Most women own more sporty tops than they realize, and most of those tops only ever see the gym or the sofa. The Gilly Hicks range sits right in that space: baby tees, tanks, sweatshirts, ribbed long sleeves and lounge pieces cut from soft stretch knits. Below are 25 of those tops built into full outfits, bottoms and shoes included, with notes on where the hem should land and what I'd layer when the weather turns. Swap in your own colors. The proportions matter far more than the exact shade.
Stretch Knits Don't Size Like a Regular Tee
Sporty tops are cut close and rely on stretch, so the size you wear in cotton tees isn't always the right one here. I do three quick checks in the fitting room before I'd keep any of them.
- Raise both arms overhead. A fitted top that lifts more than an inch above the waistband will spend the day creeping up.
- Look at the side view in good light. Close knits show every bra band, seam and underwear line, and smoothing layers fix that better than sizing up.
- Pinch the fabric at the bust. If it pulls into horizontal lines, the top is too small, even when the length looks right.
- Sit down. Cropped and baby tee lengths that look fine standing can expose a strip of back once you're seated.
Built-in shelf bras are handy for lounging and light walks, but they rarely give enough support for running. For anything bouncy, wear a proper sports bra underneath and choose the tank size that fits over it.
1. Gilly Hicks Active Baby Tee With Flare Leggings
The baby tee works here because it stops right at the waistband of high-rise flares, so the leg starts where the top ends and you look taller without trying. I like one with a V-neck or a thin sleeve stripe for that slightly retro feel. Black flares are the safe choice, and white platform sneakers with ribbed crew socks keep the hem from dragging on the pavement. Throw a light zip hoodie in your bag for cold classrooms, add small hoops and a sleek ponytail, and you're done. If the tee rides up more than an inch when you lift your arms, size up; a baby tee that keeps creeping is the one you'll stop wearing.
2. Gilly Hicks Seamless Tank With Biker Shorts
A tonal tank and biker short set is the easiest hot-weather outfit I know, cocoa with chocolate being my favorite pairing. Smooth knit tanks cling, though, so check the side view in a mirror before you leave; any bra band or underwear line will show. That's exactly why I throw an oversized white button-down open over the top. It covers the hips, breaks up all that stretch fabric and still looks deliberate. Chunky sneakers, ankle socks and a big canvas tote finish it, with plain gold studs as the only jewelry.
3. Gilly Hicks V-Neck Top With High-Rise Leggings
Matching a long-sleeve V-neck top to leggings in the same color family is the oldest trick for making activewear look planned. The unbroken column of deep green or burgundy reads as one piece. Then white running shoes add contrast at the ground. I wear a belt bag across the body rather than at the waist here, because at the waist it cuts the column in half. On a cool morning a quilted vest and a cap are plenty. Keep the necklace short or skip it; long chains bounce against the zip of a vest and get tangled.
4. Gilly Hicks Quarter-Zip Top With Joggers
Quarter-zips are the top I reach for on travel days, since the zip lets you vent heat without taking anything off. Go roomy in cream or heather gray, but pair it with joggers that taper at the ankle. That narrow point at the bottom is what stops a big top from swallowing you. A fitted tank underneath means you can unzip fully on a warm train. Add retro sneakers, cushioned socks and a small backpack. A quick front tuck works if the hem hangs past mid-hip; leave it out if it's already cropped.
5. Gilly Hicks Waffle Top With Lounge Pants
Waffle knit does a lot of work in a tonal outfit, because the grid pattern catches light and gives plain ivory or dusty rose some depth. I pair a boat-neck or relaxed waffle top with wide-leg lounge pants a shade lighter or darker. Slip-on sneakers take it out to the shop; house slides keep it at home. One honest warning: waffle stretches out at the elbows and hem after a few wears, so wash it cold, dry it flat and don't hang it. If the neckline slides, a smooth tank or bralette underneath solves it.
6. Gilly Hicks Cropped Hoodie With Sweatpants
The trick with a cropped hoodie and sweatpants is that the crop should end at, not above, the waistband. Then the outfit reads like a set even when the pieces don't match exactly. I put a white fitted tank underneath so nothing shows when you reach up for a bag in the overhead bin. Straight-leg sweats give a cleaner line than cuffed ones; the gathered ankle tends to bunch over sneakers and makes legs look shorter. Low-profile sneakers, a canvas cap and a small crossbody are all it needs.
7. Gilly Hicks Ribbed Long-Sleeve Top With Jeans
This is where a ribbed long sleeve stops looking like gym gear. Put it with straight-leg jeans and loafers or leather-look sneakers, and it passes for a casual office day. Rib knit hugs, so a scoop or square neckline gives the face some space without a necklace. Medium wash feels daytime; dark denim dresses it up a notch. I add a slim belt so the waistband has a clean edge. If the top is cropped, high-rise denim is non-negotiable unless you want a strip of skin every time you sit. A trench or cardigan covers cooler days.
8. Gilly Hicks Graphic Tee With Cargo Pants
Cargos are wide and full of pockets, so the tee on top has to be fitted or slightly cropped. Two loose pieces together just looks like you got dressed in the dark. Olive or charcoal cargos let a graphic stand out, and I keep the whole outfit to two or three colors so the print stays the focus. White sneakers, a small shoulder bag and narrow sunglasses are enough. For more coverage, an open denim shirt or a bomber goes over the top without hiding the graphic.
9. Gilly Hicks Oversized Sweatshirt With Biker Shorts
Big sweatshirt, bike shorts: it lives or dies on length. The sweatshirt should reach past the hip, ideally to the top of the thigh, so the shorts peek out below instead of disappearing. Black shorts work under any color. Chunky trainers and visible crew socks give the legs some weight to balance all that fabric up top. In colder weeks I add a fitted long sleeve underneath and switch to leggings. I'd skip this one for anyone who doesn't like showing much leg, because there's no version of it that doesn't.
10. Gilly Hicks Zip-Up Hoodie With Leggings
A full-zip hoodie earns its keep because you can wear it open, closed, tied at the waist or stuffed in a tote. Underneath, I want something supportive: a fitted tank, a baby tee or a proper active top. Same-color layers make the outfit sleek; a contrasting hoodie makes it look more layered on purpose. The proportion rule is simple. Hip-length hoodie goes with slim leggings and slim sneakers, oversized hoodie needs a chunkier shoe. It's my standard flight outfit for exactly that reason.
11. Gilly Hicks Crewneck Tee With Denim Shorts
A crewneck tee with denim shorts is about as basic as summer gets, so the fit carries it. I want the tee fitted through the shoulder, and the shorts relaxed with a slightly longer inseam, so you can sit on a low wall without thinking about it. A bright tee gives the outfit some character; a soft neutral goes with everything else in the suitcase. Canvas sneakers and a woven tote fit the mood. If you'd rather not draw attention to the waist, leave the tee out and choose mid-rise shorts. A shirt tied at the hips handles evening chill.
12. Gilly Hicks Scoop-Neck Tank With Tennis Skort
Tennis skorts are one of the few minis I'd recommend for actual walking, because the built-in shorts stop the wind from deciding things for you. Pair the pleats with a fitted scoop-neck tank in white, navy or forest green, and keep the sneakers low-profile so it reads casual rather than club uniform. A light zip jacket and a visor handle sun. If you add a chain necklace, keep it short; a long one swings into the scoop neckline and drives you mad during any activity.
13. Gilly Hicks Racerback Tank With Running Shorts
Racerback cuts free the shoulder blades, which is why they're my first pick for anything sweaty. Pair a Gilly Hicks racerback tank with lined running shorts that have a wide, flat waistband; thin elastic rolls over the moment you start moving. Check the bra under it, too. A racerback tank over a standard-strap bra shows the straps on both sides, so you need a racerback or crossback bra. Trainers suited to your activity, a cap and a belt bag finish it. Bring a zip hoodie for after, since you'll cool down fast.
14. Gilly Hicks Square-Neck Top With Wide-Leg Pants
A fitted square-neck top with high-rise wide-leg trousers is the most grown-up outfit here. The square neckline frames the collarbones, and the snug bodice balances the volume below so the waist stays visible. Black on beige, white on charcoal, chocolate on cream; all work. Platform sneakers keep it weekend; loafers push it toward the office. I hem wide legs to just brush the shoe, since a puddling hem looks sloppy and frays at the back. A cropped denim jacket keeps the neckline on show.
15. Gilly Hicks Wrap Top With Flare Jeans
Wrap tops are fussy about fit, so check the front in a mirror while you sit, not just standing. If the overlap gapes or pulls, the size is wrong. Once it sits flat, high-rise flares carry the wrap's waist line straight down the leg. Platform sneakers or block-heel ankle boots stop a flare hem from dragging. In cooler months, choose a jacket that ends at the waistband; a long coat hides the one detail that makes this outfit. A solid top is more versatile, but a small print gives it some personality.
16. Gilly Hicks Henley Top With Straight-Leg Jeans
A henley gets more mileage than almost any other knit top, purely because of those three or four buttons. Do them all up for a neater look, open the top one for something softer. I like it body-skimming rather than tight, with medium or dark straight-leg jeans. Full tuck into high-rise denim; a small front tuck if your jeans sit mid-rise, since a full tuck there tends to balloon. Suede-look sneakers and a leather belt finish it. A quilted jacket or a big cardigan carries it from fall into early spring.
17. Gilly Hicks Off-Shoulder Sweatshirt With Leggings
Off-shoulder sweatshirts slide around constantly unless you build them on a decent base. I always wear a fitted tank with wide straps underneath so the neckline has something to rest on and any slipping is covered. Then just high-rise black leggings, retro sneakers and a big tote. Jewelry stays small: short necklaces follow the neckline, long ones fight it. If off-shoulder feels like too much, pull the neck up over both shoulders; the wide opening still drapes nicely as a slouchy boat neck.
18. Gilly Hicks Polo Top With Pleated Skirt
A polo tucked into a pleated skirt is a sporty outfit that still looks neat. The polo either needs to end near the waistband or be tucked smoothly, because a long untucked polo hides the pleats completely. Navy, cream, green and burgundy all look sharp against white pleats. I usually go for a pleated skort, or bike shorts under a regular skirt, for easy movement on a windy day. Classic sneakers, ribbed socks and a crewneck tied over the shoulders round it off.
19. Gilly Hicks Mock-Neck Top With Cargo Pants
The mock neck covers the throat, so the outfit gets its interest from contrast instead: sleek on top, loose cargos below. Choose cargos with a straight or slightly tapered leg and flatter pockets if you want the line kept clean; bellowed pockets add bulk right at the hips. Chunky sneakers give the heavier pants something to sit on. A cropped zip jacket over the top should stop above the waistband so the tucked line still shows. Narrow sunglasses and small hoops are enough.
20. Gilly Hicks Cami Top With Linen Pants
Cami plus linen pants is my default for hot holidays. The fitted cami and the loose, airy pants balance each other, and a high drawstring waist keeps the whole thing anchored. Look for adjustable straps or built-in support so you're not fighting a bra under thin straps all day. Linen wrinkles the minute you sit, and that's part of its charm; a linen blend creases less if that bothers you. Flat sandals for slow days, canvas sneakers for long walks. Pack an oversized cotton shirt for sun and cold restaurants.
21. Gilly Hicks Sleep Tee With Pajama Pants
Pajamas don't need to be a ragged old tee, and a matching set feels more like getting dressed for the evening. Pair a Gilly Hicks sleep tee with soft pajama pants in a similar fabric weight; a thick jersey tee over thin woven pants never sits right. Slightly oversized tees go with straight or tapered pants, fitted tees with wider ones. Check that side seams don't twist after the first wash, because twisted seams pull against you when you sleep. Slides, cozy socks and a light robe keep it warm.
22. Gilly Hicks Cropped Long-Sleeve Top With Mini Skort
Long sleeves and a short hem cancel each other out, which is why this pairing works in between seasons. A cropped Gilly Hicks long-sleeve top in black or a neutral, with a denim, twill or pleated skort, keeps arms warm while legs stay free. Knee socks and loafers take it preppy. Low sneakers keep it casual. I'd pick a top that meets the skort's waistband rather than one that stops well above it; that small gap is what makes most people tug at the hem all day. An oversized denim jacket covers cooler afternoons.
23. Gilly Hicks Muscle Tank With Parachute Pants
Muscle tanks have deep armholes, so the first thing I check is what shows from the side. Wear a sports bra or bandeau in a matching color, and it looks intentional instead of accidental. With roomy parachute pants, tuck the tank in fully. Otherwise the loose top and loose bottoms merge into one shapeless outline. Ankle cords let you choose between a gathered or straight hem. Stone, olive or gray keep things easy. Big sneakers, a nylon crossbody and a cap finish the streetwear look.
24. Gilly Hicks Boat-Neck Top With Yoga Pants
The boat neck takes a comfortable yoga-pants outfit out of gym territory because it shows the collarbones the way a dressier top would. Keep the top fitted and waist-length so the wide neckline and flared legs don't compete. Black pants are the obvious match; brown or navy look softer. Before buying any yoga pants, I do a deep squat in front of a mirror with good light behind you, since thin black knits often go see-through when stretched. If the top slides off a shoulder, a smooth tank underneath fixes it.
25. Gilly Hicks V-Neck Tee With Maxi Skirt
A plain V-neck tee tucked into a maxi skirt is my favorite way to wear a sporty basic somewhere softer. The tuck matters: an elastic high waist holds the tee in place and stops the skirt's volume from starting at your chest. Pull the tee color from the skirt print if there is one. Flat sandals suit warm days, clean sneakers suit long walks. A side slit or soft pleats let you stride without hitching the skirt. A denim jacket and a short pendant are all I'd add.
Washing Sweaty Synthetics So the Smell Doesn't Stay
Most stretch activewear is a polyester or nylon blend with elastane, and synthetics hold onto body odor more than cotton does. A few laundry habits keep these tops fresh and keep the stretch working for longer.
- Wash after every sweaty wear, and don't leave damp tops balled up in a gym bag overnight.
- Turn them inside out and use a cool or warm cycle. Heat breaks down elastane, which is why old leggings go baggy at the knees.
- Skip fabric softener. It coats synthetic fibers, traps odor and blocks the wicking finish.
- Air dry or tumble on low. A hot dryer is the fastest way to lose shape and shine.
- Wash fuzzy sweatshirts and waffle knits separately from leggings, or the lint will cling to them.
Wearing Gym Pieces Away From the Gym
My rule is one obviously athletic piece per outfit. Leggings with a cardigan, loafers and a structured bag look like a choice. Leggings with a racerback tank, running shoes and a belt bag look like you're on your way to a workout, and that's fine if you are.
Matte fabrics also travel further than shiny ones. A brushed or ribbed finish reads as everyday clothing, while high-sheen compression fabric always looks like sportswear. If a top is meant for errands and dinners as well as the gym, choose the softer texture.
The Two Tops I'd Buy First From This Lineup
If I were starting from scratch, I'd buy a fitted ribbed long sleeve and an oversized sweatshirt, because between them they cover most of the outfits above. The rest is proportion: fitted on top when the bottom is wide, roomy on top when the bottom is slim, and a cropped hem only with a waistband high enough to meet it. Look at what you already wear most days, whether that's leggings, jeans or a skirt. Then buy the top that fills the gap, not the one that looks best on the hanger.
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