The 10 Best Budget Brands for Super Stylish Fitness Fashion

With big name designers like Tory Burch, Rebecca Minkoff, and Derek Lam dipping their toes into the printed Spandex and Lycra space, it seems that athleisure is now way more than a craze—it's the new designer playing field.

Of course, with high fashion often comes high prices, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on your bralettes and leggings.

To keep you looking good (with a few more dollar bills in your stylish gym tote) we’ve scoped out the top 10 affordable activewear brands on the market. Your 401K will thank you!

GapFit

Best for: workout leggings
Price Range: $40 to $65

They just may become your go-to little black workout legging, if they haven't yet. With a wide range of cuts (from bootleg to slim and straight to capris) and a variety of solid and printed patterns, GapFit’s leggings and workout pants have been a fitness fashionista’s staple for years.

Cory Vines

Best for: tanks and tops
Price range: $28 to $38

Cory Vines has been called the Warby Parker of activewear. By selling direct-to-consumer, they keep prices low and quality high. And don’t worry, they’re not skimping on the performance-enhancing fabrics. Their clothes are moisture-wicking, with antibacterial and anti-odor properties—perfect for the sweatiest spots on your ClassPass. Their simple, go-with-everything tanks keep them in regular laundry rotation.

Old Navy Active

Best for: leggings
Price range: $18 to $30

Old Navy Active might be a budget style maven’s best friend ever. The brand has a following of super passionate fitness fans for its pieces. They hit on everything from yoga and studio classes to running and strength training with Old Navy Active leggings that come in a range of notice-me worthy patterns and prints. Quality varies—sweat shows through on some pants, and tops can pill quickly, if you're making contact with a gym bag. But the best part besides the price? Sizes include regular, petite, plus, and tall. Options!

Forever 21

Best for: tanks and tops
Price range: $8 to $18

Forever 21 is known for its affordable, on-trend fashion. And the same is true of its activewear. You can’t beat the style of their tops, tanks, and bralettes, which riff on more expensive, high-end brands. Take this Muhammad Ali-inspired tee—perfect for running and HIIT. Their fabrics might not be luxe, but maybe that's not a deal-breaker? After all, who doesn't love a high-low mix, even at the gym.

Joe Fresh

Best for: hoodies and jackets
Price range: $34 to $49

This affordable Canadian brand brings its fashion-forward basics approach to activewear. Their hoodies and jackets range from track jackets and pretty cowl-necks to classic tanks (for less than $10!)—great layering pieces for going to and from the studio. And they're a great price for something that spends half its life in your gym locker.

C9 by Champion

Best for: sports bras
Price range: $17 to $23

Target's activewear collection, the C9 by Champion line, is the brass ring of budget activewear. The word is out about the super budget-friendly workout basics like leggings, tanks, and tops. The best buy in our opinion? C9 sports bras. These quick-drying bras are surprisingly comfortable for how little structure they have, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prints. And priced between $17 and $23, you can buy another one if you can't get to laundry this week. (Or is that just us?) And C9 by Champion has a cute athleisure line now, too.

H&M

Best for: leggings
Price range: $25 to $50

When H&M released its activewear line, hearts were aflutter. Stylish workout clothes at budget-friendly prices? Yes, please. And their fast-drying leggings don’t disappoint. The high fashion styles in bright colors and prints are hoard-worthy, not to mention totally functional on the run, at the CrossFit box, or the yoga studio. You just might have to stalk your local store to find a pair in your size. They sell out fast.

Zella

Best for: leggings
Price range: $52 to $68

Zella (Nordstrom's house label) named these Live In Leggings for good reason. You'll want to wear these comfortable, affordable, and flattering pants everywhere, from rowing class to dinner. These perennial best sellers (and a Well+Good reader favorite too!) come in a variety of solids, patterns, and plus sizes, too.

Kiava

Best for: sports bras
Price range: $34 to $38

This Utah-based company has made a business out of cute tanks, capris, and running skirts. But their sports bras with fun design details are a total score. The range of ridiculously stylish pieces includes ones that will hold you up during even high-impact activities. Even better: The bras coordinate with their line of open-back tanks and tops.

Marika

Best for: leggings
Price range: $42 to $50

You can never have too many pairs of leggings. Marika makes flattering styles and knows how to use print for that purpose—there's even a control top version. Leggings also come in basic black, and some people say this fabric feels softer than other budget brands.

So what's the post-workout plan, in your new, cheap-chic wardrobe? A coffee-plus-adaptogen run sounds amazing—and we are obsessed with this superfood smoothie ($20 price tag and all).