For years, I hated the idea of athleisure because I always just felt like I was wearing workout gear. And since I work out a lot, I just felt sloppy... The post Cute Athleisure Outfits (That are Polished and Comfortable) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

For years, I hated the idea of athleisure because I always just felt like I was wearing workout gear. And since I work out a lot, I just felt sloppy when I attempted “athleisure.” But I’ve learned that athleisure is not the same as workout gear, and now that I’m a mom of two young kids, I actually love athleisure. 

So today, I’m explaining the difference between workout gear and athleisure pieces and how to look polished when you’re dressed down + my favorite athleisure capsule pieces.

What “Athleisure” Really Means and Why It Works for Women Over 40

Athleisure isn’t just workout clothes you wear outside the gym. It’s the sweet spot between being comfortable and looking polished. Think performance fabrics paired with silhouettes that actually look styled. Athleisure for women over 30 and 40 should be the best of both worlds: practical enough for errands or school drop-off, but elevated enough for a coffee date with friends or working from home. It’s more elevated than my favorite loungewear, but can often be just as comfortable. 

The key is intentional styling. When your leggings, sneakers, or pullover look curated instead of “thrown on,” you still feel like a grown-up self and not like a “I didn’t really try this morning” version of yourself.

Athleisure Pieces vs. Workout Gear

The difference comes down to design and styling.

Workout gear is built purely for function – moisture-wicking fabrics and compression fits.

Athleisure pieces, on the other hand, are designed to blend form and function. They typically have elevated silhouettes, tonal color palettes, and higher-end fabrics. Workout gear can definitely function as part of your athleisure outfit, but the key is what pieces you style together – and that’s where the biggest difference is.

Why Quality Fabrics Matter

If you’re investing in athleisure that lasts, fabric is everything. Cheaper blends can fade, pill, or lose shape after a few washes. Look for high-quality materials that breathe, hold their shape, and feel good against your skin because again, you want comfortable athleisure that looks pulled-together.

Brands that focus on premium textiles – like Vuori, Spanx, or Abercrombie’s YPB line – make pieces that drape beautifully and don’t scream “gym clothes.”

Quality fabrics also make styling easier: a thicker legging or structured pullover instantly looks more polished when paired with sneakers or a trench coat.

Tips to Look Cute in Athleisure Outfits

Over the past few years, the main thing I’ve learned about wearing athleisure as a “real” outfit, rather than just wearing my workout clothes for the rest of the day, is how I put my outfit together matters. For example, a white tee and black skirt paired together is technically an athleisure outfit, but it doesn’t feel cute or special. The key is adding fun accessories and layers that add some interest to your outfit.

Here are a few tips:

• Stick to a color palette – Matching tones (like all-neutrals or all-one-color-palette) instantly make your outfit look intentional. Or if you’re wearing a white tee and black skirt, throw a colored layer over your shoulder. More on layers below.
• Add a layer – Since it’s cold outside, but temperatures can still get pretty warm inside with the heat running, I always have a cozy pullover or zip-up sweater as part of my athleisure outfit in the winter. Plus, additional layers make an outfit look more intentional and styled.
• Choose high-quality fabrics – I love me some Amazon (and you’ll see plenty of Amazon finds included below), but I try to find fabrics with thick, matte material and good stretch since they tend to look sleeker and more flattering than shiny or worn-out pieces. My favorite brands for athleisure are Set Active, Left on Friday, and Tuckernuck. 
• Wear clean, stylish sneakers – Shoes make the biggest difference in whether an outfit looks like athleisure or like you just left a gym. A clean, fresh pair of sneakers that coordinates with your outfit will transform the whole look. And don’t sleep on fashion sneakers – certain athleisure outfits look best with athletic sneakers, while others look best with fashion sneakers like Cariuma or Veja (especially white or retro styles), which make a big difference in the overall look. And if your outfit is neutral, a pair of fun colored sneakers can be a great accessory for stylish athleisure outfit ideas! I love to wear light pink sneakers with a neutral athleisure look. (See my favorite white sneakers here and a few trendy, colorful sneakers in this post.)
• Accessorize, but minimally – A sleek ponytail, gold hoops, and crossbody or belt bag can polish off the look without overdoing it. The point is functional and cute, so you don’t need to go overboard with accessories, but a few details will elevate your look from activewear to athleisure.
• Add a hat – It’s amazing how much a hat can pull together an athleisure outfit. But this isn’t your husband’s golf hat or your go-to running hat. The key is a well-fitting hat made of nice fabric, like cotton or wool. Chord makes the very best hats, so if you’re an athleisure junkie, it’s worth investing in.

My Favorite Athleisure Pieces

Now that you have some tips for putting your outfit together, let’s get into my favorite picks.

The Best Athleisure Pieces to Mix & Match

Building an athleisure capsule wardrobe starts with versatile pieces you can mix and match. When your closet is full of high-quality basics, it’s easy to look pulled-together without trying too hard. Here are the essentials I reach for again and again:

Leggings

A great pair of leggings is the foundation of every athleisure outfit. Look for thicker, sculpting fabric that smooths and stays in place. I love high-waisted styles in black, navy, or chocolate brown since they’re and pair well with everything. Even a rich green can look amazing as athleisure. These brown leggings from Left on Friday are buttery soft and a favorite of mine. I will also shout out my favorite Amazon leggings, which I grab more than my Lululemon ones.

I put together a full review of my favorite Amazon leggings and also shared easy outfit ideas for styling leggings, whether you’re heading to the office, running errands, or even going on a date night.

Sweatpants

Relaxed sweatpants feel casual, but the right fit can still look refined. Choose a tapered or cropped leg and a soft, structured fabric. Pair them with a fitted tee and sneakers for errands or with a half-zip sweater. The Lululemon Softstreme High Rise Pants are the perfect athleisure sweatpants (and they are also great for travel).

Here are my favorite Lululemon lookalikes if you love the look, but not the price.

Fitted Tee

A well-cut tee like this one from Nuuds makes even the most casual outfit feel intentional. Opt for one that skims your shape (not too clingy, not boxy) in neutral tones, like white, black, gray, or beige. This body-skimming tee from Abercrombie is a great, affordable option. These layer beautifully under jackets or sweatshirts but look fine on their own if you need to shed a layer. 

Sweaters or Jackets

A cozy layer instantly elevates any athleisure look. Try draping a pullover over your shoulders or adding a cropped puffer or fleece jacket when it’s cold. This is the fleece from Tuckernuck I’m pictured in at the top of this post. So cute and cozy.

Matching Set

Nothing feels more put-together with less effort than a matching set. Whether it’s a legging-and-top combo or a soft jogger set, coordinated pieces make you look styled in seconds. Choose solid colors for timeless appeal. Varley has beautiful, flattering, and elevated matching sets. I got this high-neck sweat top and tapered pant set from Varley last year, and received so many compliments every time I wore it.

One perk to wearing active dresses or sets is that they’re an outfit entirely on their own (if you’re looking for other comfy pieces, I have the best loungewear items in this post)!

Athleisure Dresses

These are the unsung heroes of comfy-chic style. A simple athletic dress works year-round – just layer with a sweater, denim jacket, or long coat in cooler months. And the key is to wear cute sneakers with your dresses.

Sneakers

Sneakers completely change the vibe of your outfit. Clean, white pairs like Veja, Cariuma, or On Cloud feel classic, while retro or pastel tones can add a fun pop. Stick with sleek silhouettes to keep the look elevated.

Here are the best white sneakers you should add to your closet (spoiler – if I could only get one, it would be the Cariuma white leather sneakers, and you can use code TERILYN30 for $30 off.)

Is athleisure still in style?

Sure is. And I don’t see it going anywhere for a WHILE.

My wardrobe is slowly filling up with matching workout sets, lounge pants, and cute pullovers, so I feel like I’ve finally found my groove in terms of my activewear style. And let’s be real: the timing couldn’t be better, considering I have a wild 5-year-old and 2-year-old to chase around.

What’s the difference between athletic wear and athleisure?

In general, athleisure outfits are fashion-forward, pulled together, and can be worn appropriately in public, while athletic wear is worn for workouts. But honestly, I don’t believe in strict “rules” for fashion. There are many pieces in my closet that I could wear for a workout and also wear as a cute outfit. And depending on what kind of workouts you do, you might have a ton of crossover. However, as a runner, there are some things I wear for workouts that I absolutely wouldn’t wear as “street style,” like my running shoes. I find that running shoes aren’t usually very cute (and my running shoes are strictly for runs, which helps them last longer), so I have a pair of cute (non-running) sneakers that I wear with athleisure outfits.

While you could wear the same clothes for workouts that you also wear as athleisure, my personal differentiation, and what helps me feel cute and polished, is NOT wearing the same clothes for workouts that I wear as cute athleisure. I need the mental separation between the two in order to feel like I’m polished in my athleisure. I’ve also found that HOW I wear an outfit dictates if it’s athleisure or workout gear. I always style my hair and put on at least a little makeup so that I feel pulled together for the day.

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