Your Favorite Mall Brands Make Surprisingly Good Activewear

These days, it may feel like we’re living in a new era of the mall renaissance. There is nothing in our culture quite like it anymore. For certain millennials, there may always be a nostalgic longing for those days of wandering the mall on the weekend. It was the collective watering hole before social media existed, after all. For others, the 2010s fashion so heavily associated with the heyday of mall fashion culture is back and feels so very right now—why wouldn’t one want to indulge in a pair of jeans from Abercrombie or a polo from Gap? Or: a pair of leggings, a bra top, or even a half-zip?

It turns out that in 2026, your favorite mall brands are also churning out affordable activewear. In addition to making leggings, bra tops, skorts, and workout-ready pieces for their main lines, traditional mall retailers have started to develop their own specific diffusion lines specifically for athletic pieces. Think: Aerie, GapFit, and FP Movement, alongside options from Abercrombie and Old Navy. The main draw is that you get the trendiness of the mall brands at an affordable price point. So next time you’re looking for the perfect outfit for Pilates, just think back to your favorite brands that once dominated the halls of the mall. Not sure where to start? Shop our favorites below.

This comfy style is the perfect transitional season cozy short for fall workouts.

Another vintage-inspired pair of pants that works seamlessly for all different types of workouts.

The ultimate staple in your athletic wardrobe is this understated black sports bra.

The skort is the ultimate MVP: cuter than a pair of shorts but still functional.

Get the effect of a double-layered look in an instant.

Double down on the doubled-up look with a matching top.

You know (and probably love) bike shorts, so why not try a printed option?

These pants have everything you’d want for a workout: a flared silhouette and flattering shape included.

These lightweight, high-waisted pants are perfect for yoga, Pilates, and beyond.

Come fall, let the half-zip become your go-to for every athleisure look.

---

Why trust ELLE

Every product featured on ELLE.com is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.