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23 Workout Dresses to Wear All Spring and Summer, Starting at $28

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Dasha Burobina for PureWow

It’s official—we’re obsessed with workout dresses. Workout clothes have always been a go-to for grocery store runs, lunch outings and everything in between, but workout dresses are even better. They’re typically quite short, but most options have built-in shorts or the space for you to slip on some spandex to keep you supported and covered. A good workout dress might also have other handy features like pockets, adjustable straps, moisture-wicking fabric, four-way stretch material and more.

The Top 5 Workout Dresses At a Glance

Meet the Expert

Emi Gutgold is a PMA nationally certified Pilates teacher, NASM certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and clean health nutritionist (levels I and II). Aside from her in-person group fitness and private training classes, she offers online Pilates classes and personal training memberships.

How to Dress for a Workout

Whether you like a good set of leggings and a T-shirt for your sweat sesh or you prefer a cute matching set, feeling comfortable and supported are musts when it comes to working out. Workout dresses are another fabulous options. “I love the dress and skirt trends in athlesiure over the last few years,” Gutgold says. “I’m such a girly girl, and it makes me happy to have options when I work out or train my own clients.”

And despite what you might be thinking, a dress isn’t an impractical option for a workout. In fact, they’re great for full midsection support and keeping you cool. “It’s just more comfortable sometimes to wear a dress when it’s super-hot out,” says Gutgold. These pieces work for pretty much whatever exercise you’d like, but do keep in mind that if you get one without a built-in liner, you’ll want to make sure you can put on a pair of short bike shorts or spandex underneath. “I happily wear them to any workout, even Pilates or lifting heavy in the gym. I have gotten a few raised eyebrows from men when I bend over a barbell and I’m in a skirt, but that’s their issue, not mine,” says Gutgold.

Where Can You Buy Workout Dresses?

These days, you can find workout dresses from most workout brands, but there are definitely some that have more style options than others, including FP Movement, Beyond Yoga, Abercrombie & Fitch, Athleta, Alo Yoga and more. “I love Alo’s dresses, they’re super feminine and have pockets, win-win,” Gutgold says. “Plus, the shorts underneath don’t ride up and are a comfortable length for running and overall coverage. They make it so easy to style from the studio to the street.”

What Materials Are Best for Workout Dresses?

When it comes to choosing materials, keep an eye out for nylon, spandex and cotton, all three of which are common fabrics used to make workout attire in general. Here’s why:

  • Nylon: This strong fabric is typically made for fitted garments like workout clothes, socks and, of course, shapewear. According to Sewport.com, it is made of synthetic fibers, so you won’t find organic options.
  • Spandex: Also known as Lycra or Elastane, reports Sewport.com, spandex is great for keeping its shape over time and giving that extra bit of sculpting. It’s also known for offering breathability and wicking moisture.
  • Cotton/Knit Blends: While they aren’t the best at wicking sweat, these materials are great for absorbing moisture to help keep you cool during your workout.

Best Medium Support Dress

1. Vuori Volley Dress

Vuori

  • Cool Features: smoothing coverage, shelf bra
  • Promising Review: “I appreciate my Vuori volley dress for its chest coverage because I don’t want to get too much sun on my chest when I’m playing pickleball in it or just wearing it around town for errands.” – Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow
  • Sweat-Wicking?: yes
  • Size Range: XXS to XXL

A cute, casual and sporty dress you can wear out and about or to a workout is a versatile piece we’re loving this season. There aren’t any shorts underneath, which means you can pick your favorite spandex to toss on. “It doesn’t have built-in shorts, but I just wear a pair of mini yoga shorts underneath and I feel covered,” says senior editor Dana Dickey. “Also the shelf bra is so nice, since then I don’t have to decide which bra to coordinate [underneath].”

Best Plus-Size Option

2. Nike Bliss Luxe Training Dress

Nike

  • Cool Features: built-in bodysuit, pockets
  • Promising Review: “This will be a perfect summer active dress, hopefully Nike makes this dress available in more vibrant colors.”— a Nike reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: 1X to 3X

Nike made this dress with sustainability in mind. It’s designed with at least 50 percent recycled polyester, which started as plastic bottles. It has an A-line mini style that lightly skims your shape and there’s a bodysuit built in to smooth and support your curves. The bodysuit has sweat-wicking technology and built-in pockets, too.

  • Cool Features: flare skirt, breathable Alosoft material
  • Promising Review: “This dress is so flattering! The material is so soft and stretchy and it snatches your waist.” — an Alo reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XXS to L

We’re suckers for cute LBDs, and LBDs that are made for athleisure and working out? Even better. This dress has a set of built-in shorts with pockets to keep you covered during whatever you’ve got planned for the day. The Alosoft material is known for being incredibly comfortable and stretchy, while offering light to medium coverage. “The built in shorts are so convenient and the overall cut of the dress is so flattering and beautiful,” reports customer Josie B.

Best Side Slit Dress

4. Abercrombie & Fitch YPB sculptLUX Mini

Abercrombie & Fitch

  • Cool Features: flare skirt, side slit
  • Promising Review: “This is like my version of sweats for the summer.” — Olivia Dubyak, commerce editor at PureWow
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XXS to XXL

Made to sculpt your shape and keep you comfortable during your workout or hot girl walk with the girls, this dress is trendy and comes in eight colors. “If you see me out and about when it’s warm outside, odds are you’ll see me in this dress,” says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. “It keeps my midsection feeling supported and the cell phone pocket is great when I want to be hands-free on a walk,” she says.

Best Lightweight Dress

5. Athleta Levitate Dress

Athleta

  • Cool Features: supportive material, SwiftLite fabric
  • Promising Review: “The style is figure flattering and the pockets are wonderful. The pocket inserts/inside stay forward and flat.” — an Athleta reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XXS to 3XL

A flirty fit and flare workout dress is an adorable pick for summertime to go from your workout to brunch with the girls. “Honestly, [I] love this dress. I've tried all the other brands…and this is the best fitting, most flattering athletic dress yet,” raves one buyer. There are pockets on the side of the dress, but there are no shorts built in, so you’ll have to add your own.

Best Ribbed Dress

6. Victoria’s Secret Active Dress

Victoria's Secret

  • Cool Features: ribbed material, built-in shelf bra
  • Promising Review: “Very comfortable and breathable. I like that it’s not that stiff, legging material like many other companies. Perfect for summer!” — a Victoria’s Secret reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to XXL

This fitted workout dress is complete with built-in shorts (with pockets) as well as a shelf bra so you don’t have to wear a sports bra if you don’t want to. It has thick straps to support your chest and a square neckline, which is flattering on basically everyone. “This is super well-constructed and supportive. [I] love the pockets on the inner jumpsuit. It’s really short, but still feels covered with the shorts. The cut of the waist makes it very flattering,” says one customer.

Best Adjustable Straps

7. Abercrombie & Fitch Traveler Mini Dress

Abercrombie & Fitch

  • Cool Features: built-in shelf bra, hook attachment for straps
  • Promising Review: “This traveler dress is my go-to…I have it in a few colors!” — Greta Heggeness, senior editor, entertainment and news at PureWow
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XXS to XXL

A stretchy dress with built-in shorts is a must-have for hot summer weather. This one has a side pocket on the shorts and the spaghetti straps have a hook to attach one to the other for a crisscross back option. “There’s a full body suit/romper underneath so you can wear it for pretty much anything—including pickleball, hiking, golf, Pilates, etc.,” says senior editor, entertainment and news, Greta Heggeness.

Best for Barre

8. Halara Everyday Flared Dress

Halara

  • Cool Features: criss-cross back straps, lightweight fabric
  • Promising Review: “[The] fit is amazing and I was very impressed by the chest support. Debating buying a second in another color.” — a Halara reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to XL

This dress may be pretty much backless, but it still has a built-in shelf bra to give your chest some support so you don’t have to show off your bra straps in the back. It has a pretty short skirt, and since there aren’t any liner shorts on the inside, you’re going to want to throw on a pair of your favorite spandex to get some extra coverage. “This is the first dress I've had with a built-in bra that didn't [make me] look like a box or gape and shift when I move. The cut is super flattering and secure enough, even with the backless design, that I'm not afraid I'll have a wardrobe malfunction,” says one customer.

Best Scoop-Neck Dress

9. Quince Performance Dress

Quince

  • Cool Features: hidden pockets, anti-microbial
  • Promising Review: “This is hands down the most flattering activewear dress ever.” — a Quince reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to XL

The relaxed fit of this simple silhouette is sure to keep you comfortable during your workout. It’s made with moisture-wicking material to help keep you dry if you’re in for a super sweaty session. One customer says they even wore it swimming. “[It’s] good for everything including a swim. Rather than changing after a hike, I swam in this [and] it air-dried quickly and I finished my hike,” they mention. Many customers say it runs a little big, so make sure you check with the size chart before you order yours.

Best Boho Dress

10. FP Movement Hot Shot Mini Dress

FP Movement

  • Cool Features: outer pockets, back zipper pocket
  • Promising Review: “I love this mini dress so much, the attached shorts are perfection.” — a FP Movement reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to XL

If boho is your style, you’re going to love this mini. It has two outer hip pockets and a zipper one on the upper back for even more storage when you don’t feel like bringing a wallet. It has a relaxed fit and sits low on the arms, so you’ll need a sports bra or something underneath if you want extra coverage. “I love this dress,” writes customer Mel K. “I work out in it, play tennis in it and go out to lunch in it. My only complaint is they’re always out of them! [It] has a built-in bra and built-in shorts, so you can throw it on over a swimsuit, or even throw a cardigan over it, and dress it up with boots. Really versatile.”

Best Flare Dress

11. Beyond Yoga Spacedye Movement Dress

Beyond Yoga

  • Cool Features: four-way stretch, UPF 50+ sun protection
  • Promising Review: “The high-waist cut of the skirt just skims over the belly. The space dye fabric is super comfortable, just like the Hot Shot skirt. I am excited to get out on the court in this dress.” — a Beyond Yoga reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to XL

The interior bodysuit will keep your midsection supported and bottom covered. Plus, it has pockets on either side. The material isn’t just sweat-wicking, it has UPF 50+ protection to keep your body protected from the sun. The brand wear-tests each design in-house to assess the style on multiple body shapes to optimize the fit, too. Reviewers mention the dress has a cute, relaxed fit that still has a little bit of sexiness from the short silhouette and low-cut neckline.

Best Racerback Dress

12. Sweaty Betty Power Workout Dress

Sweaty Betty

  • Cool Features: built-in cups, outer side pockets
  • Promising Review: “It’s cute, flattering and great for tennis. The shorts didn’t ride up, which is hard to find.” — a Sweaty Betty reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to XXL

This sleek option is great for any kind of workout. It has a built-in set of shorts with pockets to keep your phone secure or hold extra tennis ball if you’re on the court. The material is sweat-wicking for those super sweaty workouts, and some reviewers say that the liner is pretty snug, so getting it on and taking it off can be tough, even though the dress layer is more relaxed fitting. “The most comfortable dress to work out I’ve ever worn! [It] fits amazingly and it’s very flattering. The only downside is [that] taking it off after workout is another workout,” says one customer.

Top Tennis Dress Pick

13. lululemon Nulux Asymmetrical Tennis Dress

lululemon

  • Cool Features: tennis ball pockets, asymmetrical skirt
  • Promising Review: “[I] love the way this fits so much and makes me feel much cuter and put together going for walks or running errands versus wearing shorts.” — a lululemon reviewer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: 0 to 14

Designed for comfort and performance while playing tennis, the skirt has a loose, relaxed fit while the lycra in the fabric will make sure the stretchy material keeps its shape after years. It’s made to be super lightweight, breathable and sweat-wicking, so you can feel comfortable through your entire match. “It is very pleasing to the eye and long enough to properly cover oneself. I bought three different colors and love them on me,” says one customer. A few reviewers mention the zipper can be tricky to pull up by yourself, so a roommate or a significant other would be a great help.

Cutest Empire Waist Dress

14. Beach Riot Raelyn Dress

Beach Riot

  • Cool Features: tennis ball pockets, asymmetrical skirt
  • Promising Review: “I have wide hips and this empire waist style fits my body so nicely.” — Olivia Dubyak, commerce editor at PureWow
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to XL

We picture ourselves wearing this little number down to the beach over our swimsuit. It does have a built-in bodysuit underneath to hug your shape, as well as pockets on each side. “When I tried this on, I immediately noticed the length was great for me since I have very long legs,” says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. “The white piping on the neckline and straps also gave it such a classic look against the cute pink shade that I adore, too,” she says. The jersey fabric is very comfortable, although not exactly known for its sweat-wicking or quick-drying abilities.

Best Corset Style Dress

15. FP Movement Drop Shot Mini Dress

FP Movement

  • Cool Features: tennis ball pockets, corset style bodice
  • Promising Review: “I love the color it looks so good on when I’m tan in the summer. The built in shorts make it perfect to walk in!” — a FP Movement customer
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: S to XL

The V-neckline on this mini dress with the corset style bodice has us wanting to wear this for a night out. But thanks to the polyester-elastane blend, it makes for a much better workout dress. The liner shorts have tennis ball pockets that open from the bottom so you can slip tennis balls easily in and out. The skirt has a wrap silhouette and about a four-inch inseam, which is pretty short. “The cutest little tennis dress! White isn’t see through at all and everything about it is so flattering,” says one customer.

Best Golf Dress

16. Adidas Frill Golf Dress

Adidas

  • Cool Features: quarter zip, zipper back pockets
  • Promising Review: “Excellent to play golf in! Breathable, absorbs and wicks sweat away from you to keep you cool.” — an Adidas customer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to L

Golf season is officially here, and whether you’re hitting the course with your hubby or your girlfriends, a cute outfit is always fun to shop for. This adorable quarter-zip dress has a mock neck if you’re really trying to keep covered from the sun and a ruffled skirt for a feminine touch. Plus, the shorts aren’t built-in, but they do come with the dress so it’s your choice to wear them or not. “I love the fit with the frill at the bottom, which makes it flattering and girly…” reports one happy customer. "I also love that the shorts aren’t connected so I can wear the spandex under other outfits.”

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Old Navy

Best Built-In Shelf Bra

17. Old Navy PowerSoft Support Dress

Old Navy

  • Cool Features: two side slits, removable cups
  • Promising Review: “It is so supportive and has built-in shorts that really hold you in tight. I got two colors so I can wear them all summer.” — an Old Navy customer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to 4XL

Available in ten colors and patterns, this cute workout dress has a flattering square neckline and two slits on each side of the skirt to offer a little extra movement. Reviewers say the built-in shorts are very supportive, and the shelf bra provides great lift and support for the chest. “I absolutely love this dress, particularly for travel and being a tourist. [It’s] so comfortable and breathable. I liked it so much I bought it in every color after wearing it all day at Disney World and noting how comfortable it was,” says one customer.

Cutest Polo Dress

18. Alo Yoga Charmed Tennis Dress

Alo

  • Cool Features: two side slits, removable cups
  • Promising Review: “Long enough to wear on the golf course, cute enough to unbutton a few buttons and wear shopping or out to lunch. “ — an Alo customer
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to 4XL

Whether you’re just going for a cute, preppy look or you want a dress to slay your tennis and golf game in, we’re loving this polo pick. It has a quarter-button up neckline and is sleeveless, great for those super warm days. It’s made to sculpt your shape while still being lightweight, thanks to the Airbrush fabric. “This dress is very flattering and great quality! I want one in every color! Note: there are no built-in shorts/bra like other tennis dresses,” says one reviewer. Some customers mention it runs small while others say it runs slightly large, so check the size chart before you order.

Top Editor Pick

19. Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress

Outdoor Voices

  • Cool Features: grips on liner shorts, quick-drying
  • Promising Review: “I pretty much made all my friends buy the outdoor voices exercise dress. It's practically the only thing I can tolerate wearing on humid summer days."
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to 3XL

This is the most popular brand on the list because of its breathable and quick-drying fabric, comfortable and flattering fit, snug compression and adjustable straps. It comes in several colors and has leg grippers on the shorts so they don’t ride up. "I run errands in it, go hiking in it, wear it to brunch with a cropped sweater over it, the list goes on. I only wish the shorts would zip on and off underneath the dress, but otherwise it's damn near perfect," says director of affiliate strategy Pamela Masin. "It skims my body so perfectly, I have wide hips so sometimes the shape of exercise dresses aren't the most flattering, but this one is absolutely fabulous and so comfortable," says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak.

Top Amazon Pick

20. HDE Workout Dress

HDE

  • Cool Features: pockets, high-waisted built-in liner
  • Promising Review: “It's comfy and simple without the extensive price tag."
  • Sweat-Wicking? yes
  • Size Range: XS to XXL

This bestseller sold out quickly on Amazon Prime Day and we can see why. Similar to the other breathable and durable materials, this one is a fraction of the price. There are more than 1,000 five-star ratings, too. According to reviewers, if you’re shorter, consider sizing down so it isn’t too long. "I got this dress for errands and walks around my neighborhood and it's perfect for both, the liner is nice and comfortable and does not ride up when I'm on the go," says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak.

  • Cool Features: keyhole opening on back, breathable fabric
  • Promising Review: “The colour is beautiful and the fabric is so soft. This is super flattering and versatile."
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to 3XL

If you prefer a shorter fit, this is the way to go. It comes in tons of colors and contours and hugs the body seamlessly. The brand says it's made for yoga and lounging. "I absolutely love this dress, it fits perfectly and is great for girls with larger chests. It's extremely flattering, soft, comfortable, and you can dress it up or down," says one reviewer

Most Supportive Built-In Shorts

22. Girlfriend Collective Everglade Naomi Dress

Girlfriend Collective

  • Cool Features: UPF 50+, compressive liner shorts
  • Promising Review: “I'm really excited about how versatile this dress is—I feel like I can wear it on a hike and then directly into a nicer restaurant."
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: XS to 3XL

The buttery soft feel of this material has us wanting to buy several. It is made of the Girlfriend Collective’s lightweight FLOAT fabric for the ultimate airy, no-fuss experience. Plus, it comes in multiple beautiful shades. The shorts are made to be compressive and sculpting for your midsection for extra support, too. "The Float fabric is the perfect material for this dress - it's thin, so it hangs really well (and is super soft and comfy). Can't wait to wear this all summer long!" Reports one reviewer

Cutest Removable Short Option

23. Icyzone 2-in-1 Tennis Dress

icyzone

  • Cool Features: removable liner shorts, breathable material
  • Promising Review: “I play tennis several times a week and fell in LOVE with this dress. It’s very light weight, the skirt has a nice flare and as a XL, I thought the length was perfect."
  • Sweat-Wicking? no
  • Size Range: S to XL

This dress is perfect to wear on the court because of its comfort and breathability, but most importantly, it has a pocket in the removable shorts that fits an extra tennis ball. We love the flowy skirt because it's easy to move around in without riding up. Reviewers say the dress is a bit longer than your average mini dress, so if you prefer more coverage, this is a great pick. "It is very lightweight, but not see-through. I am 5'9" and it is a tad longer than normal tennis dresses but it certainly is not regular dress length," says one customer.

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Liv Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor. She writes across the board in fashion, beauty, wellness and home, focusing on products that can elevate your everyday life. She loves trying new products, sharing her honest experiences to help you decide whether what you’re buying is worth it or not (Augustinus Bader is a must-have).

PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.


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