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IN: Lifestyle, Yoga

My Favorite Activewear Brands that are Worth the Splurge

March 15, 2021 By Melanie No Comments

Hey friends! I’m here to answer one of the most frequently asked questions I receive on Instagram: where do I get all of my activewear and which ones do I recommend? I’ll admit, it’s hard to narrow it down to my absolute favorite activewear brands but I did my best with this roundup!

I’ve been blogging for 5 years now and in that time I’ve had the honor of working with many different activewear brands and definitely have a solid opinion on which ones are worth the splurge.

And a splurge they truly are, because none of the ones I’ve listed are considered “budget brands” and it’s important to remember that you don’t need fancy activewear to get a killer workout in.

This being said, if you’re into the latest trends, want quality pieces that will last a long time and find that cute activewear motivates you to get moving, then this list is for you!

Nylora

My thoughts: I own 5 different sets by Nylora and love every single one of them. The fit and quality is impeccable and the styles are sooo chic. They push the boundaries of activewear + street style — plus I love that they are a female founded brand!

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

Terez

My thoughts: Another female founded brand (and based in NYC!), Terez is one of those brands that just makes you happy! They’re all about fun prints, lots of shine, and colorful sets that really pop. If you want something that will make you stand out from the crowd, they’re the place to look.

Fit: Runs slightly large

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

Fabletics

My thoughts: Yep, the athletic wear brand created by Kate Hudson that you see in ads everywhere is def worth the hype! They have some really amazing styles and offer them at an affordable price point (think higher quality than Target but lower than Lululemon). They offer a monthly membership but be sure to read the fine print on how to use it!

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$

Shop my favorites:

Alo Yoga

My thoughts: Alo is the first luxury yoga wear brand I bought 7 years ago and it’s still a favorite of mine now. The moto leggings (pictured in both photos above) are my personal go to because I love the thickness, durability, length and high waisted fit. They have so many cool styles though and I love that they keep the classics around forever!

Fit: True to size (but leggings are long)

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

Sweaty Betty

My thoughts: This British activewear brand first caught my attention when they released their signature Power Leggings. Although the fabric feels a bit on the thinner side, they do hold up really well, are SUPER comfortable and have an amazing high waisted + booty lifting fit.

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

CALIA by Carrie Underwood

My thoughts: You may remember that I was a brand ambassador for CALIA last year and got to try so many of their different styles! I’m a big fan of how much they value functionality (think thicker fabrics, great compression and pockets galore) but that they also have lots of great mix and match feminine styles.

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$

Alala

My thoughts: I’m obsessed with everything Alala makes and have especially loved their Peak Tight and Bra (pictured left) in multiple colors. I find myself reaching for them time and time again for nearly every workout, but their seamless sets are quite lovely too. Bonus points for being a female founded business!

Fit: Runs slightly small

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

The Cosmic Project X Headstands and Heels

My thoughts: Shameless plug for my collab activewear collection with Becca of The Cosmic Project! The collection features four hand-drawn designs (the one on the left was a print created from one of my watercolor paintings) and the material is made in the USA, super soft and comfortable, with a super high waisted fit that I love!

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$

We.Over.Me

My thoughts: If you’re looking for a buttery soft seamless set and happen to have a long torso like I do, this is the best brand for you! They look a bit like Outdoor Voices (and I’m pretty sure there was a legal battle over the color blocking) but they feel very different. There is barely any compression and they’re really best for low impact workouts like yoga, pilates or barre.

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$$ (Major sale happening now though!)

Shop my favorites:

Beyond Yoga

My thoughts: The BY alloy ombre collection is still hands down the prettiest activewear I own (pictured in two colors above). They fit like a glove, are a thicker sweat wicking material and have such a wow factor! It’s especially great for gals like me with long torsos because it does feature an ultra high waisted fit.

Fit: Runs a bit small

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

Athleta

My thoughts: Athleta was the first activewear brand I worked with and will always have a special place in my heart. I love their Powervita collection which features buttery soft leggings with great compression, lots of pockets and beautiful soft colors and feminine prints! They’re also a certified B corporation and are true trailblazers in setting standards for a positive environmental impact in the athletic wear fashion world.

Fit: Runs slightly large

Price Point: $$

Shop my favorites:

Outdoor Voices

My thoughts: This cool girl brand is all about “doing things” and definitely designed all of their sets with various types of recreation in mind. I LOVE their exercise dress and their tech sweat material is perfect for high intensity workouts or even hiking! I recommend trying their Rec Kit to test out the fit and get more bang for your buck.

Fit: Runs a bit small

Price Point: $$

Shop my favorites:

LilyBod

My thoughts: Lilybod has such a cool girl vibe with chic prints and very sleek designs! I’m obsessed with their “Piper” high waisted tights (pictured right) and matching sports bra. The material is made from their signature smooth-tech fabric with good compression and a snug fit!

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$

Shop my favorites:

Spiritual Gangster

My thoughts: What started out with positive vibe yoga t-shirts (that I definitely owned at the start of my yoga journey) quickly expanded into a full activewear line that is full of really pretty, colorful sets. Both sets I own are seamless and I find that they’re perfect for yoga or other low impact workouts.

Fit: Runs a bit small

Price Point: $$

Shop my favorites:

Spanx

My thoughts: Yes, Spanx has activewear and the styles are so pretty you definitely won’t want them to stay hidden! I love their bike shorts but I’m sure you’ve seen their faux leather leggings all over Pinterest. As can be expected with a shapewear brand, all the fits are very flattering and definitely hug you in nicely (without making you feel like you can’t breathe).

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

Splits 59

My thoughts: This super sporty, celebrity endorsed brand is made in the USA and features some really fashionable sets. The material is high quality and they have a variety of styles that fit low impact (seamless like the bra on the left) and high impact workouts (the red set on the right).

Fit: True to size

Price Point: $$$

Shop my favorites:

There you have it folks! As a bonus, I’m including Old Navy (pictured above) as a budget friendly brand that actually has really pretty sets.

Shop my favorites:

I hope you all find this helpful!! And because I know I’ll get this question… Lululemon didn’t make this list because 1) all of you already know about Lulu already and 2) I honestly don’t own enough of their pieces to be a proper judge. 😉

Happy shopping!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Yoga

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Meet Melanie

Meet Melanie

Hi and welcome to Headstands & Heels! I’m Melanie — a Digital Strategist turned Wellness Entrepreneur, certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), dog mama, and content creator based in Denver. I hope to encourage others to follow their dreams and cultivate a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with mindfulness and positivity. 💕 Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com

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This is your sign to consolidate all of your arts & crafts into a little cozy hobby cart! ✨💛

My random art supplies have been scattered about in various rooms & closets in my home so I FINALLY got around to organizing them 🎨 

From scrapbooking, to coloring books, painting, and decoupage tools — these cozy crafts are now easily accessible and hopefully will make finding the time for creative hobbies to be a tad bit easier ☺️

Let me know if you’re also in your cozy hobby era! And let me know which hobby you want to make more time for 👇🏼

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I finally organized all of my craft items into a little hobby cart that I’ll be sharing with you all tomorrow! And I hope to give you some ideas on how to slow down and make the most of the time you have for yourself because we all deserve a little coziness and self care ✨💫

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I finally organized all of my craft items into a little hobby cart that I’ll be sharing with you all tomorrow! And I hope to give you some ideas on how to slow down and make the most of the time you have for yourself because we all deserve a little coziness and self care ✨💫

#romanticizeyourlife #eveningroutine #eveningdiaries #selfcarediaries

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The sweet & earthy flavors work sooo well together, not to mention the layers are super pretty! 

Here’s your sign to make one

All you need is: 

✨ 1 tsp ceremonial grade matcha mixed with 1/4 cup hot water 
✨ 1 cup your choice of milk 
✨ 1/2 ripe mango mashed

Whisk the matcha and hot (not boiling) water and set aside. Mash ripe mango and add to glass. Top with ice, milk and matcha! 💛

Let me know if you’ll be making this and if you’re currently hanging onto summer vibes or leaning into early Autumn

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For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying new and old hobbies, connecting to your inner child, fully embracing all the things you love and feeling so much more confident in who you are 💕💫 

#romanticizeyourlife #lifeinyour30s 
#joyfulliving #smalljoys #cozyhobbies

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Since my mornings are a bit more chaotic now, following my 3 step formula to nourish, move, and practice self care has been SO helpful during this phase of life 💫. And I hope it does the same for you! 

Swipe through for some mindful exercises that take less than 5 minutes and comment WORKSHEET if you’d like to receive my free, printable Mindful Morning worksheet straight to your inbox 

Here’s to making our morning routine feel a little more special, even on those extra busy days ✨

#healthylifestyle #healthyhabits #romanticizeyourlife #happyandhealthylife #joyfulliving #softwellness

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Swipe through, save for later and let me know which ones are YOUR favorites orrrr even better, what would you add to this list? 

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Life with a little bestie >> 💕✨ #motherhoodi Life with a little bestie >> 💕✨

#motherhoodismagic #newmomlife #girlmom
Celebrating 8 months with our little bundle of joy Celebrating 8 months with our little bundle of joy and I can hardly believe how fast the time is flying ✨🎀

This time two years ago I said goodbye to our first baby at 11 weeks pregnant and I’ll never forget the kindness so many of you showed me. I still have many of your messages saved and thinking of them still brings me to tears 💛

If you are currently in the thick of fertility struggles, waiting, hoping and praying for your time — I see you and hope this gives you something beautiful to look forward to. Thank you for being part of my journey and I’m sending all the love your way 💫
My only goal this summer was to take notice of all My only goal this summer was to take notice of all the little things that spark joy and do them as often as possible 💫

{soft living, wellness, new motherhood, happy habits, mindfulness, cozy hobbies, be present, Pinterest aesthetic, summer vibes, mood board, wellbeing}
We all know making time for hobbies is a healthy h We all know making time for hobbies is a healthy habit that we can do more of. So if you’re wanting to make more time for yourself but not sure which hobby is right for you, this guide is for you!

✨These 36 hobbies split across 6 categories are PERFECT for your 30s but can also be enjoyed at any age and are meant to help you discover new activities or reconnect with childhood favorites✨

PHYSICAL 
get you moving, support your health, release stress and give you a boost of endorphins

INTELLECTUAL
keep your mind sharp, expand your perspective and help you follow your curiosity 

CREATIVE
allow you to express yourself, tap into playfulness, relax and unwind 

OUTDOORSY
immerse you in fresh air, bring you scenic sights and foster your spirit of adventure 

SPIRITUAL
nourishment your inner world, allow you to feel grounded, connected and more present 

COMMUNITY FOCUSED 
provide a sense of belonging, foster connection, deepen relationships and encourage collaboration
 
Be sure to swipe through the list and SAVE for later! Let me know which ones you’ll be trying more of 💕
This is your sign to consolidate all of your arts This is your sign to consolidate all of your arts & crafts into a little cozy hobby cart! ✨💛

My random art supplies have been scattered about in various rooms & closets in my home so I FINALLY got around to organizing them 🎨 

From scrapbooking, to coloring books, painting, and decoupage tools — these cozy crafts are now easily accessible and hopefully will make finding the time for creative hobbies to be a tad bit easier ☺️

Let me know if you’re also in your cozy hobby era! And let me know which hobby you want to make more time for 👇🏼
One of my goals is to make my evening routines scr One of my goals is to make my evening routines screen free and as cozy as possible ✨💫

Last night, that looked like an everything shower, a hydrating face mask in my fluffy new strawberry robe, a hot cup of peppermint tea and watercolors in bed. Literally couldn’t think of a more perfect, relaxing way to unwind 

I finally organized all of my craft items into a little hobby cart that I’ll be sharing with you all tomorrow! And I hope to give you some ideas on how to slow down and make the most of the time you have for yourself because we all deserve a little coziness and self care ✨💫

#romanticizeyourlife #eveningroutine #eveningdiaries #selfcarediaries
My goal is to make my evening routines feel a litt My goal is to make my evening routines feel a little more special this season with lots of self care and cozy hobbies ✨💛 

Last night, that looked like an everything shower, a hydrating face mask in my fluffy new strawberry robe, a hot cup of peppermint tea and watercolors in bed. Literally couldn’t think of a more perfect, relaxing way to unwind 

I finally organized all of my craft items into a little hobby cart that I’ll be sharing with you all tomorrow! And I hope to give you some ideas on how to slow down and make the most of the time you have for yourself because we all deserve a little coziness and self care ✨💫

#romanticizeyourlife #eveningroutine #eveningdiaries #selfcarediaries
I know so many people are already posting about Fa I know so many people are already posting about Fall but am I the only one who is happy we still have a few more weeks of summer? ☀️ 

Since we have some time before we switch to cozy drinks, this #matchamonday is starring one of my absolute favorite combos… an iced mango matcha latte 🥭🍵

The sweet & earthy flavors work sooo well together, not to mention the layers are super pretty! 

Here’s your sign to make one

All you need is: 

✨ 1 tsp ceremonial grade matcha mixed with 1/4 cup hot water 
✨ 1 cup your choice of milk 
✨ 1/2 ripe mango mashed

Whisk the matcha and hot (not boiling) water and set aside. Mash ripe mango and add to glass. Top with ice, milk and matcha! 💛

Let me know if you’ll be making this and if you’re currently hanging onto summer vibes or leaning into early Autumn
For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying For all the women in your 30s — cheers to trying new and old hobbies, connecting to your inner child, fully embracing all the things you love and feeling so much more confident in who you are 💕💫 

#romanticizeyourlife #lifeinyour30s 
#joyfulliving #smalljoys #cozyhobbies
Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your Happy Monday! Here’s a gentle reminder that your morning routine doesn’t have to take long for it to be impactful. Adding little moments of mindfulness can do wonders for your physical and emotional wellbeing and even 5 minutes of self-care can set the tone for the day 🦋💕

Since my mornings are a bit more chaotic now, following my 3 step formula to nourish, move, and practice self care has been SO helpful during this phase of life 💫. And I hope it does the same for you! 

Swipe through for some mindful exercises that take less than 5 minutes and comment WORKSHEET if you’d like to receive my free, printable Mindful Morning worksheet straight to your inbox 

Here’s to making our morning routine feel a little more special, even on those extra busy days ✨

#healthylifestyle #healthyhabits #romanticizeyourlife #happyandhealthylife #joyfulliving #softwellness
What, like it’s hard? 🤪 #momsbelike #nickimi What, like it’s hard? 🤪

#momsbelike #nickiminajchallenge
Just in case you need a new book rec for your fina Just in case you need a new book rec for your final summer vacay plans or trips to the beach, I’m sharing 7 of my favorite summer reads that I think you’re going to love! ☀️💕

Swipe through, save for later and let me know which ones are YOUR favorites orrrr even better, what would you add to this list? 

#girlswhoread #cozyhobbies #romanticizeyourlife #booklovers #selfcaresummer #igbookclub
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