This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
In this article, we are our sharing our honest and unfiltered ranking of the athleisure brands you know and love. We believe that you can still dress cute & comfy, even if you are working from your couch!
Ever since most of the tech world went remote, the concept of ‘getting ready for work’ has taken on a whole new meaning. Instead of getting dressed in pencil skirts and button down blouses, women all over the country are reaching for Lululemon leggings and breezy zip ups. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not mad about it. I’ve always been a comfort-first girl. That said, I do believe there is a right and wrong way to do athleisure. After all, you still want to look put together – even if you are just attending your daily standup on Zoom from your couch.
In this post, we divulge our absolute favorite athleisure pieces of 2024 from some very well known (and some not so well known) brands. For us, athleisure is about comfort and practicality, but also about style and looking sharp. Our hope is that you will find inspiration in these pieces and this guide serves as a blueprint for that long overdue closest refresh you’ve been meaning to do. Plus, many of the pieces we share within this post are versatile – you can wear them to work, but you can also easily wear them to brunch, around the house, shopping with the girls, or… well… the gym!
Athleisure is the new business casual
First, let’s talk athleisure brands we love. If these brands aren’t already in your rotational, we highly recommend you add them. While they aren’t all known for their affordability (let’s be real – what good athleisure brands are?), they are known for their quality, selection, and wearability. All important things to look for when you are considering making an investment into a closet refresh!
- Lululemon (duh)
- Alo Yoga (also, duh)
- Bandier
- Sweaty Betty
- Vuori
- Outdoor Voices
- Fabletics
- FP Movement by Free People
- Beyond Yoga
- Commando
- Nike
- All In Motion by Target
- Halara
- Aviator Nation
- Alala
Our favorite athleisure pieces to buy of 2024
Now, let’s get into some of our all time favorite athleisure pieces to buy. Your shopping list awaits!
Athleisure pieces to buy: Leggings
Gold Medal
Vuori Daily Legging
Buy here
Why we love it: Its price point, extreme durability and high quality, tummy control design, and buttery smooth material make this pair of leggings a staple in any closet. Plus, it comes in almost every color you can imagine.
SILVER MEDAL
Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging
Buy here
Why we love it: This cult-classic pair of leggings is not new news, and for a good reason. It’s a damn good pair of leggings. The tight yet comfortable fabric creates an illusion of skinnier legs and it comes in different lengths if you prefer a shorter or longer fit.
Bronze Medal
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught In The Midi High Waisted Legging
Buy here
Why we love it: The material of this pair of leggings is truly unmatched. It is probably the softest pair of leggings we’ve ever felt, making it a go-to for grueling workdays, long flights, or relaxing yoga classes.
Athleisure pieces to buy: Biker Shorts
GOLD MEDAL
Lululemon Align High-Rise Short
Buy here
Why we love it: Though they were designed for workouts, these shorts can easily be paired with an oversized tee-shirt or sweatshirt, making them super versatile and worth every penny. They also come in almost every color under the sun, offer varying inseam lengths, and are super breathable. The band that sits on your waist is also the perfect ‘tightness’ – it keeps the shorts in place but it doesn’t constrict you or make you feel uncomfortable.
Also Check Nail Designs for Summer: The Best Picks for 2024
SILVER MEDAL
Women’s Everyday Soft Ultra High-Rise Bike Shorts from All In Motion by Target
Buy here
Why we love it: Well, for one, we love the price of $20. You can’t beat that. But other than the price, these shorts are a great staple in any closet because they are comfortable, breathable, come in varying lengths and colors, and are made of an ultra soft material that you will literally want to live in.
BRONZE MEDAL
Never Better Bike Shorts from FP Movement by Free People
Buy here
Why we love it: These shorts come in super fun and vibrant colors (our favorite: super berry) and are super stretchy. They feature a four-way stretch meaning they pull lengthwise and widthwise, making them ideal for working out or yoga where there is a lot of ~movement~.
Athleisure pieces to buy: Dresses
GOLD MEDAL
Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress
Buy here
Why we love it: Another cult classic … and for a good reason. This dress is honestly perfect. So much so that we own it in almost every color. Don’t let the name fool you – this dress is designed for you to do anything in it. We especially love the adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner with side pockets.
SILVER MEDAL
Vuori Set Dress
Buy here
Why we love it: Pleats are in!! Throw this on by itself for a sporty look, or add a sweater on top for a more preppy look. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. The material is super soft, lightweight, and comfortable.
BRONZE MEDAL
Nike One Women’s Dri-FIT Dress
Buy here
Why we love it: Its slim-fitting nature and soft, stretchy ribbed-material makes this dress a bit more relaxed and not so ‘sporty’. It comes in a ton of colors, the price isn’t too bad, and the straps are a bit thicker for more support.
Athleisure pieces to buy: Sweatshirts and Zip-ups
GOLD MEDAL
Bandier Encore Full Zip Jacket
Buy here
Why we love it: This jacket just hugs you in all the right places. It’s stretchy, slimming, soft, and the right length (not too long but not too short). And it pairs with practically anything – a skirt, biker shorts, leggings, or even jeans. We have no doubt that you will be reaching for this jacket every time you run out of the house.
SILVER MEDAL
Sweaty Betty Escape Luxe Fleece Hoodie
Buy here
Why we love it: You will want to live in this cotton-blend fleece. It’s not too thick, comes in a ton of colors, and is the perfect length for that ultra-loungy feel. Plus, it has a higher neckline, which is great when the weather starts to get a little chilly and just adds to that overall comfort factor. We usually throw this on with a pair of leggings and gear up for a long day of meetings. You can also wear it post workout or on grocery runs. Honestly, the options are endless.
BRONZE MEDAL
Aviator Nation 5 Stripe Hoodie
Buy here
Why we love it: It’s fun! This zip-up sweatshirt features the brand’s well-known 5 stripe pattern and the material is super soft. It is also designed to intentionally look vintage. So if you are the kind of person that loves ‘worn-in’ sweatshirts, but want to look a bit more composed, this is the one for you.
Athleisure pieces to buy: Sports Bras
GOLD MEDAL
Lululemon Like a Cloud Longline Bra Light Support
Buy here
Why we love it: Not only is this sports bra really cute, but it also doesn’t have removable pads, which makes washing a dream. It comes in lots of colors and features marshmallowy-soft foam cups for ultra day-long comfort.
SILVER MEDAL
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank
Buy here
Why we love it: Even though this is technically a cropped tank, we like to wear it as a sports bra too. So with that logic, you are actually getting two products in one 🙂 But in all seriousness, this is hands-down the comfiest sports bra on the market. The material is buttery soft, the band doesn’t cut off your circulation, and the straps have a special racerback design that makes sure they don’t dig into your skin throughout the day. This is a MUST.
BRONZE MEDAL
Women’s Mesh Back Square Neck Bra from JoyLab by Target
Buy here
Why we love it: The price point can’t be beat and it’s also surprisingly really good quality. This bra comes in a few solid colors, and features a really visually appealing square neck cut that looks flattering on flatter and curvier body builds.
