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Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50
Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50

Review: Prana

Fifty Sense Seal of Approval

prAna, an ancient Sanskrit word for breath, life and vitality of the spirit, has helped guide our actions and lift our aspirations since day one. A relatively new company, started only 17 years ago, their designs are timeless. They specialize in climbing and yoga clothing but their clothes wear well as lifestyle and travel pieces.

They participate in business with like-minded folks who want to promote conservation and create positive change, which reflects the same intention as the old days, just taken up a few notches. Organic cotton, fair trade and wind power initiatives are on the short list of what we support.

They have recently felt it was time to start addressing the amount of waste they produce here at prAna and the individual product bags were a great place to start. They had to make some big changes to their operations to change over about a third of their products to be removed from the individual plastic bags, identifying which colors and styles they felt did not need the additional protection. Then informing the factories who then had to change how they packed the products. Now the product goes into a large master bag and is tied to keep it in order and the hang tag available. This change will eliminate 250,000 individual poly bags with prAna's Spring line alone. That's 1,684 lbs of plastic, equivalent to the average amount of garbage an American produces in one year!

The Kara Jean

Once you wear stretch jeans, you’ll never wear regular denim jeans again! Made from a cotton/polyester/spandex blend they will not constrict your movement.

These are perfect for that dilemma of what to wear on a plane for 6 hours. You would love to wear pajamas, but let’s face it, we’re not 10 years old. But airplanes can be so uncomfortable, clothing plays a major part in your trip. No one wants to reach their destination grumpy from bunchy, uncomfortable clothes. Start your trip off right with the perfect mix of comfort and style! They were also a perfect pick for all day wear exploring new towns/cities!

The look and style of your favorite pair of skinny jeans that feel like your favorite pair of yoga pants- amazing!

Axiom Jean

There is a lot to be said for a comfortable fitting pair of jeans. As any experienced hiker or climber knows do not wear jeans when doing these activities unless you enjoy chaffing…we do not enjoy chaffing.

The testing began by playing outside in the Axiom Jean that has 98% cotton and 2% spandex. A slight stretch allows for a greater range of motion than normal denim jeans. Complimented with a gusseted crotch the Axiom Jean are some of the best all-purpose pants we have tested. They worked great riding bikes to the farmers market, doing a little climbing and taking a hike through the nearby nature preserve with the dog.

Frankly, they got the most testing done by just wearing them as if they were a comfortable pair of sweat pants. There is something to be said for a comfortable pair of jeans you can wear for everything. I suppose that would be … thanks Prana!

Lacey Top

Extremely soft, flattering, and chicly designed makes this top a great travel piece or everyday go-to for the on-the-go woman. It was very comfortable whether sight-seeing, exploring a city or simply living in it. Since it is not tight fitting it will not cling to your body during those days that might get a little warmer than expected or if you are exerting a little extra energy. The fabric is enzyme washed to it is extremely soft to the touch. It is an overall keeper!

Sutra Pant

Wearing the Sutra pant is an excellently eco-friendly way to be in total comfort. Prana uses a combination of hemp, PET (recycled plastic) or organic cotton and a little lycra. This gives a soft feel with some slight stretch. The pant legs are wide and unencumbered at the cuffs. You can cinch the self-fabric drawstring so that it just hangs from your body. It has a really nice loose fit that is very comfortable.

There are so many places we found this pant works both for comfort and functionality. A day in the life of wearing the Sutra Pant was incredible. Here is a list of all the activities our reviewer found the pant to be great to wear while doing: walking, getting the mail, yoga, hiking, bouldering, making a camp fire, sleeping, lying in a hammock, driving, traveling, stretching, paying bills, cleaning the car, writing product reviews and cooking. So as you can see, there are very few things the Sutra Pant does not go with. They are truly an all-day every-day must have piece of clothing.

Kelli Capri

When you are packing for travel, it is important to include a pair of capris that fit you comfortably no matter what your adventure throws at you- the Kelli Capri is exactly that piece!

It has a super soft blend of cotton, linen, and spandex that makes it comfortable on the skin with a little bit of stretch- great for sitting on a plane, on a tour bus, on a boat tour, or skipping around town on foot!

They have a nice little sylish flair with side-cinch hemline and front patch pockets.

Great for travelling or just plain old living!

Molli Skirt

What a stylish, yet functional skirt! It is a beautiful organic cotton jersey material that is like heaven against your skin and also has a little stretch to it. Styled with an offset tie waistband that tailors the fit and length it is flattering on just about anyone.

It is a great skirt for travel, when you need something that can be cute dressed down during the day and classically dressed up at night.

Marissa Tee

This shirt looks great on its own, layered with tank tops or under jackets, and paired with jeans, shorts, skirts and capris. Essentially it is the ultimate travel accessory!

It is made of a lightweight burnout fabric with an allover lotus pattern. The shirred sides give it a very flattering fit with a stylish Deep V neck. Made of a 50/50 cotton/poly blend it dries quickly and is practically wrinkle free!

Style + function = travelling bliss!

Alia Top

This tank is great for yoga, rock climbing, or simply living! The Semi-fitted design with a cami silhouette and racerback is accentuated with a soft shirred bottom with a side tie feature that keeps the tank from sliding up when doing those yoga or climbing poses that turn you upside down.

Altogether a very flattering fit that encourages you to wear it for exercise as well as around town. Looks super cute with pants, capris or a skirt!

Sonja Top

One of my favorite tops this spring, the Sonja Tank is supportive and comfortable and has a sporty yet feminine look. I love the fact that it is a slightly longer tank so you don't have to worry about it riding up and showing those not so flattering areas!

With a shirred front and internal shelf bra this is a great tank for yoga, climbing, and travel. I wore it on a 10-mile strenuous hike in the Smoky Mountains and it performed really well. It was very comfortable and I definitely put the Quick dry to the test. 10 Miles and barely any stink- amazing!

Lolita Pant

The Lolita pant is super comfortable and performs exceptionally. They are made with Chakara performance fabric, which is a poly/spandex performance fabric that is not only soft to the touch but has a nice stretch making it perfect for any moves and flexibility yoga requires you of you.

With a double-stitched waistband with faux offset closure these pants are extremely flattering to the feminine figure, not matter what size or shape you are. These are really great if you are tall featuring a 33" inseam, which is very difficult to find in yoga/ exercise pants.

Not only are these pants great for yoga but I also put them to the test as a climbing pant. They were very comfortable in a harness, not riding up or bunching in the slightest. They offered plenty of flexibility not hindering any move I attempted.

I have found that the Lolita Pant is also great for travelling and have become the pant that I reach for when doing many activities as well as relaxing around the house or running out for a few errands- I love them!

Lucia Sweater

We all love the benfits of wool- the warmth, the durability, the anti-microbial aspect, but unfortunately they are usually offset but the itch. The Lucia sweater gives you all the benefits of the wool exterior with a brushed polyester interior that is so soft it's like being wrapped in a fleece blanket.

It was a beautiful 50 degree sunny day when I hit the trail to and really didn't want to wear a jacket, there would be plenty of time in the months ahead when not wearing a jacket would be an option, so I grabbed this sweater and put it to the test. Thanks to the wool it kept me warm but breathed exceptionally. The drawcord-closing collar felt almost like I was wearing a scarf, keeping my neck warm. The sleeves are nice and long so I didn't even feel the need for light gloves.

This would be a great sweater for camping, travel, as well as a wonderful fall/winter sweater with or without a jacket.

http://www.prana.com

...Fiftysense Product Review Panel

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