
Avoid emulating the posers at left and right, who are more interested in pricey, fussy gear (and lattes) than in working up a sweat. Illustration: Vadym Solowski
Determined to hit the gym more in 2025? From $160 tops to $420 shorts, workout clothes can cost eye-watering sums. Here, no-nonsense advice for men and women.
Shopping for gym clothes can be as boggling as trying to adjust the finicky seat on a static bike. From Rhone to Lululemon, Alo Yoga and Vuori, the premium sportswear market is booming, worth an estimated $107 billion globally in 2024, according to a study by Grand View Research.
Some prices can hurt more than an ill-advised stretch: a long-sleeve, nylon-blend tee from U.S. brand District Vision costs $160, while nylon-blend shorts from France’s Satisfy will set you back $420. But even once you’ve found more-affordable, still-appealing styles, how do you know what won’t fall apart after a few sweat sessions?
As a five-time marathoner and regular on the Pilates mat, I often ask myself such questions. I conduct “market research” (aka gear shopping) as if it’s a hobby—much to the detriment of my bank balance. Still, it can be a worthy expense. Whether you need gear for the squat rack or sprinting on the treadmill, here’s the smart guide to buying workout clothes.
So, what do stylish people wear to the gym?
Men should look for plain, loose, 5-inch shorts, and a tank or loose tee with the sleeves cut off, says Alex Miller, 29, a law student in Minneapolis, Minn., who runs a sub-3-hour marathon. Having your biceps on-show not only “looks cooler,” he said, “but keeps you cooler.” If bare arms make you balk, opt for a body-skimming, short-sleeve tee. Avoid compression shorts—they’re “too tight and revealing” for bench-pressing, said Chris Anguil, 32, a gym junkie and regional sales manager for an environmental firm in Milwaukee, Wis.

Men’s Lululemon Zeroed In Linerless Short, $68

Women’s H&M Biking Shorts in SoftMove, $18
For women, I recommend bike shorts or full leggings instead of loose shorts, which can feel exposing during squats or High Intensity Interval Training. In my experience, Sweaty Betty’s Power shorts (from $74) are less compressive and more comfortable than Lululemon Aligns (from $64). For lower-priced options check out H&M, whose Sport collection is surprisingly durable, and Adanola.
What’s worth paying for?
Women should invest in a good bra. I have a smaller chest, and I like Tracksmith’s $75 Allston bras so much that I own six of them. They wash so well that each one still looks and feels new.
Bandit offers fuller-coverage longline bras, as well as crop tops and tanks, with a handy phone sleeve built into the racerback designs (from $68). Having run an ultramarathon through France with my phone in Bandit’s Cadence performance tank ($78), I can attest to its bounce-free feel. And despite the summer heat, it was a chafe-free experience.

Bandit Running Stamina Scoop Neck Run Bra, $68
For bigger chests, Tracksmith’s Allston Adjustable Bra ($85) fastens with adjustable clips and straps—like a traditional bra—for a customized fit. Also worth considering: Gymshark’s High Support bra ($40), which features molded cups.
What should men splurge on?
Shorts. According to Josh Betteridge, 32, investing in two good pairs is better than buying a ton of cheap ones. A co-founder of London wellness club the Lighthouse, and a physiotherapist to A-list actors, Betteridge reaches for District Vision’s loose training shorts ($175). He reckons the polyester-elastane shorts are smart enough to keep on post-workout. Anguil favors Lululemon’s Zeroed In Linerless Shorts ($68), which boast a streamlined cut and come in several shades and lengths.

Men’s SKIMS Boyfriend T-Shirt $46

Women’s Tracksmith Harrier Tee, $90
What else should I pay attention to?
Focus on fit rather than the size on the label, as brands often have their own sizing systems. Lululemon fits “neater” for men and women, said New York celebrity trainer David Kirsch, so consider sizing up for a more comfortable feel. But don’t go so oversize that the clothes “hide your form” and get in the way, he said. Gary Deagle, a personal trainer and gym owner in Newport News, Va., recommends darker colors: They “won’t show sweat as much.”
Which options use natural fibers?
Look at lightweight merino styles, which have been used in sportswear since the late 1800s. The wool’s naturally sweat-wicking and thermoregulating properties will help you stay cool when hot, and keep you warm after exercising, even if the top is damp. Tracksmith’s Harrier tee ($90 for men and women) is a solid choice. Don’t forget that this wool is odor-free, so “you won’t smell like an old gym bag,” said Kirsch.

Nike Everyday Essential Socks, $22 for Three Pairs
Where can I cut costs?
Miller bulk buys multipacks of Nike’s Dri-FIT socks ($22 for three pairs) in white. Choose socks that “you won’t cry about replacing,” he said.
Anguil doesn’t even buy actual exercise tops. Instead, he crops or cuts the sleeves off cotton tees. “I’m going to sweat a ton no matter what I wear,” he said. Deagle often directs clients to Old Navy and Target’s sports collections, which, he says, are “good enough.”
A hot tip? Anguil is loyal to Lululemon for shorts, but he cuts costs by shopping on the brand’s We Made Too Much discounts page.
The Wall Street Journal is not compensated by retailers listed in its articles as outlets for products. Listed retailers frequently are not the sole retail outlets.
By Grace Cook, WSJ