26 luxe activewear brands to refresh your wardrobe (2024)

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FASHION-FORWARD AUSTRALIAN ATHLEISURE

AJE ATHLETICA

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FASHION-FORWARD AUSTRALIAN ATHLEISURE

AJE ATHLETICA

You likely already love Australian label Aje for its feminine, floaty designs — but you’d be remiss to overlook its sister brand, Aje Athletica. It blends founders Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest’s love of beautiful clothing with an appreciation for functionality and movement — resulting in a series of garments that are as technically brilliant as they are stylish. They even just debuted their first runway collection, consisting of everything from crop and bike short sets in bright colour ways to trench coats and skirts crafted from breathable, sports-luxe fabrication. It’s definitely the brand to turn to if you want to look cute while you work out (and when you head to brunch after, too).

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COMFORTABLE AND FUNCTIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLEISURE

PHYS ED

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COMFORTABLE AND FUNCTIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLEISURE

PHYS ED

If you’re more in the market for nostalgic athleisure, P.E Nation’s new capsule designed in collaboration with THE ICONIC, Phys Ed, is the one for you. Born from the idea that you don’t need to be an athlete to get involved, their relaxed, collegiate styles are comfortable yet functional.

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WIDE RANGE OF ESSENTIALS INCLUDING SNEAKERS & GENDER NEUTRAL APPAREL

NEW BALANCE

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WIDE RANGE OF ESSENTIALS INCLUDING SNEAKERS & GENDER NEUTRAL APPAREL

NEW BALANCE

New Balance may be best known for their dad-core sneakers, but they have an entire suite of activewear across women’s, men’s and gender neutral lines. Their ranges cover all forms of activity from running, to tennis, to golf and more — so however you like to move, you’re covered.

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COMFORTABLE AND CHIC LEISURE WEAR

EVERLANE

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COMFORTABLE AND CHIC LEISURE WEAR

EVERLANE

American label Everlane offer a focused activewear capsule comprising all the essentials from bike shorts and tracksuits to sports crops and tights — plus tennis shoes and sweaters to round things out. Clean lines and a minimalist colour palette define the capsule, creating a great collection of basics that can take you from gym class to brunch.

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IT GIRL APPROVED ACTIVEWEAR

ALO YOGA

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IT GIRL APPROVED ACTIVEWEAR

ALO YOGA

All the modern it girls love Alo Yoga: We’re talking Jamie Chung, Kaia Gerber, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, just to name a handful. As the name implies, they’re focused on yoga-centric apparel that takes you from studio-to-street, with everything from tights and bras to skirts, jackets and cover ups.

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HIGH QUALITY, SLEEK ACTIVEWEAR

MONDAY BODY

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HIGH QUALITY, SLEEK ACTIVEWEAR

MONDAY BODY

Co-founders Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman created Monday Body as an extension of their Monday swimwear line, with an aim to create activewear with a “rigorous standard for support, fabric, design, fit and comfort”. The result is a chic line of functional activewear in mostly neutral colour ways for effortless styling, with thoughtful features like doubled waistbands, thick shoulder straps, and adjustability.

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AUSTRALIAN PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR

STAX

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AUSTRALIAN PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR

STAX

I’m not sure that I’ve ever worn bike shorts quite as smooth and soft as my pair from Stax. The Perth-born brand is beloved by celebs worldwide, thanks to its approach of prioritising quality while maintaining affordable prices and flattering, inclusive designs. And for those whose activewear uniform maintains a strict all-black colour palette, you can’t pass by their Best Black edit.

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HIGH QUALITY ATHLEISURE FOR ALL PURSUITS

LULULEMON

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HIGH QUALITY ATHLEISURE FOR ALL PURSUITS

LULULEMON

Lululemon is surely among the world’s most popular athleisure labels. Born in Vancouver in 1998, it has since become a globally-renowned yoga-inspired, technical athletic apparel company for all genders. Aside from its roots in yoga apparel, Lululemon now also designs for running, cycling, training, tennis, golf and more. Each piece is high quality and über-comfortable (my Lulu leggings have to be some of the most comfortable and opaque in my wardrobe).

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ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIAN ACTIVEWEAR

DHARMA BUMS

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ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIAN ACTIVEWEAR

DHARMA BUMS

From a small studio on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Dharma Bums has become a beloved activewear brand across the globe. Combining performance with purpose, the brand never compromises on quality or their sustainable, ethical values. From yoga pants to chic printed tights — many of which are made from recycled materials — there’s something for everyone.

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CLASSIC ATHLETIC WEAR

CHAMPION

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CLASSIC ATHLETIC WEAR

CHAMPION

Founded in Rochester, New York in 1919, Champion has a long history of creating quality, authentic athletic wear. They create all the apparel you might need for on and off the field or court — from technically-considered sports bras and high performance active wear to vintage-style chic streetwear. Recently, they collaborated with JD Sports for their ‘Champions in Session’ campaign with a mix of campus-inspired cosy street wear with collegiate branding and preppy styles — shop it here.

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ESSENTIAL AUSTRALIAN ACTIVEWEAR

LORNA JANE

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ESSENTIAL AUSTRALIAN ACTIVEWEAR

LORNA JANE

Founded in 1989 by Australian fitness instructor Lorna Jane Clarkson, Lorna Jane has become one of our country’s most recognisable and reliable activewear brands. From apparel to accessories — yoga mats and water bottles included — all the bases are covered, in style.

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THE UPSIDE

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YOGA-CENTRIC DESIGNS WITH PLAYFUL PRINTS

THE UPSIDE

Australian label The Upside is instantly recognisable with its bold prints and patterns and yoga-centric designs. Inspired by its founders’ time spent between New York, Hawaii and Sydney, the brand offers activewear essentials like tights and bras, alongside chic outerwear, accessories, bags, and more.

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DESIGNER PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY

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DESIGNER PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY

Since 2005, sportswear giant adidas have been collaborating with British designer Stella McCartney to craft fashion-forward performance activewear that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Think innovative designs that merge of-the-moment trends with considered design with your body in mind — from sports bras to running shoes.

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HIGH PERFORMANCE CONDITIONING ACTIVEWEAR

GYMSHARK

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HIGH PERFORMANCE CONDITIONING ACTIVEWEAR

GYMSHARK

For the serious gym-goers, Gymshark is the final word in performance activewear. From its humble beginnings in a garage in Birmingham in 2012, the brand has grown rapidly to offer a wide range of activewear essentials for all, including tights, bras, t-shirts, vests and more.

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AUSTRALIAN TRAINING WEAR

RYDERWEAR

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AUSTRALIAN TRAINING WEAR

RYDERWEAR

Ryderwear aims to create clothes that help you feel your best while you work out. From gym gear for the hardcore bodybuilders, to performance compression wear for serious athletes, to chic streetwear that makes you feel and look great, they offer flattering pieces in a wide range of silhouettes, colours and prints.

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PERFECT ACTIVEWEAR FOR RUNNERS

ON RUNNING

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PERFECT ACTIVEWEAR FOR RUNNERS

ON RUNNING

When retired Swiss athlete Olivier Bernhard decided he wanted to create a running shoe with a totally new feel, enlisting the help of two friends, he incidentally created On Running: A brand dedicated to creating the ultimate running gear. Shoes, basic apparel and more: everything you need to hit the road is there, with a technical superiority that’s oh-so-Swiss.

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PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR FROM HEAD TO TOE

UNDER ARMOUR

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PERFORMANCE ACTIVEWEAR FROM HEAD TO TOE

UNDER ARMOUR

Under Armour started with the humble goal of creating a “better” T-shirt — one that wicked sweat faster for a more comfortable workout experience. That spirit of innovation has carried through as they expanded into a full range of activewear for all needs, led by performance fabrics and minimalist designs. Now they’ve got everything you need to suit up from head to toe for your best workout yet.

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ACTIVEWEAR FOR THE ADVENTURER

THE NORTH FACE

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ACTIVEWEAR FOR THE ADVENTURER

THE NORTH FACE

If you’re the kind whose active pursuits tend to take place in the open air, clambering across rocky trails and grassy hills, The North Face is your adventure companion. No matter where you’re headed, their high-performance apparel and equipment will keep you comfortable, insulating heat and wicking away sweat where needed.

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AUSTRALIAN FASHION-FORWARD ACTIVEWEAR

P.E NATION

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AUSTRALIAN FASHION-FORWARD ACTIVEWEAR

P.E NATION

Founded by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning in Sydney, P.E Nation offers fashion-forward fitness essentials for everybody, everyday. From nostalgic ’90s streetwear to performance snow gear, technical activewear, menswear, fashion denim and more, the range has expanded vastly since launch to offer everything and anything you could need.

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MOST POPULAR ACTIVEWEAR BRAND GLOBALLY

NIKE

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MOST POPULAR ACTIVEWEAR BRAND GLOBALLY

NIKE

The world’s most popular activewear brand, Nike hardly needs an introduction. The partner of many a pro athlete, the brand maintains a down-to-earth nature that makes it non-intimidating even for those beginning their fitness journey, thanks to their mission statement — if you have a body, you’re an athlete. Every sport, from training to golf to dance, is catered to with ease and style, with sizes to accommodate all and technical designs that offer flattering functionality.

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WORLD-LEADING SPORTSWEAR

ADIDAS

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WORLD-LEADING SPORTSWEAR

ADIDAS

Another world leader in sports and activewear, Adidas offers high-performance and fashion-forward activewear for all pursuits. Always innovating, they’ve done everything from collaborating with Gucci to creating a range of sneakers made partly from ocean-recovered plastics.

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STREETWEAR-CHIC ACTIVEWEAR

LSKD

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STREETWEAR-CHIC ACTIVEWEAR

LSKD

The Australian owned and operated activewear brand LSKD — or Loose Kid, if you’re saying it aloud — offers functional sportswear with a chic street aesthetic. They cater to sizes from 2XS to 3XL, with styles for women, men and unisex options too.

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CULT FAVOURITE LEISUREWEAR

NIMBLE ACTIVEWEAR

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CULT FAVOURITE LEISUREWEAR

NIMBLE ACTIVEWEAR

Founded in Bondi, it’s natural that Nimble Activewear produces some of the most chic athleisure wear in the Australian market. Their apparel is crafted from moisture-wicking fabrics that are non-chafe, non-sheer, strong, stretchy and body-hugging in all the right places.

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RETRO, COMFORTABLE, SIZE-INCLUSIVE SPORTSWEAR

REEBOK

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RETRO, COMFORTABLE, SIZE-INCLUSIVE SPORTSWEAR

REEBOK

Founded in the late ’50s, Reebok first hit its peak in the ’80s for their sneakers — including the classic Club C’s — which hit the perfect stride between comfort and style. Naturally, such styles have seen a resurgence in recent years with the rise of the dad sneaker — but don’t forget, Reebok don’t only stock footwear. They also offer men’s, women’s, kids and unisex apparel in sizes from 2XS to 4XL, with minimalist and functional styles perfect for your next workout.

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STREETWEAR MEETS ACTIVEWEAR

FILA

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STREETWEAR MEETS ACTIVEWEAR

FILA

Italian label Fila is one of the world’s most recognisable sports lifestyle brands, with an always-effortlessly-cool vibe that oozes in every piece. Over 100 years of experience have made Fila foremost among streetwear brands, with technical processes that keep them top-of-mind even among the upper echelon of professional athletes.

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PREMIUM LOW-IMPACT ATHLEISURE WEAR

NAGNATA

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PREMIUM LOW-IMPACT ATHLEISURE WEAR

NAGNATA

With its core tenets of sustainability, inclusivity and a celebration of diverse cultures, Nagnata creates beautiful activewear for low-impact movement from yoga and pilates to dance. Organic and renewable fibres are crafted into unique pieces that are fit for a studio-to-street lifestyle, with vibrant colours and stylish design features.