Burned Out on Neon, Triathletes Get Better Tone Refueling on Jewel Colors

More than good blood circulation can help athletes radiate this year. They can stimulate their appearance with the bright palette of jewel tones and shiny reflector materials available in active wear. So discovered friends and participants of Sunday’s eighth annual Mazda/Orange County Performing Arts Center Triathlon at a pre-race, carbo-loading dinner party and fashion show last week at Spiga Ristorante in Crystal Court, Costa Mesa.

Bods of steel paraded in running rags by Nike and Asics, bicycling gear by Hind and Tinley, and swimwear by Speedo, Tyr and Arena. Shoes came from Nike, Asics, New Balance and Saucony. Oshman’s Sporting Goods in South Coast Plaza supplied the active wear. Most of the clothing sells for $20 to $50.

The major statement? Sportos are getting away from last decade’s neons and turning to teal, fuchsia, royal blue and lots of purple. Black also runs through much of the season’s styles. The trend comes at the heels of winter, when jewel colors and black colored the slopes.

Even accessories follow the color code with Oakley shades trimmed in brights, two-tone bicycling gloves of Lycra and leather and a multicolored waist belt featuring a water bottle holder and pockets for coins or keys.

Silver reflector strips provide more than just sparkling detail. The fabric, developed by 3M, is featured on shoes and clothing for runners and cyclists who take to the streets in the evenings.

Technology has also produced two of the hottest fabrics in athletic fashions this year: dry-touch nylon and Cool Max. The synthetic materials are designed to pull perspiration away from the body and keep the wearer from getting hot.