It’s wild to think that Australian activewear brand Crop Shop Boutique (CSB) simply started as a side hustle for Rachel Dillon. Fast forward six years, and celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa, and Alix Earle have all been spotted in the iconic crops.
Now, as someone who has seen CSB all over the internet and always been curious about the hype, I felt like it was time to give it a go. If you’re reading this and wondering what my credentials are as a reviewer of activewear. Well, aside from this gig, I’ve also been a Pilates instructor for the past five years, so I have more activewear in my wardrobe than I do regular clothes. I’ve tried so many different pairs of activewear in my pursuit of the most flattering, long-lasting and workout-withstanding sets.
I ordered the Serenity Soft Halter Contour Crop, Serenity Soft Invisible Scrunch Shorts 4″, the Form Addison Tank in Powder Blue, the Serenity Sierra Crop, the Serenity Naomi Crop, the Serenity Crossover Shorts 4″, and the Ballet Wrap Top.
CSB Sizing
According to their website, CSB uses standard Australian sizing as their baseline, ranging from XS to XL/XXL (depending on the collection) — e.g. XS = AU6, S = AU8, M = AU10, L = AU12 and XL = AU14.
Now, there is some difference in sizing, but it all depends on the collection’s fabrics. Online reviews heavily emphasise that you cannot buy the same size across all CSB items. The brand uses different signature fabrics, and each one fits completely differently.
For example, the ‘Serenity’ fabric is their highly compressed performance fabric. Online reviews universally agree that Serenity runs very small and stiff. It has minimal stretch, which is what you want when lifting weights, but it also means you almost always need to size up, especially if you have a wider ribcage or prefer not to feel heavily constricted.
The ‘Form’ fabric is the line Alix Earle made famous, and the line that went viral for the invisible scrunch shorts. It is much softer, lighter, and more forgiving than Serenity. Most people find Form runs true to size, though some choose to size up in the shorts to avoid the dreaded sausage thigh squeeze at the hem.
The ‘Freedom’ fabric is their softest second-skin style fabric (similar to aligns). It has excellent stretch, so you are usually safe buying your true size here.
So how did I find the fit? Well, I’m typically a size 8-10 (depending on the fabric) in most activewear. I’m around 5″2 with a proper hourglass figure — my hips and boobs are at least 20 cm wider than my waist. I also had a baby last year, and I’m still breastfeeding, so my boobs are about three sizes bigger than they’ve ever been. Based on all of this information, I decided to size up to a medium in everything but the wrap top.
I actually found that everything fit perfectly aside from the Serenity Soft Halter Top, which I had an inkling would happen. But I also think that when my boobs deflate after I stop breastfeeding, the halter style will probably fit me much better. In the meantime, I only wear her when I’m ~layering~ my activewear.
My recommendation would be to size up by one full size if you have a broader back, wide shoulders, or a C+ bust, and for leggings and shorts, order your true size if buying the Form or Freedom fabrics, but size up if buying the Serenity fabric or if you carry more muscle/curves in your thighs and hips.
CSB fabric and feel
The Serenity Soft Halter Crop and 4″ Shorts provide a moderate level of compression and firmness while still feeling velvety and luxurious. It’s the kind of fabric where you feel held while doing lower-impact exercises like Pilates and weight training. The same can be said for the Serenity Sierra Crop. The Addison top was so buttery soft and layered really beautifully with the crops. While I haven’t worn it on its own yet, you definitely could if you were heading out for a hot girl walk to yoga or Pilates.
The Naomi Crop and Crossover Shorts both feel so supportive and workout-ready that if I were heading to the gym to lift weights or do a HIIT workout, I’d probably choose these. They’re smooth, slick and definitely figure-hugging (aka I’m glad I sized up).
Coming into winter, the ballet wrap top was a smart choice. It’s buttery soft, fits beautifully and layers so nicely with all the colours.
My only critique, if I had to get picky, was that I didn’t feel supported enough in any of it to go for a run while wearing it. But also, when I think of CSB activewear, I don’t think of running activewear. And that’s perfectly okay.
I genuinely don’t think there is an activewear brand on the market that can do it all. My activewear wardrobe is lined with so many different brands, and all for a good reason. I tailor my outfits to my workouts, and you should too.
Is CSB activewear expensive?
Instead of pricing itself like a standard activewear label, CSB prices itself more like a fashion label that happens to make activewear. If you look at other Australian activewear labels on the market, CSB sits comfortably in the mid-to-premium price range. They definitely aren’t a budget brand, but they aren’t the most expensive on the market either.
While everything is sold separately, the average short/crop set will set you back around $150, leggings/crop $170 and for the viral Alix Earle set around $180.
If you’re building a wardrobe of basics, CSB frequently runs a three for 15 per cent off bundle deal on their core essentials (like their staple black and white crops). They also offer free shipping within Australia if your cart passes $150, meaning buying a complete legging set usually gets you over that free-shipping threshold.
What I loved about CSB
Honestly, I think the CSB activewear is among some of the most flattering I’ve ever put on my body. I really liked the fabrics and the fits (once I found my size), and after two weeks of adding them to my rotation, they’re washing and wearing really well so far. I’ve been following the care instructions and using a wash bag for extra protection as advised, hoping to get the most outta them. I’m impressed by the quality.
I’ve also been complimented on both outfits every time I’ve worn them, which is an added little confidence boost.
Where I think they might come a little unstuck, which I had previously read online, is when you’ve got a bigger bust — which right now is myself. I’m currently a 10D (pre-baby a 10B), and some of the cuts are very revealing on me, including the famous Serenity Sierra Crop. Don’t get me wrong, I feel so feminine and sexy in that cut, but I also get nervous I’m going to have a nip slip mid-class.
Would I buy CSB?
Yes, I absolutely would. I think your activewear needs to do two things: 1) hold you in and support you while you work out and 2) make you feel confident. CSB ticks both those boxes for me when it comes to hot girl walks, weight lifting sessions and low-impact workouts like Pilates and yoga. I feel like when I wear my CSB, I want to wear it all day long because I’m comfortable, I look good, and most importantly, I feel good.
You can check out CSB’s full range here.
Lead Image: Alix Earle / Bree Grant / Dua Lipa
The post I Tried The Aussie Activewear Brand Alix Earle, Dua Lipa & Hailey Bieber Are Obsessed With appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
