“I Just Want To Feel Pretty!”

Workout skirts bring a new level of fun to running.

Written by: Rebecca Heaton

Back in 2003, Skirt Sports founder Nicole DeBoom had an epiphany moment on a winter training run. She was running down Main Street in Lyons, Colo., and glanced at her reflection in a store window. She was in men’s clothes and wearing all black. Her first thought? “I just want to feel pretty,” she said to herself.

According to DeBoom, that word stuck in her head, and in 2005 she launched her company Skirt Sports, which offers a line of technical—and pretty—running and workout skirts and tops.

“Skirts are perceived as sexy and not so serious, and that’s crazy,” says DeBoom. “Yeah, they’re sexy, but workout skirts are actually more modest than running shorts, which ride up, or Spandex, which shows everything. If you have a great style with built-in shorties, you’re actually covering up more. Sexy is all about how you feel about yourself.”

Today, Skirt Sports is one of a number of companies, big and small, that offer fun running skirts to keep women runners looking and feeling good when they’re working out. Check out a few of our favorites, along with the photo gallery below.

Skirt Sports GymGirl Ultra

Underneath this skirt are built-in, no-creep shorties made from semi-compression mesh with two hidden pockets to carry gels, a key or a cell phone. Want music? Stash your iPod on the right side just under the waistband and snake your headphone cord through. Available in fun colors and patterns. $60, skirtsports.com (photo below)

Saucony Free Motion Run Skort

The PowerKnit boxer brief in this skort is made of a soft compression fabric that fits just right, with a bit of extra rubber on the inside thighs to keep them in place when you’re really moving. Store a key or cash in the small internal pocket. Comes in basic black or with pink trim. $45, saucony.com (photo below)

Moving Comfort Endurance Skort

This skort is lined with a technical compression boy-short liner with a cute wrap-around skirt to keep it girlie while you run. If you like a more snug fit, tighten up with an easy stretch draw cord. Comes with an internal key pocket and reflective logo, and is available in black or aubergine. $25, movingcomfort.com (photo below)

New Balance Bonita Skirt 3.0

Enjoy your tunes while wearing this compression-short-lined skirt thanks to an inside pocket for a music player and cleverly designed holes in the pocket and on the right rear hip to snake the cord of your headphones through. Reflective stripes help keep you visible after dark.

Available in all black or with pops of blue or pink. $50, newbalance.com (photo below)

Running Skirts

Made of a super-light and wicking fabric, Running Skirts feature a mesh brief underneath and two roomy outside pockets with Velcro closure to stash cash, a snack, iPod, etc. Complement your skirt with fun matching accessories such as tops, headbands or socks.

Available in an array of solids ($48) and fun patterns ($58), runningskirts.com (photo below)