Workout wear has never been more important, becoming somewhat of a phenomenon over the past few years in the fashion realms. No longer reserved for time solely at the gym, the best activewear brands often blend the lines between fashion and function, offering longevity outside of just a sweaty workout. If you need more proof, just take a look at street style looks from Bella Hadid or Hailey Bieber, who regularly mix fitness wear with their coveted ready-to-wear and designer accessories. Still, activewear needs to provide purpose, not just look good, so we did a deep dive of the best activewear brands on the market right now that offer both.
Of course, we have included the classic brands on our master list—such as Lululemon, Adidas, and Nike—who continuously push the limits in terms of high-performance activewear, to ensure all the bases are covered when it comes to sweat wicking, anti-odor, and anti-chafing properties. However, there is a crop of contemporary brands that we have fallen in love with as well, that illustrate this idea of ‘en Vogue sport’. Alo Yoga has become a customer-favorite, for the fashion girlies as well, thanks to clean lines and cool cuts, while Live the Process consistently tantalizes our ballet beautiful dreams with dreamy color palettes and silhouettes that push the boundaries. No matter your sport or favorite workout, the bases are covered. So keep reading below to see all our favorites that made the list, giving you the best activewear available to shop and style right now.
Associated with supermodels like the Hadid sisters and Karlie Kloss, Alo Yoga’s designs are exactly the kind of athletic wear you’ll see in paparazzi shots and yoga classes alike. Lululemon’s technical fabrics and contoured outerwear have become legendary amongst fitness buffs. Techy tops have become customer-favorites, designed for high-impact workouts with seamless construction and anti-odor properties, while the Wunder Train leggings are made from fast-drying fabric that wicks moisture through a sweaty round of burpees or a hot yoga class. In apparel, Nike’s figured out the sweet spot for high-performance fitness pieces that masquerade as real clothes. Aside from bra tops and leggings, we are vibing with their Windrunner fabric, a water-repellent option available in zip-up jackets, warm-up shorts, and track pants.
The Tory Burch brand has whites and golf dresses a plenty, plus on-court accessories baked into its DNA, but their cute, compression sets have become best-sellers. Blending Coolmax® EcoMade fibers with classic silhouettes, these preppy-influenced staples are made to actually break a sweat. You may have already tested out the brand’s extensive array of tennis apparel, but the performance wear should not be missed, as well. You will find everything from tennis-friendly separates to bra tops and leggings that will go the extra mile in run club.
Vuori takes its inspiration from the California coast and what wardrobe an active lifestyle requires. Find slouchy tanks, relaxed shorts, drawstring pants, and more—which also make great travel companions. Known for luxe fitness staples without a hefty price tag, you can count on Athleta for your everyday ensembles for all activities. We love that the brand offers size-inclusive pieces, as well, from sports bras in different cup sizes to activewear up to size 3X.
Girlfriend Collective considers all bodies in their process with extended sizing, then goes a step further to offer an eco recipe for each piece. For example, their oft-sold-out leggings divert 26 water bottles from landfills, while their #1 selling Paloma bra diverts 11. Sporty & Rich founder Emily Oberg has brought her own spin to the activewear space with street-forward separates that have a retro sport twist. Tennis apparel is where she excels, and we can’t get enough of the playful tennis pairings and cool, graphic tees.
A favorite brand of New York City Ballet’s Corps de Ballet dancer India Bradley, Splits59 offers body-friendly fabrics with ultra-flattering silhouettes. The secret is their impossibly thin and airy fabrications, that feel as light as air when in motion. Sleek lines give way to recycled, cult classics in Adidas’s most popular silhouettes. We can’t resist styling their high-performance workout sets with throwback pieces, such as cropped tops and shorts with the signature logo and three stripe detailing.
Bandier’s in-house line has drawn celebrity fans like Hailey Bieber and the Hadid sisters for streamlined performance sets that can plug-and-play with multiple options and layers. Bestsellers include leggings with built-in pockets, sports bras with corset-flattering support, and cool, cut-out one pieces. Varley’s London–to–LA style influence comes in the form of straightforward silhouettes and elevated basics. These simple pieces, ranging from swoosh shorts to bra top and leggings sets, have a relaxed fit that works for yoga or jogging.
Co-founder Robyn Berkley left a career in fashion to get a yoga certification in Bali that eventually led her back to fashion—this time, using conscious fibers and production methods to create the pieces for her brand, Live The Process. Think hi-tech fabrics with a ballet-pretty aesthetic. The slow build of buzz around Beyond Yoga started with expectant mothers talking about how fabulous the line’s felt on the body. Now, they’re topping the charts for comfy basics that work in any life stage. Their spacedye fabrications can’t be missed.
For streamlined basics, FP Movement makes it easy. Lightweight, slouchy T-shirts are wardrobe workhorses for running errands post-class and more, while the line’s bestselling ‘The Way Home’ shorts are available in a vivid rainbow of shades to match every season. To build on their century-old history of sports equipment, Wilson launched activewear with a collection of technical, style-forward pieces designed to play together. They’ve already partnered with pros like Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk, who was the first Wilson ambassador to wear and compete with their gear, head-to-toe.
The cinching effect of Year of Ours leggings (like their popular High Waist Rib Leggings) has drawn in celebs like Hailey Bieber and Eiza González. New, rib-knit versions offer functional pockets and bike-short lengths.
