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Has there ever been a better time to be an athleisure fan? There are trendy activewear brands popping up seemingly every day, and you can hardly scroll through Instagram without running into ads for the sleekest and chicest new leggings and sports bras. The best part? Most sportswear brands now create styles that look just as good while you’re out and about as they do in the gym, so you can wear them from barre class straight to the bar.
Traditional brands like Nike and Adidas are still leaders in the activewear space, but there’s also a plethora of fashion-meets-function brands looking to fulfill your stylish sportswear needs. The huge amount of choices is a blessing and a curse: we have more options than ever when it comes to workout wear, but sifting through all the brands to find your new personal fave can get a little overwhelming. Which fitness brands offer the best blend of style, performance, and value?
To help steer you in the right direction, we’ve put together a guide to 13 must-know activewear lines — some brand new, others with more than a decade in the biz but whose clothes you may not have in your collection yet. Whether you’re loving those perfectly matching workout sets or just looking for some new leggings and sports bras to pair with your old t-shirts, these brands will get you looking good and feeling good during your next sweat session. (Or grocery run, or work meeting, or girls’ night… We’re all about versatility over here.)
Originally posted on StyleCaster. A version of this article was originally published in November 2016.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is an ethically-made brand that creates seriously good activewear. One of our favorites? The Dylan Tank Bra, which functions as a sports bra and a long tank, so you can pair it with high-waist leggings for full coverage. And if you’re craving the smooth, sleek bodysuit look, the versatile Ava Bateau Bodysuit is calling your name.
Girlfriend Collective Ava Bateau Bodysuit
Alala
Alala makes athleisure that’s sophisticated and functional, and we can’t get enough of it. Reviewers love the brand’s bestselling Eclipse Bra, describing it as “incredibly comfortable” and supportive enough for high-intensity workouts. Then there’s Alala’s edgy Mirage Tight, which includes mesh ribbing up the sides to keep you cool and looking trendy while you sweat.
Alala Mirage Tight
Bandier
Looking to add sleek, simple silhouettes to your workout wardrobe? Bandier has you covered. The Center Stage Contrast leggings give you a comfy and sporty look for the gym, while the Center Stage Bra is a sleek and supportive fit for your high-impact workouts.
Bandier Center Stage Bra
Alo
Alo is our go-to for cute and functional workout clothes, and recently the brand has expanded into casual shirts, coats, and accessories too. The Dreamscape Button Down Long Sleeve combines Alo’s comfortable, lightweight fabric with a timeless style you can wear to work or throw on over your workout gear on the way to the gym. Another great gym-to-street piece? The cozy and super-flattering Airbrush High-Waist Bootcut Legging, which we love in classic black.
Alo Airbrush High-Waist Bootcut Legging
Sweaty Betty
Whether you need a new gym bag, a winter-proof hoodie, or a lightweight tank for your next Vinyasa class, Sweaty Betty has you covered. The Power 7/8 Workout Leggings are a great place to start, with fun patterns, sweat-wicking fabric, and butt-sculpting seams, and the super-soft Escape Italian Fleece Hoodie is a good choice for chilly outdoor workouts.
Sweaty Betty Escape Italian Fleece Hoodie
Beyond Yoga
Fitness lovers adore Beyond Yoga for its stretchy, ultra-soft fabric and simple, flattering fits. We can’t get enough of the Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging (yes, it has pockets), which matches perfectly with the Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank for the cutest, comfiest workout ‘fit you could ask for.
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank
Joe Fresh
For athleisure that doesn’t cost as much as your monthly membership, check out Joe Fresh’s cool, affordable selections. The Active Tennis Dress is a cute choice for court sports, errands, or a casual day at the office, while the Strappy Active Tank provides light support for your next yoga class.
Joe Fresh Strappy Active Tank
All in Motion
Don’t sleep on Target’s performance offerings — All in Motion has a wide range of leggings, tanks, hoodies, and more, and an equally wide range of sizes. The prices are a major draw, too. Start with the Flex Light Support Sports Bra and Brushed Sculpt Curvy Pocket Bike Shorts (yes, more pockets!) for a seamless athleisure look.
All in Motion Everyday Soft Ultra High-Rise Bike Shorts
P.E Nation
P.E Nation has mastered the edgy, sporty side of athleisure. For proof, look no further than the Aussie brand’s sleek and chic Alpha Sports Bra, with its standout, laser-cut shoulder detailing. You can also get your racing stripes on with P.E Nation’s high-waisted Reaction Time Leggings.
P.E Nation Reaction Time Legging
Vuori
Buttery soft fabrics that move with you, gorgeous colorways, and a fit that couldn’t be more flattering? Vuori’s got it all. We love the AllTheFeels Legging in this pretty periwinkle shade, which is perfect for everything from yoga to weightlifting. And you can’t go wrong with the comfy, supportive, matches-with-everything Daily Crop sports bra.
Vuori Daily Crop
SET
If you love the matching sports bra-and-legging look, you’ll love SET. The soft and stretchy Sculptflex Racer V Bra is a good choice for yoga and Pilates (and how cute is that blue color?), and we love the Lounge Jogger as a comfy option when you’re out and about or couch-potato’ing.
SET Lounge Jogger
Varley
Based in LA, Varley is all about classic, elevated looks, and that extends to the brand’s activewear section too. The Varley Let’s Go Elsie Bra features soft, supportive fabric for your next Pilates class, and the Clay Knit Sweat is the perfect oversized add-on for work or the gym.
Varley Clay Knit Sweat
Tully Lou
Billed as “Australia’s Favorite Leggings,” Tully Lou blends gym-ready activewear with fashionable street styles to create an edgy, contemporary look. The brand’s Compression Active Pant is super-soft and promises to stay in place through all your squat sets. Pair it with the Black Essentials Crop for a cute and functional gym outfit.
Tully Lou
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