Athleisure Brands: Who is worth it and who isn't?
- The Dynamic Damsels
- Oct 14, 2018
- 6 min read
A somewhat relatable guide to Athletic Leisure brands on price, style, fit, and quality!
If wearing leggings as pants is wrong, then i don’t want to be right.
Let’s be real, in today’s world we deal with enough stress and the last thing we need to be worried about what to wear and how it feels. Us, women, like to look good for sure, but being comfortable can arguably be equally as important. Lululemon was founded in 1998 and started a movement that is stronger than ever today-athletic leisure clothing. The beauty of it goes like this, wear leggings and still look like a boss babe ready to run the day.
This type of clothing can be worn to workout, go shopping, dine out, lay around to read a book, hang out with friends, or even go on a date (depending on the cut.) While athletic leisure is fantastic for comfort and style, affordability isn’t always there.
I am here to inform you on what is worth the cost, what isn’t worth it, and what clothing items can last a lifetime!
Lululemon
About
Lulu is a Canadian-based company founded in 1998 to create technical athletic apparel for men and women. It is probably the most well-known athletic leisure company and holds its position in the market. Their original clothing line was designed for women doing yoga and has grown into a movement for all things healthy lifestyle oriented.
Price
Moderate high
Don’t get me wrong, spending $80 to upwards of $120 for a pair of leggings can give some people a heart attack. I was one of them...but once I got myself into my first pair of Lululemon Wunder Unders, I realized why Lulu can mark up some cloth for $100 and get away with it.
Style
Lululemon does a wonderful job of creating attractive lines in their clothing. They know how to shape the back of a bra to not only fit comfortably but to look incredible. Lululemon jackets, shirts, and leggings have distinct lines and are a foundation to the creation of products. 📷
Fit
Only anecdotal but let me tell you, Lululemon fits like a dream. That is according to women I know, personal experience, and every YouTube fitness lifestyle vlogger.
Quality
If you take care of your Lululemon clothing, follow proper washing instructions, and don’t roll around in barbed wire and mud, Lulu’s can last for years. I have seen this with my own eyes, not only with my clothing but friends.
Overall
If you have the money, invest in some Lululemon leggings, a bra or two, and maybe a jacket if funds available. You won’t regret it. And if you do, free returns are always a thing with Lulu!
Athleta
About
According to their website, "Athleta designs clothing that integrates performance and technical features for active women and girls." They are an extension of Gap Inc. and offer an array of high quality athletic clothing. From swimwear to dresses, Athleta can dress you for any occasion.
Price
To be honest, the price is high. I realize a lot of people cannot always afford higher priced items, but realize there is a reason for the price. Similar to Lululemon, Athleta clothing lasts. And on top of that, they are made with eco-friendly intentions.
Style
Some of Athleta can be looked at as conservative. Hear me out, some of their stuff is so flattering on the women's body! Compared to Lululemon, I would say some of their styles look a little more edgy.
Fit
They fit...and fit well! The sizes are true to size. Athleta is a stickly women clothing line and it shows in their designs and fit.
Quality
If you are looking for clothing that lasts...through all those training sessions, hikes, crazy days in life, and casual date nights...look to Athleta or Lululemon.
Overall
If you can afford it, do it! Give it a shot, try on a pair of leggings, slip on a cute shirt...I bet you'll end up with at least one clothing item.
90 Degrees by Reflex
About
Aka Lululemon dupe. According to their website, 90 Degrees by Reflex’s mission is to create a lifestyle brand that combines the elements of style, comfort, fit, and performance. They sell leggings, shirts, pants, bras, men’s tops and bottoms, and kid sizes.
Price
Affordable
90 Degrees offers cute athletic leisure options at an affordable price. On their website you can find leggings for $20 to $40 but there are even cheaper ways of getting them. You can find them in Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and many more discount stores. Amazon.com has them for sale as well.
Style
Very similar to Lululemon. That is all.
Fit
I will give it to them, 90 Degrees does a good job of offering a nice enough product for the price they give it to you. It is by no means in the same category of Lululemon, Alphalete, or Athleta leggings but for a cheaper price...yeah they fit.
Quality
Now if you think they fit when you get them, they probably won’t in 4 months if you wear your clothes religiously like I do. I bought about 5 pairs of 90 Degrees leggings and a jacket. Both styles were very similar to Lulu and for that, I was excited. At first the leggings fit well and the jacket was awesome. But then after a few months of wear and tear, the game changed. The leggings don’t hold snug to your body and the jacket material is getting pilly.
Overall
If you want a quick fix, 90 Degrees by Reflex will do the job. If you want quality product that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t require replacing, spend the extra dollar and get yourself better quality. You will probably save more money in the long run.
Nike
About
Bring innovation and inspiration to every athlete in the world is Nike’s current mission. This massive company is more than clothing. They bring together all kinds of sport innovation products, from shoes, to jackets, to soccer balls, apps, and more. Nike does however have a lifestyle clothing line.
Price
Moderate
You can grab a shirt on Nike.com for $35 or for $70, so it has a bit of a range. Granted compared to other quality athletic leisure companies, the clothing is moderately priced for the good quality they offer.
Style
Umm...hit or miss. Some of the stuff is wonky looking when you put it on. Other items wear like a dream. As long as you know your body type and have the chance to try it on or know how it fits, you should be fine. They offer edgy styles and then more conservative ones. As for pants...personal opinion and based off friends, Nike leggings are not the best fit nor the more normal life looking. They scream sports. Other types of pants, like joggers are more attractive but still are more for the sporty look.
Fit
To go along with the style, some items fit better than others. Certain body types go better with specific styles they offer. As for shirts, they seem to be better: tank tops for athletic bodies, t-shirts for a loose look, etc. Pants wise...it is another story! Just as mentioned above, they don’t look the best on the booty and sometimes hold weird on the hips.
Quality
Once again, take care of it and they will take care of you. Some of my favorite shirts are 5 years old and are from the Nike outlet. I have worn these shirts on dates, to the gym, and to class...Nike clothing is high quality!
Overall
Nike is Nike...if you like it go for it! Clothing for me is hit or miss but when I find something from them that fits well, I go for it because I know it will last and looks cute af.
Alphalete
About
Alphalete’s tag line is We are the individuals who inspire others to learn more, dream more, and be more. Started by Christian Guzman, this active wear company is growing in size. While it is greatly geared towards men, the women’s line is growing. They offer leggings, joggers, shirts, bras, and underwear.
Price
Moderate
Grab a pair of leggings for about $50. Purchase a cute shirt for $30 and maybe a hoodie for $45ish. The prices aren’t the best, but also not the worst, and in comparison with its quality, the prices are not bad at all.
Style
Made to fit the fit chick. Leggings with lines built in the conquer the emphasis camel toe, open-back long sleeve shirts, and fitting joggers, there is finally a brand created to fit the fitness freaks out there.
Fit
A little small to be honest. I am a small, size 4 in Lululemon, in most leggings. With Alphalete, I size up to a medium and it still is
Quality
Suprisingly awesome! I have watched Christian grow his personal brand and different companies. Alphalete is a success to say the least. For both girls and guys, the quality is on point.
Overall
For the price, the fit, style, the quality...I don't know why you haven't left this post yet to go see what's up. They are a smaller, growing brand...but that doesn't take away for their growth and good product.
Cheers,
Amelia
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