Best luxury activewear brands to kickstart your 2024

October 2024 · 10 minute read

In need of some sartorial motivation? Try these luxury activewear brands for size...

While I can't say for sure that I'll be jumping headfirst into a punishing fitness regime (in fact, nope – count me out), it still stands that a new year lends itself to engaging in a spot of gentle exercise after the indulgence of party season.

Feeling confident in your workout gear is beyond important, what you wear can be instrumental in determining the success levels of your exercise sesh.

Think about it – feeling slightly uncomfortable or self-conscious during a workout is never a vibe, and investing in your activewear is actually a great way of giving yourself some extra motivation.

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How we chose:

Hello! Fashion shares the activewear brands have on your radar for 2024:

Adanola

Instagram-friendly athleisure label Adanola is all about "everybody's everyday uniform". The brand only entered the fashion sphere in 2015, but has managed to tap into the zeitgeist of people wearing activewear out and about for everyday tasks as well as in the gym. The baseball caps and oversized sweatshirts are giving Princess Diana off-duty, and I'm here for it.

This influencer-approved sweatshirt is cut from 100% organic cotton fleece-back fabric - ideal for cosy-casual days. The relaxed shape is super easy to style, and the appliqué varsity lettering has a fun, retro air about it. Style with cycling shorts and Dad trainers for a Princess Diana outfit tribute. 

£54.99 AT ADANOLA 

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Lululemon

Canadian activewear stalwart Lululemon has been around forever (okay, the 90s), and yet it remains the pinnacle of luxury leggings for so many fashion obsessives. The brand's core is rooted in yoga, but it also has some extremely stylish, durable options for runner girlies. 

I love the clean, tapered silhouette of Lululemon's Define jacket, cut from its stretchy, sweat-wicking Nulu fabric. For chilly early morning runs, thumbholes are a must, and this piece even features cuffs with an extra flap that folds over your fingers for added warmth. The jewel in the crown? The elastic in the zip doubles up as an emergency hair tie, so there's really no excuse for getting caught short.

£108.00 AT LULULEMON

Girlfriend Collective

Sustainable label Girlfriend Collective was founded by husband and wife duo Ellie and Quang Dinh in 2016, borne out of Ellie's frustration at not being able to find eco-friendly activewear. The pieces are created from recycled materials, including plastic bottles and fishing nets. 

I'm determined to get into tennis this summer (and cajole my friends into taking it up too). A form of exercise whereby we can still chat? It's essentially the perfect sport. For maximum court chic, Girlfriend Collective's Float Cass skort feels extremely elegant, featuring an elasticated high waist, a side split and a handy slim pocket for your phone.

£55.00 AT M&S 

Live The Process

Barre girlies need to get acquainted with Live The Process. Founded in 2013, the label has a wellness angle to its ethos, promising to support your "continual transformation—on an emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual level". The brand is unrivalled when it comes to chic cut-outs and clean-line cardigans, all with a balletic feel. And don't get me started on the leg warmers. Colour me tempted. 

I've fallen hard for Live The Process' Juno cardigan, and can you blame me? Created from viscose and regenerated cellulose, I adore the pretty bow detailing on this timeless knit. It would look great alongside leggings and ballet flats (or with a champagne-hued silky slip if you're looking to get some extra wear out of it). 

£186.00 AT LIVE THE PROCESS 

Alo

Yoga-centric Alo was founded back in 2007 in Los Angeles by childhood friends Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge with the intention of creating a line that yogis could wear to "elevate" their practice. Celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift catapulted the brand into the street style stratosphere, proving that Alo's pieces aren't to be confined to studio.

I'm a sucker for white contrasting topstitching against black, and this bra by Alo is now at the top of my activewear wish list. The brand has ranked the support level as 'medium' - perfect for less intense workouts and I love the elegance of the low scooped back.

£76.00 AT ALO

J.Lindeberg

Since 1996, J.Lindeberg has worked tirelessly to change the golfing fashion landscape and inject the fairways with a splash of pizzazz, shifting away from stuffiness and convention. The brand has partnered with some of the biggest names in the sport, and represents the height of style for many golfers. 

Cut from TX Jersey, this piece by J.Lindeberg is giving 60s glam, and I can't get enough. The A-line shape is flattering and classic, and I love the drama of the playful geometric print. It features internal shorts for ease of movement and to eliminate any potential wardrobe malfunctions while you perfect your swing. 

£120.00 £72.00 

Vuori

Inspired by California's coastal lifestyle, this label aims to inspire people to "live vibrant, healthy lives". With a focus on performance and innovation, the brand is committed to developing new fabrics, some of which are created from recycled materials.

I always find prints a little bit tricky when it comes to activewear. It's almost as though the bolder the print, the more you're drawing attention to yourself and your skills/energy levels (or lack thereof). Gingham is one of my all-time favourites, and this purple mini skirt by Vuori, cut from its sweat-wicking BreatheInterlock fabric, feels classic and quietly elegant.

£70.00 AT VUORI 

Anine Bing Sport

Fashion insider favourite Anine Bing is perhaps best known for its extremely covetable accessories, but its sportswear selection is second to none. The It-girl must-have? An embroidered-logo baseball cap.

For off-duty cool, add an Anine Bing baseball cap into your accessory repertoire. Created from cotton-twill, its Jeremy style features the brand's logo in embroidery form as the focal point and an adjustable metal fastening at the back.

£‌60.00 AT ANINE BING

Tory Sport

Tory Sport is great if you're into a smart, preppy vibe. Clean graphic lines, minimalist stripes and high-impact chevrons feature across the board. And yet, where prints are concerned, the look is so considered and cool, and each piece is infused with a glamorous, vintage air. The 1920s-esque tennis dresses honestly just hit different - I want one purely so I can feel like an Agatha Christie debutante, if not for any other purpose. 

Inspired by the look that defined 1970s sportswear, this V-neck tennis dress exudes polish and clean-cut elegance. The piece is cut from performance jersey with a silky-soft finish and I adore the dropped waistband.

£255.00 £128.00 AT TORY BURCH 

Lucas Hugh

With a focus on design innovation and perfect fit, Lucas Hugh was the first brand to incorporate the fully-bonded seam- used in Olympic-quality swimwear - into activewear. Cast your mind back to the days of , the brand's founder Anjhe Marcus was even responsible for designing the training outfits. Look no further for quality, performance-driven leggings.

Cut from an Italian polyamide-elastane blend, Lucas Hugh's Stealth leggings are designed to be super soft to the touch. They also feature mesh panels at the lower leg for a breathable feel and a slim zip pocket to house your essentials.

£170.00 AT LUCAS HUGH 

Sefi

Founded by Stef Williams, British activewear brand Sefi was borne out of the belief that "comfort and confidence shouldn't be compromised". It focuses on meticulously tested fabrics and fits to make your workout as seamless as possible.

Made from a moisture-wicking, antibacterial nylon-spandex blend, this salmon pink bra by Sefi features a super flattering halter neckline and removable padding so you can taper the fit to your style of workout.

£46.00 AT SEFI 

Vaara 

Founded by Tatiana Korsakova, London-based label Vaara is the capsule wardrobe devotee's activewear dream. The cuts are minimalist and luxe, and the colour palette is decidedly understated. And I am pleased to report that I am extremely tempted by its regular 'Daywear' section.

Chic windbreaker options are few and far between, but Vaara's ivory polyamide version has caught my eye. I love the ruched sleeves for added flair and it has a distinctly contemporary feel, no 80s colourblocking in sight. It can be packed into the front pouch for on-the-go ease - ideal for out-and-proud Gorpcore girlies.

£285.00 £175.00 AT VAARA 

The Upside

Aussie label The Upside is home to some seriously gorgeous prints, in response to its founder Jodhi Meares' dissatisfaction with "limited, bland" yoga clothing. The prints are lively and luxe, but the brand also excels in mid-priced preppy.

This vintage-inspired cotton sweater by The Upside features a slouchy fit and a stripe-lined high-impact V-neckline. Style yours with a crisp, pleated skirt and cat-eye sunglasses. 

£170.00 AT NET-A-PORTER 

Varley

Founded back in 2015, Varley specialises in pieces that blur the boundaries between everyday pieces and activewear. If your sport of choice involves battling against the elements, you 100% need to check out its extensive outwear, spanning from cosy fleeces to heavy-duty puffer jackets.

As someone who actively avoids the puffer, I've actually surprised myself by taking a shine to Varley's Wynn coat. With a cardigan-like appeal, this piece is crafted from sumptuous sherpa for maximum warmth. I'm really into the fold-over pocket detailing as it feels fresh and a little bit different.

£252.00 AT VARLEY 

Perfect Moment

In my humble opinion holidays are supposed to be hot and languid - the idea of a ski trip sounds hideous. The only factor that could possibly cause me to reconsider? A Perfect Moment après 'fit. Bold, graphic and categorically high impact, a holiday wardrobe packed with its base layers, patterned ski separates and all-in-ones would turn any snowy getaway into an achingly chic affair.

Whittling it down to just one Perfect Moment piece to spotlight was nothing short of agonising. But I've swerved puffer metallics and vibrant houndstooth prints to bring you this navy dream. Featuring the brand's signature fitted, flared silhouette it is constructed from Toray Dermizax technology to keep you comfortable and dry while on the slopes and I love the bold stripe accents.

£790.00 AT PERFECT MOMENT

Adidas by Stella McCartney

Sportswear giant Adidas' partnership with Stella McCartney is brilliant for pieces that have an interesting edge. Plus, for eco-warriors, many of its pieces are made from post-industrial and post-consumer waste - plastic bottles for instance - enabling "the highest impact performance" to coincide perfectly with a minimised environmental impact.

I'm actually on the hunt for some new running shoes at the moment, and this pair from Adidas by Stella McCartney is going to be pretty hard to beat. I love the lilac, neon green and grey colourway and reckon the thick sole cushioning would be lovely and supportive for longer distances. 


£220.00 AT STELLA MCCARTNEY

Why you should trust me: 

Orin Carlin is Hello! Fashion’s SEO Content Writer. Promising to leave no stone unturned in the name of fashion and beauty journalism, she is the proud creator of our ‘Try The Trend’ series. With a particular interest in formula innovation, microtrends, royal and bridal beauty, perfume, rituals, treatments, fashion history and vintage icons, she can either be found interviewing major industry names (previous subjects include Georgia May Jagger, Mary Greenwell and Sam McKnight) or scouring the internet for must-have pieces. It's not just a job; it's a personal quest to unearth noteworthy pieces that resonate with style and beauty enthusiasts.

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