Billabong Volume

Billabong Volume

Before I started taking Nia classes, I had an odd assortment of workout gear accumulated from years of going to gym. Remember the brightly-coloured spandex leotards, woolen leg warmers and towelling headbands from the 80s? Well, I had all of that and more. From racerback tank tops to shorts, leggings and capris with athletic piping down the sides, my closet contained numerous styles of fitness wear. Then there were the footless tights and dance shoes from ballet class, and the bicycle shorts, not, um, because I was a cyclist but because bike shorts were heavily in fashion at one time, and lots of pairs of branded trainers, for the same reason. The point is, I've always made an effort to dress up for exercise class because it motivates me and gets me 'in the groove' so to speak.

When I started Nia, a form of fusion fitness incorporating elements of dance, martial arts and yoga, I had nothing much to wear. Until then, my exercise clothes had been very much of the gym-bunny variety but Nia opened up a whole new world of sartorial expression for me. Naturally, the clothes worn in Nia classes are designed for mobility and functionality in the same way as for any other form of exercise but Nia lovers wear their exercise garments with a touch of flair not often seen elsewhere. Because Nia is an expressive form of fitness where the mind, body and soul are aligned in harmonious movement, self-expression and creativity abound and this is echoed in the flamboyant exercise wear.

It is not uncommon to see flowing tops in jewel tones, embellished with sequins and beads. Stretch lace trim and inserts on tops and pants are also popular. Soft cotton lycra and viscose stretch fabrics are favoured, not only because of the comfort and ease they provide but because the fabrics flow well and accentuate the movement of the body. Volume in trousers goes from narrow lace trimmed leggings worn under short flippy skirts, to loose yoga pants and bellbottoms with super-wide flares. The wearing of jewellery is also a common occurrence and can be in any style from ethnic to traditional gold or silver, although dangly chandelier earrings aren't popular for obvious reasons. Brightly-patterned headscarves sometimes make an appearance as do fashionable headbands. Footwear, however, is probably the only form of apparel that isn't seen in Nia classes as this particular form of fitness is usually done barefoot.

For more information about fashion and clothing visit the website http://www.fashionink.co.za

Billabong Odyssey $4.99 Billabong Odyssey

Billabong Lifter Moneyclip (Black) $24 Billabong Lifter Moneyclip (Black)

Billabong Valerie Bag (Black) $39.5 Billabong Valerie Bag (Black)

Billabong™ Regular $35 Download the Billabong™ Regular font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Billabong™ Bold $35 Download the Billabong™ Bold font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Billabong™ Italic $35 Download the Billabong™ Italic font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Billabong Family $112 Download the Billabong Family font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Billabong Boy $15.95 Billabong Boy is Arron's story, from a boy who loved to explore his local billabong to international award-winning speaker, and his struggles to keep balanced while being an inspiration to those around him.

Billabong Easy Does It Bag (Black) $59.5 Billabong Easy Does It Bag (Black)

Billabong Easy Does It Bag (Olive) $59.5 Billabong Easy Does It Bag (Olive)

Aerial of a Billabong, Australia $19.99 Robert Francis Aerial of a Billabong, Australia - Photographic Print

Billabong Essential Thermal (Black) $34.5 The Billabong Essential Thermal is a regular fit long sleeve thermal with a Billabong woven label. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Traks Tank (Silver) $32 The Billabong Traks Tank is a striped tank top with Billabong logo down the side hem. Made form 100% Cotton.

Billabong Contrast Leather (Black) $32 The Billabong Contrast Belt is a leather beslt with contrast colors. It features adjustable size belt holes and Billabong engraved on the belt buckle.

Billabong Gibson Short (Cement) $59.5 The Billabong Gibson Walkshort has rad open check plaid pattern with Billabong woven labels. 65%Polyester and 35% Rayon

Billabong Inferno Belt (Black) $30 Billabong Inferno Belt is made with 100% leather, a distressed style, and has a buckle with Billabong detail.

Billabong Poster Beanie (Black) $24 The men's Billabong Poster beanie features a ribbed beanie and a wrap around Billabong jacquard.

Billabong Inferno Belt (Tan) $30 Billabong Inferno Belt is made with 100% leather, a distressed style, and has a buckle with Billabong detail.

Billabong Kaya Hat (Grey) $36 The men's Billabong Kaya hat features a New Era 59fifty, a Billabong X Bob Marley embroidery, and a flex fit.

Billabong Teflon Sweater (Grey) $54.5 The Billabong Teflon Sweater is a striped v-neck sweater with Billabong clamp label at the lower hemington. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Teflon Sweater (Tar) $54.5 The Billabong Teflon Sweater is a striped v-neck sweater with Billabong clamp label at the lower hemington. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Strapped Sandal (Silver) $22 Billabong Girls Strapped Sandal is made with Vegan leather, multi-straps at the front, and Billabong debossed at the heel of the footbed.

Billabong Solstice T'shirt (Yellow) $20 Billabong Solstice T'shirt is 6% organic cotton, 94% cotton, has short sleeves, and Billabong printed across the chest.

Billabong Unrest T'shirt (Black) $20 Billabong Unrest T'shirt is made with 100% cotton, has short sleeves, with Billabong and artwork printed on the front.

Billabong Hounds Tank (Black) $32 The Billabong Hounds Tank is a striped tank top with Billabong logo at lower hem. Made from 100% Cotton

Billabong On and On Tank (Tiki Turquoise) $34.5 The women's Billabong On and On tank features a shape pattern, an oversized fit, and a woven label.

Billabong Sedona Towel (Black) $34 The women's Billabong Sedona towel features a retro print and loogs and fringe on the ends.

Water Lily Covered Billabong $39.99 Randy Olson Water Lily Covered Billabong - Photographic Print

Billabong Traveler Hat (Black) $28 Billabong Traveler Hat is an acrylic/wool/spandex blend, premium fitted style, wave logo embroidered at center back, and Billabong embroidery on the front.

Billabong Turn Short (Ash) $54.5 The Billabong Turn Walkshort is a rad regular fit pair of striped shorts with a Billabong woven label. Made from 76% Polyester and 28% Viscose

Billabong Huck Wallet (Black) $29.5 The men's Billabong Huck wallet is made of 100% lambstouch leather. It features a Billabong emboss, laser etching, chain loop, cotton poplin lining, and coin compartment.

Billabong Benton Short (Black) $49.5 The Billabong Benton Shorts are plaid printed walkshorts with button closure back pockets and a Billabong patch logo on back. Made from Cotton, Polyester, and Spandex.

Billabong Temple Tank (Marine) $29.5 The Billabong Temple Tank is a regular fit striped tank top made from 100% Cotton. It features a Billabong patch logo on the lower front.

Billabong Torn Tee (Black) $20 The Billabong Torn Tee is an organic t-shirt made from 100% Organic Cotton. It features a Billabong graphic screen printed on the chest.

Billabong Civil Tank (White) $29.5 The Billabong Civil Tank is a striped mesh jersey tank top with a Billabong patch at lower hem. Made from 60% Cotton and 40% Polyester.

Billabong Hatchet Shirt (Black) $59.5 The Billabong Hatchet Shirt is a longsleeve button down shirt with a single chest pocket and woven Billabong label. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Hatchet Shirt (Grey) $59.5 The Billabong Hatchet Shirt is a longsleeve button down shirt with a single chest pocket and woven Billabong label. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Sanders Short (Ash) $44.5 The Billabong Sanders Walkshort is a 21 regular fit chino style washed down cotton twill walkshort with Billabong embroideries. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Bucky Shirt (Navy) $59.5 The Billabong Bucky Shirt is striped button down with front button closure chest pockets and Billabong embroidery near the bottom. Made from 100% Cotton.

Billabong Conscript Tee (Black) $20 The Billabong Conscript Tee is an organic t-shirt made from 100% Organic Cotton. It features a Billabong graphic screen printed on the chest.