test drive: fitness wear

The days of grubby gym clothes and 80s style workout wear have evolved. Today's fitness apparel is every bit as cool and fashionable as anything else you might wear. Dozens of brands playing on the trend are in stores and online. But it doesn't mean you've got to spend a ton of money to get the look. After all, it's still stuff you're going to get sweaty in and wash and wearability is going to be important. Lululemon is the category's big brand, with a collection of pants, tanks, jackets and accessories. Fans love the fabric's thick material and cuts, but it's not exactly easy to care for -- line dry is best. So if you're looking for a brand that you can toss in the washer and not think about, you might want to try something like Nike instead. Nike has equally cute options and is a bit more geared towards athletes so you can beat it up a little bit. Lucy is another popular fitnesswear option that's also great. It tends to be cut more conservatively which makes it perfect for certain body types. Zella is Nordstrom's collection and offers some good pieces at very reasonable prices. For budget friendly, Forever 21 has its own collection. The pants can be a bit thin but the tanks and tees are fine. Old Navy is another well priced retailer for fitness clothes, and is among the most durable of all the above listed.