Hoang-Kim goes figure skating wearing Outdoor Voices athletic apparel — Outdoor Voices Crop Top & Spring Leggings c/o, Olive + Piper earrings c/o, Apple Watch Band, Harlick Skates with John Wilson Blades

[outfit_details]FIGURE SKATING IN OUTDOOR VOICES
Outdoor Voices Crop Top & Spring Leggings c/o, Olive + Piper earrings c/o,
Apple Watch Band, Harlick Skates with John Wilson Blades[/outfit_details]

Right boot on, then left boot on. Lace up the right skate, then lace up the left. On a crisp fall morning, come with me to Chilled Ponds, a local ice rink where I’m rediscovering my love for figure skating as a 27-year-old grandma (in figure skating terms, ha!)

I spent 11 years of my life figure skating. I pursued it competitively for most of those 11 years and as all good things, it came to an end. Injuries and just not being good enough to continue pursuing it pushed me to work hard toward my other dreams. However, figure skating ingrained a lot of great habits in me including eating multiple small meals a day as opposed to a few big ones, staying active and stretching. Lots of stretching. Since 2014, I’ve started dabbling in figure skating a little more. I always remained a huge fan of the sport and would watch almost all the competitions. However, the past few years, I am enjoying lacing up my skates and getting out there on the ice. There is something about stepping onto a sheet of ice and gliding that really takes my mind off everything else. That’s the same joy and freedom I felt when I was younger and pushed me during hard times.

Many of you know I’m a huge fan of Outdoor Voices. This athletic apparel brand doesn’t need you to be at the peak of your career. They just want to encourage anyone who wears it, to go do something and have fun. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, an intense HIIT workout or a scenic hike. I’m nowhere near as good as I used to be but figure skating in Outdoor Voices has inspired me to try some of my old tricks – even if it’s awkward, slow or ends in my butt on the ice. The past few weeks, I’ve honestly realized how much I love being on the ice. Even if it’s just skating around and feeling the wind on my face and doing simple spins. It truly is like flying and all my problems melt away.

Outdoor Voices is known for their color clocking and their fall collection has some great new colors. This crop top is business as usual in the front with a solid black, but the back has a splash of gray. These leggings are without a doubt my favorite. I own at least five pairs. Not only are the different colors unique in a legging but the fabric is sublime. Both pieces fit me like a glove and lift you up in just the right areas. The fabric really wicks away sweat while also camouflaging it. I’m personally not a fan of seeing sweat on clothes, so this is great. Plus, the fabric is also incredibly stretchy and durable. I can wear these to the rink, to the airport, for workouts and anything in between and know they will hold up.

In addition to classic colors, Outdoor Voices releases some seasonal colors, too. This particular colorway is part of their classic line. The black to gray to a lighter gray gives an ombre look that’s incredibly flattering. I’m wearing size XS and find Outdoor Voices runs true to size. Many people aren’t used to tight fitting clothes but all my life, all of my figure skating clothes were tight. That way my coach could really see my body and how things looked on the ice. Figure skating in Outdoor Voices is like a dream. I’m fashionable and functional. I wish brands like this existed when I skated. Plus, when clothes fit you like a glove, they can really lift you up and sculpt you in all the right places. However, I do want to note, do not treat these like Spanx. Don’t size down to get a tighter effect. This will cause the pieces to unnecessarily stretch and can ruin it.

Speaking of stretching, this is something I love to do. When I skated, I was quite flexible. It was a mix of what came naturally and also always spending time on the floor going through different stretching routines. Whether you figure skate or not, this is something you should incorporate into your life. It’s so important to properly warm up your body before you start your workout. Your muscles and body will start compensating if they aren’t properly ready and that can lead to injuries.

If you are interested in seeing me in action, head to my Instagram! I’m going to start posting more videos of me on the ice, even if it’s just me doing some of the same old boring tricks, ha!