Buzz
I used to think exercise dresses were just a gimmick in Instagram ads, with Halara seemingly leading the charge. But, according to two recent pieces from New York publications, The New York Times and The Cut, they’re actually gaining popularity, particularly in NYC. This has left many wondering: What type of exercise is one even supposed to do while wearing them?
Both articles concluded that exercise dresses are more about the look of being ready to exercise rather than actual physical activity. In other words, they’re athleisure. To put it simply, they serve as a trendier and more acceptable alternative to sweatpants, which you probably didn’t intend to sweat in anyway.
However, exercising in a dress isn't that strange of an idea. Tennis dresses have been around for more than a century, and running skirts had a surge in popularity during the 2010s.
A running dress actually makes a lot of sense: usually, runners opt for thin compressive shorts to avoid chafing, and many running shorts feature a second layer over them. Why not make that second layer a skirt instead of traditional overshorts? I came across runners on forums praising exercise dresses, saying they perform well—provided they fit properly. (Some brands' shorts might ride up or be too tight or loose.)
Exercise dresses often seem designed to be worn without a bra, which can limit how you wear them. If you plan to actually exercise in one, a sports bra underneath is likely necessary. For this reason, runners tend to favor dresses without a built-in shelf bra. On the other hand, casual wearers often wish more dresses had built-in shelf bras or even more supportive options.
Beyond running and tennis, exercise dresses could certainly work for other workouts if you're committed. The skirt is short enough for cycling, and I can picture a swishy dress being enjoyable for a Zumba class. However, if you just think they’re cute and don’t want to structure your workout around them, feel free to rock your trendy fashion sense and wear them without any intention of exercising at all.
