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With summer 2024 right around the corner, one question is plaguing the Cut Style team: What does one wear for daily walks and trips to Trader Joe’s when the weather in New York City becomes unbearably hot? The exercise dress has been good to us for years — it’s breathable, easy to style, and thick-thigh-friendly — but perhaps it’s time to switch things up. As one Cut editor put it in our Slack group chat: “It’s a wrap! We need to let the exercise dress go.”
The answer? A romper. The Aritzia Butter Sway Romper is a fresh take on one-piece activewear that offers all the same benefits as an exercise dress. The under-$80 piece is part of Aritzia’s newly launched Golden line, luxuriously crafted activewear with high-performance fabrics and thoughtful design details. Available in four colorways (light pink, turquoise, brown, and black) and sizes XXS to XL, the Butter Sway Romper has sweat-wicking fabric, a rounded neckline with supportive straps, and flattering shorts that hit the mid-thigh area.
FAQs
Can you actually work out in the Butter Sway Romper?
This is largely dependent on personal preference and body type but, in general, onesies like the Aritzia Butter Sway Romper are best for weight lifting or low-impact workouts like Pilates and yoga. (We recommend wearing a supportive sports bra underneath if you wear it for a workout that involves running or jumping.) Several editors also said this onesie holds up well in heated workout classes thanks to the sweat-wicking material.
How does the Butter Sway Romper fit?
The Butter Sway Romper is formfitting yet comfortable. The majority of our editors said it fits true to size.
How should I style an exercise onesie?
The options are endless! In mild spring weather, we recommend styling the Butter Sway Romper with oversize zip-up jackets, hoodies, and crewneck sweatshirts à la Princess Diana. You can also throw a track jacket over the top if you prefer a more fitted look. In the summer, style the onesie on its own with tall socks and sneakers or add a ballet-inspired bolero shrug if you want more coverage but don’t want to be dripping in sweat.
Here, nine Cut editors with different body types and workout routines put the romper to the test. Keep scrolling to read our in-depth reviews.
Hanna Flanagan, shopping writer and editor
First things first, never in a million years did I ever think I would willingly post a photo of myself wearing a formfitting onesie on the internet. It actually sounds like my worst nightmare. I never buy things like this; I usually prefer compression leggings and loose tanks that allow me to focus on my workouts without worrying about what my body looks like. So imagine my surprise when I slipped this baby on and felt … super-confident? It fits close to the body without clinging to it, and I love the low-back detail. Made from a blend of nylon and elastane that falls somewhere between compression fabric and cotton, this onesie is as soft as the name suggests while also providing a good amount of support. I will probably never wear this on its own out and about or to a workout class (I’m still me, after all!). But I will definitely be wearing it with a zip-up sweatshirt or hoodie over it for every hot-girl walk from here on out — especially since it has sweat-wicking properties.
Bianca Nieves, senior shopping editor
I’m not a onesie girl, but I just might become one. It’s incredibly soft and comfortable. You do need very specific underwear to wear under it because it is incredibly formfitting. I was wearing cotton undies, hence my pose of trying to cover up. Overall, I would recommend it. I wore it around the house and to do errands, but I’m curious to see how it would stand up to my usual Core Power yoga class, because I feel the sweat stains would be a little too visible.
Asia Milia Ware, fashion and beauty writer
I’m obsessed with Aritzia jumpsuits and have been for about a year. I have multiple colors and styles that I love to wear because the material is like a second skin. This one was no different, though at first glance I thought it was going to be way too short. It still is a bit shorter than I’d prefer because I have a lot of thigh; a stallion, I’d say. But the shorts don’t roll over my thighs, which is rare for a jumpsuit like this. I’ll likely wear it alone for workouts or style it with an oversize blazer or button-up if I wear it outside during the summer.
Danielle Cohen, blogger
Straight out of the package, this was, as promised, buttery soft. It’s not quite as flattering as I would like something so formfitting to be, but it’s comfortable as hell, and it held up surprisingly well in a hot yoga class. I expected the fabric to get clingy, but I barely even felt it. The one downside: As is true with many bike shorts, I found the shorts rode up a bit. I washed it on warm and air-dried, and it’s still as soft as when it arrived. Now that New York is in full warm-weather mode, I plan to throw it on under a breezy button-down for a stroll through the park.
Brooke LaMantia, editorial assistant
It fit perfectly. It was so so soft and comfy. I have some of the label’s bike shorts in a 7 and it was a tad shorter than that, but it didn’t ride up at all so I didn’t mind. I would totally buy and wear it under a button-up or T-shirt throughout the summer, especially since I’ve retired most of my exercise dresses. I also wore it for a hot yoga class and it was great for that. It made me feel secure, but it was light enough to not be suffocating.
Chinea Rodriguez, shopping writer
I’ve tried a few different pieces from Aritzia’s activewear line, and so far everything has been soft and comfortable but still supportive and thick without too much compression. This romper is easy to move in and work out in without it riding up or feeling too restrictive. I would recommend trying it on, though; I feel like I could’ve sized down a bit for a tighter fit. The cutout details on the back were lower on me than on the model, so I’d avoid wearing anything high-waisted underneath. Other than that, the buttery soft romper lives up to its name.
Danya Issawi, fashion news writer
I’m going to say what every other editor has said — this bodysuit is sooo soft and surprisingly fits me very well. I wish the shorts were just a tad longer, but this is a great little suit to lounge around in. The back is very open, so if you’re not comfortable with that, this onesie might not be your thing. I thought about exercising in this, but I genuinely don’t think there’s enough support up top for any kind of activity besides maybe Pilates or walking. Absolutely no downward dogs for me in this if I’m trying to remain decent. I think this set will be a summer staple for me when it gets really hot outside and I feel like faux dressing up and not worrying about sweating.
Maridelis Morales Rosado, photo editor
The bodysuit is incredibly soft. I am short, so I was concerned with it being too long for my body, but to my surprise, it fit almost perfectly (with the exception of the straps very occasionally falling to the side). It has no support, so I layer a sports bra underneath when I use it for running. I love the color and feel like it’s flattering, but I wouldn’t wear it outdoors without layering an oversize hoodie or jacket over it.
Emily Leibert, night blogger
Aritzia wasn’t messing around when it named this romper after butter. I’ve been wearing it all around town — to the grocery store, to workouts, to drop off laundry, and to the park. It’s snug without being suffocating and holds you in without completely reshaping your body. I look like me, just slightly more snatched. On the support side of things, I’m working with a large chest, and while I wouldn’t necessarily wear this running or to a hyperintense HIIT workout, I felt held enough to wear the romper without a sports bra for yoga, Pilates, and other more stable workouts. Although I’d classify the onesie as activewear, I found myself reaching for it mostly when I needed a cute and comfortable errands outfit, paired with a sweatshirt and slouchy white socks for a ’90s Princess Diana moment. I want it in every color and would absolutely spend money on it.
