My motivation for the gym ebbs and flows—and honestly, a majority of that drive comes down to one thing: how cute my outfit is. Nothing gets me out of bed for an 8 a.m. Pilates class quite like the promise of a cute matching set or a seriously chic pair of leggings that will look just as cool at my post-workout matcha date (thank you, athleisure trend!).
But, of course, style isn’t the only factor when shopping for this category. We still need our leggings and sports bras to do their job—i.e., deliver support, comfort, and performance while helping us look and feel good, whether we’re actually working out or not. Since it’s hard to know which brands actually check those boxes, we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the ones that are worth your money.
Without further ado...these are the best athleisure brands money can buy (and our favorite pieces right now to help get your online cart started!).
lululemon
Lululemon really is the gold standard for gym ‘fits. I mean, personally, I’ll never love another pair of leggings quite like the Aligns—they’ve had a chokehold on me for 10+ years. The buttery-soft fabric is reliably comfortable and actually stays up during a workout (rare), and you won’t have to replace them every year. The brand has graduated beyond just activewear, though. Its Scuba Hoodies, seriously comfy joggers, and the Everywhere Belt Bag have just as much of a cult following.
Alo
One thing about Alo: the brand is always going to deliver the hottest colorways—in addition to 10/10 quality and style across the board. Case in point: The brand’s latest fall shade, Rich Bordeaux. The hot new hue (which is seriously trending right now!) comes in so many best-selling styles and a few soon-to-be faves that you can wear everywhere from the gym to the airport to your favorite matcha shop.
FP Movement
Free People’s athleisure line, FP Movement, has the same effortlessly cool vibe, and it’s a dream for anyone who’d rather mix and match their pieces than wear a perfectly coordinated set. We love their slouchy silhouettes, washed colors, bold prints, and of course the cult-fave Hot Shot Onesie and Mountain High Fleece—both of which I just added to my own online cart.
Vuori
On the complete other end of the style spectrum is Vuori, where you’ll find chic, neutral athleisure pieces and almost no logos. Everything is pared-down, polished, and top-notch quality. The Performance Joggers and buttery-soft DreamKnit sweats have a dedicated following for a reason, and my own Everyday Cotton Stretch Fitted Tee has gotten weekly wear for years now.
YPB by Abercrombie
If you’ve been sleeping on Abercrombie’s athleisure line, consider this your official sign to wake up. Everything in the YPB collection feels fresh and on-trend, but at an actually reasonable price point! And the range of styles is just as impressive and spans every lifestyle. Think: tennis ‘fits, gym-ready styles, hot girl walk must-haves, and even travel essentials—mark my words, the On The Go High Rise Terry Pant will change your life if you wanna look good and feel comfy.
Beyond Yoga
Beyond Yoga has been around the block. The LA-born and bred brand first got its start over 20 years ago, and its insanely soft Spacedye fabric and size-inclusive range is as beloved as ever. Whether you’re looking for a new go-to Pilates set or cozy aprés ski ‘fit, Beyond Yoga understands the assignment.
CSB
CSB is a hit with the A-list crowd. Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, and Kaia Gerber are all major fans of its sculpting tops and sets—they’re equal parts functional and cool. But the Australian-based brand’s loungewear and layers deserve just as much hype. This Faux Leather Bomber is seriously gorge and looks so chic with capri leggings; this pink Wrap Top is peak balletcore, and the Form Strapless Mini Dress is the LBD.
Athleta
GAP has been crushing it lately, so it should hardly come as a surprise that the brand’s athleisure offshoot, Athleta, is having a major moment too. The female-focused activewear label is known for its extended sizing and versatile pieces—like the Brooklyn pant that’s comfy and professional enough for the office—and they’ve embraced trendier styles lately too, with embroidery, fresh silhouettes, and of-the-moment prints.
Set Active
Set Active is best known for its matching sets, but I bet you could’ve guessed that by the name. The brand has coordinating fleece, sweats, bras, and leggings in the hottest colorways, and there are so many different variations of silhouettes that you can really mix-and-match between the categories while still maintaining a cohesive look!
CRZ Yoga on Amazon
Spoiler: you don’t have to spend your entire shopping budget on athleisure, especially when CRZ Yoga exists. The Amazon brand has top-tier joggers, hoodies, biker shorts—you name it. Take these Softretch Wide Leg Pants, which have over 500 glowing reviews. The fabric has that second-skin feel and a gentle compression that looks (and feels) good for a workout class, no matter how high-intensity. And the Butterluxe leggings are pretty much perfect if you’re after that buttery-soft, weightless feel.
Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.