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Wearing comfortable clothing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style — and with athleisure continuing to dominate the trends, you can have the best of both worlds. In the past, running shorts and leggings would’ve been categorized as just athletic wear, but now the style has evolved into versatile pieces you can show off anywhere from the gym, to errands, to meeting up for drinks with friends.
Athleisure brands continue to stand out with pieces that are as comfortable (think stretchy, soft and breathable) as they are trendy. Think of it like wearing your comfiest yoga pants without looking as though you’ve just hopped off your at-home fitness equipment. You don’t have to burn a hole in your wallet to invest in the style either — there is practically an endless amount of online retailers that offer athleisure for a range of budgets and aesthetics.
What Is An Athleisure Brand?
As the name suggests, athleisure brands refers to clothing brands that make pieces combing athletic wear and leisure wear. The best athleisure brands combine the movement and functionality of sportswear with the style and trendiness of everyday apparel such as T-shirts, trousers, bodysuits and more. Rather than feeling restricted and uncomfortable, these styles usually use materials from sportswear styles to create a look that will move with you without sacrificing style.
Athleisure brands have even made popular athletic apparel trendy enough to show off everyday, including the classic tennis skirt. What sets it apart from traditional sportswear is its versatility — meaning your outfit can go from the couch to brunch or the gym to work without having to pack an additional outfit.
What Are the Best Athleisure Brands?
Looking for the best athleisure brands and pieces to add to your wardrobe? Billboard Shopping has gone through and picked the best athleisure brands to help inspire your next shopping session. Keep reading to shop our picks below.
Nike
unisex pick
Nike
Nike aims to inspire athletes of all levels with apparel that’s both versatile and performance-focused. You can find a mix of pieces for men, women and even unisex options for a range of prices starting at $12. The brand has also tapped celebrities including Meghan The Stallion to show the range the brand has both in style and sportswear.
Our favorite Nike athleisure picks: you can’t go wrong with a bold pair of Nike Air Force 1 Shadow sneakers ($130) paired with some comfy fleece pants ($39, reg. $60) and a soft fleece hoodie ($65).
Girlfriend Collective
sustainable pick
Girlfriend Collective
If you’re looking to shift to more eco-friendly brands, then look no further than Girlfriend Collective. The brand uses recycled plastic materials in their fabrics and offer a mix of basics in neutral and statement shades that pair easily with any look or personality style.
Some of the brand’s bestselling styles include their Sport Skort ($62), Recycled Cotton Cropped Crew ($42) and the Compressive Pocket Legging ($88), which also earned a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things list in 2022.
Alo Yoga
luxury pick
Alo Yoga
Alo Yoga is one of the priciest options on the list, but is completely worth the money for its elevated athleisure styles. The brand has even gained the love of celebs like BLACKPINK’s Jisoo who was tapped to be the face of the athleisure brand’s spring campaign. You can expect to find looks that’ll easily have you looking like one of the most fashionable people at the gym or office.
Some styles we recommend trying include the Varsity Tennis Skirt ($74), Airbrush Streamlined Bra Tank ($68) and the Alo x 01 Sneakers ($168).
Athleta
everyday pick
Athleta
Whether you’re looking to refresh your basics or want more comfortable, everyday pieces that can be worn to meet up with friends, Athleta has the inventory to meet your needs. The brand has a range of leggings, sports bras and also pants and tops that can provide fashionable looks that are breathable and stretchy.
Take a peek at the brand’s popular Brooklyn Heights Wide-Leg Jumpsuit ($104, reg. $139), Elation V-Neck Hybrid Dress ($97, reg. $129) and the Salutaion Jogger ($67, reg. $89).
Outdoor Voices
tiktok pick
Outdoor Voices
If it’s not Outdoor Voices‘ skirt going viral on TikTok, then the social media platform is most likely going wild over the brand’s athletic dress. At their core, the athleisure brand wants to encourage people to get moving no matter what their athletic abilities are. To help, they’ve designed cute and functional pieces for men and women that can be integrated into your everyday outfits or worn to workout in.
Some of the most popular styles include The Exercise 3″ Skort ($68), The Exercise Dress ($100) and The RecTrek Pant ($98).
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best winter running gear, shoes for travel and SKIMS dupes.
