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The Best Luxury Activewear Brands To Have On Your Radar
Ernest Leoty: Best for fashion-forward sportswearSHOP NOW
Starting life not as an activewear brand but as a couture label in 19th century Paris, Ernest Leoty has a rich history of beautiful, feminine designs, which are today well worth investing in if you want to give your gym wardrobe an incredibly stylish update. From sleek and simple bodysuits to colourful co-ords and high-performance leggings that can be worn for many disciplines, Ernest Leoty is a great name to know.
Alo Yoga: Best for flattering fitsSHOP NOW
Alo Yoga is a Los Angeles-based brand that is loved and worn by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner. Originally launched for yoga-wear alone, the company now caters to many more sporting disciplines, including Pilates, running and tennis, and has even launched its own footwear collection. Head here for super flattering sports bras and leggings, as well as the label's trademark branded cap (which has been spotted on every A-lister going).
Lululemon: Best for leggingsSHOP NOW
There is a reason that Lululemon is one of the best-known luxury sportswear brands in the world – the quality and fit of the products speak for themselves. Whether you are a runner, obsessed with barre, play tennis or actually just want some flattering loungewear to wear when you're working from home, there are few places with a better selection on offer than this Canadian label.
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Sweaty Betty: Best for printsSHOP NOW
Another favourite luxury sportswear brand whose pieces are well worth investing in is Sweaty Betty, the UK-based label whose mission is to help make women feel powerful. Known for its colourful prints and high-tech fabrics, as well as great ski gear and fitness accessories, head hear for uplifting gymwear.
Vuori: Best for sports brasSHOP NOW
Another California-based activewear label that really delivers on both style and performance is Vuori – and we particularly love the brand's sports bras and chic sets. Vuori is also consistently investing in the best fabrics, and has recently released its most impressive yet with its BlissBlend collection, made from a soft, stretchy moisture-wicking fabric.
Year Of Ours: Best for high-tech setsSHOP NOW
Los Angeles-based activewear label Year of Ours is a female-led company which focuses on fit, performance and contemporary designs, aiming to equip the modern woman with versatile pieces of clothing that she can wear everywhere. Favouring high-tech fabrics, the leggings, sports bras, onesies and more are all created with sport in mind, but are stylish enough to be worn day to day.
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Sporty & Rich: Best for athleisureSHOP NOW
If you love retro sportswear then you need to check out Sporty & Rich, a fun label which started out life as a moodboard on Instagram, and has since become a favourite with influencers. The collections are made up of logo sweatshirts, T-shirts, biker shorts and sports bras, all of which are great for working out in, but will also make lovely additions to your off-duty wardrobes.
Adanola: Best for everyday essentialsSHOP NOW
Adanola is beloved for its amazing fabrics and incredibly chic sets and one-pieces, which can be worn for working out, but are equally as good for wearing when working from home or lounging around at the weekend. The British brand just collaborated on an edit with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley who discovered the label during lockdown, and described the fabrics as "incredible".
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PE Nation: Best for bright coloursSHOP NOW
More about having fun with your sportswear? Australian label PE Nation brings the most bold and colourful prints and patterns into its collections. From fluro leggings and leopard-print running jackets to retro-inspired high-tech sports bras, jazz up your gymwear here.
The Upside: Best for a vintage lookSHOP NOW
Another great luxury sportswear brand that strives to create collections which look just as good outside as they do inside the gym is The Upside. The Aussie brand has designs specialised for yoga training, running and resistance classes, but puts a stylish spin on everything it creates, from animal prints and tie-dye to great fits.
Girlfriend Collective: Best for size inclusivitySHOP NOW
If sustainability is at the top of your check list when shopping for activewear, then look straight to The Girlfriend Collective, who delivers on stylish, luxury sportswear that is made from recycled plastic waste. And, even better, the brand has is all about inclusive sizing, offering pieces in sizes from XXS to 6XL.
Our Editors Love On — Here Are Our Favorites From The Activewear Brand
In the last few years, it seems as though On is inescapable. No, it isn't occupying a spot among the Mount Rushmore of sportswear brands (the likes of which have been carved out by Adidas and Nike), but it has chiseled a small dent into a space that used to feel impossible to break into. On has created multiple signature tennis shoes with Roger Federer, it has a glossy sponsorship with Zendaya and it's being worn by two of the best tennis players in the world, Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton. The brand's running shoes have also been worn by champion marathon runners like Hellen Obiri, who in 2023 and 2024 won both the Boston and New York marathons. It also made a small capsule collection with the luxury fashion brand Loewe.
It's one thing to see a brand's marketing and athletes everywhere, but if you pay attention, you'll even see On in the streets, worn by everyone including daily commuters, travelers, runners and more. On sneakers were even an NBC Select 2024 Best of Wellness award winner. With its recent surge in popularity, we wanted to highlight some of the On products that NBC Select editors use and love.
SKIP AHEAD Best On products to shopHow we tried On productsWhy trust NBC Select?
On is a Swiss sportswear brand founded in 2010 by former athlete Olivier Bernhard and his two partners David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. They created a new cushioning technology for running shoes called CloudTec, which is why you will often see the Cloud refrain appear in various On shoe models. According to the brand, the technology offers a soft landing that adapts to your running style. The holes you see on the soles of most On shoes are the basis of the CloudTec, which are meant to provide cushioning without feeling clunky. Its core products include running shoes like the Cloudmonster, lightweight travel workout shoes like the Cloud 5 or the walking shoe focused Cloudtilt.
Below, I gathered a list of NBC Select editors' favorite On products. All of the items listed below are highly rated or have been thoroughly tested by our staff. We also included notes about some of the products' minor drawbacks, whether a narrow shoe, low cushioning or a subpar waistband drawstring.
On Cloud X3$100.00
$142.86
On
$104.99
$149.99
Zappos
$173.22
Amazon
What we like
The On Cloud X3 is lightweight and affordable but some testers found that it lacks enough cushioning.Courtesy Jordan Bowman During our testing for the NBC Select 2024 Best of Wellness Awards, I mentioned having a Cinderella moment when lacing up the Cloud X3 for the first time. I enjoyed the wide platform, which added support to the feet, and a star-shaped lace pattern that wraps around the top of the feet and holds them in place. The upper is made with three layers of mesh fabric, which I found breathable and temperature-regulating. It kept my feet dry during rainy days and stayed warm in the cold. One minor drawback of this shoe is the low cushioning and flatter arch support. "While they aren't the most cushioned shoes, these are still comfortable because there is some foam cushioning," says Bianca Alvarez, NBC Select associate reporter.
On Cloudmonster$170.00
On
$170.00
Zappos
What we like
The On Cloudmonster is lightweight and has maximum cushioning.Courtesy Zoe Malin The On Cloudmonster is one of the brand's running shoes meant to provide a noticeable springy bounce, according to the brand. "I currently have eight workout sneakers, but these are still one of the pairs I grab the most despite being one of my oldest ones," says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez. She especially likes to bring them on long trips where long walks are involved, "I've walked over 20,000 steps in these in a day, and my feet don't feel sore afterward," she says. The shoe is also designed with a rocker shape to effortlessly create a natural forward momentum. Rodriguez says she likes the shoes specifically for that reason, "It gives me a push forward that not only pushes me to keep going but slightly reduces my mile time."
On Cloudsurfer$150.00
On
$159.94
Zappos
What we like
The On Cloudsurfer is good for everyday walks and workouts.Courtesy Zoe Malin The On Cloudsurfer is a good mid-cushion running shoe with a more neutral rolling motion than the Cloudmonster's forward rolling motion. It has rubber pads on the outsole for stability and a lightweight woven upper for added breathability. "These are probably my top-worn sneakers overall, but it honestly has to do more with style than anything else," says Rodriguez. She says the sneakers just look cool but also happen to feel incredibly comfortable. "The shoe cushioning gives me so much support, the only reason I wouldn't use these to walk 20,000 steps is because they're a little more narrow and eventually start pressing on my feet after being in them all day," she says.
On Cloud Play$65.00
$92.86
On
$99.99
Zappos
What we like
Something to note
The Cloud Play is a children's shoe with some of the same design elements seen in On's more popular adult models, such as added cushioning for stability and wide grooves on the outsole for help with movement, according to the brand. It also has a velcro fastening system, making it easier for kids to slip on their shoes. Alvarez's younger siblings are also fans of the Cloud Play and have been wearing them for a few months now, and they have been their go-to school shoes.
On Movement BraWhat we like
The On Movement bra is designed for light workouts. It is a favorite among Alvarez and NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin who says, "It's a pretty seamless bra so nothing digs into or chafes my skin and I can easily pull it over my head." Malin also likes the materials which she says are smooth and soft. During her testing, Malin says the bra wasn't super stretchy but it's still flexible and didn't restrict her movement. In Avarez's opinion, the bra could've been a little tighter but it still ended up as one of her favorites after testing numerous sports bras. Both Alvarez and Malin noted how well the Movement bra was at staying dry, "I appreciate the bra's interior mesh lining. I think that helps with moisture-wicking and drying," says Malin.
On Performance Bra$50.00
$71.43
On
$75.00
REI
What we like
Something to note
"This is my go-to sports bra for high-impact workouts like running or strength training because it doesn't budge an inch," says Rodriguez. The On Performance Bra has built-in padding, which is meant to provide support and sweat-wicking, according to the brand. "If I'm running over five miles, I prioritize wearing a super supportive, compressive sports bra that doesn't restrict my movement at all and molds to my body so it doesn't distract me. This one checks all those boxes," says Malin. Rodriguez says the bra feels secure but not overly tight or restrictive during workouts. Both Malin and Rodriguez also praised the bra's durability, which still looks new despite multiple washes and over a year of testing.
On Performance Tights$120.00
On
$98.75
$129.99
Zappos
On's tights have zipped back pockets, an adjustable waistband and moisture-wicking fabric. Malin says she's washed the tights almost three times and they still feel good, which means there's no pilling or shrinking. "These leggings are mostly made from polyester, so they don't have a very stretchy or spandex-y feel. They offer enough compression to give me a medium level of support," says Malin. The legging fabric is a little thick, which Malin says makes sense because they are designed to be worn in colder climates. Despite their thicker fabric, the leggings are comfortable to wear on runs. "The fabric doesn't move around much so I wasn't fidgeting with them or adjusting them a lot," she says. The only drawback to the tights according to Malin was the waistband drawstring. "It's not a tie, but rather a pulley drawstring and it doesn't have a little clasp that you can pull into place to keep the drawstring in the position you want it to," says Malin. "So when you pull on the drawstring to tighten the waistband, nothing stops it from getting looser as you're running."
On has been an NBC Select favorite brand. It recently won our NBC Select Best of Wellness award, and we've tried multiple shoe models and On apparel. Like any other sportswear brand, we've worn these models for multiple weeks and examined how they functioned and how they made us feel. Though On is a newer brand in the sportswear space, its design and style are worth looking into.
I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I rounded up NBC Select editor-favorite products from the On brand and NBC Select Best of Wellness award winners.
Catch up on NBC Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Best Stock To Buy Right Now: Nike Vs. Lululemon
It's been a rough year for Nike (NYSE: NKE) and Lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) investors, with both stocks selling off sharply. Shares of Nike are down about 25% year to date while Lululemon has fared worse, declining by around 50% in 2024.
The two fitness brands have key differences but are pressured by shifting consumer spending dynamics and disappointing results.
That being said, volatility can sometimes present an opportunity for investors to pick up shares in a beaten-down industry leader at an attractive price. Let's explore which stock could be the best to buy.
Two people do yoga at home.
Image source: Getty Images.
The case for NikeNike is globally known for its iconic swoosh logo prominently featured on a wide range of sportswear including shoes, clothing, and accessories. The company is credited for its innovative designs that have crossed over from high-performance athletics into fashion and pop culture.
Unfortunately, that reputation has taken a hit. In fiscal 2024 (for the period ended May 31), Nike reported revenue growth of just 1%, marking a slowdown compared to the 10% increase in 2023. Management cited excess inventories at the wholesale level. This forced retail partners to push back on new orders while also faced limited demand from price-conscious consumers.
The headlines aren't pretty, but it's important to recognize the strong points in Nike's fundamentals. Even with the soft top-line trend, the company has done a good job of maintaining profitability with efforts to control expenses helping margins climb last year. 2024 earnings per share (EPS) of $3.73 increased by 15% on an annual basis.
Management sees the current fiscal 2025 as a transitional year with ongoing sales headwinds. The plan is to focus on areas of growth while staying optimistic in the long-term outlook as inventory levels normalize. Some confidence in the company's ability to execute a turnaround strategy could ultimately reward shareholders as a good reason to turn bullish on Nike stock now.
The case for LululemonThe setup for Lululemon Athletica this year is similar to Nike, as Lululemon faces a reset of expectations against subdued results. The company stands out as a pioneer in athleisure, blending comfortable and fashionable clothing for both workouts and casual settings.
In this case, even as the company posted a 7% sales increase in its most recent second quarter (ended June 30), the growth slowdown has been deeper from the 18% rate in the prior year quarter and an average above 20% over the past five years.
Lululemon continues to find success expanding internationally, driving the bulk of the continued growth, although other metrics paint a more concerning picture. Second-quarter comparable store sales in the Americas declined by 3%, raising some concern that the company's potential in markets like the United States may have peaked or could deteriorate further.
Management believes this bump in the road is temporary, pointing to a still solid forecast for full-year total revenue growth of around 8.5% and record EPS between $13.95 to $14.15, up 10% at the midpoint from 2023.
For investors, the attraction of Lululemon stock today starts with an assumption that its sell-off has gone too far. Despite the macroeconomic challenges, the company remains a growth story with several tailwinds.
Time to make a decisionA backdrop of market pessimism with a lowered bar of expectations means both Nike and Lululemon stock have room to deliver better-than-expected results. I won't be surprised if shares from the two companies are both trading higher by this time next year.
On the other hand, I also think Nike is the better bet between the two right now. I like Nike's more diversified profile and broader product portfolio translating into a greater flexibility to make adjustments that can jump-start growth. This is in contrast to Lululemon, which has built a large and loyal customer following but has relatively specialized offerings.
In terms of valuation, Nike stock currently trades at 22 times its trailing-12-month EPS. While this is above Lululemon's P/E of 20, I believe Nike's premium is justified given its more balanced risk profile and proven history. Buying Nike stock today also offers investors a 1.8% dividend yield whereas Lululemon, a non-dividend payer, could remain more volatile in a scenario where its growth falters.
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Dan Victor has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Lululemon Athletica and Nike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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