This week there is no founder feature. Rather, I want to talk about the brand that is taking over my closet : Left On Friday.
Instead of the usual discussion about brand discovery and founder journeys, I want to tell you why this brand and its products make sense for me and my lifestyle. I will also link all the wonderful podcasts where you can listen to the co-founders share their journey. Those stories are always so inspiring to me, and I think if you are a subscriber to this newsletter, they matter to you as well.
So, let’s rewind back to 2021. We were still in the thick of COVID, considering what life, work and travel might look like. We were all in our nap dresses and/or sweats era. Except me. I didn’t own any sweatshirts, except for one with my dog’s face embroidered on it. I was also really hesitant (and in denial) about purchasing any sweatshirts or pants because I wanted to get back to my usual dressing and felt my closet longing to be worn. But eventually, I gave in and decided that I should get at least one real sweatshirt to lounge in. Admitting defeat, I started my hunt for some ‘cool’ ‘fun’ ‘fashion’ sweatshirts. Pretty sure those were my search terms. Somehow, I landed on Left on Friday’s site. I knew the brand for swimwear, but I did not know them as a brand for athleisure. But their sweatshirts were EVERYTHING! They came in an array of fun colors. Check. They were oversized. Check. They had interesting sleeves. CHECK!!! And they had a raw edge finish so I could crop them for my petite height. CHECK. WIN. ALL THE THINGS.
So, I ordered one of their Sports & Rec Sweatshirts1 in 24 Karat2. It came. I immediately ordered the sweatshirt in Hot (Pink). That one came, and I ordered another in Daydream (Lilac). I was in love. These were exactly the kind of sweatshirts I wanted to live in. They were weighty. They were cozy cotton. They were cut in such a delectable way. They had an interesting design and silhouette. They came in shades that your average sweatshirt wishes it could be dyed in. Oh, I loved them so much! And I wore them constantly. For someone who didn’t own sweatshirts prior, that’s saying a lot! I was so in love with the brand at this point, that I also bought their Wear to Dress in First Place (Blue) pretty much as soon as it launched.
So, let’s talk about the brand and distract you a little from my shopping behavior. Even today, LOF is primarily known for their bathing suits (and I get why), but they have a whole collection of clothing that goes far beyond your beach and pool needs. Left on Friday was co-founded by Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage. The duo are Lululemon veterans who combined their extensive experience in the apparel industry to create a swimwear brand that focuses on both style and functionality.
Laura Low Ah Kee’s strategic acumen, combined with Shannon Savage’s expertise in design, resulted in a line of swimwear (and other clothing) that prioritizes both aesthetics and fit. Each piece is crafted to offer impeccable style, perfect fit, and unparalleled comfort, catering to active women who refuse to compromise on design for the sake of function. There is an attention to detail in every product that makes the brand stand out. The duo's commitment to creating high-quality, chic, practical and functional swimwear and athleisure has set Left on Friday apart in the competitive market. Their collaborative efforts and shared extensive knowledge of the industry have been instrumental in the brand's success and growth.
Laura and Shannon really know their audience. They understand what women are looking for, whether it’s a bathing suit, a playsuit, or a sweatshirt. Their swimwear line offers variety both in fit and color that I doubt anyone could browse and not find something they love. And their customer service team is so helpful when you contact them to ask questions about fit (which I did and they helped me a ton). Speaking of fit, if you are looking to figure out what swimsuit size you should get, they also have hundreds of community members sharing their UGC with details on size (both their own and the product size). That is such a unique feature of this brand! I have personally never seen any other bathing suit brand share that level of customer engagement.
I’ve been designing and producing some of my clothes since childhood. It’s something I learned from my mom, and growing up we would sit and analyze how certain fabrics are better for certain silhouettes and styles. Even today when I shop, the first thing I check is the composition. Will this product’s material composition hold up after a wash for this silhouette? That really matters. A lot of sweatshirts on the market today are 50% cotton and 50% polyester. That is not a blend I want or will purchase. The reason I fell in love with the LOF sweatshirts besides their design elements was because they were 100% cotton. Almost 4 years and COUNTLESS wears and washes later (always hung dry, never in a dryer), they look as good as they did on day one and feel infinitely better. The color hasn’t faded on these, the neck holds up, and there is no weird sag. The arm and sleeve detail means that I can wear these out even now without looking like I am going to/coming from the gym. Because I am not ever going or coming from the gym, let’s be real.
Since these sweatshirts have a raw, open hem, they were my most worn item during pregnancy and postpartum. The vibrant colors make them feel fun while the styles were so accommodating (especially if you are pregnant or nursing). The same holds true for the dress. I have worn it everywhere from work to dinner to the beach, both pre-pregnancy, during, and even now postpartum.
Since purchasing those pieces a while ago, I hadn’t shopped the brand given I was pregnant or postpartum the last couple years, but earlier this summer I was on a hunt for a bathing suit to add to my collection, specifically one that would make me feel at least somewhat decent in this new body I inhabit. LOF came back on my radar. Before our Hawaii trip, I purchased the Double Scoop Top and the Hi Tide Bottom, both in Sweet Chili Heat (Red) along with the Swell Skirt in Desert Plum (Purple). I thought about trying their one-piece swimsuit but seeing as I had three one-piece Hunza G ones from my pregnancy already, I wanted something different. And truly this was a different feel. The weave of the LOF fabric - Smoothing Dream Fabric ™ (as you will hear the founders talk about in their podcast interviews) is so unique that it makes you feel held without feeling like you are being compressed or lacking oxygen. It has a buttery touch and lays flat on your body without the dreaded rolls when you wear denim shorts or other clothing as a coverup. The swimsuits are made of fabric from Italy, with a composition of 46% nylon, 38% polyester, 16% Lycra®. The magic is in this weave because I attribute getting on a paddleboard and feeling confident about myself to this swimsuit and this swimsuit only. (Also, a quick note on the Swell Skirt I purchased for this trip - it’s the same material as the sweatshirts and since everything is solid colors, it makes for such fun color-blocking outfits both on and off the beach. I have worn this skirt multiple times since returning from vacation.)
I used to be a yoga teacher and have tested my fair share of workout wear from a variety of brands and I am really picky. Very few brands have passed my test and even then, not every thing from a brand gets a decent grade in my books. It really comes down to the fabrication and cut. Being petit also adds a layer of scrutiny into the mix. Itching to get my hands on more of LOF’s fab products, I decided to test their Double Scoop Playsuit in Jet (Black) for my workouts. Maybe my love goggles are blinding me, but once again, this is far superior to everything else in my closet. So much so that in the last three-ish weeks I’ve had them, they have been worn and washed 8 times. Like the bathing suits, the playsuit has the kind of compression where you feel held yet the material is so soft, supple, and light to wear. For reference, the blend of this product is 76% nylon, 24% Lycra, milled in Taiwan. I wish I had words to describe how lovely it feels to wear this and I know first hand, wearing well fitted clothes makes working out more pleasurable. When you lose the need to keep tugging or checking your reflection on the mirror to make sure you look okay, you start to focus on the workout and find some joy in the movement.
I am a creature of habit and when I find something I love, I buy multiples. My goal with this newsletter is to introduce you to brands you might not know. You probably already knew Left on Friday. I don’t really think I am opening up an aperture for them with this newsletter that didn’t exist when it comes to their swimwear line. But I do hope through this, you may discover their other products like the sweatshirts, skirts, and dresses, maybe even their playsuits. While the brand is built and known for their swimwear, Laura and Shannon have brought the same level of detail and expertise to all their products. The clothing on LOF isn’t some branded merch or just beach wear - it’s athleisure at its best.
A few noteworthy things:
Left On Friday has pop-ups currently in NY and LA. If you are in the area, definitely worth the visit!
- interviewed the co-founders for Second Life podcast. I love how Hillary goes deep into their journey to becoming what they are today.
Glossy also did an interview of the co-founders that I loved. A lot of great business nuggets in here.
Very current and relevant Olympic news - LOF designed these super fab uniforms for the Canadian Beach Volleyball team. You can shop this new style here.
Have you tried LOF? Do you have things you love from the brand? Is there another brand you have similarly become obsessed with? Please share!
These sweatshirts are their old version. They new ones are similar in aesthetics but not all the old colors are available in the new ones. Similar styles/colors have been linked.
There are affiliate links used in this newsletter which means I may get a small commission if you buy something (at no cost to you). Thank you for supporting my work and trusting my recommendations!
I have two LOF two pieces and I can’t say enough good things. The fabric is AMAZING and holds up so well. I can’t say enough good things about these suits.
I love LoF! I considered buying a bikini from them for over a year before biting the bullet (it felt very pricey). That was four years ago, the suit is still as good as new and I have bought two more sets and a sweatshirt. Great quality, fit and colours! I live in Dubai so from October to May, I'm at the beach or pool several times a week. Even with that amount of wear, these suits are still in perfect condition.