15 Exercise Dresses for Every Body Type and Occasion
Updated: Mar. 07, 2023
Take this as your sign to add an exercise dress to your wardrobe
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Meet the exercise dress
What’s an exercise dress, you ask? It’s the most comfortable type of activewear money can buy. Exercise dresses are flattering and functional thanks to their skort-like style featuring built-in spandex shorts. It’s an ideal piece of athleisure to wear during warmer months, beating even the best leggings you own. Shoppers love the all-in-one function of exercise dresses. Work out in it, wear it while running errands, go for a hike and wear it around the house—it’s one of the best classic dresses to have on hand that pairs well with any activity, active or not. Plus, it can easily be dressed up with a jacket during cooler weather.
Luckily, almost every major activewear brand sells the cult-favorite exercise dress, so the options are endless. We found the best exercise dresses for every body type and occasion. They’re so stylish, you’ll want to buy one in every color!
Halara Everyday Cloudful Exercise Dress
One of the most popular exercise dresses, the Halara Everyday Cloudful exercise dress is a two-in-one activity dress featuring a built-in romper, a built-in bra and a tear-drop back design with criss-cross straps. The built-in bra includes removable pads, while the romper shorts contain a pocket on both sides that’s perfect for carrying car keys or a phone. Reviewers love the soft, cloud-like material and the many color options. Choose from four fit styles and a range of inclusive sizes. Here’s how to wash athleisure so it stays looking good as new.
Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress
Featuring LightSpeed fabric made from nylon and spandex, Outdoor Voices’s The Exercise Dress puts comfort first, with adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner with pockets and leg grippers. This exercise dress offers a fresh take on the brand’s classic style, with updates based on real users’ reviews, like a removed center seam from the bodysuit liner. Whether you prefer a pop of color, classic black or even a pattern, there’s a colorway for every aesthetic. Pair this dress with your best sports bra and you’re good to go!
Frankly Apparel The Emma Dress
The Emma exercise dress by Frankly Apparel is officially my new favorite athleisure wear. Upon arrival, I was shocked by the softness and quality of the materials used—all of which are 100% recycled. I love that the dress features a built-in bodysuit layer with buttons, so I don’t have to take the whole thing off when I’m in the bathroom.
Frankly designs its clothing with larger-chested women in mind thanks to the full coverage, built-in bras featured in their body suits and dresses. I appreciate the comfortable lift that the built-in bra offers and that the pads are removable. Plus, the cinched design of the chest area is a flattering final touch. This exercise dress comes in two colors, orchid and black, which are perfect for everyday wear (I have the orchid dress and I’m obsessed).
Beyond Yoga Under Lock & Key Racerback Dress
This buttery soft, pink exercise dress from Beyond Yoga features performance fabric that stretches with you, wicks away moisture and protects against UV rays. It’s designed to hit the mid-thigh area, making it best for shoppers looking for an exercise dress that isn’t too short. A self shelf bra is built into this dress, though it doesn’t feature interior shorts, so you’ll want to pair it with shapewear or the best workout shorts in your closet.
Lululemon Court Crush Dress
Though technically designed for tennis, the Lululemon Court Crush Dress is best for all types of high-intensity training or outdoor activity. It features fast-drying and sweat-wicking fabric that keeps you cool while working out. Built-in shorts contain dual-entry pockets for holding a tennis ball or phone, while the built-in bra includes removable cups. This dress falls a few inches above the knee cap and moves with you during activity, making it one of the best exercise dresses for working out or playing sports.
HDE Women’s Exercise Workout Dress
If you’re passing up Walmart as an activewear destination, think again. The retailer offers high-quality athleisure at a wallet-friendly price point, like this HDE Women’s Exercise Workout Dress. Don’t let that name fool you, though. This exercise dress is ideal for any activity—workout-related or not—and features a built-in romper made from stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric. Wear it to brunch and beyond.
Sweaty Betty Power Workout Dress
The Sweaty Betty exercise dress is quite literally made for performance. The racerback style offers a full range of motion, while removable cups and built-in shorts offer extra support during activities. It’s not skin-tight, so you can feel good about moving around in this workout dress every. single. day.
Girlfriend Collective Paloma Racerback Dress
The Girlfriend Collective offers a variety of exercise dress styles, and we love the racerback style of this Paloma exercise dress that comes in everyday colors like black, moss (green), earth (brown) and midnight (blue). The dress’s design is based on the brand’s bestselling sports bra, so comfort is guaranteed. Plus, it’s made from 79% recycled plastic bottles (the other 21% is spandex), so you’ll feel good about wearing this eco-friendly pick.
Ewedoos Women’s Tennis Dress
This tennis-style exercise dress from Amazon is a dupe for more expensive options from popular brands like Lululemon or Alo Yoga. It comes in beautiful colors like white, pink, lavender, indigo, mauve and, of course, classic black (there’s even a polka dot option). This dress is made from nylon and spandex and features a four-way stretch that moves with you during every lunge, run and walk. Just like popular exercise dresses, this pick includes built-in shorts and a removable bra.
Athleta Om My Way Dress
Ideal for low-impact activity, the Athleta Om My Way Dress offers a buttery-soft feel and a semi-fitted, simple silhouette that keeps you cool at the gym, at the store and while hanging out around the house. The fabric is moisture-wicking, quick-drying and breathable, so you can say goodbye to wearing uncomfortably hot (and tight) activewear in warmer months. Reviewers note this exercise dress fits true to size.
Nike Bliss Luxe Training Dress
Featuring a built-in bodysuit that’s about the same length as the dress, the Nike Bliss Luxe Training Dress offers a unique take on the classic exercise dress. It’s a versatile pick, thanks to the thick shoulder straps and a stretchy outer layer that looks like it’s tailored to your body type. Plus, it’s made with at least 50% recycled polyester fibers, making this a sustainable piece of activewear.
Madewell Flex Fitness Dress
The high-neck design of the Madewell Flex Fitness Dress isn’t just cute—it’s functional. It’s made from poly recycled from plastic bottles and features all the best aspects of an exercise dress: built-in shorts, a pocket and sweat-wicking material. Choose from a range of inclusive sizes and six color options. This dress will escort you to the farmers market, brunch and the gym.
Alo Yoga Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress
The sweetheart neckline and thin straps on this Alo Yoga tennis dress keeps shoulders and arms feeling cool all season long, while the built-in shorts and bra deliver support. Pair it with a jacket for a sporty yet fashionable daytime look. The brand notes this exercise dress runs small, so you’ll want to order at least one size up.
Abercrombie & Fitch One-Shoulder Traveler Mini Dress
Say hello to your new favorite athleisure staple: the one-shoulder Traveler Mini Dress from Abercrombie & Fitch. It features the brand’s Traveler knit fabric, built-in shorts, a hidden pocket and, best of all, a unique one-shoulder-strap design. And if you prefer double straps, this dress comes with a thin, removable strap for extra support. Choose from three lengths and multiple vibrant colors.
Onzie Active Dress
Make a statement with this active dress from Onzie. It’s perfect for the gym or brunch and features built-in shorts, a scoop neck, rib fabric and thin shoulder straps to keep you cool during warm weather. It doesn’t feature a built-in bra, so we recommend pairing it with a sports bra for extra support.
Originally Published: July 12, 2022
