Get Your Hands On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Girlfriend Collective, Alo, and More (2024)

Performance sportswear has big shoes — or should I say sneakers? — to fill. To start, high-caliber activewear needs to be functional. Think lightweight, sweat-wicking, and free of chafing, bunching, or riding. "When thinking about what’s important in quality athletic wear fabric durability is key,” Alejandra Hernandez, Lead Designer of Year of Ours — an ultra-trendy, female-led lifestyle brand that made this roundup — tells InStyle. “You want to know that your leggings are going to survive lots of washes, that the fabric won’t stretch out over time, and that the inner thighs won’t pill.”

It also, of course, has to be cute. That’s why investing in good sportswear is twofold. You want to look good, but you also want to feel good while you’re moving around (Moving around, that is, from boxing class to brunch, from the street to the court, or onto a treadmill when you rather be doing anything but cardio). So, with that in mind, our team was up for the challenge to find the most flattering and functional activewear options to ensure that you arrive at your next workout or boutique fitness class in style.

There are so many reasons to love this eco-friendly activewear brand from promoting size-inclusivity and slow fashion to the consistent, ultra-soft fabrics (I’m wearing the Tommy Bra as I write). And while I might be lounging around in my GF set, this same activewear crop top-bike short combo holds up even after the sweatiest of workouts. Not to mention, the sizing and fits are superior. The brand carries up to 6X with real bodies in mind, and chances are you won’t have to exchange if you buy online because the garments are true to size.

They’re also ethically made from post-consumer water bottles and fabric scraps — but it’s not like you would notice. Who would have thought recycling could yield high-comfort clothes?

Lululemon delivers an unmatched athleticwear performance. The leggings, namely the Align style, have gained a massive following, and it’s understandable why. The brand-exclusive Nulu fabric is silky soft, breathable, and lightweight, while the other workout gear fabrics prove as impressive — and hold up after many wears.

The brand is fitness buff- and celeb-approved, sported by notable names from Hilary Duff to Meghan Markle for a variety of sweat-intensive activities. If you’re looking for anything from reflective bike shorts and water-repellent tech fleece jackets to sturdy yoga mats and insulated water storage, Lululemon has your workout needs covered.

Alo Yoga is a wellness-focused brand that is contemporary and cool. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Hailey Bieber endorse the Southern California-based label, likely because the pieces offer an effortless model-off-duty vibe. The leggings move with the body and don’t roll during your sweat sesh, which translates well into any workout space. And for yoga, the Airlift Leggings are a must-have.

Okay, we know Bandier is technically not a brand itself, but the multi-brand retailer stocks fashionable fitness wear from companies, like Stella McCartney, Nike, and New Balance, along with other trendy and on-the-rise brands. It also offers exclusive and limited-edition workout essentials. But beyond the big trademarks, it offers stellar sports bras, ultra-comfy leggings, and impeccably crafted workout gear in the All Access and Le Ore lines. So, if you’re in the pursuit of finding the intersection where high style and high performance meet, Bandier is your place.

A staple that's proved indispensable is a good workout legging — and that’s what Athleta does best. The makers have mastered leggings that molds to the body, don’t roll or dig into the hips, and hold up after multiple wears. They’re buttery soft and cozy enough to wear while lounging around, whether it’s flare, straight-leg, or split-hem. There's also an endless selections of seamless tops, athletic dresses, skorts, and size-inclusive sports bras to choose from for your next warm-up to cool-down.

This 1970s-inspired sportswear line by Tory Burch captures the elegance of sport — in the best way. This brand is composed of beautiful, well-appointed pieces; Each garment is as functional as it is fabulous, our latest favorites being the printed leggings and golf pants, simple polos, and polished pleated tennis skirts. From fabric to fit, this posh playwear checks all our boxes, and we guess that it has something for everyone’s exercise needs.

Splits59 doles out a healthy does of Y2K style with a variety of flared leggings, old-school-inspired rugby tops, and asymmetric sports bras. There's a range of camis, shorts, and leggings made with seriously-soft fabric that feels smooth against the skin while it moves. Whether you’re in the market for vintage-inspired zip-ups, or some elevated leggings, Splits59 will not disappoint.

If the picture in your mind is of a classic black-and-white sports zip with a three-striped emblem on the front, allow me to reintroduce Adidas. With unofficial endorsements from Bella Hadid and Devon Lee Carlson, the brand's classic offerings, such as the Forum Sneaker and that exact zip-up, lead the vintage appeal. The brand's street cred has only been bolstered by noteworthy collaborations with Gucci, Stella McCartney, and Yeezy, giving a fresh twist to the Adidas we all know and love. It's remained relevant for decades, but its increasingly robust product line now includes everything from comfy yoga-centric leggings to cropped T-shirts and bodysuits.

Year of Ours is a female-led activewear label that makes well-made workout attire that’s bound to be coveted. The Los Angeles-based lifestyle offers eye-catching silhouettes with edgy details, such as ribbed leggings with intricate lacing, sweat-wicking leggings with a dose of 1980s-inspired hues, and sports bras with neutral color-blocking and cutouts. We only wish the sizing, which ranges from XS to 2X, was more inclusive.

As one of the world’s premier sportswear brands, Nike is an all-encompassing, no-frills option. It’s the type of brand that you know is going to hold up throughout your longest distances, with no concern about going an extra mile: Whatever your sport-centered need, Nike will bestow. And while it remains one of the sector’s biggest leaders, it still remains fresh, revamping classic, reliable models or teaming up with notable designers like Jacquemus, a collaborative line that intersects high fashion with street style undeniably well. The sport-centric brand also has a longstanding celebrity following, from Serena Williams to Billie Eilish.

Outdoor Voices is a lifestyle wear brand that frees performance and focuses on the recreationist. “Our products are engineered for performance and designed for having fun,” says Gabrielle Conforti, CEO of the high-performing activewear. “We focus on creating pieces that move with you, no matter the activity.” For that reason, OV is a solid option; The approachable sportswear can go from being a midday-errand-run uniform to becoming an ideal get-up for even the sweatiest of workouts. There are tons of lounge-friendly options, like the flouncy exercise dress, and compressive fabrics, which are engineered to remain sturdy during a high-intensity workout, while still remaining breathable and flexible, like a second skin.

There’s a likelihood you’ve heard of Free People’s athletic line, not only for the super-cute running and yoga-friendly bottoms, but for other staples you'd never thought you'd need, such as packable puffer jackets, workout jumpsuits, and even unitards. The Free People offshoot is a one-stop shop for everything from hiking and camping gear to surf suits, providing essentials for countless activities. And whether you’re hitting the dance studio or the ski slopes, this label still provides that cool-girl edge of the contemporary and bohemian-inspired clothing line. With that said, if you’re on the prowl for some beyond-the-gym staples, FP Movement is your holy grail.

Sweaty Betty is a London-based, comprehensive brand full of fun patterns, and sleek colorways, with support to the bodies wearing them. Style-wise, you'll find strappy workout tanks that don’t dig into the shoulders, squat-proof leggings, and sports bras constructed to support larger chests. If you haven’t heard of their athleticwear, a first-time buy will guarantee buttery-soft fabrics made from responsibly sourced materials that will also survive a high-impact workout. It’s no wonder that every 60 seconds this trendy sportswear brand sells a pair of Power Leggings. They’re just that good.

Why Shop With Us

For this story, Philadelphia-based freelance writerMorgan Sullivan interviewed Alejandra Hernandez, Lead Designer of Year of Ours, and Gabrielle Conforti, CEO of Outdoor Voices, to get more insight on how to pick high-quality, comfortable activewear.

Get Your Hands On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Girlfriend Collective, Alo, and More (2024)
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