Old Navy is a one-stop destination for affordable fashion essentials. Whether we're shopping for a date night dress or a new outfit for the office, we know that we'll be able to find something stylish for every occasion.
We've also long sworn by the brand's cozy leggings, so we were so excited when we heard that Old Navy was releasing an athleisure line featuring an all-new ultra-soft fabric, StudioSmooth, which according to a representative from the brand, is three years in the making. It's said to be the lightest, softest and most weightless fabric that the brand has made to date.
Before its debut, the brand put it to the test, trying it for things like stretching, recovery and washing to make sure that it will stand up to a range of activities, the rep shared. While it's said to be best for studio classes and yoga (plus the walks and lounging sessions in between), our editors loved the pieces for a range of activities, from runs to strength training.
The collection ranges from leggings and tops in various styles to a flattering jacket and varies in price from $24 to $50. Old Navy sent us samples for our staffers to try — keep reading to see our thoughts. Plus, thanks to Old Navy's latest sale, some of our favorite pieces are marked down right now!
Old Navy StudioSmooth collection
Old Navy High-Waisted StudioSmooth 7/8 Leggings
- Soft material
- Good amount of stretch
- Minimal pockets
Sizes: XS — 4X | Fits: Regular, tall, petite | Colors: 6 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
When I first pulled it out of the package, before I even put it on, I already knew that I loved the feel of the material. It lived up to its name, with a super smooth and soft feel. Of all the items I tried, the leggings were my favorite.
They are breathable and soft, but also provide the light level of compression that I like in leggings — it's enough to hold me in in all the right places and look so flattering without feeling restrictive. I'm 5-foot-2, and while I normally wear petite sizes, I found that the regular length hit at the perfect spot on my ankle, thanks to the 7/8 design. I wore them on a four-mile run and found that they were super easy to move in and didn't ride up or bunch up in any way, which is always a win!
My main qualm was that while they have a back pocket that's large enough to fit your phone, I wish they had side pockets as well. (So it looks like I'll just have to add the pocketed version to my cart!)
I wasn't the only person on the team who loved them either. "The leggings provided an incredible combination of comfort and compression; I felt supported but still able to move around freely," shares digital editor Kelly Vaughan. "I wore them for Pilates, walking on the treadmill and lounging around the house and they performed great."
Associate editor Kamari Stewart adds that they're "extremely soft," which she says "has earned them a spot in my regular leggings rotation (and has made me feel comfortable enough to give some away that I don't really love anymore)."
Production coordinator Audrey Ekman calls the pants “supportive and flattering,” adding that they “have a convenient stretchy pocket in the waistband, hit perfectly at the ankle on my 5-foot-1 frame and don’t give the dreaded cameltoe.”
Old Navy Light Support StudioSmooth Crop Top
- Built-in bra
- Wicks moisture
- Light support
Sizes: XS — 4X | Fits: Regular, Tall, Petite | Colors: 4 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
Stewart says she appreciates how this top "wasn't uncomfortably cropped" and that it "sat perfectly in line with the top of the high-waisted leggings so there wasn't that much skin showing." She adds, "My arms felt a little tight in the sleeves so I would probably size up for that reason only because it fit well everywhere else. I wore a bra with this so I can't speak to how supportive it is or isn't. But it's cute!"
While she says she might not wear it for working out, she would wear it for lounging — and I agree. I thought it looked so cute when I paired it with a comfy jacket and leggings. But I didn't find it to be supportive enough on its own, so I also paired it with a bra.
Old Navy High-Waisted StudioSmooth Straight Legging
- Hidden pocket
- Smooth fabric
- Slight flare
Sizes: XS — 4X | Fits: Regular, tall, petite | Colors: 3 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
For anyone who is all-in on the flare trend, these leggings are a great choice. While they don't have an all-out flare bottom, they have a slightly wide leg that's stylish enough to convert straight-legging haters. If you don't believe us, just take it from editorial operations manager Jill Ortiz.
"I never thought I'd want to be seen in a pair of straight leggings, but I find myself wanting to wear these out of the house because of how comfortable and flattering they are (like a second skin). They fit just right and aren't too compressive or loose — they're perfectly in the middle. They are a little thin for my liking, so I probably wouldn't wear them for an actual workout, but they're nice for running errands and relaxing around the house."
Old Navy StudioSmooth Longline Sports Bra
- Stretchy
- Comfortable
- Not much support
Sizes: XS — 4X | Fits: One | Colors: 6 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
As a fan of open-back sports bras, Ortiz says she's been eyeing a similar style for a while now, so she was excited to try this new option from Old Navy. "If you take pride in your back workouts, this is the top for you," she says. "It would be good for moderate weight lifting and light exercises but I definitely wouldn't wear it for anything that involves jumping or cardio since it provides light support. I did experience some side spillage up top, so it probably isn't the best for people with larger busts. I do like the feel and fit, though."
Other editors noted that the bra sometimes rode up with heavy movement, so it's likely better for lower-intensity activities.
Old Navy StudioSmooth Crop Full Zip
- Thumbhole cuffs
- Lightweight
- No pockets
Sizes: XS — 4X | Fits: Regular, tall, petite | Colors: 2 | Materials: Nylon, spandex
This is the perfect lightweight jacket to take you from workout classes to the grocery store. There were multiple features I loved about the jacket, including the thumbholes and the cropped design, and I can easily see myself wearing it over a sports bra or a tank top. It’s lightweight, so it won’t do much for you in terms of warmth but it's a stylish top.
"The jacket is flattering without being too compressing like some options I've tried, and I love the long sleeves with the thumb holes," Ekman says.
Multiple team members noted that it felt tight, so if you prefer a looser fit you may want to consider sizing up.
How we chose
Old Navy sent us the above items in a variety of sizes to try from its new StudioSmooth collection. Our editors wore them for a range of activities and provided unbiased and honest opinions. We chose to highlight the brand because of its popularity and affordable price point.
