Don’t Sleep on Aerie Activewear

The brand’s best-selling, TikTok-viral leggings have a high-waisted fit with a wide crossover waistband that smooths you out and holds you in. The fabric is smooth and soft; though it’s admittedly on the thinner side, it’s not see-through, and I’ve never felt nervous about bending over or going into a deep squat. Most Aerie bottoms are available in short, normal, and long inseams — I’m five-foot-three and wear the short inseam in these leggings, which hit right above my ankle without any wrinkling or bunching. I have them in the Stone colorway, a cool-toned animal print that’s basically a neutral and could pair easily with any other top on this list.

All of Aerie’s sports bras come with built-in support and removable padding that I personally prefer to leave out, though I appreciate having the option. I’m usually between a size extra-small and small in tops, but I opted for an extra-small in all my Aerie tops to get a tighter, more compressive fit. I usually wear this high-neck sports bra for higher-impact activities that involve running or jumping, as the silhouette really flattens the front of my chest — I feel really secure when I’m wearing it. However, I’m on thesmall-chested side, so it may not be quite as binding for someone with a larger bust.

Workout wear is currently trending towardlooser-fitting bottoms, which I’m more than happy about — especially for dance classes, I prefer the visual of baggy, oversized clothes, which enhance the fluid quality of your movement. These wide-legged trousers are made of the same performance material as Aerie’s leggings, but because they aren’t skintight, they feel more wearable when I’m out and about. I got the short inseam, and though the hems still puddle a bit when I’m barefoot, they don’t bother me or get in my way when I’m dancing. They remind me of the jazz pants I used to wear as a kid, with the same pleasingly swishy sensation when I’m doinggrand battements.

I immediately felt comfortable and confident when I put on this halter, and it’s one of my favorite tops on this list. The string ties are adjustable so they don’t dig or leave red marks on my shoulders, and the fit is smoothing —gently compressive but not restrictive. The pull of the straps also creates a slight lifting effect, a nice bonus for my smaller bust.

I was charmed by the details on thesetrack pants: a bungee-cord drawstring, a split hem, and elongating side stripes that curve in diagonally. They definitely feel much more stylish and elevated than your standard Adidas pair. One thing to note, however, is that they run rather long; I got the size small with the short inseam and the hems still dragged on the ground. They’re longer than the trousers above, and I accidentally stumbled over them a few times while dancing. I fixed the issue by rolling up the waistband, but you may want to buy them in a shorter length than usual or plan to get them hemmed.

This is just a solid sports bra that feels versatile for a variety of low-impact activities. It has thick, supportive straps; a low scoop neck; and a just-right cropped fit that lands a couple inches above the belly button. If you’re looking for a top that you can wear over and over again, whether you’re lifting, hiking, or going to Pilates, I’d recommend this one.

When I’m taking a modern class that involves a lot of floorwork, these are the pants I wear. They’re made of a lightweight windbreaker material that feels slick, which ensures I don’t get friction burn when I’m sliding into a split or rolling across the floor. (They do make some rustling noises, but that’s all moot when the music starts blasting.) I went with the normal inseam in these, as they’re designed with a cropped fit and I wanted them just a touch longer; the length turned out to be perfect, just skimming the tops of my shoes. They’re also a great pair of pants to wear to baseball practice, as they have a laid-back, sporty vibe that I don’t mind getting dirty.

This top is basically a baby tee with a built-in bra — a great option for a more modest workout top. While a sports bra can sometimes require mid-workout readjusting, the tee has a tight, stretchy fit that doesn’t ride up or down; I never need to tug the neckline or hemline back into place. The pale pink color I have is currently sold out, but there are lots of other nice shades available, from aqua blue to aloe green.

One of my friends has convinced me to start dropping by her pole-dance studio on occasion; the first time I went, I wore the barrel pants above and quickly realized I’d made a critical mistake. You actually want the friction and grip of bare skin when you’re hauling yourself up the pole, and wearing bottoms made of slippery material makes fighting gravity much more difficult. I’ve noticed fellow classmates rocking booty shorts or bikini bottoms, but I’d rather have a bit more coverage, so these running shorts have been ideal. I like that they’re double-layered with a tight built-in short underneath a looser, flowier layer — I feel secure even if I’m splayed out in a straddle. Plus the ruffle-trimmed hems and waistband are very coquette-core.

I generally gravitate toward longline tops over more cropped styles, but I wanted this classic sports bra for summer, when it’s just too hot to be covered in any excess fabric. It’s a little shorter than I’m used to, but I still feel covered. It also works well as a layer under a big T-shirt or a white tank top for a little extra support.

I also have this pair of ruched flowy shorts that I anticipate wearing out after class. I was tickled by the fit-and-flare silhouette — it’s somewhat reminiscent of a bubble skirt — and the bow-adorned pockets on the side. Also, I don’t play tennis myself, but I could definitely see them being useful on the court; you could use the pockets to store extra balls!

The square neckline of this tank top feels very delicate and feminine, and I think it’d work equally well tucked into a pair of jeans or a white peasant skirt. I took a risk with the traffic-cone-orange shade, but in person it’s not as neon — it’s richer and more jewel-toned, striking but not overwhelming. When I put it on, I feel just as ready for a brunch-and-shopping date with friends as I do for an exercise class.