16 Best Exercise Dresses of 2023, Tested by Fitness Experts

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Not just for tennis and golf anymore.

While you may be in the routine of always wearing leggings and a sports bra when working out, exercise dresses continue to rise in popularity for being comfortable to wear during more than just a tennis match or golf round. A high-quality exercise dress should keep you covered and supported while also looking stylish. Most exercise dresses feature a built-in bra and bike shorts to keep you fully covered as you bend and move around while exercising. Outside of your sweat seshes, exercise dresses are a summer game-changer, ideal to wear when traveling, lounging in the park or playing fun summer games like mini golf or pickleball.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab is comprised of fashion and activewear experts who not only tested exercise dresses for this story in the Lab, but also love wearing these styles themselves. Exercise dresses are evaluated on factors including washability, moisture-wicking capabilities, comfort, fit and style. Testers wore these exercise dresses while working out, logging over 200 collective hours running, dancing, playing tennis and more.

Note that exercise dresses generally offer minimal support, best suited for lower impact workouts or casual daily wear. For higher-impact activities or if you have a larger cup size, GH pros recommend wearing a more supportive sports bra underneath. Style these dresses for everyday wear by pairing them with fun slip-on sneakers, a light jacket and sunnies, according to GH fashion pros.

The O.G. exercise dress for a reason, this Outdoor Voices pick is a best seller for being super lightweight and easy to wear when working out and not. GH analysts appreciate that this pick features a racerback design with adjustable straps for extra lift and built-in silicone grips on the shorts to help keep them in place. However, the material wasn't as moisture-wicking as other picks.

Tester notes: Raving that it's "the ultimate exercise dress," one tester said "I love the design of the dress — the flared skirt is super flattering, and the thinner straps were comfortable to wear." Another said, "It's lightweight and breathable for especially hot summer days," wearing it at amusement parks too. Because the built-in sports bra offers minimal support, some testers sized down for a more fitted look and added compression.

While many best-selling exercise dresses are around $100, this affordable exercise dress from Aerie is under $40. It's available in five shades with a racerback design, built-in shorts and a padless shelf bra. GH analysts noted that this dress had a softer feel compared to other tested styles. This dress aced moisture management testing, quickly wicking away moisture.

Tester notes: Popular among testers for being "so comfortable" and "easy to run in," this dress received high marks for fit and appearance. One tester said it's "really flattering and comfortable" and another raved that "the fit was lovely, and felt supportive in the body without feeling tight or clingy." Testers noted that this dress is best suited for casual wear and light exercise instead of intense workouts as some found the shorts to roll up a bit.

Some testers found that exercise dresses tend to be too constricting on their hips, but curvy testers raved that this Girlfriend dress fits their hips perfectly without pulling on their stomach. Available up to a size 6XL, this pick offers medium support with the brand's signature compressive fabric. GH analysts appreciate Girlfriend's commitment to sustainability by using recycled materials in this dress.

Tester notes: "It was super flattering because the fabric was thick. It really held everything in," according to one tester. Multiple testers appreciated that the shorts "actually fit [their] thighs," without rolling up. Note that because of the racerback design, it's a bit harder to get this dress on, according to testers.

Start your next vacation with a suitcase full of travel-ready pieces like this mini dress from Abercrombie. One GH analyst raves that this minimal dress is made with moisture-wicking and super lightweight fabric to not weigh you down as you move. It has a looser fit overall without clinging to you or feeling restrictive.

Tester notes: With a "lightweight and airy feel," testers were impressed with how well this dress worked for travel. One tester especially liked that it "didn't cling to [her] stomach like most exercise dresses that are more form fitting." The padless bra did show nipples, according to testers.

With 30 different color options, this top-performing exercise dress from Halara is currently only $35. GH analysts like that the shelf bra has an elastic bottom band for more lift and found it to use moisture-wicking materials. It has a racerback design, but the straps aren't adjustable. This dress is available in a longer version too.

Tester notes: Featuring an "insanely soft and comfy" fabric, testers found it comfortable to wear all day with a supportive top, loving that the side pocket is big enough to fit a phone. The material is on the thinner side, so some testers wish it was more compressive.

Pulling off an exercise dress with built-in shorts to run to the bathroom can be a huge hassle, but this FP Movement pick includes a dress and separate shorts to make bathroom breaks a total breeze. The included bike shorts have upside pockets to easily hold tennis balls during a match. The flared skirt allows ease of movement and the scoop neckline creates a bit of cleavage but isn't well suited to larger cup sizes. Note that this pick is only available in limited sizing.

Tester notes: Loving the compressive feel, testers said "the fabric is pretty thick and really sturdy." One tester especially raved about the "nice A-line look" that's "really flattering." Note that testers found the shorts a bit long, so they peeked out from underneath the skirt at times.

This stylish Alo Yoga dress is great to wear every day with its sweetheart neckline, adjustable straps and built-in shorts. While some exercise dresses feature upside down pockets to hold tennis balls, this pick had upright pockets in the shorts to hold your phone or keys on the move. GH pros were impressed with how quickly the material wicked away moisture in Lab tests.

Tester notes: The thicker fabric provides fuller coverage, but some testers found it a bit "bulky" with an "unflattering front seam." Testers loved its velvety soft feel and the removable pads for more coverage.

Start your next round of golf with a stylish fit that stays put swing after swing. This exercise dress from Athleta has trendy details like a zipper top and a chic collar. With a fuller skirt, this pick has fun pleats in the back. Online reviewers note that the fabric around the neck can bunch up because of the racerback design. GH analysts appreciate this pick's silky, lightweight feel that moves beautifully while having a fuller coverage back.

Wilson is a well-respected tennis brand for a reason, known for designing chic pieces that don't sacrifice performance on the court. This v-neck style flare dress uses compressive materials to keep you supported. The built-in shorts have upside-down pockets designed to hold extra tennis balls as you play. GH analysts love the trendy piping along the neckline for a stylish touch on and off the court. Note that this style is on the shorter side compared to other picks.

Available on Amazon, this exercise dress is from top tested brand Colorfulkoala. Its leggings and sports bras aced Lab testing for looking great after laundering and received rave feedback from testers with many preferring Colorfulkoala workout gear over pricier options. With a padded shelf bra and built-in romper liner, this pick offers light support for low impact workouts, but note that the straps aren't adjustable.

An exercise dress with long sleeves keeps you covered while using the breathable, moisture-wicking workout materials you love to wear. This style from Reformation features preppy details, great to wear on and off the court. GH analysts love Reformation exercise dresses as the compressive material is comfy to wear all day while looking trendy and chic. The fabric is a blend of recycled polyester and spandex for a more sustainable textile.

Athleta's Conscious Crop sports bra is a best-selling style and now the brand launched the Conscious Dress, combining the high neck style of the sports bra with a flare skirt. With no built-in shorts, this is a great option for those who hate having to take off the whole dress when going to the bathroom. Available in tall, petite and plus sizing, this dress features the brand's Powervita fabric (nylon/lycra) that's buttery soft and smooth, ideal for lower impact exercise.

Tester notes: "Despite the lack of padding in the top, I feel secure and covered by this dress," according to one tester. Because of the A-line design and fitted high-neck top, one tester raved that this dress "accentuates my curves without exaggerating them." Testers liked that there were pockets, but noted that they were pretty small.

Alder designs activewear to help women spend more time in nature. This dress impressed GH analysts for having a unique fit compared to other exercise dresses we tested, with a looser look and a side slit. Testers especially appreciated the wider straps and side pockets to hold snacks and essentials when on the trail. There are no built-in shorts or bra for a more versatile fit. Note that because of the more rugged material, this pick was not moisture-wicking in Lab testing and may run hotter.

Tester notes: Especially popular for hikes and walks outsides, testers raved that "it has just enough sturdiness to both allow movement, but also hide underwear lines." Some testers liked the higher neckline while others said it "isn't that flattering."

When running, you want to feel free yet supported. Because most exercise dresses only offer minimal support up top, an exercise skirt is a much better option as you can pair it with your own sports bra and top. The adjustable waist cord helps keep everything in place for a perfect fit. GH analysts appreciate that this pick is available in three lengths and includes a back zippered pocket to hold necessities. Although we haven't tested this style, Lululemon continues to impress GH pros with the brand's smart design and high-quality materials.

Some testers felt that exercise dresses were too form fitting or sporty for their style, but this Spanx one stood out for having a dressier look that's not fitted. Underneath the sheath dress, there's a smoothing bodysuit with shorts for Spanx's popular shapewear effects. There are hidden side pockets in the shorts too. GH pros love that this lightweight dress is easy to style for nighttime wear, ideal for travel. As this dress just launched, we are awaiting tester feedback, but GH analysts were impressed with its chic look out of the package.

An exercise dress that can take you from day to night, this chic dress from Frankly has a ruched neckline with a halter design. Available with two cup size options, this dress can accommodate cup sizes D+. Unlike most exercise dresses with built-in shorts, this dress has a built-in bodysuit with a panty bottom. The snaps on the bodysuit make it easy to go to the bathroom without getting completely undressed. Plus, this pick aced moisture management testing, great to wear for outdoor summer parties.

Tester notes: As testers said it's "a little fun and flirty," this is a simple dress that can easily be dressed up and down. Because this dress is available with different cup sizing, some testers struggled to find their perfect fit, so make sure to look at the size chart closely.

To find the best exercise dress for every occasion, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab put 15 exercise dresses to the test. GH fiber scientists evaluated each dress's construction in Lab, assessing if it had key features like built-in shorts, adjustable straps and a supportive bra. We evaluated moisture management by placing a drop of water on the fabric (on the inner skirt, inner shorts and cups of the bra) and seeing how quickly it spread out.

Wearing these dresses running, dancing, playing tennis and more, testers wore each exercise dress while working out to give feedback on fit, style, comfort, ease of taking on and off, support and more. Testers logged over 200 collective hours exercising in these exercise dresses.

Emma Seymour is a senior textiles product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she has overseen in-Lab and consumer testing for a variety of workout products. As an avid exercise dress fan, she tested dozens of exercise dresses for this story, in the Lab and while exercising. With a degree in fiber science from Cornell University, Emma is a product quality expert, evaluating workout leggings, sports bras and walking sneakers.

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.

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