Holiday Gift Guides – My Favorite Items from Title Nine

Dec 8
Natasha

A few years back, a friend referred me to be a fit tester for Title Nine. She was told they needed adventurous and active people who spend a lot of time in, on, or around water, so she naturally thought of me. It was the first time I’d done any clothing/gear testing in a more official manner, and it was overall a very good experience. This was primarily because I set expectations upfront.

I am not an influencer and I am not the person who is going to rave about your product unless I truly love it. I spent more time sending feedback that would be sent to the product engineers and very few time sharing photographs on social media. In the end, I own a good amount of Title Nine clothing still, but I also have given heaps away to friends. Any items that I did not love or did not fit well, the company encouraged me to see if I knew anyone else who would want to try it. So the love was spread.

In the year or so since I decided to take myself out of the fit testing group to allow someone else with a different body type and different outdoor experience to test out products, there are a few key items that are wearing every week. There’s also some items that I rarely wear and those will likely get passed on to more friends during this holiday season. For those of you who are looking for some comfortable, versatile, long-lasting and good-looking clothes to share with someone you care about who identifies as female and/or wears slightly feminine clothing, I would love to share my favorite items with you all.

I will note on each one if I was given it for free or paid for it (sometimes both). None of the links are affiliate links – I am not receiving anything for this. This is my own project. I am not currently a part of the Title Nine fit testing program or an ambassador or anything of the sort. I truly wear these items all the time and want more people to have clothes they love and feel good in.

Henerala 2.0 Long Sleeve Tee

Walking Friday (our friend’s doggo).
At the desk.
Traveling by plane to visit a friend (many items from this list included in this photo)

I wear this shirt so often I am wearing it right now, as I type! They used to offer a yellow color, but sorry it looks like that one is not available. I wear this primarily in two situations: 1) while teaching over Zoom, 2) while traveling, as a warm base layer or a nice long sleeve to go over a tank top during the evenings.

It’s great to wear during meetings because it is a nice color, it is simple, and wonderfully form-fitting. I like it while traveling because it is thick, but not stifling. It’s flattering, but not revealing. It’s incredibly comfortable, and I can get away with wearing it for days on end, if I hang it to air out and wash regularly.

I sized down for this top (normally a medium, but I wear a small in this long-sleeve).

3/4 Sleeve High Neck Jacket Sweater

I cannot find this anywhere. This jacket/sweater contraption looked super weird before I tried it on, and especially before I wore it out somewhere. I’ve received more compliments on this garment than maybe anything else that I own. What I love most is that it’s both sporty, and kind of dressy in a way. So I would wear it to events, where I want to be comfortable, a little warm, but also not feel like I’m necessarily dressed up. Also, it has so many pockets! It has a kangaroo pouch with access on both sides, then it has both a horizontal chest zipper pocket and a vertical arm zipper pocket. For networking events, I’d hold my business cards in those pockets, or when I didn’t have business cards, it was the safest place to keep my money, cards and phone, without feeling clunking, hitting my leg, or not fitting, like most other pockets are for women’s clothing. Closest things I can find to it:

Szabo 2.0 Sweater

Oh boy, this sweater. It’s so gosh down cute, and comfortable, and it always makes me feel beautiful. It’s another go-to of mine when teaching virtually, because it looks nice, but is not distracting, and…did I mention how cozy it is? I love that it’s not low cut or high neck. Right in the middle. It’s loose, but not frumpy. And it has these details in the stitching or the pattern or whatever that is called that makes it stand out from the rest of my sweaters.

Mad Dash Leggings (7/8 leggings & lite crops)

The slightly shocking reality is that during the colder months, I wear these pants almost every single day. I wear them to run in during fall and winter, and therefore I often wear them during my work day. I also often wear them under my snowboard pants rather than a warmer thermal pant, for higher intensity days, or warmer days, so I am not sweating nonstop. Since they are reversible they are thicker than most other leggings (except for the “lite crops”).

I love that they are reversible with one side being a plain color (black or blue) and the other being a fun and colorful pattern. This helps me because I will probably never buy a plain pair of leggings, but they can really come in handy. I wear the patterned bright-colored side facing out 99% of the time, but it’s nice to know the plain option is there, especially when traveling.

They also have an elastic tie/loop on the waist band. When I am sitting at the desk, or traveling from point a to point b, I don’t use the tie. But, when I am heading out for a run, I tie it as tight as I can. There is also a large open pocket on the right-hand side, which I primarily use for my phone, even when I am running! This is wonderful for quick snapshots of the beautiful mountains, or my dog. They even have a small reflective band at the very bottom by the ankle (maybe not on the lite version though).

Ravine Muscle Tank (ombre or solid or pattern)

This one is not anything mind-blowing, but it is a really useful piece to have in the wardrobe. Primarily because it has a high neck and no sleeves, it is fantastic to wear under a blazer or a cardigan to look nice and professional but not feel super stuffy. I sized down for this top (normally a medium, but I wear a small in this tank).

Sunbuster 1/4 Zip Long Sleeve Sun Shirt

First, I have to be honest – I don’t like the new version of this shirt as much as the original version that I tested, and still own, and am mildly obsessed with. Yet, I’ve also purchased the newer version in the t-shirt style, and I still love it. The quarter zip is phenomenal for warm days or cold days, for getting some sun on your chest, or quickly covering up due to wind, or for more conservative/indoor occasions.

This is also a very hearty garment (well, all of Title Nine’s products are actually). I once wore it while riding single track through jungle-like terrain, in the dark, with countless branches grabbing at my shirt, and it still looks like new. I also once wore it for three days of backpacking – yes everyday, but put my thermal base layer on at night for sleep, then changed back into this. My pits did not stink when we arrived back at the car. Thanks, StinkStopper™!

My version has one zipper pocket above the right hip, but the new version has two zippered pockets.

Boom Sleeveless Hoodie Dress

This is truly the one dress that I take with me everywhere. No joke, I packed this in my panniers and carried it 1000 miles over two weeks from my home in Tahoe to Seattle, Washington. And I wore it almost everyday. It was amazing to throw on after a day of cycling when my entire body ached, and especially my bum. It was like my lounge dress and sleep dress.

This summer, I brought it with me to Italy, and on our month-like road trip to Banff, Canada and back. While in Italy, it was my casual wear. While on the road trip, it was my date night outfit.

Similar to reasons why I love some of the above items, I specifically appreciate the quarter zip neckline, the kangaroo pouch and the zippered pocket. I loved this one so much, I bought it for a friend.

Dream V Neck Dress

Note that the one linked here is not the same color/pattern as mine, which is largely why I love the dress (mine is yellow with flowers). However, the dress has a few solid features that still make me want to recommend it.

First, it has the kangaroo pouch, with zippers on both sides! Second, it has a button at the hem, which allows you to turn the skirt into kind of like shorts or culottes. I use this when I’m at a concert, sitting on the grass or in seats that someone can turn around and I don’t want my legs to be zipped so tight my glutes get sore. Third, it is incredibly comfortable, with very modest coverage, but is magically form-fitting. I always get compliments!

Hibernation Joggers

These pants I can wear as pajamas, to lounge around on the weekend, to run errands, or I can run in them! They are comfortable but not frumpy. They have a tie at the waist, two open pockets, and one zippered pocket that can fit my phone in and zip up all the way. They are heart as well, because I’ve worn them so many times you’d think they’d look like rags, but they are thick enough that you can run them through the ringer.

After years of being able to enjoy these items, feeling more professional and more beautiful without trying too hard but while feeling like my authentic self, I am glad to finally share these recommendations with you all. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, or let me know if you gift or try a product that you love!