbia, gave editors a really fun way to truly put its new technology stylishly to the test, using a lightweight, packable jacket and tank. The Trail Drier Windbreaker Jacket features Continue reading…

October 18, 2012

Balancing City Style, Country-Appropriate, and Workout-Worthy with Columbia

by Julia DiNardo

Columbia Sportswear Company has gotten really, really, good at marrying fashion and function. So much so, that I find myself wearing a bevy of their apparel and accessories in every season’s weather change “moment of need”. Below, I’ve got the various ways I’ve worn the pieces out and about in scenarios ranging from Greenwich Village cool, rural Pennsylvania-ready, and gym-workout serious.
City…

As the weather turns brisk, sometimes my leather jacket just doesn’t cut it. This past week I wore the Columbia Powerfly Down Jacket as an ultra-light but warm top layer that folds into a small bag and features zip-pockets, cuff to keep out the cold, and Omni-Heat reflective lining to seal in and generate warmth.

Country…

A few days later, I was in rural Pennsylvania, where the temperature was already in the 30s! Yikes! I needed a little extra help to keep from shivering, which came in the form of the Columbia Extreme Fleece Long Sleeve 1/2 Zip. The fitted layer has Omni-wick inserts under arms and at side torso to get that perspiration away from you, sans-stench, and an Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining and insert at the back of the neck to help secure warmth.

Sport!

Last, I looked like I was ready to do some damage at the gym thanks to my Columbia Solar Polar Short Sleeve Top, high performance for indoor and outdoor workouts thanks to Omni-Freeze ICE advanced cooling technology, which actually gets colder when your perspiration touches the material, vented, reflective detailing, and sun protection so that you never need to worry if the sun’s powerful rays are seeping through your clothing.

That’s a wrap on my Columbia favorites for city, country, and sport — what’s your favorite Columbia item?

-Julia DiNardo

Full Disclosure: Fashion Pulse Daily received products from Columbia for review.