Barbiecore Trend: The 9 Best Activewear Brands to Shop the All-Pink Aesthetic
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Lululemon, Alo Yoga, and more think this trend is fantastic
Shape / Alli Waataja
As you may have noticed from celebrities, influencers, and designers, all forms of pink, from pastels to neons, have been having a moment. But activewear, too, is starting to embrace the ultra-girly magic that is Barbiecore.
As the name suggests, Barbiecore is a loud celebration of feminine style and takes outfit inspiration from Y2K, the '80s, ballet, and of course, the doll, itself—we can also thank Margot Robbie in the soon-to-be iconic role. Consequently, the shorts, sports bras, and exercise dresses it's inspired feature fun cutouts, strappy backs, and of course, lots and lots of pink.
Get ready to be pretty in pink — the trend shows no signs of loosening its grip on society any time soon.
Lululemon Track That High-Rise Lined Short 3”
The viral color of summer is a girly pink shade, fittingly called lip gloss, from Lululemon. The ultra vibrant coral is more warm-toned than the typical “It” girl color. And if you love the shade, you’re in luck: Lululemon has it in spades, from their popular Align leggings to an on-trend pleated tennis skirt. “I wore this skirt for a tennis match recently, and I love the movement from the pleats,” adds Kristen Geil, Shape commerce editor. “The shorts never once rode up, and the side pockets were perfectly sized for tennis balls.”
Fill your fitness wardrobe with the happy hue — I already snagged my favorite shorts, Track That High Rise, and I'm eyeing the matching Align tank.
Price at time of publish: $48-$128
Sizes: 0-20 | Shades of pink: 4
Related: The 15 Best Lululemon Leggings of 2023, Tested & Reviewed
Asics Women's Gel-Nimbus 25
This Barbie’s heels are on the ground [cue: group scream about flat feet]. After Sneaker Awards testing this past spring, our entire Shape commerce team became enamored with the Asics Nimbus — three of us wore the shoe while training for a half marathon. And as the saying goes, teamwork makes the hot pink sneakered dream work, or something like that.
The thick Nimbus’ have maxed out cushioning; these babies are beyond cloud-like to bring each step down to Earth with ease. We like to think of it as running with the Barbie-treatment.
Price at time of publish: $160
Sizes: 5-13 | Shades of pink: 1
Alo Yoga Alosoft Courtside Tennis Dress
I’m in my tennis girl era. Taking up a new hobby has been great for my weekend plans but not so kind on my wallet (it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me). Next on my list of ‘fits is this Alo Courtside Dress in paradise pink. The dress features a sweetheart neck and built-in shorts and bra. The fan-favorite AirLift Leggings are also sold in two candy-like shades of pink.
Price at time of publish: $24-$138
Sizes: XXS-L | Shades of pink: 2
Gymshark Elevate Spray Dye Longline Sports Bra
After the brightest of the bright, we’re ready for a baby pink option. Misty Pink from Gymshark gives us just that in a pastel tie dye print. We’re partial to the long line sports bra that’s perfect for hot yoga, brunch, or strolling the Trader Joe’s freezer section — we Barbie girls can do it all. The blushing tone is also available in the Elevate leggings and Rest Day Slides.
Price at time of publish: $26-68
Sizes: XS-XXL | Shades of pink: 5
Sweaty Betty Power 4" Biker Shorts
This Barbie squats more than Ken and she needs a pair of shorts to keep up with her. Don’t let the bold hue fool you, these shorts live up to their Power name. The four inch inseam is great for preventing thigh chafing and the compression fabric really lifts and highlights that booty. Plus, there’s a zippered pocket in the back and slip pocket on the side.
We were most impressed that the hem never rode up and the waistband stays where you want it, even when we tested the 9-inch version on a long, sweaty run. If flowy shorts are more your jam, the hot pink color is sold in the Training Day Shorts as well. Or top off your look with the On the Court Visor.
Price at time of publish: $34-128
Sizes: XXS-XXL | Shades of pink: 1
OFFLINE By Aerie Real Me Crossover Flowy Short
Minus the plastic, this trend is fantastic. And just in time for a hot girl summer, Aerie is back with their bestselling shorts from last season, the Crossover Flowy Shorts in solar pink. Rather than an underwear-shaped liner, these have lightweight biker shorts (with a phone pocket!) that won’t give you a wedgie or panty lines. For the ultimate in feminine style, pair with this floral long line Hold Up! Sports Bra.
Price at time of publish: $38
Sizes: XXS-XXL | Shades of pink: 1
Related: The 10 Best Women’s Workout Shorts, According to Our Editors
Set Luxform Wrap Skirt
TikTok viral brand, Set Active, took the trend in a balletcore direction with wrap skirts and one shoulder tops. But every hardworking girl (being a pilot, mom, doctor, and veterinarian is tough stuff) also deserves a day off and you can snag the azalea pink color in lounge bralettes, sweatshirts, and sweat shorts, too.
Price at time of publish: $38-$154
Sizes: XS-XL | Shades of pink: 1
Year of Ours Court Skort
For the true Barbie pink shade, look no further than Year of Ours. They launched a full collection of hot pink workout wear that’s fit for our favorite doll. The medium support ribbed gym bra is a staple and pairs perfectly with the cross waist Veronica legging. The Court Skort is flirty and fun for summer.
Price at time of publish: $45-128
Sizes: XS-2X | Shades of pink: 2
Related: I Play Tennis Twice a Week, And I’m Completely Obsessed With These Tennis Skirts
How to Style the Barbiecore Trend
One of the biggest trends of the past year is dopamine dressing; essentially dressing in a way that boosts your mood. While any color can be a dopamine color if it makes you smile (yes, even your beloved all-black everything), Barbiecore fits right into the psychology of saturated colors boosting the joy hormone. Here’s how to style the happy hue.
Monochromatic
Pink is one of those colors that looks amazing in monochrome and we know Barbie would approve of this plan. Buy your workout wear in a range of pinks for a mix-and-match wardrobe. Baby pink tops, like the Gymshark longline bra, look great paired with a brighter tone, like the Set Active wrap skirt or Aerie flowy shorts.
For a high-octane look, buy the same shade of one line, like Lululemon’s lip gloss. You’ll really turn heads in the Everlux Asymmetrical Tennis Tank Top with corresponding Track That shorts.
Contrasting Colors
To the color wheel! If we consider art theory, directly across the wheel from pink is green. All pinks have a shade of green that would complement it and the same is true for your wardrobe. To avoid a baby nursery aesthetic, consider mixing intensities — like mint green and hot pink or kelly green and a dusty pink. Try Sweaty Betty’s Seamless Workout Tank in Pomelo Green with the Power Biker Shorts in Hot Pink.
Color-blocking is another trend with staying power and a popular combo is pink and orange. That blend works here too and looks striking when you select shades of matching strengths, for example, neon orange and neon pink or bubblegum pink and tangerine. Year of Ours has the ideal bright pink and orange shades to combine, such as the tangerine Sport Leggings and hot pink Ribbed Gym Bra.
Pair It With Neutrals
If you’re not quite ready to full send on all-pink, all the time, rose tones are the perfect pair for neutrals. They look equally great with black, navy, white, and brown shades. I’m a huge fan of the look of bright pinks and black, like the Athleta Transcend Support Top in Salvia Pink with the Transcend Stash Tights in Black.
Or the reverse: a full outfit of neutrals makes the vibrant color of the Asics Nimbus in Pink Rave really pop — no one can miss you flying by during intervals.
Why Trust Shape
Shannon M. Bauer is a Senior Commerce Editor for Dotdash Meredith's Beauty & Style Group, including Shape and Byrdie. She has seven years of experience writing, editing, and producing beauty, fashion, and wellness content for top print and digital publications. Shannon is in her Barbiecore era and has tried (and loved) the Lululemon Track That Shorts, Asics Nimbus, and Athleta Transcend Support Top in the pink shades.
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