Fabletics vs Lululemon Review: Battle of the Athleticwear Giants

Fabletics and Lululemon have emerged as two of the most popular athleticwear brands, beloved by fitness enthusiasts and casual wearers alike. With their fashionable designs and high-performance fabrics marketed towards active women, they have cultivated an army of loyal followers.

But how exactly do these athletic apparel giants stack up? This in-depth review will compare all the nitty gritty details between Fabletics and Lululemon to help you determine the best brand for your needs and budget.

Fabletics and Lululemon: Brand Histories

First, let’s get to know the origins and values behind each athleticwear company.

The Fabletics Story

Founded in 2013 by Kate Hudson and JustFab Inc. founders Adam Goldenberg and Don Ressler, Fabletics was born out of the desire to create stylish, quality activewear at accessible price points.

The subscription-based online retailer has gained notoriety through celebrity endorsements and word-of-mouth praise. With revenue skyrocketing 35% year-over-year, Fabletics is showing no signs of slowing down. The brand now operates over 30 brick-and-mortar stores in addition to its ecommerce site.

Lululemon’s Humble Roots

Lululemon traces its roots back to 1998 when creator Chip Wilson opened a yoga gear shop and studio in the Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. What started as a small boutique blossomed into the athletic apparel powerhouse Lululemon is today.

Currently valued at over $45 billion, Lululemon has expanded internationally across Europe, Asia Pacific regions and beyond. The company remains committed to its core values of personal responsibility, entrepreneurship, honesty, courage, connection, fun and inclusion.

Target Audiences and Aesthetics

Fabletics and Lululemon gear their products and marketing towards slightly different target demographics, which is evident through varying design aesthetics.

Who Shops Fabletics?

The typical Fabletics customer is female between 25-34 years old. The brand exudes a youthful, trendy and Hollywood glam vibe, likely appealing to millennials and Gen Z.

Bright colors, bold prints, cut outs and details give Fabletics clothing a playful downtown L.A. flair. Affordable prices also attract younger shoppers with limited budgets.

Who Shops Lululemon?

Lululemon positions itself in the athleisure market, targeting health-conscious individuals aged 25-54 pursuing active lifestyles.

While still fashionable, Lululemon opts for more subtle earth tones and minimalist, technical designs. Higher price points appeal to older audiences with more disposable income.

The brand additionally accommodates male customers through the Lululemon Lab men’s line.

Product Range Comparison

Both brands offer wide-ranging product lines encompassing clothing as well as accessories:

Lululemon Product Offerings

Tops
Leggings
Shorts
Sweatpants
Sweatshirts/Hoodies
Jackets
Undergarments
Swim
Bags
Yoga Mats
Self-care (lotions, dry shampoo etc.)
Gear for men + accessories

Lululemon provides a more pared-down selection focused solely on workout essentials, while Fabletics features lifestyle pieces extending beyond the gym.

Popular Style Comparison

Now, let’s pit two of the brands’ best-selling leggings and tops against one another. How do Fabletics and Lululemon’s products measure up?

Fabletics Define High-Waisted Legging vs Lululemon Base Pace High-Rise Crop

When it comes to leggings, both companies offer popular high-waisted styles equipped with moisture-wicking fabrics. Let’s see how they stack up:

Fabletics Define High-Waisted Legging

High-rise to prevent rolling
Offered in sizes XXS – 4X
Made of compression material
Chafe and sweat resistant
Pockets included
$70 ($14 for VIP members)

Lululemon Base Pace High-Rise Crop

High-rise to eliminate rolling
Offered in sizes 0 – 20
Lightweight and breathable
Four-way stretch fabric
Features side drop-in pockets
$88

The Base Pace legging retails for over 25% more than the Fabletics alternative. But with inclusive sizing up to 4X, the Define style accommodates more body types. Both represent quality, functional leggings ideal for everything from HIIT workouts to brunch runs.

Fabletics Long Sleeve Training Tee vs Lululemon Metal Vent Tech

Next up: long sleeve tops. How does each brand’s shirt stack up for hitting the weights?

Fabletics Long Sleeve Training Tee

Seamless construction
Quick-drying, sweat-wicking fabric
Breathable and stretchy
Reflective detail
Anti-stink technology
$50 ($15 for VIP members)

Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Long Sleeve

Mesh paneling for breathability
Minimal seams to reduce chafing
Made of recycled polyester
Anti-stink technology
Raglan sleeves
$88

Again, we see about a $35 price differential between the basic long sleeve training tee. However, Fabletics offers greater value through discounts for VIP members.

Both shirts perform similarly when it comes to keeping you cool, dry and odor-free during demanding workouts. The Lululemon shirt has the upper hand in sustainability.

Sports Bra Showdown

When it comes to sports bras, compression and support become make-it-or-break-it factors. We compared two popular options for low to medium impact activities.

Fabletics Waffle Bra

Features:

Pull-on waffle knit bra
Available in sizes XXS – XXL
Contrast stitching details
Removable padding
Made of cotton, polyester, spandex blend
$45 ($9 for VIP members)

Lululemon Free to Be Bra

Features:

Band sizes 32–40, cup sizes A–E
Special fabric provides support without restriction
Sweat-wicking, four-way stretch
Removable padding
Unique strappy back detail
$48

For larger cup sizes or high-intensity workouts, the Lululemon Free to Be Bra is the clear winner in terms of support. But the Fabletics Waffle Bra comes out on top in terms of value and style. VIP members pay 80% less! Both represent quality sports bras at accessible mid-range price points.

Fabrics and Sustainability

Let’s take a look “under the hood” and breakdown the proprietary fabrics Fabletics and Lululemon use to construct their athleticwear. Which brand leads in terms of quality and sustainability?

Fabletics Fabric Technology

Fabletics relies on tried-and-true athleticwear materials like nylon, polyester and elastane, blended to create fabrics that perform during and after sweat sessions.

Key Proprietary Fabrics:

Seamless: Ultra-soft compression material molds to your shape
PureLuxe: Silky-smooth, chafe-free fabric made with sweat-wicking Japanese performance yarn
SculptKnit: Medium-compression material with structured support
New Motion365: Four-way stretch offers maximum flexibility and movement
Powerhold: Compression-fit material stays put, no matter how intense your workout gets

Lululemon’s Signature Stretch

Similarly, Lululemon utilizes spandex, nylon and polyester blends engineered specifically for athletic endurance and activities.

Notable Fabrics:

EverluxTM: Cool and breathable with four-way stretch
NuluxTM: Lightweight compression material
Luon®: Their original Super-stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric
Luxtreme®: Moisture-wicking, four-way stretch – resists pilling

Sustainability Efforts

Many Lululemon products integrate environmentally-friendly materials like:

Recycled polyester
Organic cotton
Responsibly-sourced Lyocell
Silverescent technology reduces need for washing

Fabletics lacks any substantial sustainability initiatives around eco-fabrics or manufacturing processes. This gives the edge to Lululemon in terms of environmental awareness.

Pricing and Value Comparison

Now for the moment of truth: how much will outfitting your active lifestyle cost you? Here’s the breakdown:

Item	Fabletics	Lululemon
Leggings	$14 – $70	$88
Long Sleeve Training Tee	$15 – $50	$88
Sports bra	$9 – $45	$48

Across the board, Fabletics comes out as the more affordable brand. While prices run on the higher end for athletic apparel, the option of VIP membership perks helps budget-conscious shoppers save significantly over Lululemon.

On average, non-VIP Fabletics prices run about 30% less than comparable Lululemon gear. Factor in VIP discounts of 70-80%, and the savings gap widens drastically.

When it comes to value for money, Fabletics delivers big time (with VIP status). Casual wearers who don’t need serious compression or support can shop smart thanks to flexible Fabletics memberships rather than splurging at Lululemon.

Promotions and Discounts

Here’s the breakdown of ongoing deals and savings opportunities offered by each brand:

Fabletics

VIP Membership (discounts up to 80% on all items)
Refer a friend program
Sitewide sales + holiday promos

Lululemon

We Made Too Much clearance section
Military/first responder 15% discount
Purchase with installment plans (Afterpay/Klarna)

The only way to access serious Fabletics deals is to become a VIP member. This commitment-free program simply requires an account setup and monthly “outing” where you either shop or skip that month’s curated outfit.

Lululemon rarely offers discounts beyond its clearance section, outside of 15% military and first responder savings.

Shipping and Return Policies

Navigating shipping costs and return policies often determines where customers click “buy.” Here’s how Fabletics and Lululemon compare:

Fabletics

Shipping: Free on orders $75+ (under = $5 flat rate)
Delivery Time: 6-14 business days
Returns: 45 day window for refunds/exchanges
Return Shipping: Only free for contiguous US buyers

Lululemon

Shipping: Free on all orders
Delivery Time: 2-9 business days
Returns: 30 days for refunds/exchanges
Return Shipping: Free through online portal

Lululemon edges out Fabletics when it comes to convenient, fast shipping thanks to free delivery and quicker transit times.

However, Fabletics allows 45 days for trying on pieces at home and changing your mind. Lululemon sets a 30 day firm cutoff.

For international shoppers outside the U.S., Lululemon provides a stronger hassle-free returns experience.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Now, let’s hear from real shoppers. How do everyday customers rate their experiences purchasing athleticwear from Fabletics and Lululemon?

Fabletics

Trustpilot – 3.7 stars based on 116K reviews
SiteJabber – 2.3 stars based on 3K reviews
Influenster – 4.4 stars based on 956 reviews

Lululemon

Trustpilot – 1.9 stars based on 656 reviews
SiteJabber – 1.6 stars based on 176 reviews
Influenster – 4.2 stars based on 3K reviews

Here’s a brief breakdown of the customer feedback around both athletic apparel brands:

Fabletics Pros

Great quality for lower prices
Items fit as expected
Flattering, trendy workout clothes
Easy online shopping

Fabletics Cons

Pushy VIP membership
Delayed orders and shipping issues
Poor customer service

Lululemon Pros

Durable, high-quality items
Great for activewear and workouts
Stretchy, sweat-wicking fabrics

Lululemon Cons

Very expensive, poor value
Items pill/degrade over time
Terrible delivery and returns process
Awful customer service

While both brands earn their share of praise and complaints, Lululemon garners especially bad press around incompetent support staff, order issues and items that fall apart prematurely despite premium prices.

Bottom Line: Which Brand Reigns Supreme?

So when all is said and done in this battle between athleisure heavyweights, which brand comes out on top: Fabletics or Lululemon?

Best for Style-Focused Shoppers

Winner: Fabletics

With trendy prints, sexy details and a diverse range of both activewear and lifestyle apparel, Fabletics caters best to buyers wanting fashion-forward looks.

Best Quality & Performance

Winner: Tie

Both brands construct clothing from sweat-wicking, stretchy and compression fabrics engineered for sport and movement. Quality proves comparable across best sellers.

Best Value & Affordability

Winner: Fabletics

Across item comparisons, Fabletics consistently offers prices averaging 30% less than Lululemon counterparts. Factor in VIP status savings up to 80% off, and the value gap widens significantly.

Best Sustainability & Ethics

Winner: Lululemon

With commitments to recycled materials and responsible manufacturing, Lululemon edges out Fabletics as the more eco-conscious brand.

Best Shipping & Returns

Winner: Lululemon

Free standard shipping on all orders and a streamlined online returns process makes buying and sending items back simpler with Lululemon.

Best Overall Brand Reputation

Winner: Fabletics

Despite scattered complaints around pushing VIP memberships and shipping hiccups, Fabletics still maintains a stronger overall online reputation from customers as opposed to overwhelmingly negative Lululemon reviews.

Which Brand is Right For You?

Now that you know the full low-down on how Fabletics and Lululemon stack up, finding the best fit depends on your personal preferences and priorities.

Shop Fabletics For:

Trend-focused athleticwear
Budget prices and deep discounts
Loungewear beyond the gym
An approachable, friendly vibe

Shop Lululemon For:

High quality, performance workout gear
Sustainably-made apparel
Free shipping and returns
A community of health-focused yogis

At the end of the day, both Fabletics and Lululemon create stellar athletic clothing for spinning, running, HIIT training and more. Between aesthetic, value, sustainability and brand identity – there’s room for both companies to occupy space outfitting strong, empowered women.

Fabletics vs Lululemon Review: Battle of the Athleticwear Giants