Ethan Nouble
Finding the right activewear can be a challenge. With so many brands making similar products, how do you choose?
Well, two of the biggest names in women’s athletic apparel are Fabletics and Lululemon. And while their leggings may look alike, there are some key differences between these brands.
In this article, I’ll compare everything from price to quality to style so you can decide which brand best matches your needs and budget.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what sets Lululemon and Fabletics apart and which one deserves your hard-earned money.
Fabletics: A Brief Look into the Brand
Founded in 2013, Fabletics is an activewear brand with a vision to make fashionable, high-performance athletic apparel accessible to all. Their goal is to elevate people’s active lifestyles, regardless of gender, shape, or size.
A key part of Fabletics’ business model is their VIP membership program which now boasts over 2.3 million members. This community of customers has been pivotal to the brand’s success and constant feedback allows Fabletics to obsess over perfecting their products.
From analyzing fabric technologies to testing for the best stretch and sweat-wicking properties, they aim for unmatched quality and comfort.
Their dedication has paid off – Fabletics now has 95 retail stores globally, has expanded into men’s activewear and scrub lines, and earned a CarbonNeutral certification.
Though already an industry stand-out in just under 10 years, they show no signs of slowing down and continue to find innovative ways to outfit and inspire their growing member base.
Lululemon: A Brief Look into the Brand
Lululemon has built a reputation for being at the leading edge of innovation in athletic apparel since 1988. Guided by their motto “sweatworking,” Lululemon is devoted to creating versatile, high-performance products that move with people and support them in all aspects of life.
Their approach to design is rooted in science and research to engineer distraction-free clothing tailored to different environments and activities.
Lululemon works closely with ambassadors and customers to gather constant feedback that allows them to consistently raise the bar in both feel and function.
Proprietary technical fabrics, construction techniques, and mindful details set their products apart and withstand rigorous testing.
Their ongoing commitment to developing world-class, sensation-optimizing apparel and an ecosystem of innovation has fueled their meteoric rise to become a leader in athletic apparel.
Fabletics vs Lululemon: A Detailed Comparison
So, both brands offer trendy activewear like leggings, sports bras, tops and more to outfit your workouts. But with different prices, membership models, sizes and more, which brand truly comes out on top? Let’s compare.
Styles & Variety
Fabletics gears more toward playful, attention-grabbing looks with lots of patterns, textures and colors to choose from. Their styles showcase the fun in fitness.
Lululemon promotes a more minimalist, sleek aesthetic for streetwear that transitions seamlessly from the gym to running errands.
The Verdict: Lululemon wins for everyday versatile style, while Fabletics takes the cake for funky workout fashion.
Membership and Perks
Fabletics operates on a monthly membership model that unlocks VIP prices, personalized outfit recommendations and access to new arrivals.
Lululemon does not offer a paid membership program but has community initiatives like SweatLife and their Collective affiliate program.
The Verdict: Fabletics membership makes sense for bargain hunters who want major discounts. Lululemon has community perks but no money-saving memberships.
Quality
Both athletic brands utilize high-tech fabric innovations and construction methods to engineer apparel that lasts.
Lululemon’s proprietary fabrics lend them an additional luxury, sweat-wicking feel. However, certain Fabletics fabrics like Powerhold and Motion365 rival their buttery softness and stretch.
The Verdict: It’s a tie. Lululemon and Fabletics both offer stellar quality and durability.
Sizing
Fabletics’ size range blows Lululemon out of the water in terms of inclusivity. They offer sizes XXS – 4XL accommodating more body types, while Lululemon faces some criticism for limited plus size options, topping out at size 20 which can run small.
The Verdict: Fabletics has the most inclusive size range.
Durability
Lululemon’s top-notch construction means their leggings hold up extremely well over time, justifying the investment for many wearers.
Fabletics leggings last around a year with frequent use, though their membership model provides new leggings every month.
The Verdict: Lululemon edges out for durability, but Fabletics allows you swap out styles frequently.
Pricing & Affordability
There’s no contest here – Fabletics offers way more affordable activewear across categories, with leggings costing $24-$60 compared to Lululemon’s $90-$120. Even with the Fabletics membership fee factored in, the math still favors significant savings.
The Verdict: Fabletics dominates affordability. Lululemon costs a lot more across comparable products.
Comparison Summary: Who Wins?
While Lululemon takes the win for quality, longevity and versatile styling, Fabletics simply can’t be beaten for value. Their huge size range, frequent sales and discounts even with the VIP membership make them accessible for all budgets. The variety of styles keeps things fun too!
| Category | Fabletics | Lululemon |
| Styles | Fun, playful prints and colors | Sleek, minimalist aesthetic |
| Membership | VIP program with discounts | No membership program |
| Quality | High-tech fabrics, great stretch | Proprietary luxury fabrics |
| Sizing | Very inclusive (XXS-4XL) | Less size options (0-20) |
| Longevity | Leggings last ~1 year | Leggings withstand years of wear |
| Price | $24-$60 leggings | $90-$120 leggings |
Fabletics: Pros and Cons
There are many great things about Fabletics that make it a top choice for stylish and affordable activewear. However, a few drawbacks exist that some shoppers may want to think twice about.
Pros
Here’s what to expect with Fabletics:
- Inclusive size range up to 4XL
- Frequent discounts for VIP members
- Fun, playful prints and styles
- Quality, durable fabrics given low costs
- Sustainable company mission
Cons
On the other hand, here’s what to look out for:
- Membership billing practices have faced some controversy in the past
- Popular styles sell out extremely quick during sales due to high demand
Lululemon: Pros and Cons
Lululemon is synonymous with luxurious, high-performance athleticwear. There are excellent reasons why the brand has such devoted followers who claim their products are “worth every penny.” But the high price tag also comes with a few drawbacks that some shoppers dislike.
Pros
Main shining qualities of Lululemon include:
- Innovative proprietary fabrics provide superior sweat-wicking
- Flattering, functional designs for versatile wear
- Durable construction and longevity
- Established brand name and reputation
- Community building initiatives
Cons
Their downsides are:
- Very expensive price points
- Controversy over lack of inclusivity
What Are Fabletics’ Best-Seller Items?
Now that we’ve covered the Fabletics brand, let’s explore some of their top best-selling products in case any catch your eye!
The Define PowerHold® High-Waisted Legging for $69.95 comes in versatile solid colors like black and burgundy, featuring a sleek style that smoothly sculpts your shape during any activity.
If you prefer bolder prints, check out the popular On-The-Go PowerHold® High-Waisted Leggings for $84.95. This best-seller comes in camo and solid black with the same waist-slimming, squat-proof PowerHold fabric you’ll love.
What Are Lululemons’ Best-Seller Items?
For Lululemon classics that customers always rave about, check out best-sellers like the Hotty Hot Low-Rise Lined Shorts for $68.
These ultra-lightweight shorts come in fun colors like pink, blue and white for spring and summer workouts.
If you need something hands-free to carry your phone and keys, the City Adventurer Crossbody Bag for $58 has roomy storage with style.
And finally, the Lululemon AlignTM High-Rise Pant 28″ is known for its barely-there weightless feel and brush-like buttery soft fabric that stretches four ways. At $98-118 in every color, these yoga pants sell out fast!
Final Thoughts
When deciding between Lululemon and Fabletics activewear, consider your budget, style, size needs and more.
While Lululemon offers unmatched quality and longevity, Fabletics dominates affordability and inclusivity. The brand you choose comes down to personal preferences and lifestyle.
With this thorough comparison information, you now have the tools to confidently shop both athletic giants and determine which resonates most with your needs.
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