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.
Some styles and brands are trending — searches for "Outdoor Voices dress" are up 250% in the past 30 days.
To help you style some of our favorite picks, Shop TODAY also spoke with style experts for more insight on the exercise dress trend. Keep reading shop our favorite picks, starting at $25.
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
Designed with spaghetti straps: KuaCua Women’s Tennis Dress
- Removable padding
- Comfortable
- Flattering Fit
- Shorts ride up
- Runs small
Sizes: XS — 2XL | Colors: 23
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 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 $30: Willit Exercise Dress
- Built-in bra
- Comfortable
- Runs small
- Complaints about material
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 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: 30
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, former editorial intern at Shop TODAY, recommends this dress, too. “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.”
Editor-approved exercise dresses
Editor-approved and affordable: Urban Outfitters Out From Under Bec Skort Mini Dress
- Comfortable, stretchy fit
- Built-in shorts
- No built-in bra
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 4
"As a petite girl, short dresses are my best friend," says production associate Audrey Ekman. "I got this dress from Urban Outfitters’ Bec line this spring and it’s so comfy, I never want to take it off! The bodycon fit is stretchy and smoothing with minimal compression, which I like because it’s totally unrestrictive. To note, there’s no built-in bra, but the built-in shorts are printed, so if the skirt flips up, it’s pretty well camouflaged. The dress is made from a thin, breathable cotton rather than a typical workout dress material, which makes it better for day-to-day wear in my opinion. I’m sure I’ll be living in this all summer!"
Tommy John 360 Movement Dress
- Moisture-wicking, breathable
- Built-in pockets
- Shorts tend to ride up
Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: 2
"This is one of the most comfortable exercise dresses I’ve tried," says writer Jannely Espinal. "I wore this on a four-hour flight, followed by a three-hour drive to an island and the dress is comfort-approved. I recommend wearing it if you’re traveling or moving for long hours, or doing any outdoor activity. It features a side pocket, a moisture-wicking fabric and a built-in shelf bra for added support. You can sweat in this dress and feel confident that you won’t have any sweat stains afterwards."
The perfect do it all pick: Outdoor Voices Volley Dress
- Flattering cut
- Stylish
- Shorts ride up
- No removable padding
Sizes: XXS — 3XL | Colors: 5
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy says this dress is "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 this option is “the most flattering exercise dress” she owns and that she has worn it for both outdoor activities like biking and concerts.
Full-coverage 'fit: Outdoor Voices Warmup Dress
- Supportive lining
- Thick straps
- Some sizes sell out fast
Sizes: XS-XXXL | Colors: 3
"This super flattering exercise dress has built-in lining that helps me feel supported up top and covered on the bottom," says Ekman. "The square neckline and thicker straps are my favorite part, because they don't feel flimsy or dig into my shoulders like some exercise dresses can. Love the seafoam green color too!"
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: 5
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.”
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: 7
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger fell in love with this pick's buttery soft material, the flattering silhouette and how it kept her larger bust at bay.
If leopard print is your favorite color: Carbon 38 Strappy Dress
- Built-in shorts
- Hidden pockets
- Straps aren't adjustable
Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: 6
This exercise dress is super versatile, which is one of the reasons why Ekman loves it so much.
"I live in my exercise dresses during the summer and I’m super excited to rock this animal print one well into fall," says Ekman. "Leopard is having such a moment right now and this piece is the comfiest way to wear it, with a super soft stretchy material and a slimming built-in bodysuit with shorts. I’m looking forward to pairing it with moto boots and a chunky cardigan as we head into cooler months!"
The tennis-lovers pick: Spanx BootyBoost Zip Front Dress
- Form fitting
- Great for athletics
- Comfortable
- Fits small
Sizes: XS — 3XL | Colors: 6
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, senior editor of partnerships, 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,f 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.”
Frequently Asked Questions
To style, Levine suggests throwing on a light jacket, like a white or classic blue denim option or a sporty zip-up. To complete the simple yet chic look, she recommends slipping on a pair of slides, like Birkenstocks or even those pillow sandals that are everywhere right now.
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 the 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.
