Before You Buy: Lululemon vs. Athleta Summer Activewear (Luxury Brand Review!)

After dropping three sizes, I was ready to invest in my summer activewear! This season, I'm on a mission to find the best performance wear for my workouts and daily life. My new Lululemon favorites are great, but how do they stack up against their top competitor, Athleta? Discover the lifestyle shifts that led to my transformation in my free workshop!

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So, I embarked on a mission to try on some of the most popular summer pieces from both brands. This isn't just any activewear review; this is my honest, firsthand experience, comparing Lululemon vs. Athleta to see which brand reigns supreme for summer. Here’s a detailed look at my finds, my thoughts on each piece, and my ultimate best picks!

My Experience with Lululemon for Summer

After that first gifted piece, I was genuinely excited to dive deeper into Lululemon's summer collection. What consistently impresses me about Lululemon is their dedication to fabric innovation and sleek design. Their pieces often feel like a luxurious second skin, making you want to live in them.

Here are the Lululemon pieces I tried and my thoughts:

• Align High-Rise Short 6” (size 4): Oh, the Lululemon Align Short. The hype is real! Made with their signature Nulu fabric, these shorts are unbelievably buttery soft and lightweight. When I put them on, they truly felt like nothing was there, offering that "naked sensation" everyone talks about. The high-rise fit is so flattering, and the 6" inseam felt like the perfect length for both yoga sessions and simply lounging around on a hot day. While I know Nulu can be delicate and requires careful washing to prevent pilling, the comfort alone makes these a summer workout clothes staple for me.
  • Shop Align High Rise Short 6” here
• Align High-Rise Skort 13” White (size 4): I've been eyeing a good athletic skort for summer, and the Lululemon Align Skort in white caught my eye. The 13” length is fantastic, offering great coverage while still feeling light and breezy. It combines the comfort of the Align fabric with the practicality of a skirt over built-in shorts. I could definitely see myself wearing this for a casual walk, a light tennis match, or just as a chic summer outfit.
  • Shop Align High Rise Skort 13” White here
• Define Cropped Jacket Nulu (size 4): I own the classic Define Jacket, so I was eager to try the cropped Nulu version. This jacket is just as flattering as its full-length counterpart, with that signature cinched waist that creates such a beautiful silhouette. The Nulu fabric makes it incredibly soft against my skin, making it the perfect lightweight layer for throwing on after a morning yoga class or for a slightly cooler summer evening. It really elevates any athleisure look.
  • Shop Define Cropped Jacket Nulu here

My overall takeaway from trying Lululemon’s summer offerings is that they excel in delivering a truly premium, luxurious feel. If ultimate softness and sleek design are your top priorities for summer activewear, these pieces are incredibly impressive.

My Experience with Athleta for Summer

After being so impressed with Lululemon, I knew I had to put their #1 competitor, Athleta, to the test. Athleta has a fantastic reputation for its performance-driven designs, inclusivity, and versatility, making their pieces work for everything from intense workouts to everyday life. I picked up a range of their most popular summer essentials.

Here’s what I discovered trying on Athleta's summer collection:

• Varsity Blue Transcend High Rise 5” Shortie (size small): These shorts surprised me in the best way! The Transcend fabric is incredibly smooth, breathable, and feels fantastic during any workout. I found the 5" inseam to be a perfect balance of coverage and freedom of movement, and the high-rise fit felt incredibly secure and comfortable. I could easily wear these for a run, a gym session, or even just running errands.
  • Shop Varsity Blue Transcend High Rise 5” Shortie here
• Varsity Blue with Stripe Elation Tipped 5” Shortie (size x-small): The Elation fabric is a real standout for me – it feels soft yet incredibly supportive, offering more compression than the Transcend. The stripe and tipped details added a fun, stylish touch. These Athleta shorts felt robust enough for higher-intensity workouts while still being super comfortable for daily wear.
  • Shop Varsity Blue with Stripe Elation Tipped 5” Shortie here
• Green Transcend High Rise Tipped Shortie 3” (size small): For those scorching hot days, I loved the shorter 3” inseam of these Transcend Shorties. They offer that same great fabric and comfort but with maximum breathability. Perfect for when you want minimal fabric clinging to you!
  • Shop Green Transcend High Rise Tipped Shortie 3” here
• Compression Interval 5” Shorts: If you need serious support, these are your go-to! The compression in these Athleta Compression Shorts felt amazing for high-impact activities. I felt incredibly secure during jumps and squats – definitely a top pick for tough training sessions.
  • Shop Compression Interval 5” Shorts here
• Ace Advance High Rise 13 ½’’ Skort: This Athleta Ace Skort truly felt like a fantastic all-rounder. The 13.5" length is versatile, and I loved the practical features, like the hidden shorts underneath. It's clearly built for movement, making it ideal for everything from tennis to hiking, or just a day out when I want to feel active and put-together.
  • Shop Ace Advance High Rise 13 ½’’ Skort here
• White Transcend Square Neck Crop Sports Bra (cup A-C, size x-small): Not only is this Athleta sports bra supportive enough for my A-C cup size, but the square neck design also felt incredibly chic. The Transcend fabric makes it super comfortable, so I could see myself wearing this for light workouts or just as a cute top in hot weather.
  • Shop White Transcend Square Neck Crop Sports Bra here
• Green Transcend Top Cropped: This Athleta cropped top is made from the same lovely Transcend fabric, feeling light and airy. It's the perfect pairing for high-waisted shorts or leggings, giving me a comfortable and stylish look for both workouts and casual outings.
  • Shop Green Transcend Top Cropped here
• Varsity Blue Salutation Crop Jacket: I was really impressed with this Athleta Salutation Jacket as a layering piece. The fabric is so soft and stretchy, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. Its cropped length complements high-waisted bottoms perfectly, making it ideal for throwing on before or after a workout, or for a casual summer evening when I need a light cover-up.
  • Shop Varsity Blue Salutation Crop Jacket here

Athleta's summer collection really stood out to me for its thoughtful functionality, versatility, and broad appeal across different activities. If you're looking for durable, high-performing gear that seamlessly transitions from active pursuits to daily life, Athleta definitely delivers.

My Head-to-Head Comparison: Lululemon vs. Athleta

After trying on so many pieces, I have some clear thoughts on how these two athletic wear titans compare. When it comes to Lululemon vs. Athleta, here’s what I found:

• Fabric Feel & Performance:
  • For me, Lululemon's Nulu (in Align pieces) takes the crown for sheer buttery softness and that incredible "naked" feel. It’s unmatched for comfort in low-impact activities.
  • Athleta's Transcend fabric is also wonderfully soft and breathable, feeling great for all-day wear and workouts. Their Elation (Powervita) fabric offered more compression and support, which I preferred for high-intensity training.
• Fit & Sizing:
  • I found Lululemon's numerical sizing (like my size 4) to be very consistent.
  • Athleta's letter sizing (XS, S) also fit me well, and I particularly appreciate their commitment to offering a wider range of sizes, which is a big plus.
• Style & Aesthetics:
  • Lululemon’s aesthetic is super sleek, minimalist, and effortlessly polished. They truly nail the elevated athleisure look.
  • Athleta offers a slightly broader style range. While many pieces are sleek, some also have a more "everyday wear" vibe, which I found made them easier to integrate into my non-workout wardrobe.
• Price Point:
  • Lululemon generally sits at a higher price point.
  • Athleta is a bit more budget-friendly, and I've noticed they have sales more frequently, which offers great value for the quality you get.
• Versatility:
  • Both brands offer versatile pieces. However, I personally felt that many of Athleta's shorts and skorts transitioned more seamlessly from my workout to running errands, thanks to their robust fabrics and practical designs.

My Verdict: Which Brand Gets My Best Picks for YOUR Summer?

So, after putting them to the test, which brand comes out on top in my Lululemon vs. Athleta showdown? Honestly, there’s no single winner because the "best" really depends on what you prioritize for your summer activewear.

Here are my recommendations based on my own experience:

• Choose Lululemon if... you prioritize that incredibly soft, buttery, almost "naked" feel above all else. If you're primarily doing yoga, Pilates, or just want supreme comfort for casual wear, and you're willing to invest in premium pieces, Lululemon is unmatched in that specific comfort factor. My Lululemon Align Short is definitely a top pick for ultimate comfort.
• Choose Athleta if... you need versatile pieces that perform well across a wider range of activities (from running and training to daily errands). If you appreciate thoughtful functional details, value inclusivity in sizing, and want excellent quality at a slightly more accessible price, Athleta is a fantastic choice. My Athleta Transcend shorts and Ace Skort are standouts for their performance and versatility. Looking for sales? Athleta is your best bet for ongoing discounts!

For my summer closet, I've realized I'll definitely be keeping a mix of both! My Lululemon Align pieces are unbeatable for ultimate comfort during those more relaxed days, while my Athleta pieces will be the reliable, stylish workhorses I need for every other activity under the summer sun.

What are your favorite Lululemon or Athleta pieces for summer? Have you tried any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Want to see these pieces in action? Check out my full video review and try-on haul here: