Not to call myself out or anything, but I guess you could say I’m someone who has expensive taste. Don’t get me wrong: I’m always on the hunt for a great sale (and not just because it’s part of my job), and always relish the chance to take advantage of markdowns, especially on typically expensive pieces from some of my favorite brands. So when I was asked to try the online marketplace Italic, a retailer known for offering its members more budget-friendly versions of luxury apparel and home products, I knew it was right up my alley.
Italic is a membership-based marketplace that lets you shop for everything from suitcases, dinnerware, and pet beds to leather motorcycle jackets and cashmere scarves. For a $60 annual membership, you can access all of their goods at discounted prices. (You can’t shop with Italic if you’re not a member.) The membership offers a 30-day free trial, plus free shipping on orders over $50, and you can cancel anytime.
Since the manufacturers Italic works with develop products for high-end brands like Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani, Prada, and more, it’s like having your cake and eating it too—at factory price points. To kick off my introduction to the site, I tried out Italic’s top-rated Aura Racerback Bra and High-Waisted Leggings, plus, their practical yet supremely stylish Stella Pumps, to test each piece’s overall comfort and effectiveness.
Italic Aura Racerback Bra
Italic Aura Racerback Bra
As a woman with a significantly large bust, finding a well-fitting sports bra that’s equipped to handle my literal leaps and bounds is extremely important to me. It’s no secret that I’ve kissed a ton of frogs in search of my proverbial prince (read: sports bra) over the years, which is why I was so excited to test out Italic’s sweat-wicking and antimicrobial Aura Racerback Bra. Since it’s designed by the same manufacturers used by top brands like Alo Yoga and Giorgio Armani, I had pretty high expectations for the bra’s fit and overall quality, and I’m happy to report that it just about checks all my boxes.
As soon as I shimmed this sports bra out of its packaging, I instantly knew I’d be into it. The bra is made of thick, mid-weight nylon that feels durable and resilient, and has built-in removable cups that thankfully don’t add too much extra padding. Its large size encapsulates my boobs so there’s no side spill-over, and the bra has a wide underband that helps prevent accidental underboob. Plus, there’s something about its slim racerback design that adds a modern flair to its sporty style. While I can easily picture myself wearing this bra for lower-impact activities like yoga and Pilates, it’s not quite compressive enough to support me on a run, or during a jumping jack-heavy, burpee-friendly session of The Class.
Italic Aura High-Waisted Leggings
Italic Aura High-Waisted Leggings
While there’s certainly a time and place for cropped leggings, a major deal breaker for me when it comes to activewear is throwing on a pair of bottoms (designed with full-length in mind) that barely skim the tops of my ankles. I’m not an extraordinarily tall person—around 5’8″ when I don’t slouch—but I do own a set of long legs that make finding my ideal pant length an ongoing challenge. So when I tried out Italic’s high-waisted leggings, which are made from the same stretchy nylon fabric as their bra counterpart, I was pleasantly surprised.
Not only do they also include sweat-wicking and antimicrobial properties, but they’re actually full-length—we’re talking complete ankle coverage. Plus, the leggings feature a wide, comfy waistband that provides gentle compressive support without feeling restrictive, and dry fairly quickly when I get sweaty. I honestly could wear these pants all day, and actually have—just not immediately after a workout.
Italic Stella Pump
A reliable pair of heels is a wardrobe staple in any closet, so I made sure to pay close attention to how my feet felt while wearing the marketplace’s streamlined and versatile Stella Pumps. The leather shoes are crafted by the same manufacturers used by fashion brands like Tod’s and Prada, and have a pointed toe and manageable heel that’s three inches high. As one test for these pumps, I wore them to a friend’s wedding—which included lots of line dances, two-steps, and everything in between—that lasted for around six hours from ceremony to reception.