My Hunt for a Unitard That Actually Works for Working Out
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In theory, aunitardshould be the ideal exercise outfit. One item of clothing that does the work of three — asports bra,top to sweat in, andleggings— is pretty impressive. Not to mention that it cuts down the number of pieces you’re packing in yourwork bagby a third, and (in theory) should streamline any pre-/post-work visits to a Pilates studio. And yet, myunitardexperiences have been less than ideal. I’ve found them unflattering — goofy-looking at best — and an overall hassle to get on and off. Most importantly, though, they haven’t even worked for working out.
Of their three jobs,unitardsperform well enough asleggingsand a tank top, but when it comes to theirsports-braresponsibilities, they typically fall short. It’s been nearly impossible to find a unitard with decent support, one that can take me from a morning walk to a casual coffee meeting to a Pilates class without fear of … exposure. That said, there are a ton of options on the market, and so I knew that one that was both nice-looking and actually supportive had to exist. I set out to find a unitard that fit the bill, trying ones from a range of retailers, from Alo and Splits 59 to Quince and the Gap. To really ensure optimal functionality, I performed what I call the “Downward-Dog Test” — as in, the yoga position where I need the most from my sports bra — in each, along with my regular reformer Pilates and power-walking regimen. It turns out there was a clear winner — and, I’m happy to report, a handful that almost fully answered the brief.
Nice-looking, but not great for working out
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The first candidate for my unitard hunt was this one from the brand Héros. Style wise, it’s one of my favorites: The strappy back makes me feel like a ballerina and it’s tight enough to be flattering, without being so tight that it felt suffocating. But the bra was only lightly lined and unpadded, meaning it didn’t end up passing the Downward-Dog Test.
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Quince makes just about every item known to man, so it comes as no surprise that it offers three different kinds of unitards (categorized as “jumpsuits”). There was a pair with shorts and a flared option, but the safest choice felt like theUltra Form Jumpsuit,which features a “four-way stretch” material and removable padding. This one didn’t work out for me as my torso is too long (and my legs are too short) for the proportions of the unitard. I appreciate the padding, but combined with the aforementioned proportional issue, the effect was more push-up bra and less sports bra.
The ones I’d wear for light exercise
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In an attempt to diversify my unitard portfolio, I wanted to try some shorts options. Aritizia’s in-house activewear brand,Golden(née TNA), has a jumpsuit I’ve seen in many a Pilates class (the Venn diagram–esque logo is a giveaway). I packed it with me on my vacation and took it for a whirl in my hotel’s gym. (Side note: Unitards are a genius travel hack because they take up next to no room in yourluggage.) This one was tight, which I liked, but only had a small, stylistic stitch mid-chest, meaning there was minimal upper-body support for my average-size chest. It got me through my lower-body Peloton workout, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it for an upper-body-focused exercise day.
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Girlfriend (formerly known as Girlfriend Collective) is aStrategist favorite, so I had high hopes for this one. I was not led astray. I’d recommend this one for those who like to feel sucked in during a workout: It was secure, compressive, and the thick straps (though unadjustable) stayed put throughout my entire Pilates class — a rare feat. Like the Aritizia one above, I could see this working well for a treadmill walk, but maybe not for planking in a Pilates class.
The ones that actually work for working out
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It wouldn’t be an activewear conversation in 2025 without a mention ofAlo. I was very skeptical ofthis unitardand its low neck and even lower-back situation, which to me, are the exact opposite of what I’d consider supportive. But I stand corrected: This one shockingly passes the Downward-Dog Test. I’d credit this to its eponymous “Airbrush” fabric, which feels a little rougher to the touch than other options, but suctions to the skin and keeps everything in place. The adjustable straps give it extra bonus points, too.
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I almost wrote this one off when I first tried it on and found the torso to be a bit too small for me (I didn’t realize how long of a torso I had until this hunt). I had to give it a fair shake, though, so I took it to SoulCycle and was pleasantly surprised by how secure it felt. This one fits even more snugly than Alo’s. In fact, the straps dug into my shoulders just a tad more than I’d like, but I can’t complain because I was planking and piking with zero slippage.
[Editor’s note: The leggings-length One Piece is currently sold out, so we’ve linked to a shorts version from the same line.]
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I’ll be honest, I was very excited to have an excuse to try out something from this brand, which makes the “cool girl set du jour,” as dubbed by fellow Strategist contributorErika Veurink. I went for theUltimate Full-Length Unitard, which brings something unique to the table: In a sea of spaghetti-strap onesies, the short sleeves and high neckline feel refreshing.
I did feel a little self-conscious that I looked like Catwoman in my local downtown Equinox, but I got over that relatively quickly once I got on the treadmill. It’s made of 70 percent polyamide, which has a great moisture-wicking effect — perfectly breathable for my sweaty incline walk. I also love that there’s a hidden zipper in the back, which not only makes suiting up easy but helps to keep everything in place. A great pick if you’re trying to take your unitard game to the next level, style wise. Now I think I have no choice but to be Catwoman for Halloween next year.
My all-around winner
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This was love at first touch. I had heard about Splits 59’s “Airweight” fabric fromactivewear experts before, but it wasn’t until I tried this jumpsuit on that I understood the appeal for myself. It feels like butter, almost like a second skin. My one qualm is the lack of adjustable straps, but with a quick stitch, I was good to go. The fabric, the shape, the length — everything about this unitard deserves to win an award. I think of it as the Goldilocks of unitards: not too long but not too short, not too relaxed but not too suffocating, and so smooth and breathable that I forgot I was wearing a unitard at all. Never had I been so comfortable in a yoga class before, downward dogs and all.
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
