There are very few women founded, women led, women run brands that reach 15. If you have ever met Nicole DeBoom, the founder and owner, you would see why her brand is such a success. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk (and runs, cycles and swims). DeBoom launched Skirt Sports the day after she won the 2004 Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon—wearing a prototype skirt she made at home.
I had the honor of meeting Nicole at the Skirt Sports booth at Outdoor Retailer several years ago. Aside from her well-chiseled thighs and biceps from years of training, I had to ask the inevitable question: “A skirt for running? Er…Why?”
A Reflection in the Window…
“Training [for Wisconsin Ironman] had consumed my days and nights,” answered DeBoom. “I lived in swimsuits and running and cycling shorts. One day I saw my reflection in a storefront window and three thoughts came to mind. I looked like a guy in my men’s running clothing, it was uninspiring and I really just wanted to feel pretty. I went home and scribbled some notes would ultimate create something that had never been done before: a running skirt.”
Indeed, it was that same running skirt, which began as a scribble on a piece of paper, that she wore when she was the first woman to cross the finish line in 2004.
Launched an Empire…
Today, 15 years later, DeBoom has built a successful empire by listening to their customers. “Listening to our target market is what sparks the creative juices,” DeBoom says. “We have a customer-led product design function called The Sewing Room, which welcomes our customer base to become part of the design process by submitting new ideas, like the Flirty Converty skirt that just launched or voting to bring back a favorite discontinued product.”
Flirty Converty Skirt 
Flirty Converty Skirt
To Make Fitness Available to all Shapes and Sizes…
As the most inclusive brand in the market, Skirt Sports listens to their customers. “Women are our market and I see us as the stewards of making fitness accessible to women of all sizes,” says DeBoom.
In addition to offering the standard XS – XXL, Skirt Sports offers 1X, 2X and 3X. “XS – XXL are based off of the same size small fit model with the same dimensions,” explains DeBoom. “That means XL and XXL would presumably have the same dimensions just bigger.”
But for most women this isn’t the case. Not all dimensions increase proportionately. DeBoom explains it best. “For 1X, 2X, 3X, we use a new fit model who is size 1X. Then we grade based on her dimensions. The actual sizing is pretty close for XL and 1X and XXL and 2X, but the fit is more tailored to a plus size woman at 1X+ than XL and XXL.”
…And to Celebrate the Female Athlete in every Form
One visit to the Skirt Sports website showcases this philosophy front and center. Instead of professionals modeling size two skirts and apparel, you’ll find real women—Skirt Sports brand ambassadors in just about every size that Skirt Sports offers—modeling everything from running skirts to bras to tights. In my opinion, this is a beautiful sight to see. Not only because it’s truly representative of all women but it inspires women who aren’t necessarily size two to see how that they, too, can rock a running skirt.
And to think, this empire of empowerment started with a reflection on a storefront window, a few notes and a simple running skirt.
Celebrate Fifteen Years with $20 off
Fifteen years is a milestone and to celebrate, Skirt Sports is giving away $20 to everyone, everywhere to celebrate with them. The code is 15YEARS and minimum purchase is $50. And on September 12th, Nicole is doing a Face Book Live Q&A at 5:00pm MST. You can submit questions ahead of time on the Face Book Live event.
Happy Birthday, Skirt Sports! We can’t wait to see what’s coming down the pipeline in the next fifteen years.
