You may have noticed that the Funky Buddha Boutique (Retail) has been going through some major overhaul. Just as the Funky Buddha has evolved, so have our retail offerings. When the Funky Buddha opened almost 6 years ago (shameless plug for our Anniversary Festivities, click here), there was no hot yoga scene in Grand Rapids and absolutely no hot yoga CLOTHING scene. In fact, athleisure was not even a made up word yet. If you wanted yoga clothes, the choices were slim. But in a very short time, the world has caught on…caught onto yoga, caught onto yoga gear, and caught on to yoga clothes. Now you can buy a pair of yoga pants pretty much ANYWHERE.
As such, the Funky Buddha Boutique strategy has changed. Fewer basic basics (only the BEST basics). More unique cool stuff that you can’t get everywhere. More variety. More locally made accessories and fun stuff. Made in Michigan. Hell YES!! And as we go on this crazy Yoga Retail Scavenger Hunt, looking for the best and greatest things to bring you, your Friendly Neighborhood Yogis are here bravely committing themselves to….product testing!! It is a hard job, but somebody has to do it. 🙂
Alo Yoga – Alli
The best way to describe the Alo yoga brand is luxury, style, and function. I have two pairs of the Moto high waist legging and they’re my favorite pants to practice in AND do errands in. So comfortable I could sleep in them! These pants are very flattering and they hug my body in all the right places. And the best part is how cool and unique the moto design is! I get compliments all the time when I wear them. I have an Alo tank top to match, which feels like silk and dries easily after a sweaty yoga practice. I highly recommend all things Alo – including their fun and inspiring Instagram feed.
Zobha – Larissa
I purchased this particular pair of yoga pants almost 6 years ago after my first hot yoga class. (After my first VERY sweaty class, I realized my cotton pants and hot yoga might not be best friends for the long term!)
I knew I wanted a pair of ‘yoga pants’, but wasn’t 100% sure what that meant, so I just wandered around a few stores. I pretty much shop by feel. Touch, no. Touch, no. Touch, no. Touch, so soft, yes! These were one of those ‘so soft!’ friends that jumped right into my shopping cart. I didn’t know anything about the brand other than ‘Soft’. Turns out, after hundreds of wears and washes, they are amazing!
My other shopping criteria is ‘one interesting detail’. (Sometimes that’s still just ‘Soft’.) These pants also had a fun textured panel of material at the bottom of the legs. I’ve found that most Zobha clothes are like that; Simple, Lovely Fabric Feel, and one Unique Feature. I’ll practice yoga in anything, but I’ve definitely enjoyed the quality and longevity of my Zobha gear.
Lucy – Laurie
I love Lucy!
My favorite thing about Lucy is their leggings. I have several styles, but you can’t go wrong with the basic Studio Hatha Legging. They hold up well and they don’t pill like I’ve experienced with other brands.
I’m also a fan of their basic racer back tank. Simple. Functional. Comfortable.
