I’m a commerce editor who’s tested dozens of activewear brands, and Old Navy’s new StudioSmooth line is giving luxury labels a run for their money
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As a commerce editor and self-proclaimed fitness addict (five Pilates classes, multiple strength training sessions, and a weekly trampoline workout that I’m borderline evangelical about), I’ve cycled through more activewear than most people will see in a lifetime. And let me tell you—I am notoriously picky when it comes to fit, fabric, and longevity. So when Old Navy invited me to test their new StudioSmooth collection ahead of its launch, I was intrigued but skeptical. Could a brand known for its affordability truly compete with my high-end favorites?
The short answer: Yes. A resounding yes.
What Is Old Navy StudioSmooth?
Three years in development, the Old Navy StudioSmooth collection is the brand’s lightest and softest activewear to date. The fabric (a blend of 82% nylon and 18% spandex) delivers that coveted “buttery-soft” feel with light compression that rivals luxury brands while ranging from just $24.99 to $59.99.
Before hitting shelves, each piece underwent rigorous testing for stretch, recovery, washing, and pilling to ensure it stands up to everything from casual hot girl walks to intense studio workouts. “If there is a wear test at Old Navy, everyone wants to be part of it,” Sarah Holme, Old Navy’s Head of Design and Product Development, told me. “We pull in friends, family, experts – we want opinions from everyone! For StudioSmooth, the team hosted a yoga class in our headquarters for all wear test participants led by our senior designer who is a registered yoga instructor.” The result? “The response was amazing – with 100% of participants saying they would buy this collection.”
The initial launch includes ten women’s styles spanning leggings, sports bras, tops, and more.
The Feel: Like Wearing Nothing (in the Best Way)
Let’s talk about this fabric, because it’s genuinely impressive. While my gold standard has always been Lululemon’s Align collection (which I’ve spent an embarrassing amount on over the years), the StudioSmooth fabric delivers that same dreamy, second-skin sensation at a fraction of the price.
When I asked Holme what luxury-level feature she was most proud of delivering at this accessible price point, her answer resonated with my experience: “We are most proud of the sensation and the experience of wearing the collection. These pieces are incredibly comfortable as well as high performing. We always talk about the confidence that comes from wearing something we feel really good in and that’s what StudioSmooth does. That’s what luxury is all about, confidence.”
The 7/8 Leggings, a standout in the collection, feel weightless yet substantial. They have the perfect amount of compression—enough to hold everything in place comfortably without feeling restrictive. In a move that shocked even me, I wore them from my 7 AM Pilates class straight through bedtime—something I never do—and could have happily kept them on longer. That’s how comfortable they are. Holme shares my enthusiasm. When asked which piece has become her personal go-to, she says: “The leggings! They are so soft and comfortable. I’ll put them on for workouts, errands, lounging around the house – they’re honestly perfect for anything.”
I tested both black and a gorgeous robin’s egg blue, which were equally flattering. I typically avoid lighter colors (they tend to reveal every little imperfection), but these passed my exceptionally high standards. The thickness provides enough coverage to be fully squat-proof without being too warm for higher intensity workouts.
The Crop Tank: Support Without Sacrifice
The Light Support StudioSmooth Longline Sports Bra impressed me equally. The higher neckline and extended coverage along the armpit area (goodbye, annoying armpit bulge!) provide security while still looking sleek. With my B-cup chest, I found it offered plenty of support—I even wore it to my weekly trampoline class and felt completely secure through all the bouncing.
What really stood out, though, was the comfort. I’m prone to shoulder pain and tension headaches from restrictive workout tops, but this one is the opposite experience. You genuinely forget you’re wearing it—which is exactly what I want from activewear.
The Care Test: Washing Like a Dream
After multiple wash cycles, both pieces maintained their color, shape, and that buttery-soft feel. No pilling, no fading, no stretching out—just consistent performance wash after wash. (My only gripe is that the inner pads fall out every time.)
The One Small Drawback
If I’m being completely honest (which is literally my job), the seaming in the leggings isn’t quite as sophisticated as what you’d find in premium brands. While Lululemon’s Align leggings feature a thoughtful panel-style inseam, the StudioSmooth leggings use a single seam with a triangle panel, which can sometimes lead to the dreaded camel toe situation.
That said, I didn’t personally experience this issue, and given the dramatic price difference, it’s a minor concession that most people would happily make.
The Bottom Line on Old Navy StudioSmooth
As someone who has worn and reviewed countless activewear brands, I can confidently say that Old Navy’s StudioSmooth collection performs well above its price point. It delivers the comfort, performance, and feel of premium activewear without the premium price tag. In fact, when I paraded my set around at Pilates class, my equally picky classmates were genuinely surprised when I revealed it was from Old Navy—their impressed reactions were all the validation I needed.
Will it replace my beloved Lululemon collection entirely? Probably not—I’m too invested at this point. But will it allow me to expand my activewear rotation without decimating my bank account? Absolutely. And that’s a win in my book.
The Old Navy StudioSmooth collection is available online and in stores, with prices ranging from $24.99 to $59.99. If buttery-soft, comfortable activewear at an accessible price point sounds appealing (and why wouldn’t it?), I’d recommend getting your hands on it fast—because once word gets out about how good these pieces are, I don’t expect them to stay in stock for long.
Shop my favorite Old Navy StudioSmooth pieces which are currently on sale!
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