I Tried Simone Biles’s Favorite Activewear

21 hours ago 12

Published on Aug 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM

Photos: Sarah Harper and Kathleen Owens; Photo-Illustration: Rebecca HoskinsPhotos: Sarah Harper and Kathleen Owens; Photo-Illustration: Rebecca Hoskins

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When it comes to athleticwear, I trust Simone Biles over almost anyone. She's an 11-time Olympic medalist, after all. Her standards have to be sky-high (just like her double pike vault), and her clothing has to perform under serious pressure. So the fact that Biles has been an Athleta partner since 2021 and wears the brand constantly (from the red carpet to workouts and everywhere in between), was inspiration enough to put it to the test. To do so, I spent an entire weekend wearing nothing but Athleta, and here's what I learned: the hype is real, and Biles's loyalty to the brand? Completely justified.

While I consider myself fairly active — I love a good sweat session and clock a weekly 5K — I wanted my outfits to serve more than just "fitness girlie." I wasn't sure if Athleta had that kind of range (spoiler: it does), but while browsing, I was genuinely impressed by the variety: mesh shirts, relaxed joggers, stretchy tube tops, matching sets, and sporty windbreakers all caught my eye. With so many options, I decided to primarily focus on the Transcend collection, which features the brand's softest and lightest fabric.

My goal was to push the limits of what I thought athleticwear was capable of and to feel confident wearing it in a variety of settings. Athleta not only delivered, it also filled gaps in my wardrobe I didn't even know existed.

Meetings and Matcha

The Transcend High Rise 7/8 Legging is a certified cult-favorite, so I immediately added two pairs to my cart (one in black and one in truffle brown). The Transcend Open Back Tee is Biles's personal favorite piece from the brand, so I made sure to snatch one of those as well. Together, these two pieces inspired my Friday look. I layered the Terry Crop Crew Sweatshirt for backup because overly aggressive A/C is my kryptonite, then elevated my outfit with ruffle socks, a suede shoulder bag, and gold jewelry.

I spent the morning and afternoon working from the library, taking video calls, and eventually headed to a coffee shop to grab lunch and matcha lattes with a friend. It was a hot day and I walked everywhere (5.1 miles to be exact), so I braced myself for sweat stains and, if we're being honest, some less-than-ideal body odor. But the moisture-wicking properties and airflow of the VitaFree fabric must be magic because I felt as fresh as ever after this long, active day. My clothing didn't smell even a little bit, which is a huge win in my book. Not only that, I also felt stylish and comfortable the entire day — polished enough to take calls with clients and relaxed enough to sit at a desk for an extended period. And when it was time to get up and get moving, I didn't miss a beat.

Dinner and Dancing

On Saturday, I had dinner plans downtown, followed by a late-night concert. While athleticwear sounded ideal in theory (hello, comfort and support), standard gym gear wasn't going to cut it at some of the trendier spots on my list. Enter: Athleta's Apero Mesh Tank. This top was a best-of-both-worlds solution that combined both performance and polish. It gave me the softness and stretch I love in performance wear, but with the sleek, nightlife aesthetic I was ultimately going for. I paired it with the Transcend High Rise 5" Short for full range of motion on the dance floor, then leveled up my look with heels, bangles, and a statement necklace. The result felt cool, elevated, and unexpected.

That night solidified for me that Athleta is more than just a fitness brand. Each piece is extremely fluid and can effortlessly be dressed up or down. I felt comfortable and stylish wearing this look out on the town, but I could just as easily see myself wearing it to a yoga or spin class. I'm already picturing the tank with jeans or joggers for a more casual vibe. What I loved most about this look though was that thanks to the shorts' enhanced LYCRA® fiber and the mesh tank's breathability, I danced all night long without worrying about sweat stains, body odor, or feeling restricted. I was living for this fashion-meets-function moment.

Barre and Brunch

My Sunday called for a fitness look I could continue wearing long after I left the studio. The Transcend Square Neck Crop Sports Bra was perfect for my low-impact barre workout and made me feel just as cute during my post-class brunch as I did on the mat. Once again, the Transcend High Rise 7/8 Legging came through with its versatility and buttery soft feel. Each piece moved with me, offering a second-skin feel so weightless, I almost forgot I was wearing anything at all. To make the look feel more styled and less "fitness focused," I added a few accessories: ruffle socks, a patterned tote, and oval sunglasses. Together, they pulled the outfit together in a way that felt intentional.

After dressing like Simone Biles for a weekend, I'm officially rethinking what performance wear can look (and feel) like. Athleta's modern approach to activewear impressed me — but what stood out just as much was what the brand stands for. Its mission is to empower women and girls to build confidence, strength, and a sense of belonging through movement (aka the POWER OF SHE) — and that's exactly what this clothing did for me. No wonder Biles is such a loyal fan.