Lululemon Goodnight Plum vs. Garnet: What's the difference?
The Lululemon Goodnight Plum is a deep, muted purple with warm undertones, offering an understated sophistication, while Garnet is a rich, warm red with notes of burgundy that provides a bolder, cozier feel. Because the underlying product, material, and price are identical, the choice comes down to pure aesthetics and the mood you want your activewear to create.
Here’s a detailed look at both colors from Lululemon to help you decide which one best fits your personal style.
Lululemon Goodnight Plum
Goodnight Plum is a versatile shade for those who love color but prefer a more subtle and elegant approach. It's a complex purple that feels grounded and calm, functioning almost like a neutral while still providing a distinct hue that separates it from standard black or grey leggings.
- What it is: A deep, muted purple shade with warm, almost dusty undertones.
- Key features: Sophisticated look, versatile for year-round wear, and pairs exceptionally well with neutrals like black, white, beige, and grey.
- Price: The price is determined by the product, not the color. A piece in Goodnight Plum costs the same as the same piece in Garnet or other core colors.
- Style & Aesthetic: Delivers an understated, elegant, and modern vibe. It's perfect for yoga, Pilates, and everyday casual wear where you want a pop of color that isn't loud.
- Pros: Highly versatile and easy to style, offers a unique alternative to traditional noirs, a calming and sophisticated color, and suitable for all seasons.
- Cons: Less of a statement color, might feel too subdued for those who prefer vibrant tones.
This color is for someone who appreciates subtle elegance and wants a versatile shade that works for both studio sessions and casual coffee runs.
Shop this color: shop.lululemon.com/search?q=goodnight-plum
Lululemon Garnet
Garnet is a rich and luxurious color that exudes warmth and depth. This warm-toned red with burgundy influence makes Lululemon's high-performance fabrics look and feel extra cozy, making it a popular choice, especially during the fall and winter months.
- What it is: A rich, warm-toned red infused with deep burgundy or wine-colored hues.
- Key features: Luxurious and cozy feel, makes a refined statement, and pairs beautifully with other warm tones like cream, camel, and earthy greens.
- Price: Identical to other colors available in the same product line, whether it's an Align pant or a Wunder Train top.
- Style & Aesthetic: Creates a bold yet refined look that feels warm and inviting. It's great for making a statement while maintaining a classic and polished appearance.
- Pros: A beautifully rich and saturated color, adds a warm glow to your activewear collection, looks incredibly luxurious, and is a perfect seasonal shade that still feels timeless.
- Cons: Can feel more seasonal to some wearers, less versatile with cool-toned colors compared to Goodnight Plum.
This is an ideal choice for anyone looking to add a touch of warmth and refined boldness to their activewear lineup.
Shop this color: shop.lululemon.com/search?q=garnet
Goodnight Plum vs. Garnet Comparison
Color Profile & Vibe
The primary difference is the color family and the mood each creates. Goodnight Plum sits in the purple family and brings a sense of calm, modernity, and understated elegance. It's a reserved hue that feels sophisticated and serene.
Garnet, on the other hand, is a member of the red family. It provides warmth, energy, and a touch of drama. It's bolder and more eye-catching but grounded in its deep, rich tones, preventing it from feeling overly bright or aggressive. While both are "dark" colors, Garnet reads as much warmer and cozier than the muted, almost-cool nature of Goodnight Plum.
Versatility & Styling
Both colors are surprisingly versatile, but they shine with different palettes. Goodnight Plum excels when paired with classic neutrals. It looks fantastic with crisp whites, soft greys, classic black, and even shades of beige and cream. Its muted nature allows it to blend seamlessly into a wide variety of wardrobes.
Garnet works beautifully as a statement piece anchored by neutrals but truly comes alive when styled with other warm and earthy tones. Think camel, olive green, cream, and mustard yellow. It's a fantastic way to build a rich, tonal outfit, particularly in cooler months.
Seasonality
While you can wear any color year-round, these two shades often have different seasonal associations. Garnet is widely seen as a quintessential fall and winter color. Its warmth and depth align perfectly with the cozy, rich palettes of those seasons.
Goodnight Plum is more of a year-round player. Its sophisticated tone works as a moody color in fall/winter or as a subtle pastel-alternative in spring/summer. It doesn't scream a specific season, which adds to its overall versatility.
Price & Availability
There is no price difference between pieces offered in Goodnight Plum versus those in Garnet. The cost is tied to the product - for instance, an Align High-Rise Pant will cost the same no matter which color you choose. However, availability can vary. Lululemon rotates its color offerings seasonally, so one color might be more widely available in certain styles at any given time.
Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice depends entirely on your personal style, existing wardrobe, and the look you want to achieve.
Choose Lululemon Goodnight Plum if:
- You prefer subtle, muted colors that function as unique neutrals.
- Your wardrobe is built around blacks, whites, greys, and other cool tones.
- You want a sophisticated color for activities like yoga, Pilates, or studio classes.
- You value year-round versatility and a shade that won't feel out of place in any season.
Choose Lululemon Garnet if:
- You're drawn to warm, rich, and cozy colors with a luxurious feel.
- You want activewear that makes a refined statement without being overpowering.
- Your personal style leans towards earthy tones, creams, and warm neutrals.
- You love a strong seasonal color that feels perfect for autumn and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Goodnight Plum and Garnet?
The main difference is the core color. Goodnight Plum is a muted, warm purple that works like a sophisticated neutral, while Garnet is a rich, warm red with burgundy undertones that feels cozy and bold.
Is Goodnight Plum a true purple?
Goodnight Plum is definitely in the purple family, but it’s very muted and contains warm, almost grayish-brown undertones. It’s not a vibrant or electric purple but rather a deep, dusky shade.
Is Garnet more red or brown?
Garnet is primarily a deep red. The confusion comes from its warm, earthy undertones and hints of burgundy, which gives it a richness that distinguishes it from a true, primary red. It doesn't read as brown.
Which color is more versatile?
Goodnight Plum is arguably more versatile for pairing with a broad range of classic neutral colors like black and grey. However, Garnet is also very wearable and acts as a 'colored neutral' for those with wardrobes centered around warm, earthy tones.
Do these colors affect the fit or fabric of the clothing?
No. The color of a Lululemon item does not change the fit, sizing, or feel of the fabric. An Align legging in Goodnight Plum will feel identical to an Align legging in Garnet.
Are these colors limited edition?
Lululemon frequently rotates its color offerings. Both Goodnight Plum and Garnet have been popular seasonal or limited-run colors. While they may not be a part of the permanent core collection, popular shades often make a return, so it’s worth checking the website periodically.
How do I style Lululemon's Garnet?
Garnet pairs beautifully with cream, beige, camel, black, navy, and earthy greens. It also looks great as part of a monochromatic outfit with other shades of red and burgundy.
Which color is better for hiding sweat?
Both are darker colors and are generally effective at masking sweat, especially when compared to lighter shades. However, the fabric is a more important factor. A material like Everlux is technically designed for high-sweat situations, while Nulu (found in Align products) is intended for lower-sweat activities like yoga.
