I’m baaaaack with another style box review and this time I decided to try my first-ever Active Edit from Wantable. You may recall that I’ve shared a few Style Edit try-ons from Wantable on the blog, but those have all been fashion-oriented. As the name implies, an Active Edit exclusively provides active and athleisure attire – which my closet is severely lacking. You see, I’ve recently embarked on a bit of a personal wellness journey after eating my way through so many emotions this past year. I haven’t looked or felt as healthy as I’d like and I finally reached the tipping point. I signed up for a wellness program online and have spent the last two weeks forming healthier daily habits. I’ve also been exercising almost every single day. It has been over a decade since I made physical fitness any sort of priority in my life.
It’s worth noting that I have never historically invested much money in activewear. Partly because I hate working out and partly because it never felt like a justifiable expense when I have a plethora of comfortable clothes that can do double-duty as pajamas and workout attire. After trying on everything in my Wantable Active Edit, I finally get why so many women seem to live in workout wear. I was shocked at how my self-confidence and attitude shifted while wearing the clothes for this post. Sporting athletic leggings and a top tailored for fitness around the house made me feel much less frumpy and much more ready to conquer the day. It was like I became a more confident version of myself, even though I’m the same person underneath the clothes – and I needed a healthy dose of self-confidence to share some of these photos with you today.
This post contains affiliate links, as well as my Wantable referral link. We earn a small commission and/or Wantable credit when someone makes a purchase through one of our links, which helps to support the blog and our family.
I’m really excited to share my Wantable Active Edit review with you, but I had to swallow a few insecurities to push publish on this post. I didn’t always have multiple layers of clothing to hide my curves behind. I didn’t suck anything in for these photos. Admittedly, I was in a bit of a hurry to shoot them before a fresh crisis emerged with one of the kids, but I didn’t have the energy to hide anything and it didn’t feel like a very honest representation of myself for this type of post. So what you see is what you get. Also, you should know that I am not pregnant. My stomach just happens to be the place where all the extra weight ends up. Keep scrolling and you’ll see what I mean.
I recently started following Danae Mercer on Instagram and have been inspired by how freely she shares the unflattering aspects of her body. Get ready because you’re getting all the best angles in today’s post. Flattering or not, I’m determined to show you these clothes. There are some random good ones that make me look 5-10 pounds lighter than my actual weight just due to a perfect angle and the right posture. There are also some others that are pretty spot-on for my actual weight and appearance. I can’t even take much credit for the super-flattering photos. I shot them all myself with my camera, tripod, and remote; and it was pure luck that they turned out as well as they did.
A Really Quick Introduction to Wantable
If you’ve never heard of Wantable or don’t quite know how it works, here’s a really quick overview of the service. Wantable is an online styling service that’s very similar to Stitch Fix. They offer two different types of style shipments for women: a Style Edit and an Active Edit. Men’s Active Edits are also available through Wantable. (And if you’re a little confused because you thought the activewear box was called a Fitness Edit, you’re not alone. That one had me scratching my head as well. Apparently, Wantable changed the Fitness Edit name to Active Edit earlier this year.)
Anyway, it’s free to create a Wantable account. Just enter your email address and some basic information and you’re ready to get started. Wantable has a really great “Stream” feature that enables customers to browse through the virtual clothing racks and request specific items for an upcoming Edit. The Stream is great because it provides a photo of each garment, along with the item name, designer, and price. I haven’t really used the Stream service much in the past, but I quickly scrolled through the Stream for this Active Edit and requested a few items, which turned out to be some of my favorite pieces from the shipment. I highly recommend making use of the Stream for your Edit.
When you’re ready, you can schedule your first Edit. You’ll be charged a $20 styling fee when your Edit ships. Your Edit will include 7 items that are hand-picked for you based on your preferences and Stream requests. You have 5 days to try everything on, then simply check out online, keep what you love, and return what you don’t. Shipping and returns are free. Wantable now offers exchanges, too, just in case you love an item, but the size or color isn’t quite right. Best of all, you automatically save 20% when you purchase 5 items or more from your Wantable Edit.
If you’d like to know more about Wantable, you can read my very thorough comparison of Wantable vs. Stitch Fix. But now I’m ready to show you what came in my very first Wantable Active Edit shipment!
Ivy Ankle Legging from Marika
The first item I reached for in my Wantable Active Edit was a pair of Ivy Ankle Leggings in Black Camo from Marika ($60). I paired the leggings with a gray pair of Adidas Swift Run Sneakers from my latest Trunk Club shipment (stay tuned for that review on the blog), a basic white tank from Old Navy, and a black sports bra that also came in my box (keep scrolling to see it.) I’ve always been fond of leggings and would love to add a few pairs of workout-quality leggings to my closet. This pair was excellent. They had a very high waist, were quite comfortable, and stayed in place nicely. I didn’t feel like this pair was going to sag or go anywhere. The only downside is that these leggings didn’t have any pockets.
This was a great basic pair of workout leggings and I loved the little surprise reflective stripe detail on the calves. Initially, I was quite sure that I was going to keep these leggings from my Women’s Active Edit, but the budget was tight and I actually kept two different items instead and sent this pair back to Wantable. I was disappointed to part with them at first, but I am completely certain that I made the right choice because I found the exact same leggings ON SALE at Nordstrom Rack for 70% off (marked down to less than $18! They are also available in green for less than $15. Just grab a pair fast because they are dangerously close to selling out.) If you’re looking for a good quality pair of leggings at a low price, I highly recommend the Ivy Ankle Leggings from Marika. Grab them on sale while you can!
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On the Go Hoodie from Skechers
I had requested a black On the Go Hoodie from Skechers ($54) during my brief scroll through the Wantable Stream. I loved this jacket SO much as soon as I tried it on. It was very flattering with a cute drape and was more casual and appropriate to wear with workout gear than my black cardigan sweaters.
The On the Go Hoodie was lightweight and comfortable. It isn’t particularly warm or cozy and I almost rejected the thought of keeping the hoodie initially because it seemed like a bad fit for the winter season. But the next day, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror wearing the old sweatshirt with the neck cut out that I usually wear around the house after a morning workout while I help Rob manage the kids’ chaos before I hop in the shower. The old sweatshirt wasn’t a look that made me feel good or confident, and I figured upgrading my post-workout layer seemed like a great use for the little bit of Wantable credit I had saved up.
And one day, when spring eventually returns, the On the Go Hoodie will be great to wear outside when the weather is chilly but too warm for heavy layers.
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Active Racerback Sport Bra
The Active Racerback Sport Bra from Boody Eco Wear ($39.95) was another request I made during my quick scroll of the Wantable Stream and it was a great item! Prior to trying on this box, I owned one sports bra and even though it got the job done, it had way too much compression. It always felt like a battle to get my old sports bra on and off, and I was desperate for something else. The Active Racerback Sport Bra suited my needs perfectly. It was very comfortable to try on and had great stretch.
Even though the Active Racerback Sport Bra was a basic black color (and perfect for my neutral-colored wardrobe), I appreciated the silver detail along the edges of the bra which helped to make the black feel not-so-basic and just a little more interesting. This was a definite keeper.
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Mineral Wash Boyfriend Tee from Logan
The next item I tried on was definitely not a request that I made through the Wantable Stream. My stylist sent a green Mineral Wash Boyfriend Tee from Logan ($44) and I’m not at all sure why it came my way. The boyfriend tee wasn’t my style at all. It was very baggy and well… not at all flattering.
By this point in the try-on, I was feeling strong and confident as I tried on several different pieces of workout wear. The other clothes felt flattering that filled me with excitement for my next workout. But the Mineral Wash Boyfriend Tee was a different story. Rather than strong and confident, I suddenly felt blah and frumpy. I literally looked like I had gained 10 pounds just from trying it on. I already have plenty of t-shirts in my basket of pajamas that I have been using as workout tops. I certainly didn’t need to add another one to the collection. I knew instantly that the Mineral Wash Boyfriend Tee was going back to Wantable.
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Tao Jogger from Satva
My Wantable Active Edit try-on had been off to such a strong start and I was excited to get back on track after the t-shirt debacle, so I changed back into my white tank top and slipped on the black Tao Jogger from Satva ($68) that came in my Active Edit. The joggers seemed ok at first, but they disappointed me when I tried them on. They weren’t particularly soft, and I found the fit to be a little too baggy. I just didn’t love them.
I sent the Tao Jogger back to Wantable, but while I was finding links for this post, I happened to land on the Satva clothing website. As it turns out, the pants are organic cotton and Satva appears to be a very ethical company. They only produce organic cotton clothing that is free of a variety of chemicals typically used in clothing manufacturing, while also investing in the people and communities that farm the cotton and produce their clothing. The joggers weren’t for me, but it was uplifting to discover an ethically produced clothing line.
I was excited to find that the Satva Tao Joggers are available on Amazon in black or gray and you can save $4 when you clip an instant coupon on the Amazon listing.
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Coffee & Kindness Graphic Tank from Interval
At this point, my Wantable Active Edit Review had some serious ups and downs. I had only one outfit left when I tried on the Coffee & Kindness Graphic Tank from Interval ($39) that came in my Edit. I wore it with the Zella Restore Soft Pocket Lounge Leggings that came in my November Trunk Club box (check out the review here) and my gray Adidas sneakers.
This was a really cute basic tank for working out. I typically dislike big armholes on sleeveless tops, but the oversize arm openings don’t really bother me for activewear. The price was a little high for what felt like a basic tank, but it certainly was a fun shirt, and it had great coverage in the back. I’ll tell you more about the sports bra I’m wearing in a minute, but I love how the green camouflage paired with the light neutral tank and dark gray leggings. This was such a cute outfit.
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Adjustable Bra from Handful
The camo Adjustable Bra from Handful ($54) was another great item to try on from my Wantable Active Edit. It was very comfortable to wear, and the camo print was perfectly on-trend. This bra didn’t offer quite as much support as the black Active Racerback Sport Bra, but it provided enough to suit my body type and exercise needs. I loved the more sophisticated style and it was definitely a great piece of activewear style to show off under a tank top.
The front of the Adjustable Bra was certainly cute and stylish, but it’s the back that really caught my eye. The straps could be customized to fit three different ways, but I really liked the criss-cross detail.
On a personal note, I’ve been self-conscious about my back for as long as I can remember. I’ve always had a lot of moles and I’ve had several very large moles removed over the years. I was happy to say goodbye to the big moles, but my back now has several large scars and about a hundred smaller moles. It’s just not an area of my body that I would ever consider myself likely to flaunt or show off in any way. But somehow, when I look at the photo I took to show off the back of the bra, I don’t feel self-conscious at all. Instead, I feel proud and strong … and thankful for clothing that gave me something to focus on other than the marks all over my back.
This bra is also available on Amazon and right now there’s a virtual coupon you can apply for a 20% discount. It also comes in several colors.
SHOP THE LOOK
Wantable Active Edit Try-On Recap
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed trying on the clothes from my first-ever Wantable Active Edit. I definitely plan to order another Active Edit soon, and will make more use of the Wantable Stream to request items. Even though a few of the items didn’t quite suit my taste, there were plenty of great items and I felt such a rush of body positivity and confidence as I tried everything on. It was so refreshing and I wish I had enough room in our budget to keep everything I loved. Here’s a quick recap of what I kept from the shipment:
Ivy Ankle Leggings from Marika ($60) – return
On the Go Hoodie from Sketchers ($54) – KEEP
Active Racerback Sport Bra from Boody Eco Wear ($39.95) – KEEP
Mineral Wash Boyfriend Tee from Logan ($44) – return
Tao Jogger from Satva ($68) – return
Coffee & Kindness Graphic Tank from Interval ($39) – return
Adjustable Bra from Handful ($54) – return
After taking such a long hiatus from sharing this type of content, it felt so normal and refreshing to share a fresh style box try-on and review on the blog two months in a row. Our house is still heavy into social distancing, so I chose not to call our go-to photographer to capture all the outfits in this post. Instead, I set everything up with my camera, tripod and remote. I swear I’m going to emerge as a professional self-portrait photographer when this phase of our life is behind us – especially because I already have a fitness-themed Trunk Club review in the works for an upcoming post.
Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle
And just in case you’re curious about the healthy lifestyle program I signed up for, it’s called Burn Fat and Feast. It offers daily meal guidelines and short work-out videos that I can squeeze into our busy life at home. I hate exercising, so the promise of short daily workouts are key for me. There’s also a very active Facebook community and the promise of a “Feast” day every week in which I can eat anything I want without limits. You can read more about my experience during the first month of Burn Fat and Feast in this blog post. And if you want to sign up, hop over to the Burn Fat and Feast website and save $10 if you use discount code MGAVIN10 at checkout.