There is a new celebrity-endorsed range being launched every five minutes these days, or so it feels. We are, in the main, celeb-obsessed and as a nation, we are regularly, en-masse, lapping up the chance to buy into a piece of their lifestyles for ourselves.
As someone who regularly talks fitness, when Beyonce’s long awaited, highly hyped Ivy Park range dropped in Topshop on 14.04, I was cynical but happy to be asked to put it through it’s paces for REAL women in REAL gyms, working up a sweat trying to shift the baby weight, the wine wobbles and the life lard.
Lululemon sparked a bit of a backlash on launch day via twitter, throwing some serious shade to Queen Bey! Epic fail on their behalf as the ranges are completely different, so they soon took it down!
Now I actually haven’t met many people who don’t love a bit of Beyonce, because, as role models go, she is pretty much up there with her incredible work ethic, desire (and ability) to achieve and is pretty much the global figurehead for female empowerment to boot!
I expected a lot of Ivy Park, after all, failure isn’t a word recognised often by La Knowles and I doubt she’d have anything but the Midas touch when it comes to product bearing her name. Athleisure is EVERYWHERE at the moment as more of us are getting with the fit bit and bringing our core to the floor, will this range satisfy the unquenchable thirst of the cool crew? Would it give me the kick-ass confidence I need to kick my butt into her gear at the gym and knock it into shape? Who doesn’t want a bootylicious body like Bey? Hell I know I do, if it’s not too late for me I will give it a right good go! Well, check out my vlog and see how I got on!
I had two options of Ivy Park leggings, a pair of shorts and a sheer mesh hoodie to put through their paces. I gave it welly in the spin studio, (pics taken before I got messy!) an amazing class taken by Jill of the hugely successful Hate It? Change It blog. Now SHE is inspiration for you! Then an hour of personal training. It’s great motivation to get fit when the PT is as gorgeous and toned as Chloe is, all glowing skin and those arms! #goals!!!
So the leggings I wore for spin were great. Flexible, ever so comfortable and didn’t leave me feeling sweaty all, even though I worked super hard on those intervals and climbs! I teamed it with the gorgeous sheer mesh hoodie which I’ve been wearing with jeans and everything else possible ever since! I felt very ‘sucked in’ too, which meant I’m even brave enough to include this shot below… not quite Bootylicious but you can see how they look on a 40+ well-worn mum of two as opposed to a global superstar!
The other leggings were the reflective ones and with matching shorts, I really liked this look. Rocking reflective fabrics is great for the runners among us, (not me!) check out the after-dark effect in this pic below!
Each piece I tried out was super comfy, and got loads of compliments from my style-savvy gym gal pals. I’d say that at £100, the reflective leggings were unneccessary for me, but I totally get why it’d be an essential piece of kit for runners.
You MUST size up when buying these pieces though as American sized and they also come up really neat.
The standout winner in my eyes was my sheer hoodie. Taking sportsluxe to the next level and into daywear, it felt elegant (a word I’d never usually use in connection with a hoodie!) and I was totally channelling my inner sassy sista wearing that.
I’ve worn and washed each piece and they are easy as you would expect them them to be. Durable, quality, wash like a ribbon and the colour has stayed true. So I’m buying into Ivy Park, I’ve seen some bits online I definitely NEED in my life. I may not end up with a body like Beyonce but I sure will look and feel good on the journey!
You can shop the range here…….
Have you shopped the range yet?what is your fave piece?
16 Comments
Laura - dear bear and beany
Who doesn’t love a bit of Beyonce! Looks like a great range, i haven’t been to the gym in years. But, I am doing the race for life soon, so I might check out her range for some leggings x #TwinklyTuesday
Ginger Mum
Oh you should! And think how much more motivated you will be looking foxy!
Fran Back With A Bump
I didn’t even know she had a range out! In not a Beyoncé fan really but the leggings are nice if a a bit pricey! #twinklytuesday
Baby Isabella
We saw her range in TopShop in Belfast at the weekend and it looked a bit flimsy, not much left though….I suppose people buy it for the brand name! The leggings look good! #TwinklyTuesday
Ginger Mum
Well I think they do, but that would actually turn me off! Turns out I actually love the range!
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)
That does look like a fab range – I like the leggings although I’m not sure I’d spend that much on a pair of leggings however good.
Lucy
You look great! Definitely made me want to take a closer look at the range x #PickNMix
Ginger Mum
Aw, thank you!!!
ghostwritermummy
ah I’ve been waiting to read a review of Ivy park! You look amazing by the way. Love the hoodie too and I would never have thought to wear the leggings and shorts at the same time- looks awesome! xx
Lisa @ukglowology
Wow – you look fantastic and, as a fellow over 40-er (I’m almost 49) , I have decided I too can wear something a bit more Beyonce to my fitness classes! I totally love the mesh hoodie which is sadly sold out – will keep my eye on it and hope it becomes available soon! Great post and keep doing what you’re doing – you look wonderful! xx
Ginger Mum
Ah thanks so much. Lovely comment. I’m sure will be back in stock soon!
Single Mum Speaks
These look great on you. All the styles are really flattering, and by the way I love your hair. I’ve just had all my long tresses cut off and now I feel nostalgic for them (although mine were a bit thin and knotty so didn’t look as fab as yours!) Thanks for linking up with #FabFridayPost
Ginger Mum
Oh how sweet of you, thank you! I’m sure your tresses were lovely!
Su {Ethan & Evelyn}
What a great review! This is so refreshing. I really enjoyed your review, and fab Vlog by the way! You have certainly inspired me into the idea of getting into shape. And you certain look great in those leggings too! I will have to take a look into this. 🙂
Thank you so much for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost xx
Anonymous
I love Beyonce and you look amazing by the way! I’ve just upped my exercise and joined slimming world, I might have to treat myself to some leggings as a reward if I do well at my weigh in 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Elaine @ Entertaining Elliot
I’m not a gym bunny but I love those leggings, I think if I had a pair of those it would make me want to go out jogging!! x #picknmix