Reformation’s Active Dress Is the Piece You’ll Wear All Summer Long

Golf and tennis players have been wearing dresses for decades. But when Outdoor Voices launched The Exercise Dress a few years ago, it sparked a resurgence of dresses and skorts in activewear, with brands like Girlfriend Collective, Halara, and Nike following suit. Reformation is the latest brand to release its version of an active dress, and it does not disappoint.

The Reformation Bella Ecomove Active Dress ($98) is hands down the cutest workout dress on the market. It features a deep-V neck, racerback, defined waistline, and a skort bottom all made from a thick (yet breathable) and supportive fabric. It’s available in four colors: white, black, mineral (light blue), and navy. Soon-to-come: serenade, a beige-y blush. To give you all of the deets, another Well+Good staffer and I tried it out.

Bella Ecomove Active Dress Es — $98.00

Shop sizes 3X, 2X, and 1X.

Bella Ecomove Active Dress — $98.00

Shop sizes XL, L, M, S, and XS.

“As an exercise dress connoisseur, I would say the Reformation dress is the perfect dress for long walks that maybe end with an Aperol spritz at a bar because it quite simply the perfect look for both,” says Well+Good director of creative development Ella Dove. “Friends were confused when I showed up for a walk wearing the dress—’Why are you dressed so cute, I thought we said workout wear’ is, in fact, a direct quote.”

First things first, the sizing is accurate. Using my measurements and the guide I figured I needed a large and it fits beautifully. Dove says the dress fit true to her Reformation size. “I’m usually a 2 and the small fit perfectly,” she says. The Bella Ecomove Active Dress is available in sizes XS to XL. Sizes 1X to 3X are available in Reformation’s extended size shop under Bella Ecomove Active Dress Es.

Functionally, the dress performs like most other active dresses. Under the dress is an attached pair of shorts in the same color fabric. I love having the shorts underneath to provide a buffer against thigh chafing. However, because the shorts are pretty short, they do ride up easily, which is honestly an issue Dove and I have with all short spandex shorts. If they aren’t nearly to your knee, they’re gonna ride up. “I can’t even blame the dress, ya know,” says Dove.

The deep V-neck makes the dress look less like activewear, but that also means it performs less like activewear. “When it comes to more serious fitness, I would either a) wear something else or b) layer a sports bra under the dress,” says Dove. “When I bent over, my 32Cs popped pretty much right out.” I also had the same issue. But this dress is so pretty I don’t have a single intention of ever wearing it to the gym—the most action this dress is gonna see out of me is long walks. Maybe to play tennis, if I ever actually pick up a racket instead of just talking about it.

Bottom line, the Reformation active dress is everything I need it to be. It’s perfect for dinner in Manhattan, a hike in Los Angeles, and everywhere in between.

Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.