Kit and Ace vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy?

Kit and Ace focuses on versatile, technical apparel designed to transition seamlessly from city life to travel, featuring a minimalist aesthetic at a mid-premium price. Lululemon is the global standard for high-performance activewear, known for its proprietary fabrics, superior athletic fit, and higher price point prioritizing workout-specific function.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right premium apparel brand for your lifestyle.

Kit and Ace: The Minimalist Athleisure Brand

Founded in 2014, Kit and Ace is a Canadian brand that designs technical clothing for modern professionals. The brand's core mission is to create functional, versatile pieces using innovative materials that don't sacrifice style or comfort, making them ideal for someone who needs their wardrobe to perform during a busy day, through a commute, and into the evening.

• Product mix: Apparel includes performance-driven leggings, joggers, tops, outerwear, and accessories. There's a strong emphasis on creating a capsule wardrobe that can be worn for work, travel, and casual occasions.
• Price point: In the mid-range to premium category, most apparel falls between $80 and $200. It offers a slightly more accessible entry point for technical daily wear compared to its luxury competitors.
• Quality & Materials: The brand is known for its focus on innovative, technical fabrics. Hallmarks include moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant materials designed for longevity and ease of care.
• Sizing/Fit: Kit and Ace generally runs true to size with a focus on comfortable, easy-to-wear silhouettes. The fit is often more relaxed and less compressive than performance-focused brands, catering to everyday movement.
• Style & Aesthetic: The overall look is minimalist, sleek, and understated. Expect clean lines, neutral color palettes, and timeless designs that are not overly athletic.
• Sustainability: The brand uses responsible manufacturing practices, including incorporating recycled fabrics into some of their flagship products.

Kit and Ace is perfect for urban professionals and style-conscious consumers who value high-quality basics that blend function with a refined, modern look.

Shop Kit and Ace: kitandace.com

Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Performance Wear

Since its founding in 1998, Lululemon has become a global force in athletic apparel, famous for popularizing yoga-inspired clothing. The brand is celebrated for its exceptional quality, flattering fits, and creating premium apparel that defines the athleisure category. A strong community focus and highly-rated guest services have cultivated a loyal following among fitness enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike.

• Product mix: Known for yoga pants and leggings, Lululemon's range is extensive, including tops, sports bras, outerwear, and popular items for men. They also offer running gear, training apparel, and accessories like bags and yoga mats.
• Price point: Sits squarely in the premium range, with their famous leggings typically costing between $98 to $128. Specialized outerwear can go well over $200.
• Technology & Innovation: This is a key differentiator. Lululemon invests heavily in proprietary fabrics like buttery-soft Nulu&trade, (for Align pants), sleek Luon&trade,, and sweat-wicking Everlux&trade,, each engineered for a specific feel and activity.
• Sizing/Fit: Lululemon is known for its consistent, body-contouring fits that provide excellent support and shape. Many leggings offer a gentle to high-compression feel, and their sizing is designed to be precise for performance needs.
• Style & Aesthetic: Lululemon's style is modern, versatile, and distinctly athletic. While their pieces are often worn casually, they maintain a sporty, clean aesthetic marked by their prominent logo and frequent release of bold colors alongside classic neutrals.
• Sustainability: As a larger company, Lululemon has a number of public sustainability goals, including a focus on responsible material sourcing, waste reduction, and their "Like New" resale program.

For those who prioritize performance, technical fabric innovation, and a supportive athletic fit, Lululemon remains the top choice in the luxury activewear market.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Kit and Ace vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Lululemon's pricing is consistently higher, setting the standard for the premium activewear market. Its signature leggings are rarely found below $98, and new-release items maintain full price positioning. You pay for the extensive fabric research, A+ brand recognition, and durability proven over years.

Kit and Ace positions itself slightly below Lululemon, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking technical fabrics without the absolute highest price point. While still a premium brand, you're more likely to find joggers or performance tops in the $80 to $150 range, representing better value for versatile pieces that function beyond the gym.

Quality & Materials

This is where the two brands' different goals become clear. Lululemon’s strength lies in its portfolio of high-performance, activity-specific fabrics. Nulu&trade, is engineered for low-impact yoga with a weightless feel, while Everlux&trade, is brilliantly designed for wicking sweat in high-intensity classes. The construction is second-to-none for leggings, ensuring they don't go sheer and withstand years of use.

Kit and Ace focuses on multi-purpose technical fabrics. Their goal is comfort and practicality for all-day wear. Materials are chosen for features like wrinkle resistance, four-way stretch, and a premium handfeel that looks just as good in a casual office setting as it does on a weekend walk. While their bottoms are excellent, they are designed less for a specific high-impact sport and more for everyday life.

Fit & Sizing

Lululemon is all about a supportive, body-contouring fit. Their leggings and tanks are designed to hug your frame, offer compression where needed, and stay put during intense activity. Many find their fits exceptionally flattering, hence their cult-like status. Sizing is consistent but can feel snug due to the compression, leading some to size up for a more relaxed feel.

Kit and Ace offers a more true-to-size, relaxed fit across their collections. The focus is on comfort and mobility for day-to-day tasks. Pants and tops are tailored but not overly restrictive. This makes their clothing an easy choice for those who dislike the tight, compressive feel of purely athletic apparel. If you want a fit that floats away from the body rather than molds to it, Kit and Ace is the clear winner.

Style & Aesthetic

Though both brands offer versatile pieces, their aesthetics diverge. Lululemon has a definitively sporty identity. Even their most everyday items, like the Scuba Hoodie or Align jacket, carry a functional, athletic signature. Their frequent drops of vibrant and seasonal colors make them trend-forward in the activewear space.

Kit and Ace leans into a minimalist, urban aesthetic. With a palette centered around neutrals like black, grey, and beige, their designs are intentionally understated. The clean lines and lack of prominent branding allow the pieces to be styled up for a smart-casual or work setting easily. Lululemon can be worn casually, but Kit and Ace excels at blending in beyond athletic contexts.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to how and where you plan to wear your apparel. Both brands deliver exceptional quality, but they serve different primary needs.

Choose Kit and Ace if:

• You're building a versatile capsule wardrobe for travel, work, and everyday life.
• You prefer an understated, minimalist style with neutral colors.
• Wrinkle-resistance and all-day comfort are your biggest priorities.
• You prefer a relaxed, less compressive fit in your clothing.

Choose Lululemon if:

• Performance during high-sweat and high-impact activities is your top concern.
• You want a sculpted, supportive fit that flatters and provides light compression.
• You're loyal to their signature fabrics like Nulu&trade, or Everlux&trade, and their legendary durability through wash and wear.
• You enjoy a recognized athletic brand that doubles for both workouts and casual errand runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kit and Ace cheaper than Lululemon?

Yes, Kit and Ace is generally priced slightly lower than Lululemon across comparable categories. While both are premium brands, Kit and Ace offers a more accessible price point for technical apparel.

Which brand has better quality fabrics?

Neither brand is of poor quality, but they are different. Lululemon's fabrics are superior for specialized, high-impact athletic performance due to their proprietary technology. Kit and Ace's fabrics are excellent for multi-purpose functionality, travel, and everyday comfort with features like wrinkle-resistance.

What style is Lululemon vs Kit and Ace?

Lululemon can often be worn casually just as much as its competitor, but it's worth noting Kit & Ace as it targets more toward the working professional and less towards athleisure wear. They are both minimal with pops of color, but the styling can be a bit more fashion and on-trend, less sporty than its competitor.

What can Kit and Ace's pants be compared to?

They can also be styled back to your athleisure pieces like Lululemon, but the style can also easily be dressed up with a blouse and blazer for work and travel, making them suitable for the on-the-go business professional. While still a premium brand, these are more durable casual pants, versus Aritzia's effortless or command pant for the everyday individual, making these workwear-focused from a brand with similar brand values.

Does Kit and Ace run true to size?

Yes, Kit and Ace sizing is generally considered true to size with a more relaxed drape. Lululemon is also true to size, but its compressive nature can feel tighter, leading some shoppers to size up depending on the intended use.

What is Kit and Ace known for?

Kit and Ace is known for its "technical cashmere" and other comfortable, high-performance fabrics that are low-maintenance (machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant) and designed for a 24/7 lifestyle.

What is Lululemon's most popular product?

Historically, their most popular products are leggings, specifically the buttery-soft Align High-Rise Pant, beloved for yoga and everyday comfort, and the Wunder Under collection for training.

Which brand is better for travel?

Kit and Ace is arguably better for travel because its pieces are specifically designed with wrinkle-resistance, versatility, and all-day comfort in mind, allowing you to pack less and wear more.

Do Lululemon and Kit & Ace have return policies?

You may get a full refund if goods are still in new, store-bought condition, within an allotted time period after purchase. The time periods may differ, so do check this on their individual and main websites. A product on the "We Made Too Much" page might not be eligible for returns as sales are often final on Lululemon and similar retailers or brands' online return policies.