ICYMI:
* After centuries of uncomfortable retail trends, it's no surprise that athleisure has become so popular.
* It's comfortable, utilitarian, and — depending on the brand and office setting — it can even be work-appropriate.
* Our go-to is Patagonia, though we're also fans of Outdoor Voices, Athleta, Lululemon, and more.
Athleisure is the Bering Land Bridge that connected activewear and plainclothes in the late '90s.
It made spandex the new denim, wardrobes more versatile and comfortable, and created a new and ever-growing section of retail. It's also, to me, the universe balancing itself out after decades of trends that reinforce the idea that pain is beauty.
In its best and most utilitarian form, athleisure is the best of all worlds. It transitions from one activity to the next without breaking a sweat: lounging, traveling, exercising, and, depending on the brand, even working. But, as the market opportunities grow, so do the options — and it gets difficult for shoppers, particularly those online, to discern where the best athleisure is, which brands are worth their money, and which are just benefiting from unearned markups on trendy products.
Below, you'll find the best athleisure brands we've researched, tested, and worn. Hopefully, it makes spending your money in the right places easier and faster the first time around.
Here are the best athleisure brands for women:
* Best overall athleisure brand: Patagonia
* Best affordable athleisure brand: Athleta
* Best splurge-worthy athleisure brand: Lululemon
* Best gender-inclusive athleisure brand: Muttonhead Clothing
* Best size-inclusive athleisure brand: Universal Standard
* Best eco-friendly athleisure brand: Girlfriend Collective
* Best office-appropriate athleisure brand: ADAY
The best athleisure brand overall
Shop athleisure at Patagonia
Patagonia makes a fantastic pair of athleisure leggings we've tested, as well as one of mainstream culture's crown jewels of comfort: the Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover. And whether you're a fan of the label and what it stands for or you couldn't care less, the brand's quality and comfort speak for itself.
We trust Patagonia as much for form as we do for function — and while its prices aren't the least (or most) expensive options on the market, you'll get a wide variety of items, a product that's built to last, and the security of a generous return policy without a tight time limit. It's also a big perk that the company is a B Corp, has donated 1% of its profit to environmental organizations since the '80s, and won the UN's Champions of the Earth award for entrepreneurial vision.
You may get lucky with a seasonal Patagonia sale, but you'll probably only see discounts on its bestsellers — like the Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover — in select colorways.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Patagonia Women's Centered Tights
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Product Name: Patagonia Women's Woolie Trucker Jacket
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Product Name: Patagonia Women's Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover
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Product Name: Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece
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Read more about Patagonia:
* 8 styles from Patagonia that we wear in our everyday lives — for both men and women
* 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
* Patagonia released a collection of fashion-forward outerwear that perfectly marries sustainability with street style — here's what the jackets are like to wear
* 3 women tried Patagonia's sustainable workout leggings — here are our reviews of everything from fit to function
* I never understood why Patagonia had such a cult following until I tried this sweater — now I'm a loyal fan
* B Corps are businesses committed to using their profit for good — these 14 are making some truly great products
Runner-up: OutdoorVoices
Shop athleisure at OutdoorVoices
OutdoorVoices makes a few of our favorite athleisure items, and they're another example of a company that does a great job of balancing form and function. Its gear transitions seamlessly from lounging on the couch to rushing through the airport. But, we've had a few misses in the past with OV products (we're not super fans of the popular Spring Leggings), and its prices are comparable to Patagonia, with a less generous — but pretty standard — return policy.
What to buy:
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Product Name: OutdoorVoices The Exercise Dress
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Product Name: OutdoorVoices TechSweat 3/4 Leggings
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Product Name: OutdoorVoices MegaFleece Half-Zip Hoodie
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Read more about OutdoorVoices:
* I worked out in a dress from Outdoor Voices, the startup behind the most Instagram-worthy exercise clothes — and no, it's not a gimmick
* 5 women tried Outdoor Voices' TechSweat leggings — we unanimously agreed that they're some of the best we've ever worn
The best affordable athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at Athleta
Gap's Athleta is a great combination of affordability, style, and functionality, and we liked the company's leggings quite a bit during testing. It also has a wide range of options — including its work-friendly Travel and Commute collection. It's also worth noting that you may get lucky with frequent discounts — so check the sale section first.
We also appreciate Athleta's status as a B-Corp and its goal to go from 60% of sustainably made materials to 80% in 2020.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Athleta Sundown Sweatshirt
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Product Name: Athleta Momentum Tank
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Product Name: Athleta Speedlight Tee
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Product Name: Athleta Contender Mesh 7/8 Tight in Powerlift
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Read more about Athleta:
* Athleta's bright new activewear line promises to withstand your toughest workouts — we put it to the test
* 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
* I tried popular activewear company Athleta's new line of women's performance underwear — and it makes a huge difference in comfort during workouts
* We asked 4 women to try Athleta's new sustainable swimsuits made from recycled nylon — here's what they thought
* B Corps are businesses committed to using their profit for good — these 14 are making some truly great products
Runner-up: JoyLab
Shop JoyLab athleisure at Target
JoyLab is a Target-exclusive brand with lots of solid athleisure that's priced under $50. There are fewer options than Athleta, and a higher concentration of basics, but it's a solid and affordable option if you'd rather not spend $40 on a comfortable pair of leggings.
What to buy:
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Product Name: JoyLab Tie-Dye Cozy Long Sleeve Sweatshirt
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Product Name: JoyLab Strappy Bra
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Product Name: JoyLab High-Waisted Brushed Jersey 7/8 Leggings
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Product Name: JoyLab 7/8 High-Waisted Leggings
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The best splurge-worthy athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at Lululemon
Lululemon is, in many ways, the genesis of athleisure, so it's not surprising that the company has an edge in the space. It's home to some of the best gear for yoga, running, training, and sweating while moving in general. As a note, it can get pricey — a pair of plain black leggings goes for nearly $100. But if the splurge is comfortable for you, we've found the clothes to be worth the investment because of their comfort, utility, and longevity.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Lululemon Down For It All Jacket
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Product Name: Lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve Crew
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Product Name: Lululemon Wunder Under High-Rise Tight
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Product Name: Lululemon Define Jacket
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Read more about Lululemon:
* This lightweight down jacket is my go-to for winter workouts — plus it's just tailored enough to wear casually
* 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
Runner-Up: Alo Yoga
Shop athleisure at Alo Yoga
Alo Yoga almost cinched the top splurge-worthy spot based on its leggings alone. It also has a greater size range (Lululemon is 0-14, Alo is 00-18) but, ultimately, Lululemon has a better variety of options and we'd recommend a greater percentage of Lululemon items for the price. Even so, we're still likely to splurge on Alo here and there after having success with its leggings and this too-expensive — but extremely soft and light — sweatshirt.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Alo Yoga 7/8 High-Waist Airlift Legging
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Product Name: Alo Yoga Tie-Dye Hoodie
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Product Name: Alo Yoga Foxy Sherpa Jacket
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Read more about Alo Yoga:
* We put Alo Yoga's popular Airlift leggings to the test — after months of wearing and washing our pairs, we still think they're some of the best out there
* 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
The best gender-inclusive athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at Muttonhead
Muttonhead is a Toronto-based brand that's entirely gender-neutral and designed to accommodate a wide variety of body types. It's home to many versatile and casual basics — including its cult-favorite Camping Hoodie, 1/4 Zip Fleece, and sweatpants.
It's worth noting that, while everything made by the Muttonhead brand is gender-neutral, the other brands they carry do offer gendered clothing and may not be tailored as inclusively. If you'd rather stick to the Muttonhead clothing exclusively, you can sort by brand.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Muttonhead Camping Hoodie
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Product Name: Muttonhead Plaid Button Down
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Product Name: Muttonhead Track Shorts
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Read more about Muttonhead:
* The best gender-inclusive clothing you can buy
The best size-inclusive athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at Universal Standard
Universal Standard is the place to go for cool, high-quality closet staples available in sizes 00-40. They also tend to offer items in regular, tall, and petite lengths. We love the company's clothes because they're comfortable and flattering — but we're equally excited about its commitment to making clothes for more people than the industry currently serves, especially since the average American woman is between size 16 to 18.
If you buy a piece from the core collection and, in the future, it no longer fits due to size fluctuation, the company has a Universal Fit Liberty policy that lets you replace it with your new size, within a year of purchase, free of charge.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Universal Standard Amy Pullover Hoodie
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Product Name: Universal Standard Knockout Bike Shorts
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Product Name: Universal Standard Cooper Jogger Pant
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Product Name: Universal Standard Core Leggings
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Read more about:
* The best leggings for work
* 7 women tried Universal Standard's size-inclusive line of jeans that goes from 00 to 40 — here's the verdict
* Women's clothing company Universal Standard has launched an inclusive line of basics offered in sizes 00 to 40
The best eco-friendly athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective has some of the best athleisure leggings we've ever tried, and we appreciate the brand's color variety, relatively low price points, and inclusive size range. It's also a huge perk that the company prioritizes sustainability in its materials and processes.
Its packaging is 100% recyclable, its compression leggings are made of 79% recycled polyester from 25 post-consumer water bottles, and its Cupro tees are made from 100% cupro, a fiber made from the waste of the cotton industry. The latter yarn is made in a zero-waste, zero-emission facility in Japan and then constructed at an SA8000-certified factory in Hanoi. And, while Cupro saves a reported 682 gallons of water compared to cotton, the company also pledged to donate 10% of its net profits to Charity Water to offset any water usage that may occur during production. You can read more on the company's eco-friendly practices here.
We also appreciate that Girlfriend Collective currently offers versatility in its colors — fourteen total (five essential, and nine limited-edition) — and sizing (it's available in three inseam lengths and sizes XXS-6XL) in its bestselling leggings.
However, slow fashion that's also in high demand can lead to stock outages, and Girlfriend Collective doesn't always have what we want available. It also doesn't have as large of a selection as we wish it did.
What to buy:
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Product Name: Girlfriend Collective The Perfect Crew Neck Tee
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Product Name: Girlfriend Collective Black Compressive High-Rise Legging
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Product Name: Girlfriend Collective High-Rise Bike Short
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Read more about Girlfriend Collective:
* The internet can't stop talking about these leggings made of recycled water bottles — and now I understand why
* The athleisure startup that once gave away free leggings over the internet is now making the most comfortable workout shirts — they breathe like cotton but feel like silk
* 18 pairs of workout leggings we swear by for everything from yoga to distance running
The best office-appropriate athleisure brand
Shop athleisure at ADAY
ADAY makes sleek, technical, multipurpose clothes and often with sustainable materials. Most ADAY clothes have resumes that include four-way stretch, water- and wrinkle-resistance, machine-washability, and UV protection. If you're looking for a good place to start, its Waste Nothing Jacket can be worn as a shirt or jacket and repurposes 41 recycled plastic bottles.
You can expect to pay $100-150 per item, but, in our experience, ADAY is worth the investment for its versatility, comfort, and the perks of innovative materials.
What to buy:
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Product Name: ADAY Turn It Up Pant
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Product Name: ADAY Mock Up Top
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Product Name: ADAY Off Duty Sweatshirt
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Product Name: ADAY Like A Boss Sweatshirt
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Read more about ADAY:
* The best leggings you can wear to work
* 9 companies you didn't know use recycled water bottles in their products — from little-known startups to giants like Nike and Adidas
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