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We Found and Wear-Tested the 15 Best Exercise Dresses for Every Activity
From top brands like lululemon, Alo Yoga, Athleta, and more
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Rachel MacPherson is a health writer, certified personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and exercise nutrition coach based in Halifax.
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Kristin McGee is a certified personal trainer and currently teaches yoga and meditation for Peloton. She is also certified in Pilates by the National Association of Sports Medicine.
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Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle.
Verywell Fit / Alli Waataja
Your fitness journey is more than just a commitment to your physical health; it’s about feeling good on the inside and out. That’s where exercise dresses come into play, blending fitness and fashion to help you look and feel your best. The best exercise dresses are sweat-wicking, comfortable, and supportive. When shopping, choose a dress that suits your personal activity level, body type, and style.
To find the best exercise dresses on the market, we first spoke with three experts—two fitness trainers and a professional tennis player—about the key features to look for. Then, we researched dozens of dresses from top activewear brands. We also tested seven expert-approved dresses on this list. Our top picks earned high scores for comfort, fit, design, durability, support, and overall value. For more guidance on how to shop for stylish, comfortable exercise dresses that fit impeccably, we also had a certified personal trainer from our Review Board review this story.
How to Wear Exercise Dresses in All Seasons
While exercise dresses are ideal for a cool, effortless look in summer weather, it doesn’t mean you have to store them away when temperatures cool down. To stay stylish in the winter, you can layer your exercise dress with other performance gear, such as long socks, fleece-lined leggings, running gloves, and a running jacket.
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Flattering fit
Sweat-wicking
Versatile style
No built-in shorts
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-L | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: No | Care: Hand wash in cold water, lay flat to dry | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It's For
Best for daily wear, running errands, and outdoor activities.
Why We Love It
Alo’s Airlift Fly Dress stands out for its seamless blend of flatter and function—it easily transforms from an everyday outfit to workout wear. The performance fabric, a combination of polyester and elastane, makes this dress slick, sweat-wicking, and breathable. It feels lightweight against the skin and keeps us cool and comfortable during errands, long walks, tennis, and much more.
We love that it has a supportive built-in shelf bra with removable padding, letting you wear it with or without a separate sports bra for high-impact workouts. The rounded scoop neckline offers flatter, while the racerback with keyhole cut-out delivers even more breathability. If you’re looking for an exercise dress that you can brunch and work out in, we highly recommend this stylish, practical pick.
Potential Flaws
- This dress doesn’t have built-in shorts, but you can always add your own pair of workout shorts underneath.
Most Valuable Insight
“My favorite thing about this dress is how flattering and versatile it is. I love that it's cute enough for daily wear, but also functional to wear for sweaty outdoor activities, like walking, golf, pickleball, and so much more.” —Michelle Parente, CYT, commerce writer and Verywell Fit product tester
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Super comfy
Comes in many colors and patterns
Versatile style
Built-in bra is not super supportive
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-XXL (petite, regular, and tall lengths) | Materials: Nylon, elastane, polyester | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Our Overall Rating: 4.4/5
Who It's For
Best for stylish daily wear and low-impact movement.
Why We Love It
After three months of wearing Abercrombie & Fitch's Traveler Dress, we discovered that it stands out as a more budget-friendly alternative to Outdoor Voices Move Free Dress. It has a similar look and feel, without the super high price tag. The material is super soft and stretchy, making it comfortable enough for lounging but still practical for low-impact exercise.
The built-in shorts have deep pockets placed where the skirt flares out, letting you stash your phone, keys, a satisfying snack, or other small items without bulges or bumps. And we love that the shoulder straps are adjustable to customize the support level of the built-in bra. The dress boasts a versatile, flattering style that strikes the perfect balance between athletic and casual, allowing us to feel confidently comfortable for coffee dates, running errands, and more.
Potential Flaws
- We love the built-in bra but wish it was more supportive for wearers who need it. Still, you can always add your own sports bra for large breasts.
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Versatile style
Flattering fit
Inclusive size range
No built-in bra
Key Specs
Sizes: XS-3X | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Built-In Bra: No | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who It's For
Best for golf, pickleball, tennis, and other low-impact workouts.
Why We Love It
While golf is known for its laid-back atmosphere, it still requires an outfit that provides unrestricted movement for a successful swing. Halara’s Everyday Backless Stretchy 2-in-1 Flare Golf Dress is made from a silky blend of nylon and elastane which offers a stretchy fit that moves with you. Plus, the built-in shorts have deep side pockets that let you store golfing necessities, like extra balls, tees, gloves, and more.
Off the green, the high neck, racerback, and flared silhouette offer flatter and style. We find it easy to dress up for brunch or gear up for a workout—and Paige Michael, RN, a registered nurse and online fitness trainer agrees. Plus, the inclusive size range adds to its appeal, setting it apart from other dresses on our list.
Potential Flaws
- This dress doesn’t come with a built-in bra, so layering may be necessary.
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Sweat-wicking
Comes in many colors
Inclusive size range
Shorts can ride up
Key Specs
Sizes: XS-4X | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Who It's For
Best for court sports, casual wear, and more—especially if you prefer a sporty look.
Why We Love It
Old Navy's PowerSoft Shelf-Bra Support Dress is a versatile choice for pickleball, errands, travel, and more—ensuring comfort for any activity. Boasting a sporty aesthetic, the dress combines polyester and spandex which we found to be sweat-wicking and stretchy.
Featuring a padded built-in bra for gentle compression and pocketed shorts for a soft and smooth feel, this dress ensures support and chafe-free comfort during any activity. We also appreciate that it comes in a variety of fun colors and a wide size range allowing you to match your style and find the right fit.
Potential Flaws
- During testing, the shorts occasionally rode up, but it wasn’t distracting or uncomfortable.
Most Valuable Insight
“This dress is my go-to in the summertime. I’ve purchased it in three different colors. I wear it at least once a week, but usually more often—I just rotate through the different colors depending on my mood.” —Alena Kharlamenko, MS, RD, CDN, senior commerce editor and Verywell Fit product tester
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Built-in bodysuit
Super comfy
Adjustable straps
Limited sizing and color options
Key Specs
Sizes: XS-XL | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to try | Our Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Who It's For
Best for running around on the pickleball and tennis courts—and other high-impact activities.
Why We Love It
For high-impact sports, you need activewear that balances support, comfort, and ease of movement—like Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Essentials Dress. It’s made from polyester and elastane and features a built-in bodysuit complete with a shelf bra and shorts. The bodysuit offers compressive support, ensuring a secure and held-in feel for added comfort.
If you break a sweat, you’ll also appreciate the lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking performance fabric. Plus, the adjustable shoulder straps let you customize the support level. This dress also stands out for its versatility, effortlessly transitioning from the courts to a casual brunch with friends.
Potential Flaws
- We wish the dress came in more sizing and color options.
Most Valuable Insight
“I like that the built-in bodysuit is fitted, compressive, and made from a thicker material. It holds everything in place while I run around the pickleball court—it's my favorite exercise dress to run around in.” —Phoebe Sklansky, associate commerce editor and Verywell Fit product tester
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Flattering fit
Super comfy
Adjustable straps
Not sweat-wicking
Limited size options
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-L | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/4
Who It's For
Best for casual wear, running errands, and hot girl walks.
Why We Love It
Stylish and flattering, Alo Yoga’s Courtside Dress is ideal for daily wear, long walks, coffee dates, and more. The fabric feels incredibly soft against our skin, and we love that it’s thick enough to hide bra and underwear lines—even in the white color we put to the test. Plus, the built-in shelf bra and shorts add support and comfort.
While it’s designed for tennis, the sweetheart neckline and flared silhouette make it stylish enough for a day out. And the adjustable straps and generously sized pockets are standout features in our book. Pro tip: Elevate your night-out look with the black version that makes the perfect little black dress when paired with heels.
Potential Flaws
- It’s not as sweat-wicking as other options we tested, but it’s soft and stretchy for optimal comfort.
- The dress has a limited size range, so it may be difficult to find the right fit.
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Sweat-wicking
Comes in many colors
Inclusive size range
Bra padding is visible
Key Specs
Sizes: XS-4X | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low | Our Overall Rating: 4.3/5
Who It's For
Best for lounging, exercising, working from home, and more.
Why We Love It
Halara’s Everyday Cloudful Euphoria Air Dress is a versatile option that combines flatter and function at a budget-friendly price. The soft, sweat-wicking combination of nylon and elastane allows for natural movement and stretch. We comfortably wore this dress for lounging, exercising outside, and practicing yoga.
With a thin-strap teardrop-back design that shows off your back and shoulders, the dress adds a stylish flair. Plus, the built-in, pocketed shorts offer extra coverage and storage—a much-appreciated touch. With a range of fun colors and sizes available, you can easily pick the perfect fit to suit your style.
Potential Flaws
- The shelf bra’s padding is very round and noticeable through the fabric, but luckily, the pads are removable.
Bonus Favorites
While we didn’t test the following exercise dresses, they all have fabrics, features, and prices similar to those we did test. After thorough research, we think they’re worth considering.
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Sweat-wicking
Adjustable straps
Inclusive size range
May run small
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS–3X | Materials: Nylon, Lycra, polyester | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Who It's For
Best for stylish indoor and outdoor running, as well as high-impact exercise.
Why We Love It
One of the most popular exercise dresses on the market, Outdoor Voices TechSweat Move Free Dress has performance features that make it ideal for running and high-impact exercising in style. The fabric—a blend of nylon, Lycra, and polyester—is sweat-wicking and stretchy, keeping you cool and chafe-free. Wearing this dress for running allows unrestricted movement and breathability with every stride.
Built-in shorts lined with a sticky grip adhesive on the hem prevent them from riding up, while the built-in shelf bra adds support where you need it. Meanwhile, the adjustable racerback straps offer customizability and flatter. We love that you can sport this dress on the track or to brunch with friends, thanks to its comfy fit and stylish silhouette.
Potential Flaws
- The compressive fit may feel too tight for some, but you can always go up a size.
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Lightweight and breathable
Stylish design
Extra stretchy
No built-in bra or shorts
Key Specs
Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Built-In Bra: No | Built-In Shorts: No | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry
Who It's For
Best for sweaty workouts, like tennis, hot yoga, running, and more—especially in the summer months.
Why We Love It
For on-court action on daily errands, Nike’s Advantage Tennis Dress is the key to keeping you cool and comfortable in sweaty conditions. It’s made from lightweight, high-tech performance materials that excel in sweat-wicking and breathability. Plus, it features mesh panels and a keyhole cut-out for even more airflow.
The classic pleated skirt adds a sleek, stylish touch that makes this dress versatile for the court, couch, coffee shop, and more. Plus, it comes equipped with convenient side seam pockets for stashing keys, hair ties, tennis balls, and more.
Potential Flaws
- Unlike most other options on our list, this dress doesn't have a built-in bra or shorts. If those features are important to you, we recommend adding your own underneath.
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Adjustable straps
Flattering fit
Sweat-wicking
No padding in the bra
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-6XL | Materials: Recycled plastic bottles, spandex | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, hang to dry
Who It's For
Best for plus-sized wearers participating in low- to high-impact activities.
Why We Love It
Girlfriend Collective's Naomi Workout Dress is our top pick for plus sizes because it boasts the most inclusive size range—XXS to 6X. It has adjustable straps for an even more customized fit, as well as a built-in bra and compressive shorts for more support. Plus, the high-neck design adds coverage and flatter for low- to high-impact activities.
Made from recycled plastic bottles and spandex, the dress is soft, sweat-wicking, and stretchy—and a sustainable choice, too. The built-in pockets add to its overall functionality, letting you stash your workout essentials. And unlike other dresses we found, this one is rated UPF 50+, meaning it blocks 98% of the sun's rays to protect your skin.
Potential Flaws
- There is no padding in the built-in bra, so you may need to add your own sports bra for more support.
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Inclusive size range
Super comfy
Versatile style
No built-in bra
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-3X | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Built-In Bra: No | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry
Who It's For
Best for versatile wear—to lounge, run errands, workout, and more.
Why We Love It
Effortless, flattering, and comfortable, Outdoor Voice’s Exercise Dress is ideal for everyday wear. It features a stylish scoop neckline and racerback design that make it great for looking and feeling your best, says Nicole Davis, CPT, a certified personal trainer and lifelong tennis player. But beyond the look, it also has some great functional features.
The fabric is a lightweight blend of nylon and spandex that feels breezy and moves with you. Built-in, pocketed shorts mean you can keep your valuables secure, whether at the gym, traveling, or brunching with friends. And we love the dress comes in light and dark colors and a variety of sizes so you can find your perfect fit.
Potential Flaws
- This dress does not have a built-in bra, so you will likely need to layer it with your own sports bra underneath.
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Flattering fit
Sweat-wicking
Front zip design
Wrinkles easily
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: Nylon, Lycra, polyester | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Who It's For
Best for on- and off-court wear in hot weather.
Why We Love It
Hit the courts in style with lululemon’s Everlux Tennis Dress—it has everything you need for hours of enjoyable play. Featuring built-in shorts with dual-entry pockets, you can easily stash tennis balls, your phone, and more. Meanwhile, a built-in, strappy-back sports bra delivers support and style.
The dress is super lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking, thanks to its performance materials and back cut-out for airflow. It’s also perfect for intense matches, since the front-zip design makes it easy to take the dress off when things get sweaty. Beyond the practical touches, the high neck, flowy skirt, and strappy sports bra add a flattering flair.
Potential Flaws
- The dress wrinkles easily, particularly on the skirt, Michael says. But you can always bring along some anti-wrinkle spray for mid-wear touchups.
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Supportive
Inclusive size range
Super comfortable
May run small
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-6XL | Materials: Recycled plastic bottles, spandex | Built-In Bra: Yes | Built-In Shorts: Yes | Care: Machine wash cold, hang to try
Who It's For
Best if you prefer a compressive fit for support during low- to high-impact activities.
Why We Love It
Sport Girlfriend Collective’s Palmona Racerback Dress with your favorite pair of hiking shoes to trek the trail in style. Beyond its scoop neck and racerback design that offer a flattering fit, the dress also has functional features that keep you cool and comfortable on hot-weather hikes. The fabric is a blend of recycled plastic bottles and spandex that is stretchy and sweat-wicking, ideal for warm-weather wear.
We love the built-in bra and shorts for added support, as well as the side mesh pockets for storing small essentials. A huge plus, the dress is sustainably sourced and comes in an inclusive size range, from sizes XXS to 6X.
Potential Flaws
- Some wearers have found that this dress’ compression makes it difficult to put on and take off.
- If you want to wear this dress for low-impact activities like walking or hiking, you should size up for a looser fit.
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UPF 50+
Quick-drying
Anti-microbial odor control
Limited color options
Not ideal for workouts
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-XL | Materials: Recycled polyester, spandex | Built-In Bra: No | Built-In Shorts: No | Care: Machine wash and dry
Who It's For
Best for casual wearers and commuters who want a flowy dress for warm weather wear.
Why We Love It
Flowy and comfy, Athleta’s Pacifica Dress is a breathable choice for wearers who prefer a loose fit. It’s made from a lightweight blend of recycled polyester and spandex, with antimicrobial silver ions knit through for breathability and odor prevention. Plus, it’s rated UPF 50+, making it even better for warm-weather wear.
We love this dress for everyday wear, light walks, and even as a swimsuit cover-up. It’s The side pockets allow you to store small essentials and the v-neck neckline gives offers a flattering look. Pair this dress with a jean jacket in cooler temperatures for an effortlessly chic look.
Potential Flaws
- We wish this dress came in more color options.
- This dress doesn’t have a built-in bra or shorts, and it’s too flowy for low- to high-impact exercise.
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Available in petite, regular, and tall sizing
Zipped pockets
Super comfy
May run large
Key Specs
Sizes: XXS-3X (petite, regular, and tall lengths) | Materials: Tencel lyocell, polyester, Lycra | Built-In Bra: No | Built-In Shorts: No | Care: Machine wash, hang to dry
Who It's For
Best for cool to cold weather wear.
Why We Love It
While most exercise dresses are sleeveless, Athleta’s Coaster Luxe Dress turns a summer staple into a fall and winter look with its soft, sweater-like style. We love the comfortable brushed fabric that’s warm enough to wear alone but still lightweight enough to layer with leggings and a jacket.
The chic crewneck design and above-the-knee cut offer a flattering flair, while the generously sized zippered pockets give you storage for small essentials. We recommend this dress for light activity and low-impact exercise, like walks, hikes, and daily wear in chilly weather.
Potential Flaws
- Although designed to be semi-fitted, this dress may run a bit large, so size down if you want a more slim-fitting look.
Where We Stand
After researching and testing a variety of exercise dresses, Alo Yoga’s Airlift Fly Dress was our clear winner thanks to its breathable performance fabrics, supportive shelf bra, and flattering fit. As we continue to test exercise dresses at home, we will update this list if we try out anything new we think is worth recommending.
What to Look for When Shopping for an Exercise Dress
- Materials: When shopping, choose a dress made from performance fabrics—like nylon, Lycra, polyester, or spandex—that are lightweight, breathable, and sweat-wicking, Davis says. Most of the dresses on our list, including Alo Yoga’s Airlift Fly Dress, are crafted from a blend of multiple performance fabrics. Unless wearing an exercise dress for lounging or everyday wear, stay away from cotton—although it’s comfortable, it absorbs moisture and doesn’t dry quickly.
- Support: How much support you’ll need depends on your choice of activity and body type. Many dresses, like Abercrombie’s Traveler Mini Dress and Girlfriend Collective’s Naomi Workout Dress, have built-in shelf bras. But if you’re going to be participating in high-impact workouts or have a larger chest, you may want to add a sports bra underneath for extra support.
- Care: Most exercise dresses should be washed in cold water with light colors and hung or laid flat to dry. Some, like Old Navy’s PowerSoft Shelf-Bra Support Dress and Abercrombie’s Traveler Mini Dress, can be tumble-dried on low. We always recommend following the manufacturer’s care instructions closely to prolong the life of your exercise dress.
- Activity Level: Your activity level will impact the materials and support level that you should look for in an exercise dress. For medium- to high-impact activities, we recommend a dress, like Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Movement Dress, that’s made from sweat-wicking, breathable, stretchy performance materials with enough room to fit a sports bra underneath. Softer, lighter, and less compressive dresses, like Athleta’s Coaster Luxe Dress, are best for lounging, walks, and casual wear.
- Price: You can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for an exercise dress. We tested budget-friendly options, like Halara’s Everyday Backless Stretchy 2-in-1 Flare Golf Dress-BFF, and found them to be similar in durability to our most expensive options, like lululemon’s Everlux Short-Lined Tennis Dress. You should always consider your personal budget when shopping, as you can find high-quality dresses at a variety of price points.
How We Selected and Tested Exercise Dresses
To create this list of recommendations, we’ve researched and tested dozens of exercise dresses from top, trusted activewear brands. For options we select through research, we first interview fitness experts to learn more about what to look for when shopping. Then, we review the materials, support level, extra features, and other key specs of dresses at different price points to find the best options for every shopper. We also tested seven exercise dresses on this list at home in our daily routines—wearing them for activities like walking, tennis, pickleball, hiking, casual wear, and more. As we continue to test exercise dresses, we prioritize ones that stand out in these key categories:
- Comfort: The best exercise dresses aren't worth it if they aren't comfortable to wear. We spend hours in each dress to assess how it feels during a long day of wear. We also make sure to note whether we experience any chafing, discomfort, or other irritation (like red marks from straps).
- Fit: The size, brand, and style of an exercise dress can seriously affect how it fits. During testing, we check the fit of each dress: Do the length and support match the specs listed on the manufacturer's website? Does the dress move or shift around while we wear it? If there's anything we would change about how the dress fits, we note that, too.
- Design: Exercise dresses are available in a range of styles, from racerback silhouettes to long-sleeve options for cooler weather. The style that's right for you depends on your personal style and how you'll be wearing the dress, so we make sure to test a range of options for every wearer.
- Durability: When we first try each dress on, we note how well-made it looks and feels. Are there any loose threads or other manufacturing flaws? Does the fabric seem durable, and is it completely opaque (meaning we can't see our sports bra or underwear through it)?
- Support: If we choose not to layer a sports bra underneath the dress, how supportive is it? As we wear the dress, we consider which size chest it would fit and feel best on. Does it have enough support for high-impact workouts, like running? Or is it better suited for low-impact activities, like running errands?
- Overall Value: To accurately assess each dress' value, we wait to check the price until the end of the testing period, after we've evaluated it in all other categories. Would we pay that much for the dress, given how it fit and performed during testing? If so, the dress receives a high overall value score.
Our Experts
- Nicole Davis, CPT, PN1-NC, a certified personal trainer and Precision Nutrition level 1 nutrition coach
- Paige Michael, RN, registered nurse and online fitness trainer
- Kristel de Groot, a former professional tennis player, yoga teacher, and co-founder of Your Super
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear a dress to work out?
Absolutely, as long as it has the right level of support—even better if it has a built-in shelf bra and shorts, too. For low-impact workouts, we recommend Alo Yoga’s Airlift Fly Dress, while Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye Movement Dress is our top pick for medium- to high-impact sports.
How long should an exercise dress be?
An exercise dress should be as short or long as you’re comfortable with. To find out exactly where a dress will fall on you, compare your measurements to the measurements in the brand’s size guide.
How much does a quality exercise dress cost?
A high-quality exercise dress will typically cost anywhere from $50 to $150. We found that budget-friendly options, like Halara’s Everyday Backless Stretchy 2-in-1 Flare Golf Dress-BFF, have similar durability to lululemon’s Everlux Short-Lined Tennis Dress, but may lack in style or added features. Always consider your personal budget when shopping.
Where can you wear an exercise dress?
You can wear an exercise dress anywhere, including to brunch, on hikes, at the gym, while running errands, and so much more. Pairing your dress with occasion-appropriate clothing and accessories will expand its versatility.
Do you need to wear a sports bra with an exercise dress?
You do not need to wear a sports bra with exercise dresses that have supportive built-in bras. But if there’s no built-in bra, or it doesn’t offer enough support, you should always layer your own sports bra.
How often should you wash an exercise dress?
Wash your exercise dress after each use, especially if wearing it for sweaty activities or without any undergarments.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Rachel MacPherson, BA, CPT, is a strength and conditioning specialist, personal trainer, and exercise nutritionist who finds herself living in fitness gear. She knows how important it is to be able to focus on your training—not on whether your clothing is pinching, rolling, or digging in. She values comfort and style highly, and exercise dresses are no exception. She personally tested and wears Halara’s Euphoria Air Dress and Halara’s Flare Golf Dress.
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