Summer swimming gives way to fall hiking, and our once too-hot-to-handle weather is whisked away by cool breezes and darker mornings.

As the seasons change, so do our workouts—and our wardrobes.

Here's some of the cutest, coolest and newest trends in fitness apparel that you can find this fall.
 

Fabulous Colors
The folks at Adidas were nice to send Stepfanie (our resident yogi), Tanya (our at-home exerciser and power walker) and myself (runner and fitness instructor) some samples of their latest fall line. We loved their Techfit Hoodies ($55, sizes S-XL), which took the chill off our outdoor workouts and were more than long enough in the torso and sleeves for us tall ladies. (Believe me, I have such long arms that long-sleeved shirts rarely fit and these had ample length—major bonus points in my book!) They had thumbholes, too, and pockets galore for your keys, cell phone, or goo packets. We also tried their comfy Techfit sports bra ($25, sizes S-XL) and Techfit tights, which come in 3/4 length and full length ($40-$50 respectively, sizes S-XL). These tights are smooth and silky feeling, plus have wicking ability and offer surprisingly high quality for the price. Tanya said hers felt like "second skin." We love the hot colors of these tops (bright pink, "slime" yellow, turquoise and more)—perfect for being seen outdoors during the darker mornings or evenings of fall. And since the tops ran a little large, they'll be great for layering as it gets colder.
 
Multitasking Essentials
I will admit it: I am officially loco for Lulu, even though it can be a little pricey. I treated myself to their Run Inspire Crop II tights ($86, sizes 2-12), which are perfect for fall. Made with "Luxtreme" fabric, they feel so soft and luxurious, but do a hardcore job of keeping me cool and dry when I run, Spin or do Pilates. Next on my wish list is their Ahead Of The Curve jacket ($128, sizes 2-12), which will be my go-to outdoor jacket for fall hikes and walks with my dog.  Probably what I love most about my Lululemon purchases is that the clothes are cute and functional enough to work in my everyday casual wardrobe as well as at the gym! I can wear my Inspire Crop tights as leggings by day and to Pilates by night. All of my tanks work well under a cardigan at work, making my transition from job to gym.
 
Quality at Affordable Prices
I have been increasingly impressed in the style and quality of the GapFit line available online and in Gap stores. I get so many compliments on the workout clothes I have purchased from the Gap. Not only are they super soft and comfortable, but they're available in a wide range of sizes (XS-XL, including Tall lengths) and often at amazing sale prices. I snagged some comfy sweat pants there for just $15 last weekend, and couldn't help myself from giving googly eyes to all the cute jackets, tights and workout tops they had available. Check out their new arrivals for fall here, but believe me when I say that the stores always have the best sales compared to online shopping.
 
Target's C9 by Champion line offers a lot of great buys, too. I think the products are well made and offer a great value for the money. They fit well, work well, last a long time, and come in all sizes, including plus sizes. This fall, snag their zip-up jackets and fitness pullovers (pictured here) for around $24.99 each. For more plus size workout apparel options, check out Beth's wonderful blog post about plus size exercise apparel.
 
Compression Wear
Although independent studies (like this one) have failed to prove that compression clothing provides an advantage during athletic performance, that isn't stopping people from trying it. Professional athletes (including elite runners like marathoner Paula Radcliffe) sport them during competition, and casual exercisers are getting in on the trend, too. I've seen guys at the gym wearing compression clothing from neck to ankle while they lift weights. And many runners swear by them post-workout to help alleviate soreness. I've tried a pair of knee-high compression socks ($59.95), courtesy of the brand CEP. While I love how they feel, I don't buy into the performance-boosting claims (a spokesperson from the American Council on Exercise says that is more a placebo affect that anything; if you believe they'll work, you might get a marginal benefit, but if you don't believe it, you won't). But I DO like how they feel when I wear them for a few hours after a long run, which tends to tighten up my calves. Come fall and winter, I love wearing taller socks when I run outdoors anyway, because my calves tend to be cold when the temperatures drop.
 
My test of compression socks wasn't exactly scientific, if you feel like compression gear is beneficial and is worth the fairly high price tag (socks alone can cost upwards of $60), then it might be a trend for you to try.
 
Odor Controlling Fabrics
I'm seeing more and more fitness apparel that claims to help prevent and control odor thanks to special technology. Under Armour (pictured at left) has a line of "odor control" clothing that claims to "prevent the growth of odor causing microbes." Some of Lululemon's clothes are made with "silverescent® with x-static® for anti-stink properties." I have tried the sport-specific laundry detergents, but I have not yet tried these odor-preventing clothes. My friend Marie has some of these tops and swears by them. I am generally skeptical, but would be willing to try them out. (Have any of you guys? What's your experience?)
 


Will you try any of these fall fitness trends? What are you seeing (and loving) in workout apparel lately?

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