Even though you probably always work out in leggings and a sports bra, fitness dresses are becoming more and more popular because they’re comfortable enough to use for activities other than tennis matches and golf outings. A good workout garment should be supportive and cover you up while still looking fashionable. The majority of workout dresses come with an integrated bra and cycling shorts to ensure complete coverage when you bend and move during your workout. Exercise dresses are a summertime game-changer, not only for your sweat sessions. They’re perfect for traveling, relaxing in the park, or engaging in enjoyable summertime activities like pickleball or mini golf.
Experts in fashion and activewear from the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab not only tested workout clothes for this story in the lab, but they also adore donning these looks themselves. Exercise dresses are rated according to their washability, ability to wick away moisture, comfort, fit, and style. Over 200 hours of activity, including jogging, dancing, tennis, and other activities, were completed by test subjects while donning these workout clothes.
Keep in mind that most exercise dresses provide very little support, making them ideal for low-impact exercises or everyday use. If your cup size is greater or you engage in higher-impact exercises, GH professionals advise donning a more supportive sports bra underneath. According to GH fashion experts, accessorize these dresses for daily use by teaming them with playful slip-on sneakers, a lightweight jacket, and sunglasse.
1. Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress
This Outdoor Voices selection is a popular seller because it’s the original workout dress for good reason—it’s incredibly lightweight and comfortable to wear both during and after exercise. GH experts value this pick’s racerback style, which includes adjustable straps for further lift and silicone grips integrated into the shorts to assist hold them in position. But compared to other choices, the material wasn’t as moisture-wicking.
One tester spoke about it being “the ultimate exercise dress,” saying, “I love the design of the dress—the flared skirt is super flattering, and the thinner straps were comfortable to wear.” Someone another remarked, “It’s lightweight and breathable for especially hot summer days,” adding that they had also worn it to theme parks. For a more fitting appearance and more compression, some testers sized down because the integrated sports bra provides little support.
2. Aerie OFFLINE By Aerie The Hugger Dress
This inexpensive workout dress from Aerie costs less than $40, although many of the best-selling styles cost about $100. It has a racerback style, built-in shorts, and a padless shelf bra. It comes in five different shades. When compared to other tested styles, GH experts observed that this dress felt softer. With its rapid moisture-wicking properties, this dress excelled in moisture management tests.
Tester notes: This dress scored highly for fit and appearance, and testers praised it for being “so comfortable” and “easy to run in.” It’s “really flattering and comfortable,” according to one tester, and “the fit was lovely, and felt supportive in the body without feeling tight or clingy,” according to another. Because the shorts roll up a little, testers observed that this dress is better suitable for casual wear and gentle exercise than for vigorous exercises.
3. Girlfriend Paloma Racerback Dress
While other testers complained that workout dresses were too tight on their hips, curvaceous testers praised this Girlfriend dress for fitting their hips flawlessly without putting undue strain on their stomachs. This option, which comes in sizes up to 6XL, has the brand’s recognizable compressive fabric and modest support. GH analysts value Girlfriend’s use of recycled materials in this garment as evidence of her dedication to sustainability.
Tester comments: “The thick fabric made it very attractive. It truly did keep everything in,” one test subject said. The fact that the shorts “actually fit [their] thighs,” without rolling up, was noted by several testers. As testers have noted, it’s a little more difficult to put this dress on because of the racerback style.
4. Abercrombie & Fitch Traveler Mini Dress
Packing a luggage with essentials for travel, such as this Abercrombie minidress, is a great way to start your next trip. This minimalist dress is so light and moisture-wicking that it won’t slow you down while you walk, according to one GH expert. Overall, it fits looser without feeling constricting or clinging to you.
Tester notes: This dress wowed testers with its “lightweight and airy feel” and travel-friendliness. Particularly appealing to one tester was the fact that it “didn’t cling to [her] stomach like most exercise dresses that are more form fitting.” Testers reported that the padless bra did display nipples.
5. Halara Backless 2-in-1 Flare Activity Dress-Wannabe
At just $35, this highly effective workout clothing from Halara comes in thirty various color combinations. GH experts discovered that the shelf bra has moisture-wicking fabrics and like that it features an elastic bottom band for more lift. The straps aren’t adjustable, despite the racerback style. There is also a longer version of this dress available.
Testers like that the side pocket is large enough to accommodate a phone, and the “insanely soft and comfy” fabric made it easy to wear all day with a supporting top. Some testers wish the material had higher compressive strength because it is somewhat thinner.
6. FP Movement Good Karma Dress Set
This FP Movement selection has a dress and separate shorts to make toilet breaks a breeze instead of having to pull on a workout dress with built-in shorts, which can be a major hassle. Upside pockets on the supplied biking shorts make it convenient to carry tennis balls throughout a game. Larger cup sizes shouldn’t wear the scoop neckline since it generates cleavage and makes the flared skirt difficult to move in. Please take note that there are just a few sizes left in this choice.
As noted by the testers, who like the compressive sensation, “the fabric is pretty thick and really sturdy.” Particularly, one tester praised the “nice A-line look” as being “really flattering.” It should be noted that the testers thought the shorts were a little too long and occasionally showed through the skirt.
7. Alo Yoga Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress
With its fitted shorts, straps that can be adjusted, and sweetheart neckline, this chic Alo Yoga dress is perfect for daily wear. While other fitness dresses had upside down pockets to keep tennis balls, this selection has upright pockets in the shorts to hold your phone or keys on the run. GH pros were impressed with how rapidly the material drove away moisture in Lab tests.
Notes from testers: Although the thicker fabric offers more covering, some testers thought it was somewhat “bulky” and had a “unflattering front seam.” Testers praised its silky smooth feel and the detachable cushions for greater coverage.
8. Athleta Advantage Dress
With a fashionable fit that holds up swing after swing, start your next round of golf in style. Athleta’s workout dress features elegant collar and a zippered top, two contemporary accents. This choice features playful pleats at the back and a wider skirt. Online reviews point out that the racerback design might cause the cloth around the neck to bunch up. This choice has a larger coverage back and a smooth, light feel that flows well, according to GH analysts.
9. Wilson Tiebreaker Dress
Wilson is a well-known and respected name in tennis, with a reputation for creating stylish gear without compromising performance. Compressive materials are used in this flared v-neck dress to keep you supported. Upside-down pockets in the integrated shorts are made to accommodate extra tennis balls as you play. The fashionable piping along the neckline adds a chic touch both on and off the court, which GH experts adore. Keep in mind that this style is somewhat shorter than the others.
10. Colorfulkoala Cloud Soft Workout Tennis Dress with Built-in Romper
Available on Amazon, this exercise clothing is from top tested brand Colorfulkoala. Its leggings and sports bras aced Lab testing for looking fantastic after laundry and earned rave feedback from testers with many preferring Colorfulkoala training apparel over pricier ones. With a padded shelf bra and built-in romper liner, this option offers light support for low impact exercises, but note that the straps aren’t adjustable.
11. Reformation Desirae Ecostretch Dress
Using the breathable, moisture-wicking training clothes you love to wear, an activity dress with long sleeves keeps you protected. You can wear this Reformation style both on and off the court thanks to its preppy touches. Reformation workout dresses are a favorite among GH experts since the compressive material is stylish and fashionable yet comfortable enough to wear all day. Recycled polyester and spandex are used to create a more environmentally friendly material.
12. Athleta Conscious Dress
The brand Athleta just introduced the Conscious Dress, a sports bra that combines the high neck design of the brand’s best-selling Conscious Crop with a flared skirt. This is an excellent option for people who detest having to take off their entire dress to use the restroom because it doesn’t include built-in shorts. This dress, which comes in tall, small, and plus sizes, is made of the brand’s Powervita fabric, a nylon/lycra blend that is smooth and buttery soft and perfect for minimal impact training.
One tester comments, “I feel secure and covered by this dress, despite the lack of padding in the top.” One tester praised the dress for its fitting high-neck top and A-line shape, saying it “accentuates my curves without exaggerating them.” While the testers appreciated the pockets, they pointed out that they were somewhat tiny.
13. Alder Get Dirty Dress 2.0
Alder creates sportswear to encourage ladies to spend more time outside. This dress impressed GH experts for having a unique fit compared to other exercise dresses we tested, with a looser look and a side slit. Testers particularly valued the side pockets and broader straps for carrying necessities and snacks while hiking. For a more accommodating fit, there are no integrated shorts or bra. It should be noted that this pick may run hotter and was not moisture-wicking in lab tests due to the more tough material.
Tester notes: Especially popular for treks and walks outsides, testers gushed that “it has just enough sturdiness to both allow movement, but also hide underwear lines.” While some testers thought the higher neckline was flattering, others didn’t think it was.
14. Lululemon Pace Rival Mid-Rise Skirt
You want to feel supported yet also free when you’re running. Because most exercise dresses only give moderate support up top, an exercise skirt is a much better alternative as you can pair it with your own sports bra and top. For the ideal fit, the waist cord’s adjustment helps hold everything in place. GH experts like that this choice has a back zippered pocket to store essentials and is offered in three lengths. We haven’t tested this type, but GH pros are consistently impressed by Lululemon’s superior fabrics and clever designs.
15. Spanx Yes, Pleats! Dress
While other testers thought workout gowns were too sporty or form-fitting for their tastes, this Spanx model stood out for having a more dressy yet unfitted appearance. For Spanx’s well-known shapewear effects, there’s a smoothing bodysuit with shorts underneath the sheath dress. The shorts also have side pockets that are hidden. GH professionals adore how this airy dress is perfect for travel and is simple to style for evening attire. Although this dress has just been released, GH analysts were pleased with how stylish it looks right out of the box. We are still expecting testing comments.
16. Frankly The Emma Dress
This stylish dress from Frankly features a halter style and a ruched neckline, making it an ideal workout attire for any occasion. This dress comes in two cup size options, so it can fit cup sizes D+. This fitness dress features an integrated bodysuit with a panty bottom, unlike most other dresses with built-in shorts. The bodysuit’s snaps make it simple to use the restroom without fully undressing. This choice also passed moisture management testing, making it ideal for summer celebrations outside.
Tester notes: Easily dressed up or down, this is a basic dress that is “a little fun and flirty,” as testers put it. Because this dress comes in a variety of cup sizes, some testers had trouble finding the ideal fit, so be sure to carefully review the size chart.
How we test the best exercise dresses
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tested 15 exercise outfits to determine which one was ideal for each occasion. Each dress was constructed in the lab by GH fiber experts, who determined whether or not it included essential components like supportive bras, adjustable straps, and built-in shorts. By applying a drop of water to the inner skirt, inner shorts, and bra cups and observing how quickly it spread, we were able to assess moisture management.
Testers worked out while donning these dresses, running, dancing, playing tennis, and more, providing feedback on fit, style, comfort, ease of on and off, support, and other aspects. Together, the testers who used these workout gowns put in over 200 hours of exercise.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour works at the Good Housekeeping Institute as a senior textiles product analyst. She has supervised consumer and in-lab testing for a range of fitness items. She tried hundreds of workout dresses for this piece, both in the lab and during physical activity, as she is an avid fan of exercise dresses. Emma is a specialist in product quality, analyzing walking footwear, sports bras, and workout leggings. She holds a degree in fiber science from Cornell University.
