Dragonwing Blog
Our Girls Leggings Sold Out in 2 Weeks!
Last year at this time, we sold out our Chill Weight leggings in just two weeks! As the temperatures continue to drop, now is the time to try our Chill Weight Collection of leggings and tops. 
We've restocked our shelves with leggings for girls -- regular and capri length -- in black and black/azure and with our long-sleeve fitted tops in three colors (black, azure, and white). Key features:
We've restocked our shelves with leggings for girls -- regular and capri length -- in black and black/azure and with our long-sleeve fitted tops in three colors (black, azure, and white). Key features:
- Moisture-wicking fabric keeps you feeling dry.
- Brushed inner layer is soft against your skin and keeps you warm and cozy.
- Four-way stretch fabric means not too tight and a wedgie-free fit.
- Fabric made from recycled plastic bottles - good for the environment and for you!
Black Friday Deal on Girls' Sports Bras
We've got a terrific Black Friday deal on our best-selling sports bras for girls -- and you don't have to wait until Friday to enjoy it! Wouldn't you rather spend the time enjoying your family -- and delicious Thanksgiving left-overs?! 
From now through Sunday, November 29, buy any 2 of our bras -- The Racer, Keyhole, School to Sport, Half-Tee, or Mesh Racer -- and get a third bra* absolutely FREE!As always, shipping is free. We're committed to girls getting the perfect fit, so take a moment to measure and check the size chart. We know girls of all ages come is all sizes and shapes, so our sizes are based on measurements, not on age. * Put any three bras into your shopping cart and apply promo code 3BRAS to purchase and receive the lowest-priced bra absolutely free. Offer good through 11/29/15 only.Promo Code = 3BRAS
5 Back-to-School Tips for Active Girls
The start of the school year is filled with anticipation, excitement, great promise, and sometimes anxiety. What will my teachers and classes be like? Will I make new friends? Will my “old” friends still be my friends? And, when transitioning to a new school, will I fit in? 
At Dragonwing girlgear, our mission is to empower girls in sports and in life. Building connections, feeling confident inside and out, and making routines and transitions as smooth as possible can help get the school year off to a great start! Here are our 5 back-to-school tips: 1. JOIN A TEAM OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL. Being part of a team is a great way for girls to make friends, stay active, reduce stress, improve mental health, and develop lifelong skills – like teamwork and resilience -- that are the benefits of sports participation. 2. CHOOSE CLOTHING THAT GIVES GIRLS COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. The start of school, particularly for girls whose bodies are changing, can be a time of hyper self-awareness. Research shows that girls are starting puberty, marked by the start of breast development, significantly earlier than 15 years ago, sometimes as young as 8 or 9 years old. Regardless of when they first need a bra, girls want something comfortable that provides enough coverage so they don’t feel self-conscious and fits them just right, so they can move and play with confidence. Girls and parents alike want a first bra to be age-appropriate, not the padded or plunging bras of Victoria’s Secret, Target, and other retailers. A well-fitting, comfortable sports bra, like our Keyhole and Racer sports bras, or a sports camisole with an inner layer, like our Un-Tee Sports Cami, is often the best choice. 3. MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO SPORTS EASY, QUICK, AND COMFORTABLE. The start of the school year and fall sports season means girls – and parents – need to make quick transitions from school to practice or competition. Need to change clothes in the car or on the bus? Concerned about modesty while changing out of school clothes and into sports gear? When getting dressed in the morning, choose base layers (aka “undergarments”) -- like our sports bras, camis, and light compression shorts -- that are cool and comfortable under “regular” school clothes and make changing for sports quick and easy. No need to completely undress; just take off school clothes and pull on a sports jersey and shorts.
At Dragonwing girlgear, our mission is to empower girls in sports and in life. Building connections, feeling confident inside and out, and making routines and transitions as smooth as possible can help get the school year off to a great start! Here are our 5 back-to-school tips: 1. JOIN A TEAM OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL. Being part of a team is a great way for girls to make friends, stay active, reduce stress, improve mental health, and develop lifelong skills – like teamwork and resilience -- that are the benefits of sports participation. 2. CHOOSE CLOTHING THAT GIVES GIRLS COMFORT AND CONFIDENCE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. The start of school, particularly for girls whose bodies are changing, can be a time of hyper self-awareness. Research shows that girls are starting puberty, marked by the start of breast development, significantly earlier than 15 years ago, sometimes as young as 8 or 9 years old. Regardless of when they first need a bra, girls want something comfortable that provides enough coverage so they don’t feel self-conscious and fits them just right, so they can move and play with confidence. Girls and parents alike want a first bra to be age-appropriate, not the padded or plunging bras of Victoria’s Secret, Target, and other retailers. A well-fitting, comfortable sports bra, like our Keyhole and Racer sports bras, or a sports camisole with an inner layer, like our Un-Tee Sports Cami, is often the best choice. 3. MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO SPORTS EASY, QUICK, AND COMFORTABLE. The start of the school year and fall sports season means girls – and parents – need to make quick transitions from school to practice or competition. Need to change clothes in the car or on the bus? Concerned about modesty while changing out of school clothes and into sports gear? When getting dressed in the morning, choose base layers (aka “undergarments”) -- like our sports bras, camis, and light compression shorts -- that are cool and comfortable under “regular” school clothes and make changing for sports quick and easy. No need to completely undress; just take off school clothes and pull on a sports jersey and shorts.
What a girl wears under her uniform can help her feel confident and play her best. Undergarments that are comfortable, fit great, and provide appropriate coverage empower girls to play the sports they love without being distracted by droopy straps, bras or shirts that ride up, or bunching shorts.4. PLAN AHEAD FOR COOLER WEATHER. While it may be hot and humid now, the arrival of cool, fall weather always seems to surprise us. Afternoon practices and games – or the trip to and from school -- can quickly turn chilly or downright cold. A pair of leggings and a long-sleeve top under sports gear can keep a girl athlete warm, agile, and in the game. Moisture-wicking fabric is a must, so the sweat moves away from the skin and girls stay dry and warm. When shopping, consider the sport as well as the fit. Many soccer girls love our Capri-length Chill Weight Leggings because they don’t interfere with shin guards. 5. THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS A GIRL NEEDS ON HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WON'T FIT INTO HER BACKPACK OR GYM BAG. She carries these treasures inside herself: a spirit of adventure and curiosity, a desire to learn and tackle new challenges, and a sense of confidence in herself.
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A slightly revised version of this post originally appeared on the Sports Mom Survival Guide, a great resource for parents of young athletes with tips, ideas, and recipes.End-of-Year Thanks in a Poem!
A VISIT FROM DRAGONWING *
'Twas the night before the game, when all through the town
Not a suitable girl's sports bra or shorts could be found. So a Mom who was fed-up with the lack of quality and fit, Decided she could make something new - and with grit.She knew in a moment that athletic girls she must serve,
For girls are our future -- from that goal she'd not swerve.
With superior gear that met their high standard of play, Girls could compete without distraction -- hooray!Now, soccer! Now, lacrosse! Now, hoops and volleyball! On gymnastics! On skiing, on skating & all! To the top of the conference! To the top of the league!
With Dragonwing girlgear, there's no goal we can't achieve!
This Mom keeps on making stylish, high-performing gear
So sports girls everywhere can play with confidence and cheer.
You can hear her exclaim, as year ends (it's not a dream),
“Happy Holidays to all. Thanks for being part of our team!" with best wishes and many thanks, MaryAnne Gucciardi Founder & CEO
* with apologies (and thanks) to Clement Clarke Moore.
"The Most Comfortable Bra Ever"
Elise's daughter plays soccer and volleyball and is already a big fan of our Keyhole Sports Bra. But now she has a new favorite: our seamless Racer Sports Bra for girls.
Discover the Dragonwing Difference yourself & check out The Racer:
- Super fine yarn and double-layered coverage ensures support, comfort, and coverage.
- Wicking fabric keeps moisture away so you stay cool and confident.
- Shoulder straps provide support and don't droop.
- Soft, snug bottom band won't ride up no matter how far you reach, stretch, throw, or run.
- Tag free and seamless so there is no chafing
- Made in the USA.
"The Racer bra was a huge hit - she said it is the most comfortable bra ever."
Discover the Dragonwing Difference yourself & check out The Racer:
- Super fine yarn and double-layered coverage ensures support, comfort, and coverage.
- Wicking fabric keeps moisture away so you stay cool and confident.
- Shoulder straps provide support and don't droop.
- Soft, snug bottom band won't ride up no matter how far you reach, stretch, throw, or run.
- Tag free and seamless so there is no chafing
- Made in the USA.
School or Team Logo? We've Got That!
Looking for girls' athletic apparel or spirit wear customized with your school or team logo? Dragonwing can help!
For the Sacred Heart Middle School in Atherton, CA, we recently embroidered the school logo on an order of our Chill Weight Capri Leggings. Customized with the Gators' three-color logo, the leggings are sold on the school's athletics site by its Booster Club.
SHS student Alexa loves the leggings.
SHS student Alexa loves the leggings.
"Since the leggings have our school logo on them, they're good to wear for school events, such as pep rallies or football games. They're a perfect mix between comfort, style, and school spirit."Alexa says her "favorite thing about these leggings is their comfort. They are so easy to move around in or even just for lounging around in. I wear my Dragonwing leggings from yoga and sports practices to just everyday wear." To learn more about our customization options for girls athletic wear, leave us a comment or send us an email.
Stock up on Summer Camp Essentials
Is your sports girl heading off to camp this summer? Dragonwing makes packing for summer camp easy!
Stock up on essential base layers that will keep her comfortable, cool, and confident all summer long.
• four-way stretch, moisture-wicking fabric for a cool, perfect fit
• anti-microbial & odor resistant even in hot, humid weather
• tag-free design and flat seams for chafe-free comfort
• smooth, light support shorts & leggings with a wedgie-free fit
• fun, stylish, age-appropriate designs for girls, ages 8-17
Whether she's at day camp, a week-long sports camp, or overnight camp for a month (or more!), Dragonwing will provide comfort, coverage (especially helpful for changing in cabins or locker room), and style. Some of our favorites with tweens and teens:
HALF-TEE SPORTS TOP: ideal for girls who comfort and coverage, the Half-Tee great under tees, tank tops, and jerseys every day.
RACER SPORTS BRA: our best-selling girls' sports bra, the Racer's super fine yarn and double-layered coverage ensures support, comfort, and coverage.
UN-DEE LIGHT COMPRESSION SPANDEX SHORTS: super comfortable with a wedgie-free fit, the Un-Dee comes in three styles: low-rise, mini (3" inseam), and regular (5.5" inseam). Lots of great colors, too!
This Dragonwing girl is a Winner!
We asked our Instagram followers to post and tag us (@dragonwinggirl) in their throwback sports photos. We reposted every one and followers voted with their "likes."
Our winner is Dorrit E., a terrific all-around athlete who specializes in soccer, rock-climbing, and pretty much every other activity you can imagine! Her photo received more than 200 votes!
Dorrit has won a Racer Seamless Sports Bra, designed just for girls. Made in the USA of high performance yarn for super softness, this tween sports bra is anti-microbial and moisture-wicking. Seamless and tag-free to eliminate chafing, the Racer has a wide bottom band that doesn't ride up so girls can run, move, and climb with confidence.
Don't miss our next contest! Follow us @dragonwinggirl now.
4 Tips Every Young Athlete Should Know for Staying Hydrated
After a long, cold winter just about everywhere in the US, what a relief it is to have warmer weather and longer days. Practices and games that occur during the heat of the day can bring the risk of dehydration, especially for young athletes.
Staying hydrated can help athletes feel and play their best. The U.S. Soccer Federation uses the acronym GOAL for its recommendations for youth athletes, parents, and coaches.
Get acclimated: Young athletes especially need to give their bodies time to adjust to higher, more humid temperatures. Wearing shorts, tops, and sports bras made of moisture-wicking fabric (not cotton) helps your body cool itself.
On-schedule drinking: Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Increase how much you drink throughout the day, every day. Develop the habit of drinking a glass of water before you go to bed or when you get up in the morning. And be sure to drink before practice or a game, too.
Always bring a drink to practices and games. Stay away from caffeinated, so-called “energy” drinks that can cause health problems, especially in young people. To replace electrolytes after you finish playing, try chocolate milk, V-8 juice, or 100% fruit juice, which contains more carbohydrates, potassium, and nutrients than a sports drink
Learn the signs of dehydration: dizziness, nausea, chills, and unusual fatigue. If you experience any of these, stop playing, move to a cooler location, drink fluids, and – most importantly – notify a coach, parent, or other adult.
What you wear can help keep you cool, too. Dragonwing girlgear is made from fabric that wicks moisture so your body stays cooler. Check out our new Mesh Racer Sports Bra and Un-Dee Light Compression Shorts.
Are you ready for Spring Soccer Season
It’s mid February and the soccer club teams in North Carolina are gearing up for the spring season. Emails from coaches and team managers are starting again.
It’s time to organize.
Parents are going through soccer bags, looking at cleats, shin guards, practice t-shirts, and all the other items that will be worn. What still fits? What has been outgrown? Cold temperatures are still present. Does my daughter need another good item for layering? Wicking tops such as those available at Target or Khols provide a low cost solution – however, I am willing to spend a little more for better fit, comfort and performance after the multiple washes the top will undergo – so, I’m having my daughter try out the Chill Weight Long Sleeve Tee from Dragonwing girl gear. Okay, gear is accounted for a list made of new items to purchase.
Onto the next item – update the family calendar that is found on our refrigerator to remind us all where to be when.
Questions start with - when are practices, games and tournaments? Emails are probably received at least several times a week, roughly 2-3 times. The first one is typically a schedule for the week that consists of reminding the team what day of the week regular practice will be held and at what time and at what location. The next communication may be an update to any changes due to weather – say it rains and, at least in North Carolina, unless you are practicing on turf, rain often results in practice cancelations – the dense-clay-like soil can only absorb so much. And, then if there is a weekend game, a reminder email outlining day, time and location of game with specific instructions about getting to the field at least 30-45 minutes ahead of time.
Highly organized team managers tend to be the most effective with timely communications and incredible with follow up. I have always found that I have become very dependent on them – unless they tell me exactly when, where and what time – I’m scrambling.
Pressure on a team manager? – perhaps or rather, yes.
What tools exist to help team managers keep their team’s a well-oiled machine? Yes.
Many team managers may have their own approach; a system they have used based on previous management experience, relying on what’s worked and what has not. There are also online tools that help managers with centralization of information that includes a calendar of events, a way to send our automated emails to team members/parents – and a good example of such a tool is TeamSnap.com – an online tool to manage teams and/or groups. Features include creating team homepage, having a centralized location for contacts and a shared calendar. Start with a free subscription to figure out if it’s right for you.
I look forward to hearing how you start organizing for the new season – and if you have used any online tools that are particularly remarkable and why.
Good luck to all your teams this season.
Play Wedgie-Free & Without Distraction
Monica watched her 10-year old granddaughter on the softball field as she adjusted her uniform again and again, tugging at the bulky compression shorts that were bunching up under her uniform. The girl glanced around self-consciously each time to see if anyone noticed. "She was totally distracted by those shorts that just didn't fit properly," Monica told us a couple of weeks after buying a pair of our High-Rise Compression Shorts. Since she started wearing Dragonwing's spandex shorts under her softball pants, Monica's granddaughter "hasn't picked a wedgie!"
That's our goal: empower girls to play -- and be -- their best without being distracted by sports apparel that doesn't fit properly.Monica's granddaughter loves the way her compression shorts fit: stretchy enough to move with her but not bulky like her old shorts from a big-box store. And the mesh side panels and moisture-wicking fabric meant she stayed cool under her uniform. Now whenever they see another softball player tugging at her pants and picking at a wedgie, Monica and her granddaughter say, "That girl needs Dragonwing!"
Getting Girls Off the Sidelines & Into the Game
With much of the world's eyes and screens tuned in to the World Cup, Wall St. Journal reporter Patricia Kowsmann wrote powerfully about how girls in Brazil are often left on the soccer sidelines.
Her personal story of being bullied as a young girl for wearing boys' soccer cleats really hit home for me. It touched at the core of why I started Dragonwing girlgear.
The sad truth is that, for most girls who play sports, the only high quality clothing -- that wicks moisture and doesn't chafe -- is found in the boys' section. Or the women's section where sports bras don't fit girls.
All too often, girls are forced to choose between the right gear for their sport OR lower-quality apparel -- like a cotton bralette -- that isn't designed for playing sports.
Girls who play sports aren't "tomboys;" they're athletes and deserve to have comfortable, supportive clothing -- sports camis, compression shorts, and sports bras -- that helps girls play their best. That's what we do every day at Dragonwing girlgear.