Hey there, fellow athleisure addicts! If you‘re like me, you practically live in leggings and sports bras these days. With the rise of stylish, high-performance activewear, brands like Fabletics and Lululemon have become the go-to for fitness fashion. But with similar vibes and cult followings, how do you choose between the two?
As a total activewear junkie myself, I‘ve tried and tested both brands extensively. In this ultimate guide, I‘m diving deep into everything you need to know to pick your perfect fit, from product design and quality to overall value and customer experience. So whether you‘re a yogi, a runner, or an athleisure fashionista, get ready to meet your new style soulmate!
The Lowdown on Fabletics and Lululemon
First up, let‘s get to know our contenders a bit better:
Fabletics: Kate Hudson‘s Affordable Activewear Empire
Actress-turned-entrepreneur Kate Hudson co-founded Fabletics in 2013 with a mission to bring cute, high-quality workout wear to the masses at an accessible price point. With its famous $49.95 2-legging deal and VIP membership discounts, Fabletics quickly became a hit with budget-conscious fitness lovers.
Today, the brand has over 2 million VIP members and a growing brick-and-mortar presence with 50+ retail stores. Fabletics‘ signature style is all about fun, trendy designs (think bold prints and bright colors) that seamlessly transition from gym to brunch.
Lululemon: The Luxe Leggings that Started a Movement
Before athleisure was even a word, Lululemon was redefining workout wear with its game-changing yoga pants. Founded in Vancouver in 1998, the Canadian brand built a devoted following with its premium fabrics, figure-flattering fits, and aspirational lifestyle branding.
Despite some controversies (remember the sheer pants scandal of 2013?), Lululemon has maintained its status as the activewear OG. With over 460 stores worldwide and a growing men‘s line, the brand continues to innovate with new fabrics and styles season after season.
Quality, Fit, and Performance: A Product Showdown
Now for the juicy part: the actual clothes! Let‘s see how Fabletics and Lululemon stack up across three key categories:
Leggings: The Foundation of Any Activewear Wardrobe
As any athleisure aficionado knows, a good pair of leggings is worth its weight in gold. And both brands offer some serious options:
Fabletics High-Waisted PowerHold Leggings ($64.95 for VIP, $84.95 regular price):
- Compressive, sculpting PowerHold fabric
- High-waisted, sweat-wicking, chafe-resistant
- Interior pocket, cute prints and colors
- 4.5 stars from 3,400+ reviews
Lululemon Align Leggings ($98):
- Buttery-soft Nulu fabric feels like a second skin
- Lightweight, breathable, four-way stretch
- Minimal seams, five pockets
- 4.3 stars from 17,000+ reviews
While both offer great performance and stylish options, the main differences come down to fabric, price, and compression. Fabletics‘ PowerHold material offers more sculpting and support, ideal for high-impact activities, while Lululemon‘s Nulu fabric prioritizes weightless comfort for studio classes and lounging.
Of course, that dreamy soft feel comes at a price—nearly $35 more per pair than Fabletics (though you can sometimes snag Aligns on sale for $69-79). Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget and activity needs.
Perfect Support: Comparing Popular Sports Bras
For the ladies, a great sports bra is the other crucial component of any workout look. Let‘s see how two fan favorites measure up:
Fabletics Oasis Medium-Impact Sports Bra ($44.95 VIP, $65.95 regular):
- Medium-impact support ideal for yoga, cycling, weights
- Soft, breathable PowerLux fabric with keyhole cutout
- Cute strappy back with removable pads
- 4.5 stars from 2,100+ reviews
Lululemon Energy Bra Medium Support ($52):
- Medium support best for training and studio wear
- Sweat-wicking Luxtreme fabric with four-way stretch
- Stylish cross-back straps with removable cups
- 4.2 stars from 1,300+ reviews
Both offer good support and similar features at a moderate price point. Lululemon‘s Luxtreme fabric has a more slick, cool feel while Fabletics‘ PowerLux is slightly softer and more matte. I personally love the strappy details and prints Fabletics offers—they add a bit more style and visual interest.
Fit-wise, some bustier ladies note that the Energy Bra runs small in larger cup sizes, so I‘d recommend sizing up if you‘re above a C cup. Overall, you really can‘t go wrong with either for low to medium-impact activities—and both are cute enough to rock on their own!
Men‘s Workout Shorts: Which Pair Comes Out on Top?
Lest we forget the guys, let‘s take a quick peek at two popular men‘s training shorts:
Fabletics The One Short ($54.95 VIP, $74.95 regular):
- Versatile for all-purpose training
- Lightweight VersaLite fabric with side pockets
- Built-in liner and interior drawstring
- 4.4 stars from 1,400+ reviews
Lululemon Pace Breaker Short ($68):
- Built for running and training
- Swift Ultra fabric is light, quick-drying
- Secure zip pocket and internal drawcord
- 4.3 stars from 1,100+ reviews
Both deliver on lightweight performance with handy features like pockets and drawstrings. The main difference is fabric—Fabletics‘ VersaLite has a slightly thicker, more cottony feel while Lululemon‘s Swift Ultra is a bit more smooth and slick.
I will say Lululemon‘s $68 price tag feels a bit steep for a basic workout short, even with the quality construction. Most guys I know are perfectly happy with Fabletics‘ $54.95 VIP price for a short that performs just as well, if not better.
Breaking Down Quality, Price, and Value
Construction and durability are crucial factors when you‘re shelling out big bucks for workout gear. Here‘s how Fabletics and Lululemon compare:
Fabric Technology and Innovation
Both brands use proprietary fabric blends designed for optimal fit and performance:
- Fabletics PowerHold: Ultra-compressive with maximum support, best for high-impact activity and sculpting
- Fabletics PureLuxe: Soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking with light compression, great for studio and everyday wear
- Lululemon Luon: Cottony-soft with full coverage and four-way stretch, offers great support and opacity
- Lululemon Nulu: Weightless, buttery-soft feel with light compression, ideal for yoga and lounging
- Lululemon Everlux: Fast-drying, cool-to-the-touch with supportive compression, perfect for sweaty training
In my experience, Lululemon still has a slight edge when it comes to feel and quality—their Nulu fabric is unparalleled and their gear always feels a bit more luxe. That said, Fabletics‘ PowerHold and PureLuxe are super impressive for the price and hold up well over time.
Price Comparison and Membership Perks
There‘s no denying Lululemon comes with some sticker shock—a basic tank can run you $50-60 and leggings start at $88 (and can go up to $148!). Fabletics offers a much more accessible entry price point, with tanks starting at $24.95 and leggings at $44.95 with a VIP membership.
Speaking of that membership, here‘s a quick breakdown of how it works:
- $49.95/month membership credit to spend or save
- 20-50% off all products, including new drops
- 2 for $24 leggings deal as a new VIP
- Early access to sales and collections
- Free exchanges and easy returns
As a Fabletics VIP myself, I have to say the value is pretty incredible—I consistently score $80-100 leggings for $30-40 and the quality always exceeds my expectations. The only catch is remembering to "skip" the month if I‘m not planning to shop to avoid being charged.
Lululemon rarely offers discounts outside of its "We Made Too Much" sale section, so you‘ll usually pay full price unless you catch a unicorn markdown. Some folks argue the premium quality and construction make it worth the investment, but Fabletics proves you don‘t have to sacrifice performance for affordability.
Putting Customer Experience to the Test
Of course, no review is complete without taking real customer feedback into account. Let‘s see how our brands fare:
Fabletics Highlights:
- 4.5/5 stars from 44,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- Top praise: Cute, on-trend styles; good fit and quality for price; easy ordering and exchanges
- Common complaints: Confusion around VIP membership and skipping; inconsistent sizing; some leggings pill after washing
Lululemon Lowlights:
- 2.6/5 stars from 580+ Trustpilot reviews (yikes)
- Top praise: Best-in-class fabrics; holds up over time; flattering, confidence-boosting fit
- Common complaints: Declining quality; inconsistent sizing; poor customer service experiences; too expensive
While Lululemon still has plenty of loyal fans, the brand seems to be losing steam with shoppers frustrated by high prices, confusing size charts, and a drop in that legendary quality. Meanwhile, Fabletics gets consistently high marks for delivering on stylish, well-made gear at a value price point.
The VIP membership confusion is real—I see a lot of frustrated folks who didn‘t realize they had to "skip" the month to avoid a charge. But overall, Fabletics seems to win big on customer experience with free and easy returns, responsive service (including real-time chat), and a risk-free first purchase.
Final Verdict: And the Winner Is…
Having thoroughly worked out both brands, I‘ve gotta give the edge to Fabletics as the better overall value and experience, especially for fashion-focused fitness lovers on a budget. With premium quality, fresh styles, and accessible prices, Fabletics is democratizing activewear for the masses—and I am here for it.
That said, Lululemon still holds a special place in my heart (and leggings drawer) for its truly best-in-class fabrics and fit. If you have a bit more coin to spend and prioritize a luxe material feel, you can‘t beat the buttery bliss of Aligns.
At the end of the day, both deliver on style, performance, and that feel-good factor we all crave from our workout wear. So whether you‘re Team Fabletics, Team Lululemon, or rocking both on the regular, you really can‘t lose investing in high-quality pieces that keep you confident and motivated.
I hope this brutally honest breakdown helps you find your activewear soulmate—and if you‘re still undecided, I highly recommend snagging a Fabletics intro offer and putting those leggings to the test for yourself. Report back and let me know how they measure up to your Lulus!
Happy shopping, and see you out there, athleisure queens!
