Thanks, It’s Old Navy PowerSoft
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I field compliments on my workout wear at least once a week. I always respond the same way: “Thanks, it’s Old Navy.” I’ve been wearing the brand since I was in college and have built a sizable collection over the past decade. I have tried almost all the fabric iterations — from the super-thick matte leggings that are virtually indestructible (and now mostly discontinued) to the buttery soft ultrathin Studio Sculpt, which feel much more expensive than they are.
Of all the offerings, my favorite has remained consistent: PowerSoft. I wrote about the fabric back in 2022 when I catalogued the things I’d bought since becoming a gym rat, and since then my collection has only grown. Then, I probably owned seven or eight pairs of leggings; now, I own 12. I also have a half-dozen bras with various strap configurations. It’s my perfect material — thin but not slippery and opaque enough that you can’t see my undies when I squat. It’s also incredibly sturdy. Back then, I said Everlane makes my ideal legging, owing mostly to the fabric and fit — and while I still like them, true to my prediction, the fabric has pilled a bit over time and my sharp nails have poked holes in almost every pair. This isn’t the case with Old Navy PowerSoft, which, despite me jabbing the fabric many times while trying to get them on, has stayed intact. Everything I own holds up well in the wash, and the colors haven’t faded even a little bit. My most complimented workout outfit is a vibrant orange-red set, and it looks exactly the same as when I purchased it four years ago even though I wash and wear it at least once a month.
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On the topic of colors, Old Navy does a good job. The brand regularly cycles out shades, and as the years have gone on, it has leaned into sophisticated, muted tones over the crazy prints of yore (I recently gave away a magenta pair with lightning bolts). My current favorite color is Dusk Navy, a stormy blue-gray. It’s one of those in-between shades that shifts depending on the light. The colors are also available across the PowerSoft line (and some of the other fabric types too) so you can easily make matching sets, which I like to do. The fabric’s popularity has also led to lots of legging options — there are cropped, full-length, and 7/8th-length styles. You can even choose between a front seam and no seam or an extra-high waistband for added hold.
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I’ve always been partial to the PowerSoft leggings, but in the past year I’ve leaned into buying the bras. I have a larger bust but tend to stick to workouts where there isn’t lots of jumping around and I don’t run, so my bras don’t need to hold me still as much as be comfortable and supportive. The Powersoft medium support bras definitely hit the brief. They’re a cheaper dupe for my beloved Girlfriend Collective Paloma bra, and I often swap between them without noticing. The fabric is definitely a touch thinner than Girlfriend Collective’s, but there isn’t a massive difference in quality and durability.
But what really sells me on Old Navy more broadly is the price. I’m a strong believer in affordable activewear, especially if you’re doing general cross training. I just need it to look cute and not disintegrate. I don’t want to spend upward of $40 on any piece because I wear it once and toss it in the wash. Old Navy’s leggings tend to be around $40 and are almost always on sale for less. Once, I got a bra for $6, which I’m always bragging about because I love a good deal. Because of the price point, it’s been easy for me to buy a decent amount without feeling like I spent a fortune, all while still achieving the “gym girlie” look.
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