People are so obsessed with these $200 leggings from Bandier that they've developed a cult following

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While working out and keeping your body healthy is certainly a serious endeavor, the apparel you wear doesn't have to be serious or boring. If you ever felt like you had to sacrifice your personal style once you changed into your gym clothes, you're in luck because the recent athleisure movement is making it easier than ever to combine style and performance.

The clothes you wear on a daily basis, to work, and to special events make a difference in your self-confidence and behavior, so why should fitness apparel be any exception?

Bandier is one player that is carving out its own spot in the popular athleisure space. Jennifer Bandier, a former music executive who managed girl group TLC, opened the first Bandier store in 2014, and the fashion-forward fitness retailer has only grown throughout the years, attracting countless customers who care about expressing themselves in and out of the gym. Bandier recognizes that when it comes to workout gear, people don't just wear one brand from head to toe. As long as the pieces hold up well to the workout, they don't mind mixing and matching and creating their own looks.

That's why Bandier carries more than 50 designers in its store, a combination of the familiar (Nike, Reebok, Adidas), the up-and-coming (HPE, Varley, Heroine Sport), and the exclusive (Bandier x Ultracor). It's a healthy mix of brands across tops, bottoms, sports bras, shoes, and accessories that will make you want to clean out your entire current workout wardrobe.

Having heard about the fervent popularity of Bandier's offerings, I was excited to put one of its exclusive items, the Ultracor Ultra High Lux Bolt Lightning leggings, to the test. At one point, the star-print version of these leggings had a 1,000-person wait list, so I had high expectations.

I tried the leggings at a jump rope class in Studio B, Bandier's fitness studio that resides above its Fifth Avenue flagship store. If you think Bandier puts a disproportionate emphasis on fashion over fitness, one class at its studio will dismiss all preconceptions.

The high-intensity class had me sweating in no time and my heart rate up during the entirety of the one-hour session. Through all the jump rope intervals, lunges, crunches, and other full-body movements, the Ultracor leggings conformed and stretched seamlessly. I also felt snug and secure thanks to the high-rise waistband. The leggings come with a built-in underwear liner so you could go commando if you want to cut down on additional bulk.

When I'm working out, I want to be fully focused on pushing my body as hard as I can. The last distraction I need is apparel that feels too restrictive or doesn't breathe. Compared to other workout clothes I've tried that did feel like frustrating distractions, these Bandier-exclusive leggings worked as a supplement, not a deterrent to my workout and certainly delivered in performance. I can see them being appropriate for a variety of activities, from running and dancing to lifting and squatting.

After the class, I had no misgivings about continuing to wear the leggings to another event that evening. The material was thick enough to cover my butt and prevent any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions, and the flashy blue lightning bolts lining the legs provided the pop needed to distinguish the leggings from any old ratty pair. You can also complete the look with a matching crop top and bomber jacket.

You might balk at dropping $196 on a pair of leggings, but I can't emphasize enough how comfortable and stretchy these leggings were. You're not only paying for aesthetics; you're also paying for quality fit, feel, and design that will stay with you through the years of workouts to come.

As I browsed the rest of Bandier's site, I found tons of other apparel that both looked great and emphasized performance, which I've highlighted below. If you're looking for stylish workout gear, Bandier is worth checking out.