I'm a Former Ballerina Who Now Does Pilates—I Only Wear These 5 Athletic Brands

For years I was a dancer. And until fashion came along, dance was the first real love of my life. Recitals, dance competitions, The Nutcracker… You name it—I was there. There was even a time when I planned on making a career out of it by joining a dance company or going on tour with an artist. But, alas, I went to fashion school instead, and my dream of being a backup dancer for Rhianna flew out the window just as my dream of dressing her for a red-carpet event came flooding in.

With my dancing days behind me, I've found other ways to stay active. While I still love squeezing in a dance class whenever I can, I've also become consumed with going to Pilates. In fact, I'm officially someone who can't shut up about the workout they're doing.

But breaking a sweat doesn't mean I have to sacrifice my sense of style. Lately, my workout wardrobe has been looking sadder than usual. To remedy that, I turned to Shopbop (one of my favorite retailers) to search for brands that'll up my activewear game. Five brands stood out from the rest, scoring points for both style and quality.

Keep scrolling to see which five activewear brands I'll be wearing on repeat to Pilates.

ALO Yoga

ALO Yoga is my go-to activewear brand. The quality is just so good—dare I say it's unmatched? If you run into me running to a Pilates class, there's a 90% chance I'll be in a set from ALO Yoga.

LoveShackFancy

LoveShackFancy is known for having a pretty-and-pink aesthetic, and the brand's activewear collection is no exception. I'm here for the super-girly vibes, especially now that it's spring. Bring on pastel colors and floral prints.

P.E Nation

While I'm new to P.E Nation, fashion people everywhere can't get enough of it as the brand tends to make pieces in more stylish fabrics like the leopard print set below. I'm excited to give this one a try.

Tory Sport

It doesn't get much more fashion meets fitness than Tory Sport. I mean, even Anna Wintour reaches for a Tory Sport set before walking in Central Park. Naturally, I ordered the exact same set.

Girlfriend Collective

Meet your new favorite workout brand. Girlfriend Collective is the perfect choice when you're looking for something that fits well and is super comfortable. Even if you're only heading out to run errands (and not planning to workout), this brand has you covered.

Next up, The Perfect Outfit Checklist: 7 Trendy Spring Looks That Have It All