No matter your body type, shape, size and other factors, you should be able to exercise in clothes that are comfortable and beneficial to you. In fact, your specific body type may play a significant role in the kinds of exercise clothes you choose, along with a few other important factors.

At Maven Thread, we're happy to offer not only a wide selection of women's exercise headbands, but also numerous other apparel, from exercise pants and joggers to tops, swimwear, loungewear and many other options. We know our clients may have varying different body shapes and types, and it's our pride to provide products for each and every one of them. In this two part blog series, we'll go over some of the most common specific body shape needs our clients often bring up to us, plus some basic recommendations we can make on active wear for each of them.

Pear Shape

Many women fall into the category of what's known as the pear shape, meaning the widest part of your body is below your waist in the hip area. The pear shape doesn't refer to weight level, necessarily -- rather, it relates to body proportions. Generally, pear shape women have small waists, but thicker hips and thighs.

Many active wear items should work well for the pear shape figure -- leggings, tights, shapewear pants, skirts and exercise shorts are all excellent choices. Leggings may be worn as pants or under other garments to give more coverage and control to the hips and thighs. Tights are perfect for colder weather, and can be worn as pants or under a skirt or dress. Shapewear pants will help to suck in your waist and flatter your curves, while skirts and exercise shorts will provide more freedom of movement.

When it comes to color, ideally pear-shaped women will chose brighter shades and prints for their tops, then plain or darker colors on the bottom. This will help to create a visual balance and draw attention up to the top half of your body. Patterns are also a good choice, as they distract from problem areas.

Rectangular Shape

The rectangular body shape, on the other hand, refers to one where your shoulders, waist and pelvis are all roughly similar in terms of width. Many with this body shape will prefer active wear with rounded seams, which don't accentuate narrow hips or minimize large ones. It's also often a good idea to wear clothes that are looser in the bottom half, with tapered legs and contoured seams down there as well.

For rectangular shape women, color is usually best when it comes to tops -- choose bright colors, prints and patterns. Solid colors can also work, but they may make you look a little too boxy. When it comes to the bottom half of your body, darker colors and slimming patterns are often best.

Hourglass Shape

The hourglass shape is one where your hips and shoulders are about the same width, with a smaller waistline. This body type is considered to be the ideal, since it's naturally slimming. Women with this shape are often able to wear standard sizes or smaller.

For women with hourglass body shapes, plain exercise pants and shorts tend to be best -- they provide much more versatility than tights or leggings. Skirts can also work well, provided they have a high waist and don't flare out. Tops should be fitted, but not too tight, and should preferably have some kind of detail or embellishment around the waist to draw attention to that area.

When it comes to color, Hourglass women often look best in earth tones like black, navy blue, green and khaki. These colors help to create a slimming effect.

In the next blog post in this series, we'll go over active wear for women with different body types. For more on any of our active wear products and how to make the best selection for you, speak to the team at Maven Thread today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some simple answers to common questions from those who are in the process of purchasing a sports bra. This is a very important item for many women who are taking part in various forms of activity, so knowing all the pertinent information can make a real difference.

At Maven Thread, we're proud to offer a variety of sports bras and other active wear for women, including women's sports headbands, tops and numerous other items. In today's part two of our series, we'll go over several other common questions we get about these important supportive products, plus some general tips on how to choose the ideal sports bra for the sorts of activities you take part in.

How Do I Tell if My Sports Bra is the Right Fit?

When it comes to fit and determining proper sizes, sports bras are a bit different from regular bras. They need to be form-fitting but NOT too tight, and of course they should provide support for your breasts while you're exercising. This is why it's always best to get help from an expert in assessing which sports bra will work best for your needs if at all possible.

If you're purchasing a sports bra on your own, the primary goal of a sports bra is to prevent bouncing and similar movement. This is the main area where sports bras and regular bras differ most: The goal of a sports bra is to provide more firm support, while the goal of a traditional bra you'd wear under normal clothing is not to constrict movement but rather let your breasts move freely within it.

How Will My Breasts Look in a Sports Bra?

Naturally, appearance is an important factor for many women when selecting sports bras. Bra manufacturers know this, and as such they offer a range of styles that cover the spectrum from full coverage to revealing (and even padded).

If you're concerned about how your breasts will look in sports bras, it's important to remember that there is no such thing as an "unflattering" bra – only styles and designs that work well for certain body types and not others. As such, it's best to purchase a sports bra that fits properly and that you feel comfortable in. If you purchase one that doesn't fit correctly, your breasts will look misshapen or saggy regardless of the style or design of the bra itself!

Considering Material

Finally, the material you choose for your sports bra should be a consideration you give a great deal of weight. When it comes to sports bras, buying a high-quality product is worth the extra money as opposed to shopping for the cheaper option – quality fabrics tend to last longer and provide better compression overall.

In general, cotton is considered a poor choice for sports bras because it offers little support and it doesn't wick moisture away from the skin. Instead, you'll want to look for a material that is light, breathable and absorbs sweat effectively. You might also consider buying two or more sports bras in different colors so that when one is being washed you have another to wear during your activities!

For more on choosing a sports bra, or to learn about any of our exercise headbands or other women's sports apparel, speak to the staff at Maven Thread today.

There are several important components to a quality workout, and one that can't be overlooked is the choice of clothing. For women especially, the sports bra is of particular importance, as it provides support, comfort and even some bits of style to those looking to find the right apparel for their workout.

At Maven Thread, we're happy to offer a wide range of sport bra options for all our clients as part of our comprehensive selection of women's workout clothing. Whether you're using them for cardio workouts, heavier exercise or even types like yoga or Pilates, here are some answers to common questions regarding sports bras and how to choose the ideal option for yourself.

Why Wear a Sports Bra?

For those newer to the fitness realm, you may wonder why a sports bra is necessary. Simply put, this is a vital piece of clothing for those looking to work out, as it offers a supportive and comfortable structure that may otherwise be missing.

For women especially, this is necessary because the breasts tend to move in various directions if not properly supported. It isn't recommended that women go without sports bras during exercise due to the potential effects on the breasts' ligaments and tissue.

Are There Multiple Types of Sports Bras?

Absolutely. Sports bras come in several different types that depend primarily on the sort of activity you'll be doing. The qualities that make a good sports bra for running will differ from those that are best for swimming or even weightlifting, so it's important to understand what you're trying to accomplish with your workout before putting together your wardrobe.

On the other hand, there are some commonalities that most sports bras have in terms of design. The majority of women's workout bras will feature at least some degree of compression, which works to flatten and support breasts during heavy activity or while you're exercising in warmer temperatures. Additionally, there are certain attributes that many sports bra designs have, such as flat seams for added comfort and adjustable straps for customizable sizing.

How Many Sports Bras Should I Keep?

This is one question where the answer will depend heavily on the individual and their exercise habits. If you're a dedicated crossfitter, for instance, you may want to own several of these bras so that you can rotate them out as needed.

On the other hand, if you don't exercise very often or are just starting your fitness routine with lighter cardio or weightlifting exercises, one or two quality options will be enough. This is especially true when you consider that sports bras come in a range of prices, from super affordable to premium quality.

In part two of our series, we'll go over how to select the ideal sports bra for your needs, plus some basics on maintaining sports bras and alternative uses for them. To learn about these products or any of our women's athletic headbands or other equipment, speak to the staff at Maven Thread today.

Women’s headbands are the perfect accessory for going to the gym, taking a yoga class, playing with the kids, hanging out with friends and more. They’re also a fun and easy way to update your look. In the wintertime, they offer the added bonus of warmth and comfort.

How to Wear Sports Headbands Now

As we move into the fall and winter season, we want to share some of the best ways to style your sports headbands.

For Quick & Cute Hairstyling

The possibilities are endless for hairstyling with headbands. The classic approach places the band at your hairline or an inch or so beyond. However, you can double (or triple) wrap for a high or low ponytail, messy bun or the new classic “nest” look.

For Keeping Your Ears Warm

If you’re heading out early in the day or staying out into the evening, you are bound to encounter some crisp – potentially cold – temperatures. Simply tuck your ears into your headband and they will stay toasty warm.  Keep a couple of self-warming packs in your bag and pop those under the band if it gets too nippy.

As a Way to Hide Your Regrowth

If you haven’t been to the salon lately, use headbands to cover your roots and regrowth. You’ll have a cute style, your hair will stay out of your face, and no one has to know that color isn’t 100% natural.

As a Handy & Effective Eye Mask

Want to catch a quick catnap in the car, on a plane or in the waiting room? Simply pull your headband down over your eyes and grab 40 winks. Amp up the spa vibes by applying your favorite eye serum or moisturizer first, or tucking in warm or cold gel packs or an herbal sachet.

Picking the Best Women’s Headbands for Your Style

The higher the quality of your hair accessories, the longer they will last – and the better they will look.

You can find a variety of headband widths but, this year, 2” and 4” are the hot sizes. Bow headbands are also a classic that’s making a rousing comeback.

Urban prints, camo, tie-dye and abstract prints are perfect for any season. Look for earth tones for the ideal autumn look and rich, jewel tones for winter.

Maven Thread has a vast variety of options to choose from. Our products are ultra soft and stretchy for maximum comfort and versatility. They are sweat-wicking and have our exclusive non-slip, four-way stretch. They’ll stay in place no matter how you style them or what kind of rigors you subject them to.

Visit our website now to shop our fun and on-trend women’s headbands.

It’s not time to say goodbye to summer yet. We’ve got a whole new list of songs that capture the heat, adventure and liveliness of summer to revive your workout playlist.

While fashionable, sports headbands serve multiple purposes and Maven Thread provide high quality products that suit them all.

Bow headbands are the perfect accessories for working out and hanging out. Check out our huge collection of cute, comfy and affordable bow headbands.

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Summer is here, which might mean some of you are getting around to renewing your gym memberships right about now. Which got us thinking about our must-have items whenever we hit the gym.

We're so excited to bring you guys these stylish and sporty trousers to make your work days as comfortable as your workouts. 

Exercise headbands from Maven Threat provide just as many benefits outside the gym as they do inside, including convenience, comfort, safety and style.

Check these recs for your next summer bops, high-energy HIIT hits, and top twerkout jams.