In today's world, athletic wear has become synonymous with both comfort and style. Whether you're hitting the gym on a daily basis, participating in yoga classes once a month, or simply wishing to look fashionable while working from home, discovering the best activewear options is essential for maintaining your comfort.
Among the top contenders in the activewear industry are Athleta and Lululemon, two brands that have been leaders in the athleisure market for over 25 years, particularly in the realm of leggings and other athletic apparel.
Since both brands offer similar products, selecting the right one for your needs can be a bit perplexing. To assist you in determining whether Lululemon or Athleta aligns better with your preferences, we have undertaken an extensive exploration of their histories, styles, price points, item ranges, and standout offerings. Let's begin with a look at their histories:
Athleta vs. Lululemon: Brand History
Athleta
Lululemon
Country of Origin: USA
Year Established: 1998 (25 years ago)
Overview: Athleta is dedicated to providing performance apparel specifically designed for active women. Founded in 1998 by Nancy Green and Diane Waters, the vision behind Athleta was to create a catalog business focused on women's clothing, enabling them to engage in sports comfortably, particularly with cycling apparel that looked great and fit well.
The brand's inaugural store opened in Mill Valley, California. Athleta experienced a period of stagnation from 2004 to 2007, leading its original shareholders to sell it to Blue Highway Holdings. The company subsequently relocated its distribution center to Grove City, Ohio, to cut costs by being closer to its primary customers. Additionally, Athleta increased its catalog recipients from 13 million in 2007 to 21 million in 2008, making it a more attractive target for acquisition. In 2008, Gap Inc., the parent company of Old Navy and Banana Republic, welcomed Athleta into its family of brands. Today, Athleta designs, manufactures, and markets a wide array of sportswear, including yoga pants, running shorts, and sports bras.
With over 100 stores across the United States, Athleta has established itself as a premier choice for active women seeking high-quality and stylish sportswear.
Reputation: Known for its chic and high-quality products, Athleta also champions initiatives that promote female empowerment, such as She Should Run and Girls on the Run.
Focus: Athleta's mission, encapsulated in the Power of She, is to empower women through sport and fitness, offering an exclusive range of women's apparel that supports an active, healthy lifestyle.
Country of Origin: Canada
Year Established: 1998 (25 years ago)
Overview: Lululemon is a technical athletic apparel brand inspired by yoga, catering primarily to women. Founded in 1998 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Chip Wilson, the founder, noticed during a yoga class that women were often wearing ill-fitting cotton clothing that was unsuitable for the sweating and stretching necessary in yoga practice. This observation led to the establishment of Lululemon as a design studio by day and a yoga studio by night, ultimately evolving into a standalone retail store in November 2000. The original aim was to create a space where individuals could find workout gear suitable for intense activity and engage in discussions about healthy living, both physically and mentally. Initially focused on yoga apparel for women, Lululemon later expanded into running, cycling, training, and other high-energy activities. Over the years, it has also emerged as a trendy retailer for men, launching several stores dedicated solely to male customers. Lululemon products are now available in over 50 countries through corporate-owned retailers, wholesale accounts, and online sales. The name 'Lulu,' an affectionate abbreviation of Lululemon, has become synonymous with a forward-thinking, quality-driven brand.
Main Features: Lululemon is recognized for its advanced technical athletic apparel ideal for yoga, running, dancing, training, and other vigorous activities, as well as stylish lounge and streetwear.
Reputation: As a trusted and fashionable brand, Lululemon is celebrated for its high-quality products, with loyal fans praising the brand’s impeccable designs and fabric quality.
Focus: Lululemon originally stemmed from a women-led ethos, empowering women through yoga and fostering a community that promotes a healthy lifestyle. In its evolution, Lululemon has also garnered popularity among men, leading to the launch of numerous male-oriented stores.
Athleta vs. Lululemon: Range of Items
Athleta
Pants
Shorts and Skorts
Joggers and Sweatpants
Sleepwear
Sports Bras
Women’s Workout Tops
Jackets
Primary Specialization: Cycling and performance apparel
Lululemon
Pants
Tops
Shorts
Jackets
Bags
Socks
Yoga Mats
Primary Specialization: Yoga and exercise apparel.
While both brands offer a range of similar items, a visit to either store or their online platforms will quickly reveal their distinctive characteristics. Athleta provides a broader variety of choices by producing clothing tailored for various activities, including paddle suits for standup paddleboarding (SUP), dresses for tennis, and skirts for golfing. They even boast a line of sleepwear. In contrast, Lululemon's designs tend to be influenced by apparel suited for yoga studios, spin classes, or gym workouts.
Athleta vs. Lululemon: Price Range
Both Athleta and Lululemon fall within the high-end category of athletic wear, with their prices generally ranging from $100 to $200. However, notable differences exist in their pricing strategies:
● Lululemon typically commands higher prices compared to Athleta, especially for items such as pants and jackets, which can often be $50 to $100 more expensive.
● Athleta frequently offers sales and promotions that provide substantial discounts, whereas Lululemon tends to limit its promotional events.
If saving money is a priority for you, Athleta may be the more economical choice. However, if you are seeking the highest caliber of athletic wear, Lululemon justifies its premium pricing.
Lululemon vs. Athleta: Styles
Lululemon was initially established with a strong emphasis on yoga, subsequently expanding into menswear, loungewear, and technical apparel for sports such as tennis. In contrast, Athleta has a wider appeal
