A Love Letter
I did not start wearing Skirt Sports 15 years ago — heck, I wasn’t even running 15 years ago. I lived in a different state. I didn’t have dogs yet (although I would get my first dog soon). I was the crazy cat lady who liked to walk, who had a treadmill because I lived in TX and the summers there are brutal.
Running? It was not something I thought about. It was, as they say, the thing I’d do only if there was a bear chasing me.
Then I started to run
We moved to NY, treadmill in tow, and I slowly began to run (mostly on that treadmill). Slowly being the operative word. I’ve always felt that if you look good, you do good — so the hunt was on for cute running clothes.
I tried running in skirts. Let’s just say I don’t have the lean runner body so many imagine when they hear you’re a runner — and that’s okay — because in truth, there is no “real” runner body. We’re all real runners.
As much as I wanted to love skirts for running, the shorties always rode up on me. I tried brand after brand only to be disappointed. Then I bought my first skirt from Skirt Sports, which was a Happy Girl Skirt, by the way, and I was in love. The pockets! The cute patterns!
It was, as they say, the beginning of a true love story. Forget music being the background of your life — for me it’s been skirt.
I came for the cuteness . . .
. . . I stayed because Skirt Sports is a company that cares. They cared what people thought of their skirts. They didn’t just have Ambassadors (yes, I’ve been an Ambassador for quite a few years) to help market skirt, they really listened to us.
Like any company Skirt Sports had its skirts that knocked it out of the park — and those that were near misses. They included their many Ambassadors in so many decisions: which skirts to put in the line, what patterns to put those skirts in, what new products they should focus on.
They were inclusive in choosing their Ambassadors, too: all sorts of bodies, all sorts of sports — not all Ambassadors were runners!, all ages. No cookie cutter Ambassadors here.
Skirt Sports also tried to help all women benefit from the joys of activity, whether it was their #womenwhomove campaign or their Running Start Program.
I remember the first half I ran in Skirt
When I first started running in skirt, I chose the Happy Girl Skirt because it covered my legs more. I was self conscious about those non-runner/runner legs. It got me through the brutally, unseasonably hot Heartbreak Hill Half. In fact, at the top of Heartbreak Hill, when they doused me with water, I remember suddenly thinking oh s#@t! My phone’s in my pocket! Both the phone and I survived (me, just barely!).
Eventually, as with many love affairs, I strayed. I cheated. I had gotten over the self consciousness about my legs; all I cared about was being able to run comfortably and having enough pockets. I ran into problems, though — Happy Girl was just a little too long for this petite girl, but I chafed in the more popular Gym Girl Ultra in longer distances.
Eventually, though, the ever innovative Skirt Sports team came up with the Cool It Skirt, and for this runner’s body, it was perfection. It was all Skirt Sports, all the time from then on out.
I even began wearing the shorter skirts, the Jettes and the Lionesses — my legs may not be my best feature, but they can carry me 18 miles, and I fell in love with those shorter skirts! I turned many friends onto Skirt Sports, too.
Skirt helped me tackle trails, too. They got me through my first trail half, which obviously lived up to its name: Mud and Chocolate. Usually you’ll find me running trails with my friends in the Summer, though, and I’m usually looking to cool down, not warm up (the Cool It tops work great for Summer trail running!).
Skirt for Life
In the warmer months, I live in skirt. In the Winter months (which is about half the year in the Northeast), Skirt Sports gets me through my cold runs.
I have hiked through many states, and many scenic areas in my own state, in Skirt.
One of the best benefits of Skirt Sports are the friends I made. I ran into an Ambassador — or a Skirt lover — at so many races across the country. Sometimes by design, sometimes randomly, sometimes more than once!
Skirt Sports has been there for me, through the good runs, the bad runs, the good times in life — and the bad times in life. Yes, I even wore a Skirt Sports skirt to my parents 70th anniversary celebration — and to my Dad’s funeral service.
I came to Skirt to run, to race, and I have, indeed, run so many races in Skirt Sports. Good ones, bad ones, the rare ugly one, the PRs. Looking cute and feeling comfortable always gave me that little extra boost.
Final Thoughts
I apologize for the many photos and the length of this post, but those of you who’ve known me for a while via this blog, know that my love of all things Skirt runs deep. I can’t believe there won’t be a #31daysofskirt this July. I can’t believe there won’t be cool new patterns to drool over next year. I can’t believe there will not be new skirts that are even more innovative.
I have had my own business, too, and I understand that there often comes a time when you are ready to move on — and that that moving on isn’t easy. Thank you, Nicole DeBoom, for sharing your dream with me and so many other women. You have made a difference in our lives, and we wish you well wherever life takes you.
Shop the Skirt Sports Finish Line Sale here
Cute running clothes may seem silly. Until you run or race in them. Cute, functional running clothes? Those can literally change your life. — Chocolaterunsjudy
No questions today. Just sincere love & gratitude for being a part of the Skirt Sports family.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Judy, I love these photos!! I love to run in skirts, too, but I could never find some good ones over here.
I hope someone will continue to make and sell running skirts. They’re so cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are lots of companies that make running skirts now. They just never work with my body.
Luckily the SS skirts last pretty much forever (as far as I can tell). I’m still running in one from 5 years ago — although actually, that’s one of the longer ones, so I use it for walking the dogs, I don’t run in those longer skirts anymore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing really to add. You know how I feel. I was an ambassador even earlier than you.
Luckily I have enough skirts for the rest of my running years. None have worn out even putting them in the dryer.
Skirt Sports will live on with the runners that wear them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One pair of my favorite leggings recently did tear. I only have 2 pairs of leggings now (I have more of the heavier weight, for when it’s colder).
LikeLike
Don’t wear leggings. Maybe the skirts last longer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! I too loved being a SS ambassador for many years early on. I loved connecting w other ambassadors near and far. I think I first met you and Darlene in those groups. Skirts also became my go for a long time. They were a great way to express my fashionable flair by running. Nice tribute!
LikeLike
Love that pic with your parents. I do not own any skirt sports! I need to get on that band wagon and try some out! I know runners love them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
SS is going fast!
LikeLike
Wow! You are a great Skirt Sports Ambassador, Judy. I loved your stroll (or run) down memory lane in all the different skirts you wore for so many different activities (even your dad’s memorial service!) From everything I heard, Skirt Sports was a really good company. It is sad when a women-run company goes away. I hope she finds a buyer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all hope she finds a buyer, too, but I doubt it’ll happen. The timing is just not right for that, but you have to do what your heart tells you to do.
LikeLike
I feel like it’s the passing of an era! I hope you will be able to find another brand that you love as much as SS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The good news is that I have plenty of Skirt Sports, of course. I really do think that Nicole started the running skirt craze, and of course there are many other companies with skirts now. My body is tricky, though, and Skirt Sports was the brand that worked for me.
LikeLike
What a nice tribute, Judy!! I know what it’s like to find a product that is a perfect fit, and it’s a bummer when it’s no longer available. I love that pic of you at the top, with the triumphant high-5 pose 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kim! It’s like finding the right running shoe, right?
LikeLike
Beautiful running photos (and also the other ones).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I actually appreciate you modeling all of your skirts! I never know which “model” might be right for me. I’ll have to check out their line next time I am skirt shopping!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are most likely going out of business, and their inventory is selling out fast. 😦 Although a lot of third parties sell them on Amazon (and various other places, too).
Every body is truly different though. Both Darlene & I are ambassadors, for instance, but we prefer different skirts as we have very different body types.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! I just saw what you are referring to. That’s a bummer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll miss the pockets. And cascade. They were my BFFs. I just burned my store credit on one more Lotta Breeze Skirt and a sized down version of my favorite rad plaid lioness capris. Might jump on the too long moonshine if they go low enough
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I ordered the lioness capris in moonshine but I don’t really remember what I ordered — I know I did the “real” leggings & am hoping I got the correct size. Obviously that’s something I can put to good use!
LikeLike
ordered and returned lioness a they were silly headed into spring since they weren’t capris, but maybe now I “need” for winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh what a shame, I thought this was just a general celebration until I got to the bit at the end. You must be so sad, as must be the other folk who love their skirts so much. A lovely tribute which I hope the owner gets to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz. I am definitely not alone and they see a lot of the tributes.
LikeLike
How awesome that you were in a Skirt ad. I don’t think I knew that. Love your socks in the chocolate photo. I’m going to miss Skirt, but glad I had it for this year of my running journey
LikeLiked by 1 person
My biggest problem is that no other running skirt has ever really worked for me. OTOH, I really do have plenty of skirts.
Leggings though . . . not enough. 😦 Good thing there are resellers.
LikeLike