activewear doesn't have to be ugly

five *actually cute* brands to get your next set from

I’ve never been a fan of spending my hard-earned money on activewear because lets be real, I’d rather be purchasing clothes I actually find cute over a plain $100 nylon tank top with some sort of gym brand logo that I’m going to sweat all over. Not my cup of tea. So you’ll usually find me rolling up to the gym in an old pair of Nike shorts that have been in my drawer since high school PE, and faded tshirt of some sort. Comfy, yes. But cute? Definitely not.

It’s true that having a cute workout outfit really gives me that extra burst of confidence and motivation, but “cute” and “workout” are two words that tend to be mutually exclusive for me personally. In a world full of GymShark, DFYNE, and YoungLA, it seems impossible to find appealing activewear that’s my style.

However, Zuckerberg read my mind as he tends to do, and stylish niche exercise brands started popping up all over my Instagram explore page, bombarding me with options for actually cute activewear. In case any of you are in the same boat, searching for cute pieces that deserve your money, I wanted to share some of my favorite brands I found, perfect for sweating and slaying in any kind of workout activities.

Solani

This Black-owned brand has the absolute dreamiest Y2K inspired workout sets. Enter the Solani-verse, the brand’s nostalgic catalogue of pastel halters, wrap tops, and flare leggings. Their social media and branding is so well thought out and I definitely want to get my hands on their Sweet Wrap Top which is pictured in the top left. I also appreciate the inclusive sizing up to 3XL, and their commitment to ethical production practices as stated on their website.

FUN + CUTE

FUN + CUTE definitely leans into the coquette, ballerina-core style of workout clothes through their bow details, delicate silhouettes, and muted colorways. With sets stylish enough to be worn both inside and outside of the gym, I wouldn’t mind splurging (especially on their iconic Sugar Snap Bra which has been all over my feed). The brand was founded by Jasmine, a NYC native who encountered the same issue I did when searching for cute activewear. We love an innovative girlie who recognizes a gap in the market and fills it!

Exercere

I love Exercere for their elevated basics and plethora of color options, and this is another brand versatile enough for both exercising and everyday wear. They have a great selection of full length tops which is a great alternative to sports bras for anyone like me who prefers to keep their tummy covered at the gym. Exercere also specializes in their signature buttery soft fabric which is both stretchable and smoothing, providing a fabulously flattering fit.

Astoria Activewear

If you like bright, floral patterns and want to be the one to stand out at your gym or workout class, then Astoria Activewear is the brand for you. With supportive sports bras that are both cute and practical, and a wide selection of seamless shorts and leggings, there are plenty of sets for your inner East Coast cottagecore princess. I’m obsessed with their headbands especially which can be mixed and matched with the patterns of their sets.

Strawberry Western

Though not exclusively a workout brand, I still wanted to mention Strawberry Western because of their small but mighty activewear collection. Filled with fun, funky polka dot vibes, their pieces are perfect for yoga, powerlifting, pole dancing, kickboxing, or whatever else you find yourself doing to exercise. The brand as a whole has such a niche, kitschy aesthetic that I’m obsessed with and it channels well through their capris and teeny shorts.

I hope you enjoyed this brand roundup, and maybe even found the workout set of your dreams. I’ll catch you in the next one <3