Trikini secrets and other Asian sportswear

It's not often I take the liberty of buying myself sporting attire. I've never been one to have all the 'kit' for exercise of any description. I'm more of a $5 H&M cotton singlet girl thrown on with my one pair of black Adidas 3/4 tights and the runners I've had for one too many years.

But judging by the colour of my face yesterday post one measly hour of tennis at 5pm in 30 degree heat in the middle of Spring, it seems pretty clear that my non-breathable cotton cheapies are simply not going to cut the mustard if I want to continue to exercise outdoors while living in Hong Kong. Of course the colour of my face had nothing to do with my level of fitness, it was my singlet's fault. Obviously.

So, after another tennis session today which resulted in a beetroot for a head, I decided I needed to sort this 'kit' business out, top half and bottom half, toute de suite. And well, well, well! Wasn't I surprised with the array of choice available!

First there were these:

I mean, I don't know about you, but I have ALWAYS wanted a pair of magenta velour 3/4 sports shorts. Yes, you heard me. Velour. Breathable? No. Flammable? Yes.

Then there were these:

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for a harem pant and have at least 3 pairs of my own for recreational use, but for sport? The last thing I want when I'm dripping with sweat and beetrooting to the max is to trip over myself thanks to the superfluous material between my legs. Sozza, it's not going to work. 

Now these puppies, these were special:

These mottled silver snakeskin tights were channelling some form of mid-90s Salt'n'Pepa film clip whereby my backside would be writhing rhythmically while I sang "ooh, baby baby, baby baby, ooh baby baby, baby baby.....get up on this.....Ahhbh push it.....push it good....Ahhh.....push it....push push it real good". Not quite appropriate for the generally middle-aged Tai Tai audience. 

After sampling much of the leg-wear that the store had to offer, I settled on 3 singlets. And I almost, almost, came away with this piece of headwear that I kid you not, EVERY local Hong Konger wears when outdoors. Isn't she pretty? 

She is an extended visor with mandatory ear flaps. You can't really tell from this shot but the visor part extends about a metre in front of my face. Great for sun protection AND singing rehearsal.

My last find was one of the best. 'Trikini secrets'. Silicone inserts for those less-than-ample-breasted intent on wearing a triangle bikini (i.e. most of Asia). If only I'd known about these as a kid growing up. Well let's be honest, I could still use a little help in that department even now. Sad, but true. Sigh. What I'm confused about is why these were in a sports store? Are we expected to jog in our bikinis in Hong Kong?

So, there you go. Some new sporting attire secured with a surprisingly interesting lesson in the diversity of Asian sporting fashion. More than I was bargaining for but unforgettable nonetheless.

Are you a sporting 'kit' kind of person? Are you a velour, harem, metre-long visor fan? Please say someone out there is a Trikini secrets user?!