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

Lularoe is a direct-sales brand known for its affordable, ultra-soft leggings in vibrant, limited-edition patterns, designed for casual comfort. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium athletic apparel company specializing in high-performance activewear, featuring technical fabrics, a minimalist aesthetic, and a significantly higher price point.

Let's compare these two brands to help you decide which leggings are the right fit for your lifestyle and budget.

Lularoe: The Affordable & Colorful Leggings Brand

Lularoe built its reputation on "buttery soft" leggings sold through a network of independent consultants. The brand targets customers looking for comfortable, budget-friendly clothing with fun, expressive patterns for everyday casual wear. Their business model is centered on community, social selling, and offering a constant rotation of new, limited-run prints.

• Product mix: Known for their leggings, Lularoe also offers a variety of casual dresses, skirts, and tops. The focus is on relaxed, comfortable pieces rather than technical or performance gear.
• Price point: Extremely accessible, with leggings typically priced around $25-$35 a pair. This affordability makes it easy to own multiple pairs in various patterns.
• Quality & Materials: Leggings are made from a soft blend of polyester and spandex. While praised for their comfort, the quality can be inconsistent, and they may show wear or pilling more quickly than premium activewear, especially with frequent use.
• Style: The brand's signature is its bold, unique, and often whimsical patterns. They release textiles in limited quantities, creating a "treasure hunt" shopping experience for certain designs.
• Sizing/Fit: Lularoe offers inclusive sizing but is known for having inconsistencies in fit between different batches and prints. While they generally run true to size, some shoppers report variability.
• Shopping Experience: Purchases are primarily made through independent consultants via online Facebook groups, pop-up parties, and direct sales, which offers a personal touch but can be less straightforward than traditional retail.

Lularoe is the go-to for shoppers who prioritize flashy patterns and affordability for everyday lounging and casual outfits over high-performance workout gear.

Shop Lularoe: lularoe.com

Lululemon: The Premium Performance Activewear Leader

Lululemon is a dominant force in the premium activewear market, setting the standard for quality, performance, and style. The brand appeals to fitness enthusiasts and style-conscious consumers who view their activewear as an investment in both function and fashion. Their products are engineered for activities like yoga, running, and training, and are durable enough to last for years.

• Product mix: Their core products are high-performance leggings, sports bras, and tops, but the brand also offers a full assortment of outerwear, men's apparel, and accessories like yoga mats and bags.
• Price point: Positioned as a luxury purchase, with leggings typically running from $98 to $128. The pricing reflects the advanced fabric technology, construction, and brand reputation.
• Quality & Materials: Lululemon uses proprietary technical fabrics like their soft Nulu™ (for Align pants) and supportive Luon™. These materials are known for their sweat-wicking abilities, four-way stretch, durability, and shape retention.
• Technology/Innovation: The brand invests heavily in fabric research and development to create apparel that supports athletic performance while feeling comfortable.
• Style: The aesthetic is modern, minimalist, and sleek. Lululemon focuses on solid colors and subtle patterns, creating versatile pieces that can easily transition from the gym to the street.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for its precise and consistent sizing. The fit is engineered to sculpt and support the body without restricting movement, providing a reliable experience for online and in-store shoppers.

Lululemon is designed for those who need functional, durable, and stylish activewear and are willing to pay a premium for guaranteed quality and fit.

Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com

Lularoe vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a massive price difference between the two brands. Lularoe is firmly in the budget-friendly category, with leggings costing around $25. This makes them highly accessible and an easy choice for shoppers who want variety without a large financial commitment.

Lululemon leggings are an investment piece, costing approximately four to five times as much as Lularoe's, with prices starting at $98. The justification for the cost lies in their advanced fabrics, premium construction, and long-term durability, offering value over years of wear.

Quality & Materials

Lularoe leggings use a soft polyester-spandex blend that feels great against the skin, making them ideal for lounging. However, this material is not designed for intense workouts and has a reputation for being less durable over time, sometimes leading to pilling or thinning.

Lululemon's use of proprietary technical fabrics sets it apart. Materials like Nulu™ feel buttery-soft yet offer performance features like sweat-wicking and shape retention. They are engineered to endure hundreds of workouts and washes, providing superior long-term performance and retaining their form beautifully.

Product Selection & Style

The style of these two brands could not be more different. Lularoe's catalog is a kaleidoscope of loud, vibrant, and unique patterns. With limited print runs, their designs are meant to be collectible and expressive. If you want leggings with pizza slices, unicorns, or geometric designs, Lularoe is your destination.

Lululemon embodies a minimalist and athletic aesthetic. They focus on flattering cuts, solid colors, and sophisticated, subtle prints. The result is a timeless, versatile look that functions equally well in a high-intensity interval training class or at a weekend brunch.

Fit & Sizing

One of the common complaints about Lularoe is inconsistent sizing. A pair in one print might fit perfectly, while another in the same size fits differently. This variability can make shopping a bit of a gamble, especially when buying online from consultants.

Lululemon is celebrated for its reliable and precise sizing. Whether you buy online or in-store, you can expect the same fit from the same style every time. Their leggings are designed to move with your body, offering compression and support without feeling restrictive.

Sustainability & Ethics

Lululemon has made public commitments to sustainability, with goals for using sustainable materials, reducing water usage, and lowering its carbon footprint. The brand provides a degree of transparency about its manufacturing processes and long-term environmental plans.

Lularoe operates on a fast-fashion model dependent on rapid turnover of limited-edition prints. There is little public information available regarding the company's sourcing, environmental impact, or ethical labor practices, making it a difficult choice for eco-conscious shoppers.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down entirely to your priorities, budget, and how you plan to wear your leggings.

Choose Lularoe if:

• Your primary need is comfortable leggings for lounging or running errands.
• You are on a tight budget and want leggings for under $40.
• You love expressing your personality through fun, bold, and unique patterns.
• You enjoy the social and community aspects of buying from an independent seller.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You need high-performance leggings for athletic activities like yoga, running, and gym workouts.
• Durability, consistent fit, and premium quality are your most important factors.
• You prefer a minimalist, modern aesthetic with solid colors and sleek designs.
• You view activewear as a long-term investment and are willing to pay for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lularoe or Lululemon cheaper?

Lularoe is significantly cheaper. Their leggings cost around $25-$35, while Lululemon leggings start at $98 and go up from there. For price alone, Lularoe is the more budget-friendly option by a wide margin.

Which legging is better for working out?

Lululemon is unequivocally better for working out. Their leggings are made with technical, sweat-wicking fabrics designed for high-impact activity, whereas Lularoe's soft material is best suited for casual wear and may not hold up to intense exercise.

Are Lularoe leggings good quality?

Lularoe leggings are known for being extremely soft and comfortable, but their quality and durability can be inconsistent. Many users report loving them for lounge-wear, but they are not considered a high-performance or long-lasting product compared to premium athletic brands.

Do Lululemon leggings run true to size?

Yes, Lululemon is known for having a very consistent and predictable fit. Once you find your size in a specific style, you can typically purchase with confidence, knowing it will fit the same every time.

Why are Lululemon leggings so expensive?

The high price point is attributed to their investment in research and development for proprietary fabrics, higher quality construction, strong brand reputation, and moves toward more sustainable and ethical manufacturing practices.

How do you buy Lularoe leggings?

Traditionally, Lularoe products are sold through a network of independent consultants, often at in-person "pop-up" parties or through private Facebook groups. This creates a more social shopping experience compared to traditional retail.

What is Lularoe’s business model?

Lularoe operates as a direct-sales or multi-level marketing (MLM) company. Consultants purchase inventory from the brand and sell it directly to consumers. This model has faced controversy but remains the core of their business.

Which brand has a better return policy?

Lululemon has a standard, clear-cut company-wide return policy that is easy to navigate both online and in-store. Lularoe's return process can be more complicated, as it is often handled by the individual consultant you purchased from, which can lead to varied experiences.