Activewear Brands to Try This Year

In January, I made the short trip to New York City to check out Active Collective, a trade show featuring activewear and athleisure only. I know, it’s kinda my heaven on earth. And I don’t need to tell you the level of my excitement as I entered the showroom that afternoon. When I returned from New York after the show, I reached out to several of the brands that really stood out for me. Most of them were not on my radar before the show. And over the past few months, I have been putting their gorgeous clothes and fashionable accessories to the test — in hot yoga, at everyday living, on a run, and in a trap bar. I am so excited to show you some of my favorite pieces from lesser known, or newer, brands in this space that you should pay attention to. The clothes are not only technical and comfortable, they are stylish, on trend and will make you feel damn good as you enter that studio, roll out your mat or reach that new PR.

I am head to toe in my new fitness finds: 925Fit sports bra, Strut This leggings and Athle accessories.

One of the first brands I hung out with at the show was Strut This. Strut This is a women owned clothing brand based out of and made in Los Angeles. I am familiar with the brand because one of the best activewear boutiques in the area, Rebel, carries Strut This. At the show, I saw so many fashionable activewear sets from them, featuring onesie styles, bootcut bottoms, lace-up details, mesh shirts, shrugs, rib textures and clothes that take you from the studio to the street in the most swoon worthy way… my favorite kind of clothes! As far as colors go, I saw a bunch of neutrals from Strut This- white and black, blush tones and their best selling hue, Titanium. Shades of blues and greens are also prominently featured in upcoming spring and fall collections from Strut This.

This simple shrug elevates this look so much. And it is just about the coziest thing.

Guys, these leggings are EVERYTHING! I love the rise, the feel, the support and the LACES. The laces are the perfect stylish touch to take a pair of plain black leggings to the next level.

I’m all about the pieces that go over the workout clothes, like this easy-to-wear long sleeve that is currently on sale. This look is what I live in every day.

The fit from this brand is so flattering. I don’t know how they make the most comfortable yet secure fitting activewear.

More gorgeous details of this set.

Strut This sizing follows my usual sizing in activewear. I sized down in the leggings to a size small and wear a size medium in the sports bras and tops. If you want to try Strut This (which I fully support) use code BROOKE20 for 20% of your entire order.

I am thrilled to introduce you to this next brand, RectoVerso. I am actually one of the first in our country to be clothed in these gorgeous pieces that are almost too luxurious to sweat in. But if you do opt to workout in them (which I do recommend), you are covered by what they call the most “perfect sportswear fabric,” that is sweat wicking, squat proof, and shaping. The comfort fitting, high-end and sustainable fabrics are composed of polyamide and Lycra blends, not polyester.

RectoVerso comes to the United States from Belgium. The RectoVerso brand was created in a long standing fabric mill, Liebaert Textiles, in Deinze Belgium. Liebaert Textiles is known all over the world for their premium elastic fibers that are used to make high-end lingerie and fashion. And they can now add the most elegant athleisure collection to that list. This fourth generation family business expanded to include activewear with RectoVerso.

Sure, the mesh detail of this sports bra looks subtly sexy and stylish, but I discovered that it also provides great ventilation for those super sweaty classes.

The fabric of the RectoVerso leggings and sports bras is called “Shaped-Fit” (see below). It is made using a unique knitting machine that creates the most durable, high-end fabric that will withstand numerous sweat sessions and washes and still allow for a perfect fit.

The stunning mesh detail on the pieces from the “Jacquard” line (below) is made on special machines that are unique to RectoVerso. The Jacquard fabric is used for RectoVerso’s most well known tee, which is adorned by the RectoVerso logo in the most fashionable way. This is one of those pieces that I feel almost guilty wearing into a hot yoga studio, but because it's so lightweight, it's actually the perfect tee for hot classes.

I feel cool, in more ways than one, when I wear this.

The super luxurious, silky smooth and stretchy “Spacer” fabric (below) is so unique and, in my opinion, is the fabric of the future. I’ve never felt anything like it. This fabric takes athleisure from sloppy to sophisticated. RectoVerso has reinvented what athleisure can be with these joggers.

I love the modern, sporty vibe of RectoVerso.

While RectoVerso is more expensive than what you may be used to spending on activewear, keep in mind that RectoVerso is “slow fashion” that uses a sustainable process in terms of environmental and social compliance. Since this brand is completely new to the US, if you have any questions regarding US sizing or how to purchase pieces, email your questions to hello@rectoversosports.be. I am wearing the size small in the sports bras and leggings and size medium in the tee and joggers. FYI, my shipment arrived from Belgium in under a week (which was quicker than some of my domestic orders). If you want to set trends and turn heads, I’d give RectoVerso a try. “RectoVerso is truly a way of life, coloured by bold adventure, refined elegance and strong family ties.”

You may already know that Venus Williams has some adorable tennis (or the racquet sport of your choice) clothes. But her named brand, EleVen by Venus Williams now also has activewear. Bold colors, different textures, fun details and stylish sport pieces characterize this brand. And I love how Venus is changing what you can and should wear on the court, and now, in the gym.

This set has me smiling big! My cute paddle from Tangerine matches perfectly.

I was eyeing this collection before Rhianna made cherry red the color of the year.

I love the retro sporty vibes of this look— there is also a crop, a sports bra and a short in this collection.

I’m always drawn to a ribbed legging, but the white trim down the leg and around the ankle is my favorite design detail of these leggings.

I found that EleVen runs big. I originally ordered size mediums but had to exchange them for size small in the skirts and tops. And yes, I have another code for you to use to try out EleVen by Venus Williams. Use code FITNESSFINDS for 20% off your order. “Be an eleven!”

The name 925 Fit encompasses one of my favorite themes on the blog: take your workout clothes to all parts of your life, “from 9 in the morning to 5 at night.” I saw a bunch of very chic workout and everyday pieces from this brand at the show in January, but what really stood out for me was their sports bras. They are eye catching while still being functional. I especially love the back details of their bras.

Life is too short to wear boring fitness accessories. Here are two accessory brands that are taking it up a notch by making fitness accessories just as fashionable as the other types of accessories in your life. And I am here for it!

I love to add weights to all sorts of activities (spinning, yoga, dance cardio, walking) to increase the cardio and burn extra calories. So when I saw the vibrant and metallic colors from Athle at the show, I had to find out more. After all, these are the kind of accessories that get me. And with wearable weights and bands this gorgeous, I will want to wear them in every class!

I have been on the hunt for a good gym bag ever since I made studio hoping my business. And would you believe that up until I met this next brand in January, I was still running into the gym juggling (and often dropping) keys, water, wallet and towel? Vooray makes several styles of gym bags that are all super stylish, perfectly functional, and available at a great price point. The bags include multiple pockets, insulated pouches, ventilated spaces, and special compartments for all of your organizational fitness needs. (clicking on my link when shopping Vooray will give you 10% off your order).

This signature ventilated shoe storage compartment is part of most of the bags from Vooray and what sold me!

I’ll be using the Naomi tote on the court and for travel this spring.

I always say to use the enthusiasm about your new fitness clothes and accessories to motivate you to move! And while having new yoga pants is never required, there are definitely benefits to looking and feeling your best when you exercise.

All of the pictures in this post are linked. So go check out these brands and let me know what you think! Some are affiliate links, and I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. My authenticity promise to you is that I only write about products that I use and love. And that will never change!