Calia vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Calia offers fashion-forward and versatile activewear at a wallet-friendly price point, making it ideal for everyday wear and light workouts. Lululemon is a premium performance brand known for its innovative technical fabrics, exceptional durability, and a higher price tag suited for serious fitness enthusiasts.

Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which activewear brand best fits your lifestyle and budget.

Calia: The Fashion-Forward Athleisure Brand

Launched by actress Kate Hudson, Calia is designed for women who want stylish, multipurpose activewear that transitions smoothly from a workout to daily life. The brand focuses on creating chic, minimalist pieces that blend comfort, function, and a modern aesthetic. Calia targets shoppers looking for quality activewear at an accessible price, without sacrificing style for performance.

• Product mix: Features leggings, sports bras, tops, and other athleisure essentials designed with a minimalist and understated look. The collections are built for versatility, suitable for both fitness activities and casual outings.
• Price point: A significant advantage, with leggings typically priced between $40-$70 and sports bras ranging from $20-$40, providing a budget-friendly alternative to premium brands.
• Quality: Utilizes soft, breathable, and comfortable fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. While excellent for daily wear and lower-impact workouts, the materials may not offer the same level of long-term durability or technical performance as Lululemon for high-intensity training.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally inclusive and true-to-size. However, the fit is often described as slightly more relaxed and casual, and some customers note occasional variability across different styles.
• Sales: Frequently available through department stores and online, the brand often runs sales and promotions, making it even more affordable.

Calia is an excellent choice for those seeking stylish, versatile, and affordable activewear perfect for everyday comfort and light fitness routines.

Shop Calia: caliastudio.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Performance & Quality

Lululemon is a globally recognized leader in premium athletic apparel, originally famous for its high-quality yoga wear and now offering an extensive line of gear for running, training, and everyday life. The brand has built a loyal following through its focus on technical fabric innovation, an exceptional fit, and cultivating a strong community. Lululemon is for the consumer who is willing to invest in high-performance apparel that lasts.

• Product mix: An extensive range of leggings, sports bras, shorts, tops, and jackets - all designed with functional details like hidden pockets and reflective accents for performance.
• Price point: Operates in the premium segment, with popular leggings costing $98-$148 and sports bras from $48-$68. The price reflects the investment in research, fabric technology, and quality control.
• Quality: Renowned for signature fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ and durable Luon™. These materials offer superior four-way stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities, shape retention, and overall longevity, even after years of intense use.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its consistent, true-to-size fit and precise tailoring. The engineered designs provide a secure, comfortable, and flattering fit for a wide range of body types.
• Innovation: Continuously develops and patents new fabric technologies designed to solve specific problems for athletes, from weightlessness to sweat management.

Lululemon consistently delivers top-tier performance, durability, and a contoured fit, making it the preferred brand for dedicated athletes who view their activewear as an investment in their training.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Calia vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear distinction in pricing between the two brands. Calia is positioned as the accessible, budget-conscious option. With leggings often under $70 and sports bras regularly under $40, you can build a full workout outfit for less than the cost of a single pair of Lululemon leggings.

Lululemon commands a premium price, with its most popular leggings starting at $98. This cost is justified by the brand's investment in proprietary fabric technology, rigorous testing, and exceptional durability. While the upfront cost is higher, many users find the longevity of Lululemon products provides better long-term value for serious fitness routines.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon's core strength lies in its high-performance, technical fabrics. Materials like Nulu™, Luxtreme™, and Everlux™ are engineered for specific activities, offering unparalleled softness, compression, sweat-wicking properties, and shape retention over hundreds of wears and washes. The construction quality is superb, with flatlock seams to prevent chafing and meticulous attention to detail.

Calia uses quality fabrics that are soft, comfortable, and functional for everyday activities and low-to-moderate intensity workouts. They perform well for errands, walking, or a yoga class, but they lack the highly technical composition and enduring resilience of Lululemon's materials. For high-sweat, high-friction activities over the long term, Lululemon’s fabrics will hold up better.

Fit & Sizing

Lululemon has built its reputation on a consistent and precise fit. Their sizing is reliable, and guides are detailed, meaning you can generally order your size and expect it to fit correctly. The engineering behind their designs creates a supportive, "held-in" feel that is both flattering and functional during movement.

Calia offers a more relaxed and accommodating fit that many find comfortable for casual wear. While it is generally true to size, some report slight inconsistencies between different styles. Its fit is less compressive and technical compared to Lululemon's, prioritizing everyday comfort over high-performance support.

Product Selection & Style

Calia’s design aesthetic is fashion-forward, understated, and chic. The brand uses softer color palettes and minimalist branding to create versatile pieces that look just as good at a cafe as they do in a studio. The focus is on creating a stylish athleisure wardrobe that doesn’t scream "gym clothes."

Lululemon offers a sleek, modern, and sporty aesthetic. While their pieces are equally popular for everyday wear, the design roots are clearly in performance. Their offerings cater to specific athletic pursuits with a wide range of lengths, rises, and technical features tailored to activities like running, yoga, and training.

Shopping Experience

Lululemon provides a premium shopping experience both in-store and online. Stores are staffed by knowledgeable "Educators" who can help with sizing and activity-specific recommendations. Their website is easy to navigate, with detailed product information and extensive customer reviews.

Calia is more accessible, sold primarily online and through major department stores. This model makes it easy to find products and often take advantage of store-wide sales and promotions that Lululemon rarely offers.

Sustainability & Ethics

Over the years, Lululemon has established a public commitment to sustainability, publishing annual reports on its progress with recycled materials, waste reduction, and supply chain transparency. They are actively working towards becoming a more responsible and environmentally friendly company.

As a younger brand, Calia’s sustainability initiatives are less established and not as central to its public messaging. While they adhere to industry standards, Lululemon currently has a more developed and transparent sustainability program.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right activewear brand depends entirely on your priorities, how you plan to use the clothing, and your budget.

Choose Calia if:

• You're looking for stylish, comfortable, and affordable activewear.
• You want versatile pieces that can be worn for errands, lounging, and light workouts.
• Your primary focus is a chic and minimalist aesthetic.
• You love finding a good deal and shopping sales.

Choose Lululemon if:

• Performance, durability, and fabric technology are your top concerns.
• You engage in intense or frequent workouts and need your gear to last.
• You are willing to invest in long-lasting pieces known for their superior fit and feel.
• You need activity-specific gear with technical features for running, yoga, or training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Calia or Lululemon more expensive?

Lululemon is significantly more expensive. Calia leggings are typically priced between $40-$70, while Lululemon leggings start at $98 and go up to $148, making Calia the more budget-friendly brand.

Which brand is better quality?

Lululemon is known for higher technical quality, using proprietary, durable fabrics engineered for intense workouts and longevity. Calia offers good quality for its price point, focused on comfort and style for more casual use, but it may not hold up as well over time under rigorous activity.

Does Calia run true to size?

Yes, Calia generally runs true to size. However, its fit is often more relaxed and casual compared to other activewear brands. Some shoppers have noted minor inconsistencies in fit between different items, so it may be best to try them on if possible.

Is Lululemon worth the money?

For many, yes. If you are a serious athlete or exercise frequently, the durability, performance, and exceptional fit of Lululemon apparel can be a worthwhile long-term investment. The clothing holds its shape and function for years, justifying the higher upfront cost.

Which brand is better for yoga?

Lululemon is the superior choice for a serious yoga practice. Their origins are in yoga, and fabrics like Nulu™ feel weightless and move with you, providing the stretch and comfort an avid yogi needs. While Calia is fine for a casual class, Lululemon’s fit and fabrics are purpose-built for it.

Which brand is better for casual wear?

Both brands excel at casual wear, but Calia is specifically designed with a fashion-forward, athleisure focus. Its softer color palettes and minimalist style blend seamlessly into an everyday wardrobe, making it an excellent choice for those wanting style and comfort.

Where can I buy Calia?

Calia is sold on its official website, caliastudio.com, and is also widely available at major department stores like Dick's Sporting Goods.

Does Lululemon ever have sales?

Lululemon rarely has site-wide sales. However, you can find discounted items year-round in their "We Made Too Much" section online, which features products with limited sizes and colors at a reduced price.