ISIS is a new-to-me clothing brand, but the small, female-run company has been around since the late 1990s, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, and long known for it performance active wear. From the ISIS website: “ISIS is made up of 95 percent women and we want the same thing you do in clothing – something that fits, looks good, gives us confidence, and enables us to enjoy the great outdoors.”
While ISIS may turn out some fashionable and functional clothing for outdoor activities — such as fleece jackets, waterproof pants, sports bras and moisture-wicking base layers — the company also produces some versatile pieces that are ideal for travel. Take a look:
Melbourne Skirt: I love, love, love this quick-dry nylon skirt (with a touch of stretchy spandex) that offers UPF 50+ for protection against harmful sun rays. For traveling, the lightweight material packs down nicely. The length of the skirt is modest (just above the knee) and the wrap style offers full coverage (i.e. if the front flap flies open in a gust of wind, you won’t be exposing any thigh).
Other nifty features include a zip side pocket, which fits a passport, a small snap pocket for loose change, and inside adjustable buttons so you can cinch tight or loosen after a big meal. I’ve worn this skirt around the house to vouch for its comfort, but the weather in Colorado isn’t conducive these days to a thin nylon skirt; I’ll absolutely be packing the Melbourne Skirt ($69) for my trip to balmy Florida in January. It comes in black and timber (shown).
Deep Vee Tee: I envision getting a lot of use out of this long-sleeve, V-neck top — layered under a sweater or jacket with jeans for travel days, on top of a tank and under a sweatshirt for hiking, even paired with a flirty black skirt for a dressier occasion.
The Deep Vee Tee ($65), available in pretty berry (the burgundy/plum pictured here), juniper (green), black and white, is made from polyester and spandex material, which is incredibly soft and comfy. I like the long arm length and the feminine shirring at the neck. It has a shaped fit, so it flatters your body without being clingy.
A couple of other new tops I think are cute: the Hampton Cowl-neck Hoodie ($75), with a slight gathering at its empire-style waist, and the Elemental V-Neck ($55), with a swirly, flowery pattern.
Nolita Coat: This softshell coat is as at home in the mountains as it is on a city street. I’ve been wearing the mid-thigh-length black coat around town for the past few weeks, earning compliments for it not only at the grocery store but at upscale restaurants. It’s great because it’s so functional and fashionable in autumn or winter weather (though not something I’d wear outside for long periods of time in a heavy snowstorm).
The coat is not bulky, but it absolutely keeps me warm on windy cold days, and it’s water resistant in rain and snow. The interior of the jacket is a super-soft microfleece, which also helps with warmth. The big collar can be turned up to also protect against the wind; interior cuffs prevent wind from whooshing up the sleeves.
The asymmetrical zipper adds a touch of style and whimsy to the coat and the flattering side seams help to show a woman’s curves. It does have a shaped fit, so I’m not that comfortable wearing a medium- to heavyweight sweater underneath it. But a blouse or a lightweight cashmere sweater fits just fine. The Nolita Coat ($199) makes a great fall or winter travel jacket — sleek and stylish for airport travel days, for sure.
Purchase ISIS clothing at the ISIS website or check the site for a brick-and-mortar store near you. I”ve also found some off-season pieces discounted at Amazon.com.
Isis Melbourne Skirt at Backcountry.com
