The Best Exercise Dresses, Tested by Editors

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The exercise dress may be the best thing to ever happen in the world of athleisure. For one, the style looks like any normal summer dress, but it usually features a built-in sports bra, compression shorts, pockets (!), and quick-drying fabric. Yup, don't be surprised if you end up with more than a few—tons of WH editors who have personally tested all of these dresses themselves say they may or may not have bought some of them in a few different colors.

Best Exercise Dresses

Shopping for one is like purchasing other kinds of workout clothes. Make sure you're looking for the key features you need, like style, breathability, and comfort. You should also ask yourself whether you need an exercise dress with pockets or a built-in bra or shorts (more on this, below!).

One thing that's for sure when it comes to wearing an exercise dresses? It's way more functional than a two-piece set, as it's airy, flowy, has the added protection of built-in shorts and a bra, and can be worn out and about or to your favorite workout class. Plus, it's way easier to throw on than having to squeeze into a bra, leggings, and separate top. Since adding one to my closet, my day-to-day life surviving the NYC heat has become that much easier.

To save you some time going through endless options, the following list features some of the best exercise dresses you can shop right now, according to input from a trainer and real testing notes from our own WH editors. Some of the items on this list feature sweat-wicking, breathable fabric while others simply prioritize comfort and style.

What to consider

Size

When purchasing an exercise dress, make sure you check the size guides on the brand's website, as all of the options on this list fit differently, with some ranging on the larger side and others on the tighter, smaller side. Our testers say that the Girlfriend Collective Black Lola V-Neck Dress, for example, runs on the smaller side, so they recommend sizing up.

Materials

The majority of exercise dresses featured here are crafted from a blend of nylon, spandex, polyester, and elastane, ensuring they're moisture-wicking, breathable, compressive, and perfect for workouts. However, the Free People Movement Hot Shot Mini Dress and the Yanekop Tennis Dress stand out as they're predominantly made of cotton. We suggest reserving these dresses for low-impact activities, as they lack the stretch and moisture-wicking properties of the other fabrics. However, cotton is a solid option for keeping you cool in the heat.

Built-in bra and shorts

When a built-in bra is involved, think about if you want something with light support for low-impact workouts, walks, or brunch. Or, maybe you need a more high-impact sports bra because you plan on running or just have a larger bust. If you're looking for something with lighter support, we recommend opting for the Lululemon Align Cami Strap Dress, as it's made for yoga and low-impact activities. On the other hand, our testers say that the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Lost Your Mind Dress offers more support than the other options on this list because it has solid compression alongside the built-in bra.

While you don't absolutely need shorts, they really step up the game for your workout attire, especially if your dress is on the shorter side or if you're planning to work out in it. Opting for dresses with built-in shorts offers extra convenience, although you can always pair your dress with compression shorts. Certain dresses, such as the Qinsen Workout Dress on this list, even come with separate matching shorts, making bathroom trips a breeze.

How we chose

For the past few months, Women’s Health commerce editors have vetted the bestselling, top-rated exercise dresses for women. We consulted our wider editorial team and Pilates instructor Alysia Pope Ehret for their opinions. Then, us athliesure lovers personally tried them all on and tested them across different activities and took notes on performance. Through errands on hot days, HIIT workouts, brunch, and everywhere in-between, us WH editors have been on the hunt for great-looking workout clothes that keep us looking and feeling our best. These exercise dresses made the cut across size, materials, comfort, durability, and versatility.

So, what are you waiting for? Shop our definitive list of the 19 best exercise dresses, below.

The Exercise Dress

The OV Exercise Dress has come a long way since its launch in 2018. The brand recently relaunched its bestselling exercise dress with brand new features like adjustable straps, built-in shorts with two pockets, and grips on the bodysuit lining to make sure it won't move too much when you work out. Its LightSpeed fabric, which is engineered to flex and breathe with you, feels close to a swimsuit-like material and easily repeals sweat, too.

WH executive fashion director Kristen Saladino says this is her all time favorite exercise dress for two simple reasons: The colors are cute and the fabric is extremely soft. Coming from someone whose tried 'em all, that's saying a lot.

Read More: Best Walking Shoes For Women

Workout Dress

Dubbed by our team as a "perfect" dupe to the popular Outdoor Voices option, this wallet-friendly, lightweight style is sure to satisfy anyone. We love the length of this dress as it tends to run on the longer side—an ideal scenario for those who are tall. We also agree that the built-in shorts with pockets are a major plus, as they make it super easy to store our keys and phone while out and about.

After testing this dress for a few weeks, we have to note that this dress does not offer as much breast support as the OV option. While it's great for walking and leisurely activities, we found that this dress isn't a great option for running, tennis, etc.

Align™ Cami Strap Dress

Ok, so maybe you *actually* plan on working out in your workout dress. Fair. Featuring Lululemon's buttery-soft, breathable, and sweat-wicking Nulu fabric, the strappy tennis dress features a fitted top providing light support for B and C cups.

This dress is made specifically for yoga, and after wearing it through a few different flows, we think it passes the wear test. Because it has shorts and a built-in bra, you'll feel totally covered and protected in this dress without worrying about showing too much in Downward Dog (wink, wink). Plus, it looks super chic, so you can run from class to a meeting without even thinking twice.

Golf Dress

Seeking an option that isn't so form-fitting? We found that the pleated skirt on this dress hides the tight supportive shorts underneath, which have a whopping four pockets for stashing extra tennis or golf balls. And the V-neck design makes it that much more on-trend for your "tennis core" looks this summer.

We're a bit disappointed that there's no built-in bra like the OV dress, but we do appreciate that this dress isn't super tight, so some of us can fit a bra underneath it without worrying about it being too compressive. Some of our testers also love that the fabric is thick, so this dress is not see-through.

Workout Dress

The best part of this workout dress is its lace-up back, perfect for warm weather outings and workouts. The detail provides an extra stylish look that elevates your look for any workout class you might attend. Plus, its separate shorts with pockets are convenience to the max.

After putting this to the test, we feel like this dress is a bit sexier than others on this list, but it doesn't slack on comfort because you can adjust the straps. Although it has a bit more of an exposed back, we still feel super supported in it. And, our team of testers appreciates that the shorts are separate instead of attached so it's easier to go to the bathroom (IYKYK). Our one note: we're a bit disappointed that this dress is hand wash only.

One Shot Tennis Dress

The Vuori One Shot Tennis Dress is moisture-wicking, so it's especially great to wear on those really hot summer days. It's also designed with built-in shorts with a cell phone pocket and a bra. Most importantly, though, it fits like a glove.

"I love this dress by Vuori, especially for traveling or exploring around the city," says WH contributor Jennifer Nied. She notes that the cut is so incredibly flattering and the fabric feels luxurious, yet still holds up with sweat. "I like it for all-day wears on warmer or humid days, but it's a great tennis or pickleball dress too—with a built in sports bra for on-court comfort," she says.

Tennis Golf Dress

If you're in the market for an exercise dress that will stand out among the rest, this zippered style is the one to grab. It comes with two hidden pockets in the included separate pair of shorts, so you can discreetly store away tennis balls, golf balls, or your belongings as you see fit.

Above all, we love that this dress is super sweat wicking during high-impact sports, and the sleeveless style makes it even better for hot summer weather. And, if you're super hot, you can remove the shorts for extra air flow.

Women's Power Workout Dress

If you can't get enough of Sweaty Betty's buttery soft leggings, you'll gush over its workout dress. The included light-support bra is perfect for low-impact workouts like yoga and bike riding (or happy hour-ing).

Our team was initially apprehensive about wearing a dress to work out, but we were proven wrong when we tried this one from Sweaty Betty. This option is flattering, comfortable, and versatile. After a restorative yoga class (and a forgotten change of clothes), one of our testers told us that a touch of lipstick was all she needed to turn this into a sporty cocktail dress.

Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress

The sweetheart neckline on Alo's Courtside Tennis dress might feel like a tiny detail, but it makes a big impact in making the dress look much more stylish. Made from the brand's uber lightweight AloSoft material, it's the trifecta of soft, stretchy, and breathable—perfect for hot weather.

Pilates trainer and health coach Alysia Pope Ehret says the Alosoft fabric is her all-time favorite to work out in. "It's so soft and great for movement," she says, adding that this dress in particular is cute and comfortable enough to wear all day.

Spacedye Lost Your Mind Dress

This dress is one of our favorites on this list—I mean, how cute is it? While you aren't getting built-in shorts with this pick, the asymmetrical one-shoulder design makes up for it. It has a cute little cut out on the shoulder for another added design touch and the four-way stretch fabric keeps the dress comfortable to wear throughout the day.

We think this dress is one of the most flattering options on this list, and it can be worn to do errands or to a casual summer event (which she did and received a lot of compliments). A few of us also agree that the built-in bra has a ton of support.

Black Lola V-Neck Dress

Made from 90 percent recycled plastic bottles and 10 percent spandex, you won't only be serving up looks, but you'll be helping reduce plastic waste, too. For convenience, the dress is designed with small mesh pockets on the sides of the built-in shorts, and the flowy skirt flares out to create a flattering look.

A tester on our team says this dress was everything she hoped it would be. It stretches easily, fits like a glove, and the shorts underneath are super comfortable. However, a few of us found that is runs a bit small, so make sure to size up.

YPB sculptLUX Mini Dress

This dress comes highly recommended by WH assistant fashion editor Rose Lauture, who says this is her all-time favorite exercise dress. "It’s incredibly flattering with its four-way stretch and I love that in comes in so many colors, including royal blue and baby pink," she says. "This dress also comes with undershorts with a hidden pocket, which I love (I am a huge dress with pockets girl!)." she adds that it’s great for workouts or when you’re out and about and don't feel like bringing a change of clothes.

Built-in Bra & Shorts Exercise Dress

ICYDK, Ewedoos is a WH editor favorite, so the fact that it's on this list should come as no surprise. It comes with adjustable straps and fits like a glove in every size. Plus, with a lining that goes all the way down the dress into biker shorts, you can move around as much as you want, worry-free.

This dress is not only flattering, but super lightweight, so it keeps you cool during the summer. We also think that the fabric is extremely quick drying. The proof? It only took five minutes for the dress to dry after one of our editors spilled on it in the office. However, a few of us did have to size up because the dress runs a bit small.

Hot Shot Mini Dress

"This is my all-time favorite exercise dress," says WH associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner, who says she found this dress on TikTok and now has it in two different colors. "I wear it in so many different ways—with cowboy boots and an oversized pullover, with sneakers and ankle socks, with flip flops by the pool, and the list goes on."

Wohlner notes that while it's not the most supportive option on this list—it doesn't come with a built-in bra—it's easy to throw on over a sports bra or a regular bra if you're just lounging. It does have a built-in cotton body suit underneath, though, which keeps you covered and less exposed.

Women's Tennis Dress

Available on Amazon, this cotton blend dress is perfect for lounging and your more low-impact workouts since the roomier material isn't as supportive as other options. Still, the fabric is super soft and not at all see-through. And look at those big pockets!

Wohlner owns (and loves) the TikTok-viral Free People Movement Hot Shot Mini Dress mentioned above, but she says that this Amazon version comes super close for more than half the price. "It's comfortable to wear all day, the shorts don't ride up, and it's super breathable," she notes.

Align Dress

Two Women's Health contributors—Neha Tandon and Jennifer Nied— recommend and give this cult-favorite Lululemon Align dress a full five stars with flying colors. Its best feature might be the open-back waistband to make bathroom breaks a breeze. But if you want it, act quickly. It tends to always sell out.

"Most exercise dresses prioritize style or comfort over support, but this does all three," says Tandon. "It provides light compression but also gives my chest some support, so I can easily go bra-free and feel comfortable all day." She adds that this dress is her go-to for weekends in which she's walking around going from errands to plans all day, and she loves wearing it while traveling because it’s so comfy, cute, and versatile.

Read More: Best Lululemon Leggings

Tennis Workout Dress

This dress has all the best athleisure features—shorts, moisture-wicking, and comfort—but it also includes stylish elements that totally elevate its look, like the mesh back and pleated skirt. It's a great option if you're looking for something a bit more unique.

This dress reminds us of the Abercrombie option included on this list because it's so flattering, and editors agree. We think that this dress looks great on the body, and it's also super comfortable. Some of us have paired it with a short sleeve hoodie and lace top socks for a cute gym outfit. Plus, the mesh cut out is a unique, subtly hot touch.

Dress with Bra & Shorts

This is another one-shoulder dress option that's a bit more classically styled than the Beyond Yoga option on this list. You can wear it even when you're not working out because it's slightly more dressed-up. Plus, its separate shorts also allow you to quickly get in and out of it.

We think that this Amazon dress is comfy and cute—plus, our testers like the fact that it has detachable shorts. We like that they stay up and feel super snug, and you can pull them longer or higher depending on your preference without worrying about them riding up.

Golf Dress

Another Ewedoos option on this list (because, duh!), this adorable dress is a must to add to your cart. Its zipper-collar gives you extra sophistication, and its cooling fabric will ensure you are not overheating during the back nine.

We feel like this dress is a bit snug, but it's not too tight. It has separate shorts, which fit perfectly, and a built-in sports bra with removable cups. Someone on our team notes that the shorts are an absolute must and a great addition because the dress is on the shorter side.

Do you wear a bra with an exercise dress?

You only need to wear a bra with an exercise dress if it doesn't already come with one! Many dresses on this list, like the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress and the Lululemon Align Cami Strap Dress have built-in bras with light support. However, if you want to add another bra underneath for even more support, you totes can.

The Fengbay Golf Dress, on the other hand, requires a bra underneath because it doesn't come with one that's already built-in. In that case, you'll need a bra if you want support under this option.

Shop other workout clothes we love

Best Leggings With Pockets | Best One-Shoulder Sports Bras | Best Workout Headbands | Best Zip-Front Sports Bras | Best Leggings On Amazon | Best Compression Socks

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