When it comes to working out, comfort and practicality should rank at the top of your priority list. Breathable, stretchable fabrics that feel like second skin: these are all the hallmarks of a good workout gear.
But that doesn’t mean all notions of style goes out the window – there’s no reason why you can’t look your best even when you’re working up a sweat.
With activewear brands like Girlfriend Collective, Nagnata and Vaara that deliver high quality and chic fitness wear, we’re more than motivated to get up and start working out just so we have a reason to don stylish colourblocked sports bras and figure flattering leggings.
Even now as we continue to practice social distancing, these stylish threads will surely come into handy when you’re filling your spare time with a couple of home workout routines or an intense session of Tabata. Check out our favourite activewear brands that deliver in both style and quality.
Whether you’re lounging around at home or you’re heading to your spin class, you live for activewear and you’ve already got yourself a closetful of these pieces that you rotate on the daily. And so if you’re looking to add more pieces into your ever-growing collection, why not consider investing in activewear that actually serves a purpose. Enter Sparks Active.
This new Singaporean/Hong Kong brand offers sports bras, tanks and leggings at an affordable price in a broad range of sizes — which includes an assortment of matching co-ords for you to wear to the gym or to work. But what’s more interesting about this new brand, is that it advocates for a balanced life in which we give as well as receive. Case in point: Sparks Active donates 5% of its net proceeds to a charity of the customer’s choice. Some of these charities that you can choose from include Clean Yangon (an NGO that plants trees), Changing Stories (a small non-profit that trains local teachers and offers programs in Nepal), and RUN (a charity that provides yoga and hiking for refugees). Now you can sweat in style for a good cause!
Garnering legions of fans, raving reviews and a strong presence on Instagram, Girlfriend Collective is the activewear brand to know.
Using recycled plastic water bottles, fishing nets and other plastic waste, the brand subscribes to responsible and sustainable practices when creating their high-performance and incredibly soft sports bras and leggings.
Available in bright vivid colourways that are oh-so-gorgeous, the brand’s matching sets are one of our favourites in the market. Its best-selling product is its compressive high-rise leggings, a pair of flexible leggings that has over 3995 5-star reviews (at the time of writing) for its high quality, softness and a flexible stretch that helps it move with the body as you work out.
Girlfriend Collective is available at several stockists including Net-a-Porter and Farfetch.
London-based activewear brand Vaara melds the concepts of both aesthetic and function to create a line of “cool girl” workout wear that was designed with the movement of an active body in mind. Their designs are incredibly modern: sports bras with colourblocked panelling, long sleeved cropped tops detailed with striking stripe details and scoop neck lilac bralettes with clean lines.
Vaara is available online at www.vaara.com.
Based in Los Angeles, Years of Ours offers a chic edit of unique, eye-catching designs informed by a ‘90s aesthetic. Offering sports bras, leggings, ribbed stretch shorts, velour hoodies and even lace-up ribbed sports bras that resemble “going out” tops, the brand’s pieces are known for being able to seamlessly transition you from yoga class to post-workout dinner. Carrying an extensive range of sizes ranging from XXS to 2X, Years of Ours offers styles for everyone.
Year of Ours is available at several stockists including Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, Revolve and Carbon38.
Designed to “feel as good at the gym as they look on the street”, Nylora’s stylish line of performance wear is crafted for modern urbane lifestyles.
Started by Parsons graduate Carolyn Jang, the label showcases a line of interesting designs that sets it apart from other brands. A pale rose ribbed tank with iridescent sienna-coloured panelling stands out as a lovely Instagram-worthy choice; a pair of high-rise mint leggings features iridescent lavender side panelling and a houndstooth printed sports bra with a neon green stripe highlight the brand’s ability to weave modern accents into activewear.
Nylora is available at several stockists including Revolve and Carbon38, and online at www.nylora.com.
A sustainable activewear brand, Nagnata works with certified organic cotton and natural dyes to create premium, high-end sportswear boasting contemporary styles with a trendy ‘90s aesthetic.
Expect to find square neck colorblocking cropped technical-knit bras, chic ribbed knit biker shorts in retro muted colours, and breathable merino wool leggings.
The brand also minimises waste by releasing its collections transeasonally, works with fair trade artisan initiatives and upcycles old textiles, committing to an environmentally and ethically conscious ethos.
Nagnata is available online at www.nagnata.com.
London-based brand Sweaty Betty has been in the activewear market for over 20 years with a mission to empower women through fitness and “make it cool to sweat”.
The brand’s “Super Sculpt Leggings” are well-known for their bum-sculpting and high compression properties.
Recycled from 17 post-consumer PET plastic bottles, each pair of “Super Sculpt Leggings” are designed to be comfortable and flattering while keeping you feeling supported. On top of the leggings, which are available in an array of eye-catching prints, Sweaty Betty also carries a wide range of styles that cover every activity from yoga and pilates to high intensity workouts.
Sweaty Betty is available online at www.sweatybetty.com.
You’ll find many familiar characteristics of Tory Burch in its activewear, Tory Sport. Featuring a love for bright vivid colours and prints, Tory Sport is all about functional and preppy activewear that not only feels good on the skin as you work out, but also looks as though it can be worn to brunch after.
Crafted from materials with wicking and antimicrobial properties to ensure comfort, Tory Sport’s athletic outfits range from pleated tennis skirts and ditzy floral printed sports bras with matching leggings to bright red biker shorts that will team amazingly with their colourblocked offerings.
Tory Sport is available at Mytheresa.
