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Nowadays, sportswear isn’t only developed for function. High-end technology such as wick-away properties is merged with high-end fashion and inspiration from runway and red carpet trends. The resulting pieces are so chic, it’s no surprise that sportswear has also become streetwear. For many sportswear companies, the concept of “form meets function” is now the basis of their women’s offerings and Oakley is establishing their place within this market. A Glam Slam was lucky enough to attend a weekend in Napa Valley with Oakley, to test out the brand’s current activewear offerings and preview the upcoming Spring 2012 women’s collection.

Oakley’s foray into the world of fashionable sportswear took careful planning and inspiration from female athletes who were tired of the idea that “macsuline gear made smaller” would appease women. The “Oakley woman” is one with a very active lifestyle who wants her apparel to satisfy performance needs and style wants. Women want to look feminine, fashion-forward and modern but they also want their clothes to deliver technical performance and maintain comfort. Oakley’s garments were engineered to bridge this gap. Designs are elegant yet sporty, with bold, exciting color palettes that are versatile enough so wearers can “Perform Beautifully” from an active day into a night out.

The weekend of “Performing Beautifully” began with a fashion show to preview the upcoming collection of tees, tanks, hoodies, bottoms, dresses, bathing suits and accessories. Among the items showcased were the brand’s Spring 2012 eyewear and 2012 training apparel. Expect to see bright hues, feminine cuts and intricate details merge with fabrics that are breathable and comfortable.

Thanks to Oakley and Asics, each attendee was given a complete activewear wardrobe for the weekend, to experience the product benefits first-hand. A 5K run through the Trefethen Vineyard, Trek bike tour, sculpting/toning class with Tone It Up and a hike were among the events at the fitness retreat. Below is a sampling of the gear (available now) that A Glam Slam used throughout these activities. You can view the full Oakley women’s collection here.

(Clockwise from left: Distance Tank in Prism Yellow ($45); Drizzle Fleece Hoodie ($75); Solution Tote 2.0 ($65); Leg Up Pant ($50))

And we can’t talk Oakley without mentioning eyewear. A Glam Slam had the opportunity to try out the yet-to-be-released Oakley Drizzle sunglasses. Though they’re not available until November, these are definitely a workout wardrobe staple to add to your must-have list. Imagine designer quality shades and running without having to push your sunglasses up over your nose. A huge part of Oakley’s eyewear success can be attributed to their rigorous testing process. There’s a lot of work that goes into perfecting those shades and A Glam Slam got an inside look. The “Rolling O” Lab is a 40-foot mobile unit designed to educate consumers on Oakley’s optics technology and demonstrate the durability of their shades (i.e. bb gun pellets are used to test the toughness of lenses). Here’s a peak inside the lab:

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p>A special thanks to Oakley, Asics, and Toyota for a very memorable weekend. To see more photos, visit the Oakley Women’s facebook page here.

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