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Between the growth spurts and constant style changes, it’s hard to know what teens are looking for when it comes to stocking up their closets. But as tricky as it is to find the clothing they’ll actually wear, we’re 100% sure every teen is obsessed with athleisure. Now, it’s not just for gym class and working out; kids love to rock leggings and sweatshirts to school and to hang out with friends. Plus, parents love it, too, since the pieces are versatile enough to wear for any occasion. Whether your teen outgrew everything or you need to replace old leggings, we found the best athleisure brands for teens to shop.
Best Athleisure Brands for Teens at a Glance
Best Overall: Lululemon
Best for Basics: American Eagle
Best for Younger Teens: Abercrombie Kids
Most Affordable: JoyLab
Best for Classic Athleisure: Gap
Best Selection: Zella Activewear
Best Splurge: Free People Movement
Best for Leggings: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Best Boutique: Dear Hannah Prep
Best for Buying in Bulk: Old Navy
Best Up & Coming Athleisure Brand: Adanola
When choosing the best athleisure brands for teens, there’s plenty to consider. Teens are obsessed with the fit of their clothes, so make sure the brands you’re shopping from include fabrics and materials that are flattering and, most importantly, comfortable. Speaking of comfort, athleisure is known for being best for wearing every day for any occasion — like school, hanging out on the weekends, and sports practices. And you want to browse brands that are a breeze to shop for and have a beautiful selection. If you’re looking for the best athleisure for teens, head to Lululemon. For more affordable prices, there’s Target and Old Navy. And when you want to splurge, teens love Free People.
Ahead, we found the 11 best athleisure brands for teens — from affordable picks to splurge-worthy wish list items — there’s something for every style and budget.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Lululemon is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
Lululemon
Teens love Lululemon because of its functional and stylish activewear. Even though the prices are pricey, they hold up for years without painting and showing signs of wear. The brand has the most comfortable leggings that work for school, lounging, or athletics. You can also snag shorts, tops, and this new coveted Varsity High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt that just dropped in-store and online!
Lululemon Align Waist-Length Racerback Tank Top
Pair the tennis skirt with a matching tank top for a casual summer outfit. To make it school-friendly, layer in a Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie that’s perfect for spring.
BEST FOR BASICS
American Eagle
Millennial parents will remember how exciting it was to shop at American Eagle, and now teens are also flocking to the store for athleisure picks. The retailer is packed with preppy items, from oversized sweatshirts to boxer shorts and other apparel; there’s something for every style. The kiddos are raving about the AE Big Hug Henley Sweatshirt, which features the softest design with a cool button up front. You can snag it in blue (shown), fresh green, and grey.
AE Boxer Sleep Short
The AE Boxer Sleep Shorts are another addition to your teen’s wardrobe while shopping for staple athletic pieces. The shorts are perfect for sleeping in or hanging out with friends. Plus, it looks great paired with the oversized sweatshirt.
BEST FOR YOUNGER TEENS
Abercrombie Kids
For kiddos who just entered their teenage years, it can be hard to find athleisure wear that actually fits them. That’s why A&F Kids is your best bet. You can find comfortable everyday leggings and shorts that look like they came from more expensive retailers. Not sure what to grab? We recommend the YPB Ruffle Shorts. They include flirty ruffle details, an interior bike short, a side pocket, and an elastic waistband that is not tight around the belly.
Abercrombie Kids Oversized Graphic Logo Tee
Snag the Abercrombie Kids Oversized Graphic Logo Tee to go with the YPB shorts, making it an easy school outfit.
MOST AFFORDABLE
JoyLab
Target has everything, but no really, everything. That means you can also snag the most affordable athleisure for your teens who love working out or heading to a yoga class. JoyLab is one of Taget’s in-house brands that has comfortable and durable leggings that don’t feel too reveille for the big kids. This pair of leggings with the scallop details is a best seller and is flying off the shelves! The pretty waistband gives the minimal leggings and all the details they need.
JoyLab Scallop Detail Sports Bra
JoyLab also has the matching bra in stock for just $22! That means that the entire set costs under $60. The bra is crafted with a soft, stretchy interlock fabric that provides light support. There are also removable padded cups.
BEST FOR CLASSIC ATHLEISURE
Gap
If you haven’t seen Gap on your TikTok “For You Page,” you’re missing out. The reader recently went through a quiet re-brand, and people of all ages are flocking to shop. Teens will beg for Gap’s popular sweatshirt and sweatpants sets in fun, bold colors. Take the VintageSoft Wedge Crewneck Sweatshirt, for example. It comes in bright pink, coral, purple, green, yellow, and more. Thanks to its cotton-blend composition, it feels so soft on the skin and works for any season. We also love the classic crew neck design and banded cuffs.
Gap VintageSoft Baggy Wide-Leg Sweatpants
The sweatpants are made from materials similar to the sweatshirts but feature a relaxed fit with baggy legs. Teens can pair them with Sambas or high-top Nike shoes.
BEST SELECTION
Zella Activewear
If your teens praise Lululemon, they will love Zella Activewear, too. Zella is known for its highly comfy selection of basic workout gear that looks more expensive than its affordable price tag. Parents enjoy the brand being offered at Nordstrom, and they can use their Nordstrom card and points to secure athleisure for their teens. Add the Ultra Soft Scuba High Waist Joggers to your cart. The pants are made from a “scuba fabric that won’t pill or hold onto hair,” per the brand.
Zella 3-Pack Crew Socks
Don’t forget to also stock up on crew socks that they can pair with any outfit — jeans, skirts, leggings, and more! These pairs have a stretchy knit made for breathability, plus plenty of cushioning to keep feet cozy all day.
BEST SPLURGE
Free People Movement
Free People‘s selection is unmatched when it comes to easygoing wear for teens. There’s a ton to shop, but the FP Movement Hot Shot Onesie is probably at the top of their list. It’s a bestseller from the brand, and for a good reason: It boasts a slouchy, relaxed-fitting design with convenient side pockets. It comes in 16 colors.
FP Movement Go To Smooth Square Neck Cami
The onesie needs a tank to go under it, so scoop up this smoothing top.
BEST FOR LEGGINGS
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods uses the best athleisure brands like Nike, Adidas, and more. But if you want to save a few bucks, shop the retailer’s in-house brand, DSG. Teens like the Activate Full Length Leggings, which are perfect for everyday wear!
DSG Momentum Seamless 1/4 Zip
The DSG Momentum Seamless 1/4 Zip is also highly recommended. Made with minimal seams and a crewneck design, this zip-up has nothing to dislike.
BEST BOUTIQUE
Dear Hannah Prep
Dear Hannah Prep is the best destination for preppy teen athleisure. The shop is stocked with comfortable clothing teens can wear to hang out in and crop tops (that aren’t too revealing). Hurry and grab the smiley shorts before they’re gone!
Dear Hannah Prep Green Smiley Raglan
Although those smiley faces don’t match perfectly, kids will love tossing on this comfortable sweatshirt. The best part? They can mix and match it with other bottoms in their closet.
BEST FOR BUYING IN BULK
Old Navy
When your kids outgrow everything, it gets costly to re-stock them on clothes; that’s why Old Navy is best for buying in bulk. The brand always has sales that make it a breeze to fill a bag for a fraction of the cost. The StudioSmooth Crop Top is made with a butter-soft fabric that feels non-existent when you wear it. The light crop fit stops right before the top of the leggings.
Old Navy High-Waisted StudioSmooth 7/8 Leggings
Speaking of teens growing, why spend over $100 on a pair when you can get shoes that are under $40 and feature similar details to others on the market? Snag the High-Waisted StudioSmooth 7/8 Leggings, which are soft and breathable, “with a barely-there feel.”
BEST UP & COMING ATHLEISURE BRAND
Adanola
Although Adanola isn’t a new brand in the athleisure space; it’s gaining traction here in the US thanks to teens eyeing its effortlessly cool girl styles. Adanola was founded in Manchester, England, in 2015 in Manchester by Hyrum Cook, which quickly caught the attention of celebrities like Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley and Kourtney Kardashian. Teens will get so many compliments on this oversized, mock-neck sweatshirt they will want to wear it everywhere — you can also steal it when they’re not wearing it!
Adanola Ultimate Leggings
Can you believe these leggings are only $65? Adanola says that the bottoms are designed using light, four-way stretch fabric. They also feature a front seam, “meaning no camel toes, as well as a higher waistline for extra support and to contour the body,” the brand says.
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