Taylor Swift's Popularizing the Workout Dress — Here's Her Go-To, Plus 10 More
I played tennis for the majority of my life, so I know full well that you can have a great workout in a dress. In fact, most of the time, dresses are my preferred outfit on the court. Lots of brands are on the same page as me — including Old Navy, Amazon, Alo Yoga, Outdoor Voices, Lululemon, and more — because they're coming out with exercise dresses that fit perfectly into my ideal warm-weather aesthetic.
These looks are right on trend with larger fashion moments like tenniscore, the quiet luxury and old money aesthetic, Barbiecore, and the coastal grandmother aesthetic. Even Taylor Swift is often spotted in workout dresses and skirts. There's also been an increased interest in court sports like pickleball and tennis, especially ahead of the upcoming US Open.
This is all to say there's a perfect storm of factors setting up workout dresses to take over your warm-weather wardrobe. Personally, I'll be wearing these exercise dresses on the court, on a hike, or even sweating it out in dance cardio class, but you can also dress them up for travel, errands, or brunch. Whether you want tons of support or a comfy wear-all-day piece, you're sure to find your perfect fit.
Ready to get in on the trend? These 11 workout dress picks are proof that you can do anything in a dress — and comfortably, at that.
Best Affordable Workout Dress
Old Navy PowerSoft Cami Athletic Dress ($20, originally $50)
Old Navy has some of the cutest affordable workout clothes, and that includes dresses. This PowerSoft dress has been reviewed by more than 2,200 customers and earned a near five-star rating for its comfortable fabric and stylish cut. This Old Navy workout dress has a built-in shelf bra with removable cups, biker shorts with pockets, and cute bottom-hem slits that add style and room to move. One of our editors reviewed the racer-back version of this dress and gave it a five-star stamp of approval.
Editor Quote: "I love that it can easily be dressed up or down and worn to a range of different activities. Plus, it's beyond comfortable. The material feels like butter, and it's comfortable enough to wear all day — I even wore it on a six-hour road trip driving to Los Angeles and had zero issues. My favorite way to style this dress has been with a pair of sneakers or sandals and a white button-down on top. I love that the addition of the white button-down makes the outfit look put together and chic." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer
Additional details: Sizes: XS-4XL | Colorways: 6
Best Amazon Workout Dress
IUGA Workout Dress with Built-in Bras & Shorts ($36)
More than 3,200 people have reviewed this Amazon workout dress, giving it close to a five-star rating. It has thin, adjustable straps that cross in the back, and a full shorts-style bodysuit underneath. The built-in bra is equipped with removable pads, and is high-performance enough to sweat in, but also comfy enough for hanging out.
What reviewers say: Many Amazon customers love this workout dress for its ability to fit larger chests without being baggy in the waist, preventing thigh rub, and being just the right length. One new mom even calls it the "most flattering item I have ever worn."
Additional details: Sizes: XS-XXL | Colorways: 7
Best Workout Dress With a Polo Collar
Baleaf Racerback Sleeveless Golf Dress ($37, originally $70)
This workout dress from Baleaf on Amazon features a classic racerback design with a polo collar. One notable feature of this exercise dress is that the shorts are detached, making bathroom breaks easier and also giving you two separate pieces for the price of one. Plus, it's equipped with two pockets for all your essentials, and a zippered neckline. The fabric is breathable yet opaque offering adequate coverage, a comfortable feel, and flexible movement.
What reviewers say: "It's a very breathable material and I love the moisture wicking aspect of it. It being a two piece outfit makes it easy to throw on quickly. The razor back look is very forgiving and the shorts underneath are great too, especially since it makes it a two piece versus one piece attached," says one Amazon reviewer.
Additional details: Sizes: XS-XXL | Colorways:3
Best One-Shoulder Workout Dress
Girlfriend Collective Bianca One-Shoulder Dress ($70, originally $88)
The asymmetrical top trend keeps coming back around, and you'd be surprised how supportive it is in a workout dress. This pick from Girlfriend Collective (a brand beloved for their leggings) is compressive with a built-in unitard liner, elastic support band under the bust, and hidden pockets — and it's made from 79 percent recycled plastic bottles.
What reviewers say: One customer wore this dress on two hikes and to a leg-day workout and gives it her stamp of approval — though she notes it's not as ideal for arm workouts or running because of the asymmetrical top. Others love wearing it for walks, bike rides, and even on a night out.
Additional details: Sizes: XXS-6XL | Colorways: 8
Best Wear-Anywhere Workout Dress
Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress ($100)
Some might call it the "OG" exercise dress — this Outdoor Voices workout dress has over 4,600 reviews that leave it with a near five-star rating (plus 660 customer photos, so you can see exactly how it looks on a variety of body types). It's made from high-performance LightSpeed fabric, which is designed to dry quickly and move with you, and it features adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner with two pockets. Read more of our editors' thoughts in this review of the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress.
Editor Quote: "This Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress is a great option for hikes, tennis, low-impact activity, running errands, the list goes on and on. I love putting it on in the morning and knowing that I'll get some movement in throughout my day, and look cute doing it." — India Yaffe, former associate editor, Shopping
Additional details: Sizes: XXS-XXXL | Colorways: 9
Best A-Line Workout Dress
Outdoor Voices Volley Dress ($108)
The Volley Dress has a defined waist seam and flirty A-line bottom. The fit-and-flare skirt hides a shorts liner with not one but two hidden pockets. The whole garment is made in Outdoor Voices' signature SuperForm fabric, which offers a supportive yet lightweight feel and is recommended by the brand for all levels of recreation, from skateboarding to dancing.
What reviewers say: Reviewers praise the fabric for being "thick but not too thick. Comfy for working out or just daily wear" as well as for workouts and travel. Bonus: many customers report not needing to wear a bra under this exercise dress.
Additional details: Sizes: XXS-XXXL | Colorways: 6
Best Lightweight Workout Dress
Athleta Transcend Dress ($115)
This above-the-knee V-neck dress is made from Athleta's VITAFREE fabric — their lightest Lycra ever, so you'll feel like you're wearing . . . nothing at all. Perfect for a light outdoor workout, or just walking to the grocery store.
What reviewers say: While customers note that the sizing may be tricky — the chest area can be revealing for those with larger cup sizes, and the waist can be a little right — most love its softness and versatility. "If [you're] a tall women this dress in a must!" one gushes. "Athleta has the best fabric, this dress is so soft and stretchy! The longer torso length means no wedgies and pulling straps for us tall ladies. Keeps me dry and cool in the summer heat and is perfect for exercise. You can dress it up or wear it around town. Please make this dress in more colors, I love it!"
Additional details: Sizes: XXS-XL | Colorways: 5
Best Stylish Workout Dress
Alo Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress ($118)
If you're looking for a workout dress that could also pass as a sundress or even dress up for an evening out, Alo's Courtside Tennis Dress could be your dream come true. It's admittedly more for comfort and style than serious sweating, but you could still hit a few serves if need be — and you have the built-in bra and shorts underneath to keep you covered (pockets, too). It's made of Alosoft fabric, so it's, you guessed it, super soft.
What reviewers say: Reviewers note that the thing-strap sweetheart top isn't ultra supportive for jumping around, but still love it for playing pickleball, travel, and day-to-day wear. One customer writes: "This dress can be dressed up or down - so versatile!!"
Additional details: Sizes: XXS-L, 00-14 | Colorways: 7
Best Open-Back Workout Dress
FP Movement Never Better Dress ($118)
With built-in shorts and a built-in bra, this dress has everything you need to hit the courts or the streets in style and support. And it's so cute, with racerback straps and an open back detail.
What reviewers say: Get ready for compliments. A recurring theme is how much people tell customers they love their 'fit when they're in this dress. One reviewer noted that the bra padding is a little thin, though.
Additional details: Sizes: XS-XL | Colorways: 6
Best Denim Workout Dress
Wiskii Beyond Denim Dress ($139)
If you're wondering if this denim dress is actually functional for a workout, just ask Taylor Swift. You can spot Swift rehearsing for The Eras Tour in the Wiskii Beyond Denim Dress in her "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" music video. If it holds up rehearsing for a global tour, it must be worth the hype. The dress is made from a stretchy denim fabric that's both compressive yet flexible. It has an A-line silhouette with a flowy skirt. It offers support with a padded bra and built-in shorts.
What reviewers say: "This is a perfect dress. It makes my waist look tiny, and gives me traffic-stopping cleavage. It's very comfortable," says one reviewer, raving about its soft and stretchy fabric. Another notes that although the compression is great, it's not ideal for those who want more modesty.
Additional details: Sizes: S-L | Colorways: 1
Best Low-Intensity Workout Dress
Lululemon Align Dress ($148)
If you're a fan of the look or feel of Lululemon's Align Top, this is the workout dress for you. Made from the same buttery soft Nulu fabric and with the same cut as the cult-favorite crop top, this Lululemon exercise dress is ideal for low-intensity workouts like yoga or Pilates as well as an option for comfy everyday wear, like while you're working from home. The built-in shorts liner even has an open back so you can take a bathroom break without taking the whole dress off.
What reviewers say: One happy customer notes that this Lululemon workout dress is, "Perfect for walking, golfing, lounging. Can dress it up with a cute sweater over top. Obsessed. And having the ability to pee without taking it off is just *chef's kiss*!"
Additional details: Sizes: 0-16 | Colorways: 6
— Additional reporting by Anvita Reddy, Lauren Mazzo, and Mirel Zaman
India Yaffe is the former associate editor of PS Shopping.
Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.
Lauren Mazzo was the senior fitness editor at PS. She is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist through the American Council on Exercise. Prior to joining PS, she worked for six years as a writer and editor for Shape Magazine covering health, fitness, nutrition, mental health, sex and relationships, beauty, and astrology. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Journalism and minors in Writing and Honors, with additional studies in gender, sex, and love.
Mirel Zaman is the health and fitness director at PS. She has 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, writing and editing articles about fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, astrology, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news.