Save Up to 70% On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Outdoor Voices, Nike, Alo, and More (2024)

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Save Up to 70% On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Outdoor Voices, Nike, Alo, and More (1)

Morgan Sullivan

Morgan is a Philadelphia-based freelance contributor at InStyle and first joined the team in July of 2022. She covers all things fashion and beauty — from skincare to slip dresses.

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Updated on October 26, 2022 @ 01:13PM

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Save Up to 70% On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Outdoor Voices, Nike, Alo, and More (2)

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.

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Scroll on to find out the sweat-proof brands that made our list:

There are so many reasons to love this eco-friendly activewear brand from promoting size-inclusivity and slow fashion to their consistent, ultra-soft fabrics (I’m wearing their BioCompressive Tommy Sports Bra as I type this sentence, meaning you can trust me on this one). 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, their 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. Their activewear is as comfortable as it is fashionable, with the added benefit of being environmentally conscious.

Lululemon delivers an unmatched athleticwear performance. Their leggings have gained a cult-like following (Read: If you aren’t wearing Aligns on your stationary bike, did the ride even count?), and it’s for a reason. Their brand-exclusive Nulu fabric is silky soft, breathable, and lightweight, while their other workout gear fabrics prove as impressive — and hold up after many wears.

Lulu’s expansive product lines are fitness buff and celeb-approved, sported by notable names from Hilary Duff to Meghan Markle. They also cover a range of sweat-intense activities, whether indoor or outdoor. If you’re looking for anything from reflective bike shorts and water-repellent tech fleeces to durable yoga mats and insulated water bottles, Lululemon has your workout needs covered.

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Alo Yoga is a wellness-focused brand that is contemporary and cool. Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Hailey Beiber (ever heard of ‘em?) endorse the Southern California-based label probably because they instantly give you that effortless model-off-duty vibe. They recently released its luxury Ready-to-Wear line at NYFW, which includes trousers and a blazer trench, so to claim that Alo Yoga has become a take-notice brand isn’t a stretch. And speaking of stretches, their Airlift Leggings are a must-have for any toes-on-the-mat experience. Their leggings move with the body and don’t roll during your sweat sesh, which translates well into any workout space. Despite being a yoga-centered label, Alo has the durability and premium feel you look for when investing in any high-quality activewear.

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. They also offer exclusive and limited edition workout essentials. And then there’s its original collections — we love this collab with influencer which is why we think it deserves a spot on this list.

Besides carrying big trademarks, BANDIER also holds stellar sports bras, ultra-comfy leggings, and impeccably crafted workout gear in their 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.

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A staple proved indispensable is a good workout legging — and that’s what Athleta does best. They’ve mastered a legging that molds to the body, doesn’t roll or dig into the hips, and holds 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. The brag-worthy level of workout clothes doesn’t stop there, though. This Gap Inc.-owned activewear is made of a full range of fabrics. Some are airlight and breathable, while others are compressive and reflective. As for styles, there are endless selections of seamless tops, athletic dresses, and skorts, and size-inclusive sports bras to choose from for your next warm-up to cool-down.

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This seventies-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, from checkerd sports bras to color-blocked skorts. And despite being era-inspired, these fitness essentials remain fresh and invigorating. Hues of luxe emerald cover v-neck tennis dresses, while bold patterns and retro graphics cover crewnecks and track pants. But if prep isn’t exactly in your step — or jog, or run — there are also undeniably soft and comfortable basics, like their compressing legging and seamless sports bras. From fabric to fit, this posh playwear checks all our boxes, and we guess that it has something for everyone’s exercise needs.

Remember showing up to soccer in middle school and envying whatever the star player was sporting during practice? No? Just me? Well, SPLITS59 fulfills my childhood dream of owning trendy athleticwear that just feels cool. With flared track pants, old-school-inspired rugby tops, and asymmetric sports bras, this LA-based brand delivers everything from sporty retro kicks to luxe staples. They have a range of camis, shorts, and leggings made with seriously-soft techflex fabric that feels smooth against the skin while it moves. Whether you’re in the market for vintage-inspired workout zips, 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 supermodel endorsem*nt from Bella Hadid and style icon Devon Lee Carlson, classics, like the Forum Sneaker and that exact zip-up, remain at the forefront of the brand’s vintage appeal, but there have also been noteworthy collabs from Gucci to Stella McCartney to Yeezy, giving a fresh twist to the Adidas we all know and love. For that reason, it’s no wonder the brand earns a spot on the list. They have remained relevant for decades, but have also updated product lines to include comfy yoga-centric leggings, crops, and bodysuits that you might not typically associate with their dynamic sportswear label.

Year of Ours is a female-led activewear label that makes well-made workout attire that’s bound to be coveted. The LA-based lifestyle offers eye-catching silhouettes full of edgy designs you won’t find from standard activewear hubs. (They carry ribbed leggings with intricate lacing, sweat-wicking leggings with an overdose of 80s-inspired hues, and sports bras with satisfying color-blocked neutrals and cutouts, to name a few.) This brand intertwines support and style in a generally unseen way. They also carry a range of sizes, from XS - 2X, with multiple fabric and cut options to compliment everyone. So, if you're looking for an update to your old gym t-shirt, upgrade with these super-soft and uber-flatting workout essentials.

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 also has a notable celebrity reparatúr, so much so that it would take too long to rattle off the names, but 2022 includes big ones, like Serena Williams and 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,” Gabrielle Conforti, CEO of the high-performing activewear tells InStyle. “We focus on creating pieces that move with you, no matter the activity.” For that reason, OV is a solid option; Their approachable sportswear can go from being a midday-errand-run uniform to becoming an ideal get-up for even the sweatiest of workouts. They have tons of lounge-friendly options like their flouncy Exercise Dress (you might have heard of it) and compressing fabrics, engineered to remain sturdy during a high-intensity workout, while still remaining breathable and flexible, like a second skin.

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There’s a likelihood you’ve heard of Free People’s athletic line because of theirviral short moment last year, but not only do they extend super-cute running and yoga-proof bottoms, they have everything from packable puffer jackets to workout jumpsuits and unitards, too. 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 their 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. These pieces are as technical as they are beautiful. Their product lines are full of functional but fun pieces, like strappy workout tanks that don’t dig into the shoulders; Squat-proof leggings; 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 their Power Leggings. They’re just that good.

Why Shop With Us

Philadelphia-based freelance writerMorgan Sullivanhas written for multiple publications, includingCosmopolitan,Refinery29, andElle,focusing mainly on beauty, fashion, and health topics.For this story, she 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.

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Save Up to 70% On Functional (But Still Cute) Activewear From Outdoor Voices, Nike, Alo, and More (2024)
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