The best activewear shops in Melbourne

The weather’s warming up and the motivation is kicking in. It's time to refresh your wardrobe with some spring activewear.

Retro New Balance 530 sneakers

Who would have thought that this season's most fashionable footwear would be a running shoe? The ultimate all-rounder, the New Balance 530 is a retro-inspired dad sneaker. The unisex shoe comes with a comfy ABZORB cushioning underfoot and leather and mesh uppers. If you're not a fan of the dad vibe, try the minimalistic 327 or sleek silver RC42. Find New Balance on level one of Melbourne Central.

Grippy Pilates socks

Stick your planks with a pair of grippy socks from Stylerunner at Melbourne Central. The Leelon active socks have a funky wiggle print on the soles, perfect for your reformer or yoga workout. You'll also find a simple half-crew style in black, white or beige. Plus loads of chic activewear staples.

Flared leggings

Show off your favourite sneakers in a pair of flared leggings. The breathable Stax pair come with a zip up the front, making them seriously versatile to style. There's eight fun colours to choose from, including bright red and sage green. For those on the petite side, the Nimble in motion flares are available in a cropped style. Find them and the full-length version at David Jones.

Must-buy black bike shorts

Go from cycling the Yarra trail straight into a casual weekend look with this staple. Invest in high performance shorts to last a lifetime from Cecil Walker Cycles. Or try these heavy-duty cycling shorts from cult-status brand Bontrager, available at Trek Bicycle Galleria. Throw on a vintage oversized tee or jumper post-workout to nail the look.

Street style activewear

Sneakerhead mecca Up There has released its top picks from a bunch of iconic activewear brands. Find the best shoes for all fitness occasions from Hoka, Salomon, Adidas, New Balance and Saucony. Apparel includes more select brands, like District Vision and Koreatown Run Club.

All-day activewear

Move over Skims. If you want to look snatched, turn to Stax at QV Melbourne. We've already raved about the leggings, and the bodysuits with their buttery-soft high-performance fabric are just as good. Just add sneakers and it will take you from the gym to brunch. While you're there, check out the range of skorts and the KIC collab.

Cool caps

For max street-cred, local designer Perks and Mini is your go-to. Head to level three of Curtin House and slip, slop, slap on a cap. Find simple 100 per cent cotton styles with fun logos. Embrace Y2K vibes (and the cool air flow) in a mesh trucker cap. Or get a foldable hat that's easy to stash away when the sun goes down.

Sun safe workout gear

Add extra protection on top of your SPF with UPF materials from Arc’teryx (found in Emporium). The crew neck shirt protects from ultraviolet radiation, and is made from breathable material. Find more in the Taema range. Heading out for a trail run? Stay hydrated hands-free with the Norvan vest. It comes equipped with two lightweight flasks.

Active basics under $50

You'll find zero cringey slogans or fast-fashion trends at ascolour. The range of affordable cotton comes in plain block colours and the occasional stripe (if you dare!). Sub $50 items include racerback tank tops, track shorts and organic tees.