Don’t you just love a good scallop? The darling little detail makes my old-school, 2014-preppy heart sing. There’s something very playful but very timeless about scallops that continue to attract my attention over and over again. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite scalloped athleisure pieces as we get into one of the hottest months of the year. Why sweat when you can look cute and feel cool and comfortable instead?
Athleisure is the perfect way to update scallops for 2023. Sometimes I find adorable scalloped dresses, skirts or shorts. But the materials/cuts often make me feel like I’ve gone back in time and am pulling things out of my closet from freshman year of college. That’s not necessarily a bad thing (because I’d like to argue that scallops are pretty classic and don’t really go out of style). But those pieces don’t really feel like me anymore.
What does feel like me, however, is a sweet little scallop trim on a sleek exercise dress, twirly tennis skirt, or flirty sports bra.
Combining the sweat-wicking materials of today’s workout gear with a fun scallop detail accomplishes a few things. First, it adds a relaxed and casual vibe to scallops. Often the detail is added to more “buttoned up” styles like stiff shift dresses or straight-cut shorts. Marrying it with a flowy exercise skort or stretchy sports bra makes scallops feel a lot more approachable and acceptable for every day.
Second, adding scallops to athleisure also works the opposite way and helps to elevate your workout wardrobe. Using a bit of a “fancier” detail like scallops on leggings or a tennis dress helps those more standard clothes feel special and unique. They instantly look more dressed-up than their plain counterparts. If you’re someone who wears a lot of athleisure in your daily life, adding a scalloped version of your favorite biker shorts could be a fun twist on your usual uniform.
Scalloped athleisure pieces are great options for lunch dates or shopping days out, especially in August. I don’t know about you guys, but it is HOT in Pittsburgh right now. I’m certainly not complaining and am soaking in all the sunshine I can. But, it’s nice to have a few dress options that make me look and feel put-together while still keeping me from sweating my butt off.
And one of those options is this adorable scalloped exercise dress from J. Crew Factory. I snagged this a couple of weeks ago when J. Crew Factory had an additional 70% off their clearance. I bought it in both navy and white for something crazy like $12 each. This dress actually doesn’t have great reviews, but a lot of them were very specific situations that didn’t apply to me. For example, one of the 1-star reviews was that this dress does not have a pocket for tennis balls. Another was for not having a specific built-in bra. And a different one was for looking frumpy (I completely disagree).
I decided to take the chance on ordering them because I have a trip to Florida planned for the end of the month. I thought they would be great options for the even hotter and more humid weather I’ll experience down there. I’m so glad I pulled the trigger! Honestly, I think they’re excellent little athleisure dresses. They’re well-lined, so even though there is no built-in sports bra, there’s a lot of support. I don’t find I need any additional bra with this dress. The cut of the dress is very flattering, and the length is great. I bought a size medium, and I’d say it fits true to size.
And the scallops are perfect!! It takes a second to get them into place because the back has a crisscross detail that also features scallops along the straps. But once you kind of flatten them all out, it looks SO cute. This dress is simple and an instant classic in my wardrobe. I know it’s going to be something I reach for when it’s super muggy outside, and I don’t know what else to wear. For the price, I’m extremely happy with it!
I decided to keep my accessories pretty timeless to match the vibe of the dress. I went with my favorite Veja sneakers, my well-loved Amazon wicker handbag and a matching headband. I’m going to pair this dress in Florida with some Teva sandals and a French braid!
Linking all of my favorite scalloped athleisure pieces in the carousel below!
