Wearing a dress to work out is now considered the new normal, much like how we've made everything athleisure — from leggings to biker shorts — part of our everyday wardrobe, whether we plan on hitting the gym or not.
Plenty of retailers are releasing their takes on the trend with new vibrant colors and bright patterns that feel just right for the end of summer. Not to mention, TODAY staffers have been eyeing the trend for quite some time with many saying they love them for their functionality, as well as chicness.
To help you style some of our favorite picks, Shop TODAY also spoke with other style experts for more insight on the exercise dress trend. Keep reading shop our favorite picks and even score a discount or two.
What is the exercise dress trend? | Award-winning exercise dresses | Expert-approved exercise dresses | Editor-approved exercise dresses | Meet our experts | How we chose
What is the exercise dress trend?
"I am a huge fan of exercise dresses," says style expert Brittney Levine. Not only are they comfortable, but they flatter a range of different body types, she explains.
Stylist Samantha Brown adds that finding a good pair of shorts can often be a challenge for women because many don't offer the right amount of coverage or can ride up in uncomfortable ways. An exercise dress can be a stylish warm-weather alternative. "They’re really easy and convenient and there’s not a lot of thought you have to put into the look," she says. "It’s not a matter of matching up a skirt and a bottom."
You can wear it directly from a workout class to a coffee date or you can throw it on before heading out the door to pick up the kids from school or run errands.
Award-winning exercise dresses
Complete with a built-in bra: Old Navy PowerSoft Shelf-Bra Support Dress For Women
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Heavy fabric
- Not form fitting
Sizes: XS — 4X (Regular, Tall Petite) | Colors: 9
This dress from Old Navy, which is also a Shop TODAY Award winner, comes in petite, tall and regular sizes to help better fit your frame. The brand says that it’s made with a moisture-wicking technology to help keep you dry all day long. Plus, you won’t need to put on a bra, because the dress already has one built in.
Designed with spaghetti straps: KuaCua Women’s Tennis Dress
- Removable padding
- Comfortable
- Flattering Fit
- Shorts ride up
- Runs small
Sizes: XS - 2XL | Colors: 25
This affordable dress won "Best Overall" exercise dress in the Start TODAY x Shop TODAY Wellness Awards 2023. You can choose between multiple colors and patterns, including houndstooth. Given its slim fit, the brand recommends sizing up if you want a looser feel. One Shop TODAY editor already bought two more colors after trying it!
Styled with one shoulder: Quince Ultra-Form One-Shoulder Active Dress
- High Quality
- Acurate Sizing
- No liner, per shopper
Sizes: XS — XL | Colors: 3
Sport this unique take on your exercise dress! To add some extra support to your look, this dress comes with a a built-in shelf bra. The material of this dress is no joke: anti-bacterial, sweat-wicking and quick-drying.
Expert-approved exercise dresses
Budget pick under $20: Willit Exercise Dress
- Built in bra
- Comfortable
- Runs small
- Complaints about fabric
Sizes: XS — 2XL | Colors: 4
Style expert Melissa Garcia loves this affordable Amazon exercise dress, which comes in 10 colors. Plus, it has pockets! We’re pretty much sold on that fact alone, but we also love that it’s a top seller with more than 440 verified five-star ratings. A cropped hoodie can turn an exercise dress into a bonfire staple since it is an easy layer to remove. This way, it’s almost like two outfits in one — take off the hoodie to wear the dress alone or throw it on to make it look like you’re wearing a top and a skirt.
A TikTok favorite (with pockets!): Halara Everyday 2-in-1 Activity Dress-Wannabe
- True to size
- Comfortable
- Shorts not detachable
- Not form fitting
Sizes: XS — 3XL | Colors: 31
Garcia says this Halara dress is a great way to get in on the trend without breaking the bank. The TikTok-favorite dress comes in several colors and sizes XS to 4X. Style it with a baseball cap to top off the sporty look.
Celia Funderburk, an editorial intern at Shop TODAY, recommends this dress, too. She says that "it' the cutest and easiest outfit ever!" and continues, "Whether I am headed out the door to run errands or about the hit the pickleball courts, it is my go to option! The blue color is so unique and looks good on everyone! I love this tennis dress."
Adjustable straps for the perfect fit: Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress
- Adjustable straps
- True to size
- Doesn't hold up
- Less affordable
Sizes: XXS — 3XL | Colors: 9
Garcia says this dress “started it all,” and credits Outdoor Voices for kicking off the exercise dress trend. It has over 4,500 rave reviews from shoppers who love its comfortable features such as the adjustable straps, biker shorts underneath that have pockets and the moisture-wicking material. She recommends pairing it with a white sneaker and a chic belt bag.
Multiple members of the Shop TODAY team are also fans of Outdoor Voice’s Exercise Dress. “My exercise dress is a summer staple because you can really dress it up or down,” says production coordinator Camryn Privette. “While I’ve worn it a few times to workout in, it’s honestly perfect for running errands or hanging out in the park. Plus, the liner keeps me from chafing, which is priceless.”
Editor-approved exercise dresses
The perfect do it all pick: Outdoor Voices Volley Dress
- Flattering
- Comfortable
- No removable padding
Sizes: XXS — 3XL | Colors: 3
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy says, "It's super flattering and comfy, and best of all it makes you feel like you're wearing athleisure but gives you a more 'put together' look."
And photo editor Kara Birnbaum had similar thoughts, saying that it is "the most flattering exercise dress" she owns and that she has worn it for both outdoor activities like biking and concerts.
Designed with UPF 50+ fabric: Girlfriend Collective Racer Juliet Strappy Dress
- Flattering
- Built in shorts
- Skinny straps
- Runs small
Sizes: XXS — 6XL | Colors: 3
"I am obsessed with my Girlfriend Collective exercise dress, which the brand just dropped in this fun (and very on-brand for TODAY) bright orange color," says Ekman. "It's so comfortable, supportive and flattering. All the little thought-out details, like the built-in shorts and hidden pockets, make this my favorite exercise dress."
An outdoor enthusiasts dream: Patagonia Women's Maipo Dress
- Buttery soft material
- Made with fast-drying material
- Reviews say it's formfitting
Sizes: XXS — 2XL | Colors: 4
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger fell in love with this picks buttery soft material, the flattering silhouette and how it kept her larger bust at bay. Better yet, this pick is included in the brand's past-season sale going on now.
The tennis-lovers pick: Spanx BootyBoost Zip Front Dress
- Form fitting
- Great for athletics
- Comfortable
- Fits small
Sizes: XS - 3XL | Colors: 2
Commerce SEO editor Amanda Fama says this was her first exercise dress and loves it; she says it's so chic she was even able to wear it to happy hour after a workout.
"I have it in a size medium, and it’s just snug enough without being too tight. It feels supportive (yet chic), and then inner shorts don’t ride up while you’re moving," says Fama.
Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil, the senior editor of partnerships at Shop TODAY, is also a fan of this exercise dress from Spanx. She says, "I’ve worn this dress for everything from tennis to pickleball to weekend errands. It’s flattering and comfortable, and as someone with a bigger bust I appreciate the option to zip it up to a high neckline for more coverage. It’s also form-fitting enough that I feel supported even without a separate sports bra underneath."
Intricate details in the back: One More Serve Skortsie
- Easy to dress up (or down)
- Intricate details on back
- Fits true to size
- Some say it's too short
Sizes: XS — XL | Colors: 9
Privette also approves of this dress she recently got from FP Movement, which she's "already worn three times." Privette says, "I love the details on the back and how easy it is to dress up or down. Between wearing it to my tennis lessons or to grab coffee with friends, this is my new go-to for warmer summer months."
How we chose
We selected the best exercise dresses based on insights and recommendations from professional stylists and approved picks from Shop TODAY editors and staffers. Other options were sourced through verified shopper reviews and brand reputation.
Meet our experts
- Melissa Garcia is a style expert in New York City.
- Brittney Levine is a style and trend expert in New York City.
- Samantha Brown is a personal and celebrity stylist in New York City.
