Dragonwing Blog
A New Year's Toast to Girl Athletes
As we bid farewell to 2014 and welcome the New Year, we raise our glasses (and water bottles) in a toast to girl athletes everywhere:
For their unapologetic competitiveness, tenacity, and the joy they have for their sport;
For the energy they put in to early morning and evening practices and the times they decline invitations so they get the rest they need to stay healthy;
For homework done in cars and buses to and from games;
For the strikes thrown and lay-ups made; for p-kicks made and face-offs taken; for spikes and sprints;
For pushing themselves, lifting their teammates, and playing with integrity and honor.
At Dragonwing, we salute each and every one of you -- for putting yourself out there and, win or lose, playing your hardest and best. You're the reason we do what we do.
Armour for Your Sports Girl? No Way!
The driving force behind Dragonwing girlgear's creation was a frustration over the lack of quality performance athletic wear for girls. Girls shouldn't have to shop in the boys' department or search the racks for XS women's clothes. 
That's why we've created a line of performance wear designed for teen and pre-teen (or tween, if you prefer!) girls. No wedgies. No straps that slip or bras that ride up when you pull down a rebound. Everything designed for an athletic girl, so she can concentrate on playing the sports she loves.
That's why we've created a line of performance wear designed for teen and pre-teen (or tween, if you prefer!) girls. No wedgies. No straps that slip or bras that ride up when you pull down a rebound. Everything designed for an athletic girl, so she can concentrate on playing the sports she loves.
Cindy Parlow Cone Named UNC Outstanding Young Alumna
Many know Cindy Parlow Cone as a soccer superstar, a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist and most recently coach of the NWSL's Portland Thorns. Earlier this month, she was honored by her alma mater for these achievements and for being a "global envoy and safety advocate ... an involved and committed mentor to girls and young women around the globe."
Photo by David Gellatly, courtesy of UNC School of Education
The University of North Carolina School of Education named Parlow Cone, a 2007 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in middle grades education, an Outstanding Young Alumna.
Photo by David Gellatly, courtesy of UNC School of Education“From this platform as a superstar athlete, Cindy has coached, mentored, and advocated…. Cindy’s involvement in the lives of young athletes has reached beyond the 50 states. Since 2007, she has been a sports envoy for the U.S. State Department, focusing on sport transcending culture and language; leadership education; AIDS prevention; and coaching education.... Having cited post-concussion syndrome when she retired as a player, Cindy is working to make the game safer for the next generations. Since 2008, in concert with the Sports Legacy Institute, Cindy has helped lead an awareness campaign on the dangers of heading the ball, seeking to delay the practice until players are in high school. In this and so many steps of her life, Cindy has walked the talk of youth development and social responsibility.”Since 2010, Cindy has been involved with Goals for Girls, an international initiative that helps disadvantaged girls across the globe by providing access to health and education programs taught through the game of soccer. Because of Cindy’s role as a spokesperson for Dragonwing, we take special pride in this award. It’s an honor to be affiliated with such a tremendous advocate and mentor for the power of sports to improve the lives of girls.
"Hands down the best sports bra"
There are plenty of reasons why our Racer Sports Bra for girls is our best selling item: unmatched comfort, superior fit, durability, and value. 
Blogger Wendy Morelli of Tweenhood, a leading blog for parents of tweens, summed it up in a recent review. She wrote that her 13-year-old hockey-playing daughter "absolutely loves" the Racer:
Blogger Wendy Morelli of Tweenhood, a leading blog for parents of tweens, summed it up in a recent review. She wrote that her 13-year-old hockey-playing daughter "absolutely loves" the Racer:
Whether she's skating suicides on the ice, doing burpees or planks, she said it was extremely comfortable and soft, she didn't feel it at all. It's hands down the best bra she's owned to date. Now that's saying a lot, since all her bras are mostly sports bras, but you can really see and feel the difference with the Racer Sports Bra. The fabric is thicker than other sports bras and it has a good stretch to it."She didn't feel it at all" is one of the most common comments we hear about our sports bras. And we love it! When girls can move and play without even thinking about their clothing, they're free to play -- and be -- their best. And THAT's what Dragonwing girlgear is all about.
Video Review: Un-Dee Mini Workout Short for Girls
What does 13-year-old Kennedy love about her Un-Dee Mini Light Compression Workout Short? See for yourself!
(Hint: wedgie-free fit, comfort, and fit)
Tween, Mom Agree on Dragonwing
Who says that Moms and tween daughters don't agree when it comes to undergarments, in particular bras and sports bras?! Becky and her daughter were so pleased with the fit and performance of the Dragonwing Mesh Racer sports bra that she wrote an online review, entitled "Good fit, soft material. Go by the Measurements on the Size Chart -- It works!"
She'd been wearing another brand loyally, and since she's grown taller, she needed more length in the straps. For the past several months, she's been embarrassed by the resulting push-up effect and annoyed by the constant ride-up. She's tried on multiple brands and models, even women's xxs sizes for the length, but ran into the same problems everywhere: Too much bra and not enough strap. The sizes that fit her height were clearly made for larger-chested girls. The Dragonwing sports bra offers more length and coverage without excess fabric. It truly seems proportioned for a more athletic but developing girl's body. Also, the material on this bra is soft cotton, and both the band and straps are wider than other bras she's tried. She finds that more comfortable, and I like that wider bands and straps offer better support for developing bodies.We love hearing detailed feedback about our performance athletic wear for girls. We're 100% committed to girls getting the perfect fit and use feedback in our design and development of new products.
Bundle Up & Save!
According to the calendar, Spring may be right around the corner, but the weather is downright cold in most of the country. Here in North Carolina, we've had lots of snow -- well, lots for us -- over the past couple of weeks. 
Soccer and lacrosse fields, running paths, and tracks may be covered with snow. But cold weather doesn't need to keep girls from playing the sports they love. Tweens and teens can stay warm and dry -- and save more than $20 -- with our special 3-piece bundle. The Winter Weather Bundle features our warm, wicking, and super comfortable Chill Weight fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles! - Chill Weight long leggings in black and azure. (Quantities are limited so order today!) - Chill Weight long sleeve top in azure - Mesh Racer sports bra in black and azure
Soccer and lacrosse fields, running paths, and tracks may be covered with snow. But cold weather doesn't need to keep girls from playing the sports they love. Tweens and teens can stay warm and dry -- and save more than $20 -- with our special 3-piece bundle. The Winter Weather Bundle features our warm, wicking, and super comfortable Chill Weight fabric, made from recycled plastic bottles! - Chill Weight long leggings in black and azure. (Quantities are limited so order today!) - Chill Weight long sleeve top in azure - Mesh Racer sports bra in black and azure
Review: Tween Loves Half-Tee Sports Top
We love getting positive reviews from girls -- from pre-teen and tween to teens -- who love our girlgear. Vicki is a fellow sports mom and entrepreneur, the founder of Throw Like A Girl sporty apparel for girls who love sports. Her daughter, age 11, loves her super-comfortable Half Tee Sports Top. "She says she feels like she can do anything in it!" To which we enthusiastically respond, "She can!"
#LikeAGirl Shouldn't be an Insult
Our favorite Super Bowl ad this year was a powerful, thought-provoking spot by Proctor & Gamble's "Always," entitled #LikeAGirl. Originally released last summer, the ad challenges viewers to think about why the phrase "like a girl" is often used to belittle, diminish, or insult. When real girls are asked to show what it means to "run like a girl," "throw like a girl," or "fight like a girl," they demonstrate the power, determination, and confidence that lives within them. They're unaware that the phrase can have a negative connotation.
Our mission is to empower girls to play -- and live -- with confidence. To move, compete, play, and live unapologetically with energy, freedom, and joy.Isn't that what it should mean to live like a girl? #LiveLikeAGirl
#SaferSoccer Priority for Parlow Cone
Knowing Cindy Parlow Cone as we do (she's a spokesperson for Dragonwing), it's hard to imagine a time when this former soccer superstar and tireless advocate for sports safety and girls empowerment had no desire to play and "basically went to sleep every chance
But that's the impact concussions, sustained during practices and games, had on her -- injuries that led to her retirement. And that's why she speaks regularly and passionately about the importance of concussion education and prevention, especially in youth sports.
Along with former US Women's National Team teammates Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett, Cindy is part of a campaign (#SaferSoccer) to educate parents and coaches on the risks of headers in soccer for girls and boys younger than 14.
Most recently, Cindy offered her story at a medical seminar organized by U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer as part of a coaches' conference on player health and safety.
According to an Associated Press story on the seminar, "Parlow Cone still deals with the symptoms of what she estimates were dozens of concussions she suffered through during her career….
'I went from a kid that just loved training, loved everything about soccer…to someone who kind of went into a shell…' "
As a girls' soccer coach today, Cindy doesn't even teach heading to her players. Instead she teaches them to bring the ball to the ground with other parts of their bodies. "As adults, we have a responsibility to
Power of Shared Language of Soccer
Last month, the Jordanian U15 Women's National Soccer Team came to the US to train and engage in American culture. Some Dragonwing soccer girls here in North Carolina were among those fortunate enough to be able to scrimmage with the team, share a meal, and get to know a bit about the similarities and differences between their lives as teen girl athletes.
Former USWNT member and Olympic gold medalist, Cindy Parlow Cone, was one of the girls' soccer coaches who met with the Jordanian girls' team. A spokesperson for Dragonwing girlgear and ambassador for Goals for Girls, an international nonprofit that helps girls worldwide through cultural exchange and soccer, Parlow Cone noted the power of sports "diplomacy":
Every time…I'm a sports envoy to another country, it just reiterates how much power…this sport of soccer hasI can say quite confidently that this experience has changed my daughter's life -- and those of all the girls on the field that chilly December evening. To meet and interact, both casually and on the soccer field, with girls from another country, opened their eyes to the similarities and differences they experience as teen girls.. It's amazing how this game can bring so many people together.
Despite language differences, they communicated perfectly in their shared "language" of soccer, where each girl knew what to do and how to play.They relished the competition and joy of the sport! Most of the girls are now connected via social media and sharing parts of their daily lives -- tweets, photos, and updates -- with their new friends across the globe. The members of the U15 team will be the first team to represent Jordan when it hosts the 2016 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in 2016. The Jordanian team's visit was part of the US State Department's Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports Initiative and the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace and Society.
Every Year is a Good Year
"Time flies when you're having fun" goes the old saying. If that's true (and I believe it is), 2014 was a very fun year. Here at Dragonwing, we've met hundreds of wonderful girls and their families -- at soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball games, at photo shoots and trunk shows, and on our Customer Service line. We expanded our line of girls' performance wear with our Mini and Low-Rise Un-Dee compression shorts and new sports bras. We'll be introducing some new athletic clothing for girls in 2015, so stay tuned! Dragonwing girl and blogger extraordinaire Emma recently wrote about her simple -- and fun -- trick for remembering the special moments, big and small, that happen throughout the year.
Her full post is worth a read. While you're there, subscribe to her blog so you don't miss her insightful, spot-on posts.Every year is a good year, it just might be tough to remember why. So, to solve that exact problem, starting January 1st of last year, I decided I was going to write down all of the highlights from the year. After every fun day, exciting night, or memorable moment, I would write down all the details of the great day. I like to include the tiny details...that can only be remembered if they’re written down.