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

Cleo Harper offers stylish, sustainably-minded athleisure at an accessible mid-range price, focusing on versatile, minimalist designs. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium performance brand known for its innovative, high-tech fabrics, superior durability, and a higher price point designed for serious athletic activity.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your needs.

Cleo Harper: The Stylish and Sustainable Athleisure Brand

Cleo Harper is a contemporary activewear brand that blends modern, minimalist style with functional comfort. It caters to women who want polished, versatile pieces that work for both light workouts and everyday life. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and an accessible price point, the brand has built a loyal following among shoppers who value an effortless aesthetic and eco-conscious manufacturing.

• Product mix: The collection includes leggings, sports bras, joggers, hoodies, and accessories. Pieces are designed with simple silhouettes and neutral tones that are easy to mix and match.
• Price point: Cleo Harper is positioned in the mid-range market, with most apparel priced between $30 and $80. It provides a budget-friendly alternative to premium activewear brands.
• Quality & Materials: Focuses on quality and comfort using eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. The construction is solid for daily wear and light exercise but is less technically advanced than high-performance brands.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is clean, modern, and understated. Its minimalist designs are trendy without being overly flashy, perfect for a subtle, put-together athleisure outfit.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is inclusive, typically running from XS to 3X. The fit is generally true to size with a focus on comfortable, flattering cuts rather than intense compression.
• Sustainability: This is a core part of the brand's identity, with a commitment to using sustainable fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices.

Cleo Harper excels at creating chic, affordable, and eco-friendly activewear perfect for daily life and casual fitness routines.

Shop Cleo Harper: cleoharper.com

Lululemon: The Leader in High-Performance Activewear

Lululemon is a global powerhouse in the athletic apparel industry, famous for its premium-quality yoga, running, and training gear. The brand is renowned for pioneering innovative, proprietary fabrics that deliver exceptional performance, comfort, and longevity. Lululemon is an investment piece for serious athletes and style-conscious consumers who demand durability and function from their activewear.

• Product mix: An extensive range including leggings, tops, bras, jackets, shorts, and joggers for almost every athletic activity. The brand has also expanded into personal care, bags, and footwear.
• Price point: Lululemon is a premium brand, with most key items ranging from $60 to $150. Prices reflect the advanced materials, design, and brand reputation.
• Quality & Innovation: Lululemon's reputation is built on its materials. Signature fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ and the supportive Luon™ offer best-in-class stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and durability for high-intensity workouts.
• Style & Aesthetic: The aesthetic is modern, sleek, and performance-driven. While many pieces have a clean and simple look, the brand often incorporates bold colors, reflective details, and fashion-forward designs.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a wide range from size 0 to 20 in most items. The fit is generally true to size but can feel compressive or run slightly small in certain high-support styles.
• Shopping Experience: Known for a premier experience, with knowledgeable staff in its retail stores, a seamless website, and community-building events like in-store yoga classes.

Lululemon is the go-to for high-performance, durable activewear that excels during intense workouts and holds its quality for years.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Cleo Harper vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

The most significant difference between the two brands is price. Cleo Harper is far more accessible, with most of its popular items falling in the $30-$80 range. This makes it an attractive option for building a versatile athleisure wardrobe without a major financial commitment.

Lululemon operates in the premium category, where leggings start around $98 and can go much higher. The price reflects an investment in proprietary fabric technology, advanced construction, and expected longevity. While Cleo Harper offers great value, Lululemon is positioned as a long-term investment piece for performance.

Quality & Materials

Lululemon is the clear winner when it comes to technical performance materials. Fabrics like Everlux™ and Nulu™ are engineered for specific activities, offering properties like fast-drying, four-way stretch, and a barely-there feel that stand up to years of intense use and washing. The stitching and construction are designed to endure friction and high-impact movement.

Cleo Harper uses quality materials that are soft, comfortable, and durable for everyday scenarios. Their focus on eco-friendly fabrics like recycled polyester strikes a chord with conscious consumers. However, these materials are not designed with the same high-performance specifications as Lululemon's and may not hold up as well under the stress of rigorous, frequent training.

Style & Aesthetic

Cleo Harper's aesthetic is minimalist, modern, and effortlessly chic. Think neutral color palettes, simple silhouettes, and subtle branding. Their pieces are designed to integrate seamlessly into a casual wardrobe, often looking more like fashion staples than pure workout gear.

Lululemon balances function and fashion with a sleeker, more athletic appearance. Designs often feature performance elements like seams that contour the body, ventilation panels, and reflective details. While many of their pieces are versatile enough for street style, the core aesthetic is rooted in athletic performance.

Fit & Sizing

Cleo Harper provides a comfortable, true-to-size fit across its XS-3X range. The goal is a flattering silhouette that doesn't feel restrictive, making it ideal for all-day wear and lighter workouts. Their sizing tends to be consistent across different styles.

Lululemon's sizing runs from 0-20 and is generally true-to-size, but the feel can vary dramatically by fabric and intended use. Compression leggings will fit much snugger than items from the Align collection. Some shoppers find they need to size up in certain compressive styles for a more comfortable fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands prioritize sustainable and ethical practices. For Cleo Harper, sustainability is a central element of its brand identity, evident in its use of eco-friendly fabrics and transparent manufacturing. It’s a key reason many shoppers choose the brand.

Lululemon, as a much larger corporation, has made significant commitments to sustainability, outlined in detailed annual reports. They focus on using sustainable materials, reducing their environmental footprint, and ensuring fair labor practices throughout their supply chain.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your budget, activity level, and personal style. Both brands offer high-quality products, but they serve different needs.

Choose Cleo Harper if:

• You're looking for stylish and comfortable athleisure under $80.
• You prioritize shopping from brands with a core focus on sustainability.
• Your primary activities are light workouts like yoga, walking, and daily wear.
• You prefer a minimalist, modern aesthetic with neutral tones and understated designs.

Choose Lululemon if:

• Performance and long-term durability for intense workouts are your top priorities.
• You are willing to invest in premium apparel with advanced fabric technology.
• You participate in high-impact activities like running, HIIT, or frequent yoga sessions.
• You want a compressive, athletic fit that contours and supports your body during movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cleo Harper or Lululemon cheaper?

Cleo Harper is significantly more affordable. Most of its clothing is priced between $30 and $80, whereas key pieces from Lululemon typically range from $60 to $150.

Which brand has better quality?

For high-performance athletic needs, Lululemon offers superior quality due to its innovative, proprietary fabrics engineered for durability and specific activities. For everyday wear and comfort, Cleo Harper offers excellent quality and uses sustainable materials that are built to last.

Does Cleo Harper run true to size?

Yes, Cleo Harper generally runs true to size. Its designs focus on a comfortable, flattering fit that isn't overly compressive, making shopping online straightforward.

Does Lululemon run small?

Lululemon sizing is typically true to size, but some performance-oriented styles with high compression can feel snug. Many customers prefer to size up in items like the Wunder Train or Fast and Free leggings for a less restrictive fit.

Which brand is better for intense workouts like running or HIIT?

Lululemon is the better choice for high-intensity workouts. Its fabrics are specifically designed to handle sweat, friction, and constant movement while providing support and staying in place.

Can I find Cleo Harper in physical stores?

Cleo Harper is primarily a direct-to-consumer brand and sells its products through its official website. They do not have widespread physical retail stores like Lululemon.

Which brand's leggings are softer?

Lululemon's Align leggings, made from their signature Nulu™ fabric, are legendary for their buttery-soft, weightless feel. They are often considered the industry benchmark for softness and comfort. Cleo Harper's leggings are also very soft and comfortable, but the Align pant is in a category of its own.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Both brands have strong sustainability initiatives. Sustainability is a foundational tenet of Cleo Harper's brand identity. Lululemon also has robust, well-documented programs aimed at reducing its environmental impact and promoting ethical practices on a large corporate scale.