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Written by Hannah Freedman
2021-01-21T22:56:54Z
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- I've been wearing Lululemon for over 10 years and have found it's well worth the price.
- But don't just take my word for it — several members of the Insider Reviews team also agree.
- Below, find 14 of our favorite styles along with details on how they fit and perform.
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I've been wearing Lululemon gear for workouts, hikes, and lounging around the house for over a decade. And yes, I was even that person that occasionally paired their leggings with Uggs and wore them to college lectures when that was a style. I am well aware that Lululemon clothes don't come cheap (though you can always browse the "We Made Too Much" section to try to snag a deal). And yes, I agree that $100 or more is a slightly absurd amount to spend on leggings. But hear me out. Lululemon is well worth the steep price tag.
Over the years I've tried numerous other brands from Athleta to Fabletics in the hopes of finding workout clothes I love just as much. I have other leggings, tops, and bras I like, but none that have lasted me over 10 years and look and feel the same as the day I bought them.
I've worn them on 12-hour treks through Patagonia and on runs through humid Brooklyn streets, and still, nearly everything I own has held up. Because I know I'll own everything I buy for years to come, I'm more than willing to pay the extra price. Several of my coworkers also own and have tested out Lululemon pieces. We've put sports bras, leggings, shorts, and tanks to the test in yoga classes, at our home gyms, and more. You can find all the details on fit, style, and performance for our favorites below.
Generally, sizes run from 0 to 20 to fit a wide range of body types. Prices vary and run around $14 for small accessories like socks and headbands, $58 for sports bras, and $128 for some of their most popular workout leggings.
14 of our favorite Lululemon pieces and what they're like to wear:
Wunder Under High-Rise Tight
Ashley Phillips /InsiderShop at Lululemon
I never wanted to love Lululemon because I knew it would be an expensive habit, but these leggings made me a convert. They're soft and lightweight enough to sleep in but still substantial enough to work out in. And unlike so many other pairs I've owned, the high-rise waist never rolls down. I haven't taken them off since the start of the pandemic, and once I wear them out, I'll be running to the store to buy more. As far as sizing, I typically wear a size 0 in most clothing, but I went with a 4 in these leggings and they fit perfectly. — Ashley Phillips, style and beauty editor
Wunder Under High-Rise Tight
Hannah Freedman/InsiderThe classic Wunder Under leggings in black were my first-ever Lululemon purchase more than a decade ago now, and I continue to wear them. They're soft, stretchy, suck you in at all the right places, but are still comfortable enough to wear with a cozy oversized sweatshirt all day. Even if you don't hit the gym too often, you'll likely end up wearing these around the house daily. They also still get the job done during workouts, though I've found they aren't quite as good for sweat-wicking or quick-drying as options like the Fast and Free Tight. Additionally, while they do have a small waistband pocket for keys or your credit card, I do now prefer the convenience of leggings with side pockets for hitting the gym or going on runs. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor
Enlite Bra
Sally Kaplan/InsiderShop at Lululemon
This is probably my number one most favorite sports bra in the world, and I've tested over 20 of them for my job as a style editor. As a short person with a DD chest, I have a really hard time finding sports bras that work. The straps are always too long for my short torso and the padding is often too intense for my taste. But this bra is the ultimate middle ground. The straps aren't too long or too short, and the amount of padding is minimal.
The cross-back straps help create enough lift that I feel really supported, even for high-intensity workouts, and the material is really soft and seamless for a comfy fit. There's almost always going to be some uniboob action going on with sports bras for large chests, but I find that it's less so with this style versus some of my other high-intensity sports bras. — Sally Kaplan, senior editor
Intent Joggers Shorter 27''
Shop at Lululemon
Lululemon has become my number one destination for whenever I need new joggers or sweatpants. The material itself is incredibly comfortable, but the bigger value for me lies in the versatility of these joggers. The shorter taper at the bottom of the joggers prevents any wear and tear or fraying that I typically see in my sweatpants, which allows me to work from home comfortably, run errands and even workout. I have put a lot of mileage in these joggers and they have yet to fail me and still stand up to the most demanding days. — Frank Massaro, partnerships manager
Down For It All Jacket
Ashley Phillips /InsiderShop at Lululemon
The best part about this jacket is all the pockets. There are front zip pockets for small items like keys and credit cards, and side pockets that are perfectly sized for a phone. I love the lightweight feel (although you'll probably want something heavier for temperatures below 50 degrees) and I reach for it every time I'm going out for a walk and don't want to bring a handbag. The fit is really slim since it was designed for running, so I sized up to a 6 (I'm typically a 2 or 4 in Lululemon) and there's just enough room to layer a long-sleeve top underneath. The hood and water-resistant material have come in handy several times on drizzly days. — Ashley Phillips, style and beauty editor
Read our full review of the Down For It All jacket here.
Fast and Free Tight II
Rachael Schultz/InsiderShop at Lululemon
It's pretty rare for me to drop $130 on a pair of tights unless they're seriously special. But I love the Fast and Free Tights so much I actually own two pairs. I think they are The Best workout tights available. For starters, they are perfectly high waisted for both comfort and for wearing with a crop top. The drawstring means you can tighten the waist so they won't slip down during workouts. Overall, the fabric is silky to touch, sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and holds up well after dozens and dozens and dozens of washes.
These leggings feel like a second skin on runs, throughout CrossFit classes, and while running errands — and they don't become sheer during squats. Most of all, I love the perfect light compression on them which not only contributes to that second-skin feeling but also makes the leggings very flattering, all without being so tight that your organs are being squished (I regularly wear these all day or on long flights). — Rachael Schultz, health and fitness updates editor
Fast and Free Tight II
Hannah Freedman/InsiderI've had the Fast and Free II leggings for three years now and they are possibly my favorite pair ever. In fact, I actually have two pairs of this style. The high rise fit, lightweight and stretchy material, and sweat-wicking abilities make these ideal for everything from running outdoors to taking hot yoga classes. I've found the fit to be excellent, and I never need to adjust these pants mid-workout. However, by far my favorite feature is the side pockets, which easily fits my phone and key while holding them tight enough to me that they don't bounce around uncomfortably. After hundreds of wears, these still hold their shape, have plenty of stretch, and haven't become any thinner than the day I bought them. — Hannah Freedman, associate travel editor
Align Tank
Rachael Schultz/InsiderShop at Lululemon
If you're large-chested, this top probably won't work for you. But as a 36A, if I could live in one shirt for the rest of my life, it would be this one. That's largely because I wear this both as a top with anything high-waisted, as well as a way more comfortable but equally supportive bra under baggy shirts and sweatshirts. The fabric here is uber-soft and comfortable and just lovely on your skin. The slight v-neck and scoop back are super flattering and it has a built-in bra (it comes with fabric cups too but these are easily removable).
The feature that really sets this apart from other crop tops or bra tops is that something about the cut and the compression delivers the near-impossible for us small-chested ladies: it gives you cleavage. This sounds silly considering it's a workout top, but my tiny chest basically never looks tantalizing in anything without a lot of underwire and padding — yet this tank delivers cleavage and comfort. (For what it's worth, I've heard womxn as big as a C cup be equally excited about its lifting potential, but I imagine it might squish bigger boobs uncomfortably.)
This top is designed for yoga and would definitely hold up through a flow, but I also wear mine a lot on hikes and it's very comfortable to work up a serious sweat in (though it wouldn't be enough support for a run). Because this top is tight, I'd recommend sizing up (I'm a 36A and usually a 6, but wear an 8 in this top). — Rachael Schultz, health and fitness updates editor
All Tied Up Tank
Rachael Schultz/InsiderShop at Lululemon
This workout top is super versatile since you can wear it loose and flowy, or, thanks to the slits in the back, wear it tied up. I almost always wear it tied back and I like that I can adjust it to whatever height my leggings or shorts are. The fabric is super lightweight and breathable. It's cotton, but I've always found it quite sweat-wicking in the heat. I like the high-neck for more coverage, particularly when doing barbell cleans. The only bummer is the knot in the back is annoying for floor exercises or carrying a daypack hiking, but it's easy to undo and re-tie. — Rachael Schultz, health and fitness updates editor
On the Fly Woven ⅞ Pant Woven
Shop at Lululemon
These are amazing pants to travel in. They're a loose fit overall but have a drawstring waist, so they're comfy to sit for a long time in without being skin tight. The fabric is an unusual poly-blend but it's very comfortable and doesn't wrinkle. I like that they look a little more business casual than your typical legging. The pockets are perfectly placed and rather deep, which is great if you're going through an airport and need an easy-access stash for your phone or passport. I personally wish they were a little more high-waisted, but I think most people would be happy with the just-below-the-belly-button rise. — Rachael Schultz, health and fitness updates editor
Former Associate Travel Editor, Reviews
Hannah is the former associate travel editor for Insider Reviews. She's been to over 50 countries on five continents and is always on the hunt for the best hotels, food spots, and off-the-beaten-path finds. Before joining the Insider team, Hannah oversaw all digital content and edited print features for Family Traveller magazine. Under her guidance, the Family Traveller website won multiple awards, including in the Best Online Travel Magazine category, from the North American Travel Journalists Association. She also previously worked at Oprah.com and has written for outlets including Vanity Fair, Travel + Leisure, Thrillist, Brides, Here Magazine, Greatist, and more. She holds a master's in Publishing and Digital Media from NYU. An avid traveler, you can follow along on Hannah's adventures on her Instagram @hfreed11. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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