During her battle with weight loss, Chicagoan Jenny Gresla noticed that most athletic clothing lines focused on the end results, and there was not much for people just starting their journey to fitness. After conducting a brief survey among women, she realized she wasn’t alone in this realization.
“There was a common theme that tops are too short and too tight in midsection, so women are forced to go up a size but then it still doesn’t fit right,” Gresla says. “I couldn’t find anything I felt comfortable in, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.”
So, Gresla created SELA Fit, a brand that focuses on the journey to health and fitness. In fact, SELA stands for “See potential, Embrace the journey, Live with intention, Act with perseverance.”
Right now, SELA is an online-only store that offers two different types of shirts; both styles are longer and fitted at the bottom, but looser around the midsection. The material is 100 percent Polyester, making it breathable and moisture wicking.
“The tops are nothing super scientific, I just made tweaks based on what I know women like myself would like,” Gresla adds. “For example, the Simone tank has a back draping, because I know a lot of people are self-conscious with extra skin or bra buldges in back, so I wanted to make them more comfortable by honing that done.”
When I received the press release for SELA, I immediately wanted to try it; not only do I understand the need for more accessibility and variance in athletic wear styles as a female, but I am a huge advocate for local entrepreneurs, especially on the fitness scene. After speaking with Gresla, I asked to try a shirt, and she was more than happy to send me one.
The one I got is the Kerri tank in Charmix, which is the more basic looking one. Honestly, when it came in the mail, I was unsure that I’d like it – I usually don’t like exercising in longer shirts, especially doing cardio, because I feel like it gets in the way. However, the lightweight material made the shirt extremely comfortable and I didn’t even realize the length as soon as I started running.
In addition to functionality, SELA shirts are super cute; after my run, I decided to go grocery shopping, so I just threw on a clean pair of leggings and sandals and it looked like a normal summer outfit I wear all the time. With athleisure at the forefront of the fashion market due to its comfort and flexibility, SELA fits right in.
Gresla plans on launching three more tops this fall, and hopes to eventually expand to all activewear pieces, including leggings and sports bras, along with different styles to suit those at all parts of their journey. The current shirts go for $40 to $50 a piece, which is comparable, if not cheaper, to its competitors such as Lululemon and Fabletics. If Gresla continues producing high-quality products that also serve as everyday outfits, I will become a regular SELA customer.
See more on selafit.com.
