With the lines blurred between “real” outfits and exercise attire, this past year showed many of us that cute workout clothes are worth so much more than just a quick sweat session. We’ve come to rely on activewear for doing things beyond our usual exercise routines: lounging, going on coffee dates, hanging out in the park, and sometimes even working are perfectly suited for an exclusively-athleisure OOTD. 

All this extra functionality means we’ve come to ask a lot from our leggings and sports bras, so it’s important to have a rotation of staples you feel good in. The active- and loungewear space is saturated with options right now—and while you obviously want your ‘fit to be cute and stylish, you also want it to be practical and supportive. After all, no one wants to spend their hard-earned coin on gear that’s too sheer or flimsy; or that’ll pill, rip, or lose its shape after a single wash. That’s why we did the legwork for you to bring you the tried-and-true brands you should have on your radar for quality athleisure.   

From Alo’s celeb-loved leggings to Girlfriend Collective’s sustainably-minded unitards and Target’s budget-friendly pieces, consider this the ultimate guide to finding cute workout clothes across a range of price points and sizes. Ahead, 17 options to bookmark now.

Nordstrom

What does Nordstrom not carry these days? In all seriousness, its activewear curation is top-notch. The retailer carries everything from Nike to Girlfriend Collective to Alo—and its in-house label Zella makes some of the internet’s most beloved leggings. If you want to checkout with a big cart of quality goods, this is the place to do it.

Lululemon

Lululemon leggings may cost a pretty penny, but they’re well worth the hype—and so is the rest of its activewear if you want to venture further into the Lulusphere. From sports bras to hoodies to roomy duffles, the Canadian brand has something for every workout need (commuting, warm-ups, and recovery included). ICYMI, Lululemon also has a permanent sale section (dubbed “We Made Too Much”) that gets restocked on a regular basis, and we highly recommend keeping tabs on it if you want to score a pair of Align leggings or a new running jacket for way, way less.  

Everlane

Basics brand Everlane entered the activewear space last year with its no-frills Perform legging. Following its immediate success, the company expanded its athleisure collection to include comfy tanks, sports bras, and french terry sweatpants. While the colors are limited to neutrals (plus a select few seasonal tones like teal and moss), the beauty of these classic hues is that they work seamlessly with items already in your closet.

Alo

Alo is one of the first labels to introduce us to the concept of “athleisure,” and to this day, the celeb-loved brand delivers elevated essentials that can take you from a 60-minute Vinyasa flow in your living room to a low-key brunch with friends. The brand has a loyal fan base (including everyone from Insta-famous yogis to Kendall Jenner, J.Lo, and Hailee Steinfeld) and drops seasonal colors on a monthly basis—bubblegum pink and apricot are available for spring—so you can find pieces to keep your activewear rotation fresh year-round. Heads up: Alo’s leggings tend to run long, so petites may want to opt for one of the cropped styles unless they want scrunched-up bottoms. 

Outdoor Voices

Whether you’re getting fresh air on a solo hike or tuning into a pilates class from your living room, Outdoor Voices makes versatile athleisure (sports bras, exercise dresses, hiking shorts, and of course, leggings) from sustainable materials like recycled wool, ethically sourced merino wool, and recycled PET. It’s known for cute color combinations and chic color blocking you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. 

Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter’s activewear section is filled with designer pieces you’re bound to find in celebs’ wardrobes. Think Koral and P.E Nation leggings, camis from Splits59, and so much more. Pro tip: Filter by activity to find clothes for doing yoga, running, lounging, swimming, and skiing. 

Bandier

From Nike to APL to Adidas x Stella McCartney, New York City-based Bandier carries an impressive range of activewear brands that you’re probably already eyeing up on Instagram. In addition to that, the athleisure boutique also sells activewear under three in-house labels—Le Ore, WSLY, and All Access. (Psst…we’re big fans of Bandier’s matching kits for scoring a full look for less.)

Madewell

The beloved denim brand surprised us last year when it brought activewear into its rotation. The collection in question goes by the name MWL—short for “Make Weekends Longer”—and includes buttery soft leggings, sweatshirts, and more. To be fair, these pieces may not be the most high-performing, moisture-wicking designs, but they’re perfect for sunny bike rides and long walks before and after work. 

Target

Target is a great place to stock up on essentials for lounging and moderate workouts. From colorful sports bras to printed bike shorts, the retailer delivers quality options that you don’t have to think twice about adding to cart.

Shopbop

In response to the massive demand for stylish workout gear, multibrand e-tailer Shopbop created an entire section dedicated to athleisure last year. If you have yet to check it out, it’s full of popular names in the active- and loungewear space, including Beach Riot, Live the Process, and Tory Sport.  

Girlfriend Collective

Using recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets, and other waste, Girlfriend Collective designs affordable, size-inclusive athleisure in an Instagram-friendly palette of neutrals like peach, cream, and sage. Its high-rise leggings and halter sports bras are bestsellers, but if you happen to already own one of those items, consider picking up one of its newer silhouettes for spring. (We’re seriously eyeing the bike-short unitard right now.)

Nike

Nike has long been a mainstay for activewear that’s fashionable, functional, size-inclusive—and cutting edge in terms of fit and fabric technology. Peep some of our must-haves from the legacy brand below, starting with those split-hem leggings that have a mini kick flare.

Adidas

Adidas is another perennial favorite in the athleisure and street style aisle. Whether you’re in the market for a new sports bra, a pair of running shoes, or a fresh sweatsuit, you’re guaranteed to find styles that read laid-back cool (but are ready for a HIIT workout at any moment). The brand is also an advocate of sustainability practices and partnered with Parley in 2015 to help spearhead its eco-friendly initiatives. (Adidas plans to use 100% recycled polyester in its products by 2024, according to its website.)

Old Navy

With its accessible price point and inclusive sizing, Old Navy sells sports clothing you don’t have to be precious about wearing 24/7. Start building your cart with this limoncello tank top and camo-print legging—it’s the perfect outfit for a morning coffee date followed by a sweat sesh in the afternoon. 

Amazon

Digging through the ‘Zon for chic activewear can feel like an installment in Mission Impossible, but if you know where to look (and we do!), you can definitely find some hidden gems. Case in point: This top-rated tank from Beyond Yoga that may just be comfier than your go-to wireless bra, and some very pretty scalloped leggings giving Lululemon’s Wunder Unders a run for its money.

Carbon38

Carbo38 is another multi-brand retailer you need on your radar. The online boutique bills itself as a place for “active fashion,” so you can expect to find pieces that combine the functionality of high-performance fabrics with on-trend designs and cuts. Brand selection-wise, Carbon38 carries a mix of fashion, wellness, and athleisure labels, including Bala (its weighted bangles are a Glamour-editor fave), Nike, Isabel Marant, Cotton Citizen, and Superga—which FYI, is the same sneaker brand Kate Middleton loves. Make sure to also check out Carbon38’s own in-house line of activewear.

Free People

Free People is a top choice for spring dresses and comfy WFH attire, so it only makes sense that we look to the boho paradise for similar feel-good gym gear. Unsurprisingly, the brand boasts a stacked section of mood-boosting options in pretty tie-dyes and poppy fluorescent colors that are just *begging* to be snapped up.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Update: January 5, 2021

Madewell fans, big news: The brand just debuted leggings, and you’re going to want to make room for them in your closet, stat. The brand has cemented its status as the Queen of Denim, but versatile leggings are actually a natural progression for Madewell, which launched a collection of off-duty staples under the name MWL (Make Weekends Longer) in October. 

Available in black, khaki, and a bluish gray, the leggings in question are (like much of the brand’s designs) basic in a good way. They’re cropped at the ankles so you can wear them indoors with fuzzy slippers, or outside with boots and thick socks. And they have a hidden card-holder slot in the waistband, because who doesn’t love a secret pocket? 

Similar to the other pieces in the MWL collection, the leggings are responsibly made from recycled nylon and spandex, with flat seams and plenty of stretch. They come in sizes XXS through XXL, and wear opaque and compressive, rather than sheer or suffocating. But Madewell did more than just get the fit and fabric right for its first-ever leggings. At $65, the price also feels reasonable considering some technical styles can go for double the amount. 

All in all, if you’re debating a closet purge for the new year, consider leaving a spot open for Madewell’s newest leggings. Shop our top picks from the drop below—and scroll down to check out more of the MWL line. 

Original story: October 20, 2020

Madewell’s bread and butter is, without a doubt, denim. So when we heard that the brand was dropping its first athleisure collection on October 20, we had to learn more. Let’s face it: Very few of us have given much thought to our wardrobe in recent months, but Madewell is trusted for its ultra-comfy everyday wear, so a new launch feels like something worth getting out of our pajamas for.

Unlike a typical Madewell collaboration, which usually wraps up once the pieces are sold out, this launch marks the brand’s entry into a whole new category—and a permanent one. MWL, as it’s been dubbed, looks like a nickname for Madewell, but it’s actually an acronym for “Make weekends longer.” In the collection’s mix, you’ll find a range of drawstring joggers, hoodies, and crewneck sweatshirts. Everything costs less than $100, and discounted bundles are available when you’re buying a set. 

“Athleisure has been a widely requested category, even before the pandemic,” Madewell’s head of design, Joyce Lee, tells Glamour. “We designed the MWL collection to merge comfort and versatility with pieces that our customers can wear all day.” Consider it a uniform for doing all the things—and in a warm color palette that you can easily mix and match with other pieces in your wardrobe. 

As we’ve come to expect from Madewell’s pieces, the overall vibe is comfy and put together—but not sloppy—and the designs prioritize comfort, fit, and sustainability. Speaking to the latter, Lee says Madewell incorporated a sustainable element into each material. For instance, the new Superbrushed fabric is made from a recycled polyester that’s durable and warm to the touch, while Sweats (the brand’s take on a midweight jogger) is made of 85% organic cotton and 15% recycled polyester.

As experts in fit, Madewell took learnings from their signature denim when designing these leggings and created a universally flattering ankle length. Plus, there’s a hidden card-holder pocket in the waistband for all on-the-go needs. 

Seven months ago, MWL would have probably been considered off-duty loungewear, but ever since our weeks and weekends blurred into one, any old “dressing rules” have been replaced by wardrobe staples you can wear 24/7. And for essential workers who aren’t WFH right now, comfort-first apparel is everything after a long day’s shift—making MWL something we can all get behind. Shop our favorite pieces from Madewell’s new athleisure collection below, and check out the rest of the collection here.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.