Nike (or, Marketing Works!)

Nike launched its first store + studio in the US at Fashion Island today, and I got to visit for a media preview, where I was given gear to wear during my media workout—and take home (who wants my sweaty used clothes? nobody). I wrote about the store and studio for Orange Coast mag, click here to read.

But fellow faux celebs, here’s where the marketing comes in: I would not have gone into the Nike store without provocation. I would not have spent $100 on pants, or $85 on a long-sleeve (even if it’s wool), or even probably $45 on a sports bra. BUT they gave me all this to wear, and got me in that damn store, and everything in there is cute and I want to buy it all.

Don’t believe me? I went pin-crazy on my Athletic Clothes Are All I Really Wear Anyway pinterest board. (ps what a world, pinterest.)

I will put Nike things on my grown-up Christmas list—which mainly means it’s in my head and I will buy it all with the money I get for Christmas, or at Cyber Monday sales because Black Friday is just too much. But the point is that Nike is back in my mind and back in my wallet.

Dammit.

And marketing works. To prove just how much, let’s talk about the gear.

I got to try:

The Pro Indy Sports Bra will go into regular rotation for sure; supportive enough for me but not for bigger girls; will remove the damn cups $45

The Dri-Fit Wool Infinity Training Cover-Up adorable; will wear constantly in and out of gym. wool + dri-fit! good for hot OR cold! magic. $85

The Dri-Fit Touch Club Side-Tie Training Top cute and comfy; looks cute untied too $40

The Legendary Waves Tight Training Pants extremely comfortable, long(!), and flattering; I only wish I liked to wear pants more. I didn’t even make it out of the parking lot before getting a compliment on these pants $100

The Studio Mid Pack Three-Part Footwear System it sounds confusing already, right? it’s those barefoot studio grippy shoe things which I never would have bought but are actually surprisingly comfortable and helpful + some straps + some fleece-lined booties that look like Toms, old-school watersocks, and a sleeping bag had a child but are actually really comfortable. The photo Nike provides manages to make them look almost fashionable, but I have my doubts about creating these shenanigans at home. $135

Moral of the story? Nike wins.

But so do I!