The best women's activewear that looks great wherever you go, tested and approved by an avid gym rat

Here To There Longline Bra

If you want super-stretchy, buttery soft, ultra-flattering workout gear, Public Rec is the place to shop.

I actually tested out a complete look from the brand including this Longline Bra, matching leggings, and the All Day Jacket. The bra is one of my favorites I've ever tried, mainly due to the higher neckline, incredible support, and lightweight pads that helped lock everything in place without adding bulk. I wore it for shoulder and chest day and, while I usually have to readjust after chest presses, it stayed perfectly in place and protected me from any embarrassing slips.

The leggings are incredibly comfortable and very high-waisted, so there wasn't much skin showing between the bra and waistband – ideal for days when I'm feeling kind of bloated or self-conscious. Now, the softness of the material is a textile godsend, but they definitely hug your curves! Luckily there's some decent compression without the weird bulges you get with some styles. I love the sizing options too, as they let you choose both an accurate waist size and inseam. You don't find that often with workout clothes.

The All Day Jacket really topped the look off well and tied everything together, and with temperatures dropping rapidly in NYC, I need it. It's a shorter, boxier style with handy pockets that even have a divider inside for amazing organization, and I love how high the neck zips up. It feels like getting a cozy hug and really helped me get warmed up quickly.

Another perk? My husband kept telling me I looked hot! He's my workout buddy and biggest fan but he's always honest when I'm trying out new outfits, and he really took a shine to this one. This ensures I will absolutely be investing in more Public Rec in the future.

One last bonus: Free shipping over $75!

Sportbody The Dress - Onyx

Made from thick but breathable fabric that hugs tightly in all the right places, this Set Active tennis dress is one of the most flattering pieces of workout clothing I've ever had on my body.

I was between sizes and hesitantly went down knowing it was a stretchy item, and it was the right choice! Thought I'm large-chested, the built-in bra provided great lift and support exactly where I needed it. The shorts underneath prevented chafing and offered plenty of coverage, and the criss-crossed straps were flattering and stylish.

I wear this piece to the gym regularly and enjoy the sweat-wicking performance of the fabric, but I also love how great it looks when paired with my platform sneakers and some simple jewelry for running errands – I even wore it to dinner and received several compliments from strangers!

While black is the universally flattering, much-loved version (at least by this New Yorker), there are plenty of other color variants as well. Click through to the Set Active site to find your perfect shade.

Flawless Luxury Bra - Forest

While I chose the black version of this bra-and-legging set, I didn't want to exclude the more colorful dressers reading this from checking out one of my favorite new sportswear brands!

The Livelite Athletica Flawless Luxury Bra is the best example of hot girl gym clothing imaginable. The ultra-flattering four-way stretch is very firm and supportive while offering plenty of room to move, and the keyhole between the bottom band and cups gives just a hint of reverse cleavage that feels super sexy without exposing too much while you're trying to lift or run. Definitely size up if you're going for more coverage, but honestly I enjoy the "extra lifted" look and find myself happier with the mirror results at the end of each workout...what could be better motivation to keep going than that?

Make sure to pair the sports bra with the matching leggings, too, as they're some of the softest I've ever felt. They're high rise and hold in all the bits you might not want on display at the gym, but they're also supremely stretchy and won't make you feel tightly bound. They're also quite flattering on the booty, which is something we all want while squatting, right?

Active Seamless Biker Shorts

Forever 21 is somewhere I tend to think of as a place to browse when I'm looking for decent basics or night-out clothes that I want to be trendy and fun, but surprisingly, their activewear is some of the nicest I've found on a tight budget!

These shorts are thick and sturdy, with an expertly crafted waistband and elasticity level that holds all my jiggly bits in for even the most intense cardio sessions. They're high rise enough to provide good coverage without looking dated or too high, plus the legs stay in place to prevent thigh chafing and riding up. I also appreciate they're on the shorter side, as the bicycle shorts that nearly reach my knees are terribly unflattering on my body type – plus the air on your thighs feels nice while working up a sweat.

My only gripe with these particular shorts is some of the seams have a couple of loose threads that I fear could turn to holes eventually, but at $12.99, they're easy to replace or buy multiples of to prevent over-use and quick wear-and-tear. You can also size up to prevent added stress on the thread, but otherwise they fit true to size.

Knockout High Impact Front-Close Sports Bra

With molded, lightly padded cups and a fabric that feels ultra-smooth and cool to the touch, this sports bra is a joy to wear on days when I know I need extra hold.

Having a large chest means searching high and low for something that really locks you in, and I bought this because the elastic felt strong and the cups held strong without any uncomfortable stiffness. The band fits on the tighter side, so make sure you're measuring your rib cage and ordering the appropriate size to avoid any bulges, but also trust the smoothing material.

Another bonus is the front zipper – anyone who wears a bra knows the intrinsic annoyance of trying to snap a bra clasp behind your back. The zip has a semi-auto locking mechanism to protect you from popping out at inopportune times, thus providing the mental safety net you need to really go hard while jogging, jumping rope, working out on the elliptical, or any other strenuous activity that involves a lot of bouncing. It goes up to cup size DDD (F) and a band size of 40, which could be better but will still help out a fairly broad range of women.

Women's UA Playback Fleece Shorts

While I'm not usually one for sweats, these caught my eye the second I went perusing my local sporting goods store recently. The perfectly autumnal shade was the immediate draw for me, as the resident queen of Halloween and all things fall here at Wishlist.

Upon picking them up, I realized how supple and soft they truly were – ideal for a crisp morning walk to my current weight lifting routine at the gym. The inside is fleece-lined for the ultimate cozy feeling, and the slouchy fit is flattering and cute, more streetwear-minded than your average locker room sweats.

The thick, high-rise waistband has totally enclosed elastic, so you don't have to worry about any pinching. The hoodie has the perfectly sized hood, and if you know anything about sweatshirts, you know it has to be in the ideal Goldilocks zone or it's a bust.

You can easily wear this straight to brunch or errands, too, or just for having a casual day out with friends. The shade might be called copper penny, but to me this is simply the ideal pumpkin spice two-piece I need for almost any occasion.

4 Pairs Compression Socks

I didn't realize how beneficial working out with compression socks could be, but if you have ever experienced excessive swelling or soreness after a rough workout, you need these!

They're basic, cheap, and they keep the blood pumping in your legs while you're on them and moving around. The constriction isn't painful or even mildly uncomfortable, but feels more supportive than a standard knee sock. You'll see the difference post-workout if you're prone to swelling – I was shocked to realize my ankles actually aren't that big after all!

This multi-pack also means you don't have to worry so much about losing a single sock and ruining a whole pair, and at under $4 a pair, they're a total steal.