Form, fashion and function
The market for activewear has never been better; from luxury brands to high street staples, there’s an impressive range of fitness apparel to suit every activity and style, but that can make choosing your perfect gym 'fit a daunting prospect.
There's a lot to consider, of course. Fabric-wise, you're looking for breathable blends of purpose-made materials that are soft and smooth to the touch, with enough stretch to conquer every kind of workout. Scratchy polyesters and thin nylons should be avoided, as they can snag easily and are often guilty of going see-through.
The silhouette, seam placement, technical details and useful features like drop-in pockets are other factors that elevate the best activewear brands, allowing for both studio and street wear.
From iconic British brands like Sweaty Betty to on-trend American imports, we've rounded up the best activewear brands to invest in now. Offering both style and substance, our edit includes high-waisted leggings for park runs, supportive crops for pilates and chic athleisure to elevate your new season fitness wardrobe.
Shop our edit of the best activewear brands below...
Canadian-born brand lululemon is a favourite among fitness circles – and with good reason, too. The no-slip Align Leggings and matching Define Jacket are staples in any activewear wardrobe, offering versatility for everything from studio-based classes to long runs.
In recent years, the range has expanded to include top-rate gym trainers, peachy-soft loungewear and technical outdoor gear for adventurous types.
Looking for chic comfies to upgrade your WFH wear? We love the Perfectly Oversized Cropped Crew and Ribbed Cropped Tank Top, which provides just the right amount of support to take you from work to workout.
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Sweaty Betty
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Sweaty Betty
One of the most popular activewear brands out there, high street street favourite Sweaty Betty sells a pair of its iconic Power Leggings every minute. The most sculpting and supportive are the Power UltraSculpt High-Waisted Gym Legging, with a seamless front to ensure comfort.
With an empowering ethos, the label makes a large range of supportive and technical fitness wear, plus swimwear and lounge pieces. If you're yet to find your go-to workout top, we recommend the Swifty Gym Vest. It’s super light, dries fast and thanks to the vented peekaboo back is great for HIIT and cardio, too.
Alo Yoga creates California-cool technical yoga gear and versatile athleisure crafted from signature silky fabrics and counts both Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber among its celebrity fans. The brand’s wildly popular Airbrush High-Waist Bootcut Legging are made from the label’s stretchy, sculpting Airbrush fabric for a comfortable fit both at the studio and on the sofa. Also available in 7/8 length.
Other cult favourites include the Seamless Ribbed Low Back Bra – stretchy and soft, with a wide supportive band that allows a full range of motion during practise – while the Airbrush Physique Onesie is crafted from the same fabric as the flared leggings but with a zipped-up silhouette, ideal for inversions.
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Another Californian import bringing its premium performance apparel to our shores, Vuori is perhaps best loved for its BlissBlend line. Characterised by their lightweight feel, the AllTheFeels Leggings are sculpting yet stretchy and feature a supportive high waistband.
Other Vuori favourites include the Halo Performance Crop — a comfortable longline, low-impact sports bra — and the Clementine Short 2.0, supremely light running shorts with a comfortable ruched waist and handy zipped key pocket.
The brainchild of fitness entrepreneur Grace Beverley, TALA is known for its eco-conscious approach to production, using sustainable and durable fabrics for activewear pieces that last at competitive prices. TALA’s Skinluxe High Waisted Leggings are among the best gym leggings out there. Available in a constantly turning carousel of on-trend colours, they feel like a yoga legging but perform like technical tights, with a wide waistband to help you feel held-in and flattering seam placement.
The matching Skinluxe Tank Sports Bra is supportive thanks to the generous under band and effective compression — size up if you’re between sizes. Meanwhile TALA’s 365 Sculpting Lounge Short Sleeve Jumpsuit is the loungewear of dreams; comfortable, soft and made with a stretchy, flattering Modal blend.
Known for studio staples and preppy tennis wear, Varley has its roots firmly in the luxe athleisure space. London-based but LA-inspired, the influence of both cities can be seen through the brand’s collection; soft Californian styles married with chic London practicality. Stocked at Net-a-Porter, Selfridges, Matches and The Sports Edit, Varley specialises in versatile pieces – including this chunky Vine Half-Zip Pullover – that deserve a spot in both casual and fitness wardrobes.
Elsewhere, the Alder Shorts are perfect for transitional lounging, bridging the gap between the sofa and stretching. Soft and high-waisted, wear for next-level comfort, however you choose to move.
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Founded in Sydney – AKA the home of stylish athleisure – this Aussie label is renowned for a distinctive aesthetic that marries bold colours, graphic prints and modern silhouettes. The Terrain Sports Bra is ideal for running (... or running errands), thanks to its compressive support, adjustable shoulder straps and mesh racerback detail for better breathability.
Braving a brisk winter trail has never looked better, thanks to the retro Man Down Jacket, which is fully lined yet lightweight, and offers secure zip pockets for your valuables. If exercise isn't on the agenda, opt for high rise joggers and bold sweatshirts for weekends spent brunching.
Breaking barriers and redefining inclusivity in activewear, H&M Move is our go-to for affordable and functional essentials from sizes XS to XXL. From seamless leggings to supportive sports bras, each piece is crafted using innovative fabrics, including DryMove – designed to wick away moisture from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable during intense workouts – and SoftMove, a lightweight jersey made with pilates, yoga and stretching in mind.
