Although I must admit that lately I have fallen off the wagon, for decades, I have been doing some kind of exercise every day. Throughout my adult life, I have primarily been a jogger. At one point in time, I would have said I was a runner, but after more than 40 years, it’s more jogging or trotting than running. And I have broadened my exercise routine by mixing it up with fast walking, hiking, and bicycling.
Exercising can require exercise clothes. For most of those years, I wore whatever running clothes – shorts, tights, lightweight T-shirts, warm long sleeve shirts – I could find on sale. I seldom matched. I didn’t care.
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But over the past few years, I have been trying to put together some semblance of exercise outfits. Imagine my delight when workout and athleisure brand, Dona Jo, asked to send me some exercise apparel to review!
Dona Jo Story
I was curious about Dona Jo Brand’s background, so I looked it up. Here it is:
A healthy and active lifestyle is at our core. Co-owners Ashley and Raphael loved sports from a young age. With determination and hard-work both played Division 1 athletics at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Dona Jo was born after an adventurous trip to Raphael’s hometown of Brasilia, Brazil. The two wanted to blend the bright colors and bold patterns with the functionality and comfort everyone was looking for in activewear. Not only was it important to have an awesome product but also a community of empowered individuals that could express themselves creatively.
Not surprisingly, the Dona Jo apparel is made in Brazil. I visited Brazil about 30 years ago (OMG!), and it is a wonderful country with lovely people. Since moving to Massachusetts 20 years ago, I’ve met and made friends with quite a few Brazilians who came to the U.S. because it had been difficult to find work in their country. So, I’m happy that Ashley and Raphael are employing Brazilians in good jobs at home.
Dona Jo Apparel
Although Dona Jo sells primarily women’s apparel and accessories, they do have men’s polo and T-shirts made from lightweight, tech-y fabric as well as tennis shorts.
For women, they have a large range of light weight exercise, leisure and sports-oriented apparel:
- tops: short sleeve tops, polo shirts, long sleeve tops, tank tops, sherpa fabric vests
- bottoms: leggings, capris, shorts, skirts in different lengths & styles, skirted capris or leggings, skorts with attached compression shorts with pockets, and soft sweat pants
- sleeveless dresses
- warm-up jackets and sherpa quarter-zip tops
- sports bras
- swimwear.
Many of the items have UV protection! Most are made from a high-tech, lightweight, 4-way stretch, durable nylon fabric.
Sizes go from Small to XL. Some of the items are sized Small/Medium and Medium/Large which is a little confusing to me. Because I am usually a Medium, I don’t know whether to go with S/M or M/L. Hmmm.
My Dona Jo Workout Clothes
The folks at Dona Jo gave me a certain amount of money to spend on their website. Not surprisingly, I went to their sale tab so I could get more for “my” (actually “their) money. Though there is apparel for tennis, pickleball, golf, kayaking, running, biking, and indoor and outdoor working out, I chose apparel for my sports: jogging and biking.
Jogging/Workout
I ordered two long sleeve Endurance tops, one in black and one in a lovely blue called Oceano. They have cute styling with a small flair at the side seams bottom hem due to the dips in front and back.
For bottoms, I ordered two pairs of Running Crop capris, in black and navy blue. Because I am so short – only 5 feet tall, I ordered capris thinking they would be almost full-length on me, and they were. The Running Crop capris have a handy, hidden key pocket at the back of the waistline.
However, if I had realized, I would have ordered the Jojo Running Capris that have a deep pocket to hold a mobile phone, since I always carry my iPhone when I jog. Like the Endurance tops, the Running Crop Capris have UV protection.
I think I asked for size Medium in all 4 pieces. The Endurance tops in size 1.5/Medium fit perfectly. The Running Crop Capris in size 1.5/Medium, by and large, fit quite well, and were almost, but not quite, full-length on me. But the waistline would fit even better if I lost a couple of pounds, lol, though they have the 4 way EMANA stretch. Nevertheless, they are comfortable.
Because they are lightweight, these 4 pieces will work best for me in spring and fall on their own. But I can wear them this winter as base pieces underneath warmer clothes.
Biking
Because I wear random clothes when Jeff and I bike, I thought maybe I should get some biking clothes. Though Dona Jo doesn’t have padded bike shorts, I thought their lightweight, stretchy shorts with deep side pockets would work for me. Sadly, the printed shorts (like Active Biker Shorts, Indy) I chose were out of stock, so I didn’t get any shorts. Too bad because it was the only print item I ordered, and their prints are super cute.
But the soft cotton, navy blue collared polo shirt – the Court Polo Navy – was in stock, and I received that.
Though I ordered a Medium, the size of the polo shirt was Small/Medium. (Now, on the website, it shows that Small and Medium are separate sizes!) It’s a snug fit, but it fits. A Medium/Large would have been better because it would be roomier and a little more comfortable on a hot day. Nevertheless, I like it: it’s cute and comfy. Plus, the styling makes it perfect to wear as a casual top with shorts or jeans.
Shopping Dona Jo
Dona Jo brand apparel are available on their website, but also at some retailers as well. The Dona Jo has frequent sales, and as I write this review, they have 30% off all tops including free shipping and returns. I have a feeling there will be sales through the Christmas holiday, so check it out!
I am eager to have some of their adorable prints, and I want one of their jackets, so I’m keeping my eyes peeled for sales on the Dona Jo website!
These look fantastic, Allison! I would wear these all of the time! They look great on you, too!
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These items look great. I love that the capri length is full length for you. Excellent choices.
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