Hey there, fellow fitness fashion lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always searching for the perfect pair of leggings that make you feel unstoppable at the gym (or let‘s be real – on the couch). But with so many activewear brands out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are worth your hard-earned cash.
That‘s why I‘m excited to share my completely honest, unfiltered review of Ellie – the monthly activewear subscription box that promises to upgrade your workout wardrobe without breaking the bank. Over the past 6 months, I‘ve had the chance to try dozens of pieces from Ellie and really put them to the test. I‘m talking squats, burpees, spin classes, Netflix marathons – the whole nine yards.
In this super in-depth review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about Ellie activewear, including:
- An overview of how the subscription works and what you get
- My thoughts on the quality, fit, and performance of their leggings, sports bras, and more
- How Ellie compares to other popular activewear brands like Fabletics and Lululemon
- What real customers are saying about their experience
- Tips for making the most of your subscription and saving money
- My honest opinion on whether Ellie is worth trying for yourself
I‘ll also be sharing tons of pics and even some video footage of me wearing Ellie so you can see how the pieces look and move in real life. By the end of this review, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide whether Ellie deserves a spot in your activewear collection. So grab a snack, get comfy, and let‘s dive in!
What is Ellie and How Does It Work?
First things first – what the heck is Ellie? In a nutshell, it‘s a monthly subscription service that sends you a personalized selection of workout clothes based on your size, style, and preferences. Each "box" includes 2-5 pieces of high-quality activewear, which can be a mix of leggings, sports bras, tops, jackets, and even accessories.
The key thing that sets Ellie apart from other activewear boxes is the level of customization. When you sign up, you take a fun style quiz that asks about your favorite activities, colors, fits, and more. Then each month, Ellie‘s team of stylists will hand-pick items just for you based on your quiz answers.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of the subscription options:
| Plan | What You Get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Item | 1 top + 1 bottom | $39.95/month |
| 3-Item | 1 top, 1 sports bra, 1 bottom | $44.95/month |
| 5-Item | 3 apparel pieces + 2 accessories | $49.95/month |
The 3-item plan is by far the most popular, but I love that there‘s flexibility to choose what works for your budget and lifestyle. You can also easily skip a month or cancel anytime right from your account page.
One of the coolest parts of Ellie is the option to preview your box before it ships and swap out items if something doesn‘t vibe with your style. You just log in, check out the pieces they‘ve picked for you, and if you want to change anything, you have a window of a few days to do it. It‘s like having a personal stylist, but without the awkward small talk!
My Experience with Ellie Activewear: Quality, Fit, and Performance
Okay, now for the juicy stuff – what is Ellie activewear actually like? I‘ll admit I was a bit skeptical about the quality at first, given the super affordable price point. But after 6 months of regularly wearing Ellie gear to workout (and lounge), I can confidently say that it holds up.
The Leggings
I have to start with the leggings because they are hands-down the stars of the show. I‘ve tried a bunch of different Ellie leggings, from basic black to fun prints, and I‘m consistently impressed by the fit and feel.
The material is buttery soft and smooth, with just the right amount of compression to make you feel supported without suffocating you. They‘re also totally squat-proof and non-see through, which is a must for me. I love that they come in different inseam lengths too, so shorties like me can get that perfect 7/8 fit.
My all-time fave is the PowerHold leggings, which have this magical high-waisted fit that seriously sucks you in and lifts the booty. They‘re my go-to for high-impact workouts because they STAY PUT, no matter how much I jump around.
The Sports Bras
As a busty gal, I‘m always nervous to try new sports bra brands because support and coverage is key. But Ellie has actually delivered some of my favorite sports bras to date.
Their Warrior bra is my top pick for intense workouts like HIIT and running. It has molded cups and a super supportive band that keeps the girls locked and loaded, but still has a cute strappy back design that looks great under tanks.
For lower-impact days, I love their Chic bralettes, which are unbelievably comfy and give a smooth, natural shape under clothes. Plus, they come in the cutest colors and prints to mix and match with leggings.
The Tops and Jackets
Ellie has a great selection of tops to complete your workout ‘fits, from basic tanks to trendy cropped hoodies and even moto jackets. I have one of their Intuition tanks in pretty much every color because it‘s insanely soft and has a flowy fit that‘s so flattering.
The Divine jacket is another MVP in my book – it‘s the perfect lightweight layer for outdoor runs or just throwing on over a sports bra to and from the gym. It‘s got zip pockets to stash your stuff and comes in a bunch of fun colors.
The Accessories
Every 5-item Ellie box comes with 2 accessories, which can be anything from gym bags to headbands to booty bands. I don‘t always love the accessories as much as the apparel, but I have gotten some great finds.
My favorite is definitely the Endeavor backpack, which has a separate shoe compartment and tons of pockets to organize all your workout gear. I also like their headbands because they‘re super grippy and actually stay on my head – a rare feat for my slippery straight hair!
How Ellie Compares to Other Activewear Brands
Now I know you‘re probably wondering – how does Ellie stack up against the big dogs of activewear? I‘ve tried my fair share of brands over the years, from Lululemon to Nike to smaller startups, so I feel like I can give a pretty good comparison.
Ellie vs. Fabletics
Fabletics is probably Ellie‘s closest competitor in terms of the subscription model and price point. Both brands offer a VIP membership with monthly credits that you can use to shop new releases.
I‘ve tried both and honestly, I slightly prefer Ellie for a few reasons:
- Ellie has more options to customize your subscription, with the 2, 3, and 5-item boxes. With Fabletics, you‘re locked into the $49.95 VIP membership unless you want to pay full price.
- I find Ellie‘s quality to be a bit more consistent across the board. With Fabletics, some pieces are great, but others have been hit or miss in terms of sheerness and pilling.
- Ellie releases new, limited-edition collections every single month, so there‘s always something fresh. Fabletics has more of a core line with seasonal drops.
That said, Fabletics does have some advantages – namely a bigger variety of styles (they have way more bras and tops to choose from) and the option to shop in-person at their retail stores.
Ellie vs. Lululemon
I mean, is it even fair to compare Ellie to the GOAT of activewear? Lululemon is definitely in a league of its own when it comes to quality and prestige, but you‘re also paying a premium for that little silver logo.
I will say that my Lululemon leggings have held up amazingly well over years of intense wear – the seams are still intact, the fabric looks new, and they fit like a glove. But I‘ve also had some Ellie leggings for close to a year now and they‘re holding up almost as well for literally a third of the price.
If you‘re someone who lives in activewear and needs the absolute best quality, Lululemon is still probably worth the splurge. But if you like variety and trying new trends without spending a ton, Ellie is a great alternative that doesn‘t sacrifice performance.
What Other Customers Are Saying
You know I had to do my research and see what other Ellie customers are saying about their experience! I scoured reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and blogs to get a sense of the overall consensus.
The vast majority of reviews are super positive, with customers raving about the excellent quality for the price, cute and unique styles, and the fun of getting a surprise activewear "gift" each month. Many say that Ellie has helped them build a workout wardrobe they love without the hassle of shopping.
Some common themes in the positive reviews:
- "I‘m always so impressed with the quality of the pieces, especially for the price point. Everything is so soft, comfortable, and lasts wash after wash." – Kelly G.
- "I love the excitement of getting my Ellie box each month and seeing what new outfit combinations I can make. It definitely motivates me to work out more!" – Lauren T.
- "Ellie has hands down the best customer service. They‘re super responsive on social media and email, and always make things right if there are any issues." – Jenna K.
There are a few negative reviews, but most seem to stem from misunderstandings about the subscription process or issues with fit/sizing. Some customers mention that the size chart can be a bit inconsistent across styles. Others have had trouble with returns or cancelling their subscription.
To me, these seem like pretty isolated incidents and not reflective of the overall Ellie experience. No brand is perfect, but Ellie does a great job of addressing customer feedback and constantly improving.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Ellie Subscription
If you do decide to give Ellie a try (which I highly recommend!), here are my top tips for getting the most bang for your buck:
-
Be super thorough with the style quiz. The more specific you are about your size, style, and fit preferences, the better your chances of loving what you get in your box. Don‘t be afraid to give feedback and update your quiz answers as you figure out what works for you.
-
Take advantage of the preview window. I always check out my box as soon as I get the email notification so I can see what they‘ve picked for me. If something isn‘t quite right, I‘ll swap it out for a different size, color, or style. It‘s like a fun little game of activewear Tetris!
-
Don‘t be afraid to mix and match. One of the best parts of Ellie is building a collection of pieces that all work together. I love pairing a new sports bra with older leggings or layering a tank under a jacket from a previous month. Get creative and have fun with it!
-
Watch for sales and promos. Ellie is always running some kind of deal, whether it‘s a percent off your first box or free gifts with purchase. Definitely Google for promo codes before signing up, and keep an eye on your email for exclusive subscriber discounts.
-
Connect with the Ellie community. Following Ellie on Instagram is a great way to get styling inspo, sneak peeks of new releases, and even win giveaways. There‘s also a super active Facebook group where members share fit pics and chat all things activewear. It‘s a fun way to get hyped up and feel part of the "girl gang"!
Final Verdict: Is Ellie Worth It?
Whew, that was a lot of info – thanks for sticking with me! After 6 months of wearing Ellie activewear nonstop, I can honestly say that it has become one of my favorite brands for both performance and style. The quality is seriously impressive for the price point, and I love the excitement of getting new pieces to play with each month.
That said, Ellie isn‘t necessarily for everyone. If you‘re someone who prefers a more minimalist workout wardrobe or needs a very specific fit, you might be better off investing in a few key pieces from a brand like Lululemon. And if you have a hard time committing to a monthly subscription, the idea of an activewear box might stress you out.
But if you love constantly mixing up your workout looks, trying new trends, and experimenting with styles you might not pick for yourself, I can‘t recommend Ellie enough. It‘s like having a fairy activewear godmother who just gets you and your ever-evolving style.
For me, the pros of Ellie far outweigh any cons:
- High-quality, high-performance activewear at an affordable price point
- Personalized styling based on your size and preferences
- Constant newness and excitement with monthly drops and limited edition collections
- Flexibility to customize or skip any month
- Free shipping and easy exchanges/returns
- A fun community of like-minded fitness fashion lovers
The only potential downsides are the inherent risk of a subscription (what if you don‘t love something one month?) and the inability to try things on before buying. But with Ellie‘s stellar customer service and easy return process, I‘ve never had any major issues.
All in all, I give Ellie a glowing endorsement for anyone looking to upgrade their activewear collection without breaking the bank. It‘s honestly been a game-changer for my workout motivation and overall confidence – when I feel good in what I‘m wearing, I‘m just more excited to get out there and crush my goals.
So if you‘ve been on the fence about trying Ellie, I say go for it! The worst case scenario is you end up with a few cute new pieces to add to your rotation. And the best case? You discover a brand that totally gets you and helps you fall in love with the process of getting dressed to sweat.
I hope this super in-depth review was helpful in giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the Ellie experience! If you have any other questions, drop them in the comments below. And if you do end up signing up, definitely let me know how you like it – I‘m always down to geek out over activewear.
Stay stylish and sweaty, friends!
[Your Name]
