Lululemon Lilac Ether vs. Lilac Smoke: What's the difference?

The Lululemon Lilac Ether and Lilac Smoke colors both exist within the brand's popular purple family, but their aesthetics are distinctly different. Lilac Ether is a soft, light lavender with cool undertones, giving it a bright and airy pastel feel. Lilac Smoke is a deeper, more muted shade with noticeable gray undertones, resulting in a sophisticated, smoky purple that functions more like a neutral.

Here's everything you need to know about these two beautiful Lululemon shades to decide which one is right for your activewear collection.

Lululemon Lilac Ether

Lilac Ether is Lululemon's take on a classic pastel lavender. This color is soft, light, and has cool bluish undertones that make it feel fresh and cheerful. It's often released in springtime collections and featured in buttery-soft fabrics like Nulu, which enhances its delicate and calming appearance.

• What it is: A light, cool-toned pastel lavender seasonal color.
• Aesthetic & Vibe: Airy, vibrant, youthful, and calming. Perfect for spring and summer activewear or for adding a soft pop of color to your wardrobe.
• Common Fabrics: Frequently seen in Lululemon's Align collection, shorts, and light support sports bras, where the Nulu fabric highlights its soft look and feel.
• Pairing & Styling: Pairs beautifully with crisp whites, light grays, other pastels, and even soft navy tones.
• Pros: Bright and cheerful aesthetic stands out. Perfect color for sunny days and warmer seasons. Looks great in photos.
• Cons: As a light pastel, it may show sweat or dirt more easily than darker shades. Its seasonality makes it less versatile for year-round wear for some.

This color is for anyone who loves soft pastels and wants a piece that feels bright, energizing, and perfect for yoga, Pilates, or casual spring outings.

Shop Lululemon styles: shop.lululemon.com/c/womens-bottoms-all/

Lululemon Lilac Smoke

Lilac Smoke offers a more subdued and sophisticated interpretation of purple. It's a dusty lilac blended with strong gray undertones, creating a "smoky" effect. This muted quality makes it incredibly versatile, allowing it to function as a colored neutral that can be worn across all seasons.

• What it is: A muted, dusty purple with smoky gray undertones.
• Aesthetic & Vibe: Understated, versatile, and sophisticated. It offers color without being overly bright, making it suitable for a wide range of settings.
• Common Fabrics: Appears across various performance lines, including Wunder Train (in Everlux fabric) and Align, often with a more matte or muted finish that complements its understated tone.
• Pairing & Styling: Exceptionally versatile. Pairs effortlessly with black, cream, charcoal gray, olive green, and denim. Can be dressed up for casual wear outside the gym.
• Pros: Highly versatile shade transitions seamlessly from workouts to everyday wear. Its muted tone is excellent for hiding sweat. Works for any season.
• Cons: May feel too subdued for those who prefer bright, high-energy workout colors. Its grayish undertone can wash out some skin tones if not paired carefully.

This color is ideal for those who prefer a more sophisticated, neutral-adjacent color palette and want a versatile piece that looks just as good on a run as it does for a coffee run.

Shop Lululemon styles: shop.lululemon.com/c/womens-bottoms-all/

Lilac Ether vs. Lilac Smoke Comparison

Color & Undertones

The primary difference is the hue and undertone. Lilac Ether is a true pastel lavender with cool, slightly blue undertones. It’s undeniably a light purple shade that is bright and clear. When you hold it in the light, it looks clean and fresh.

In contrast, Lilac Smoke is a much dustier, more complex color. Its prominent gray undertones give it a muted, "smoky" appearance. It reads as a sophisticated grayish-purple, and in some lighting, the gray can be more pronounced, pushing it firmly into the neutral category.

Style & Versatility

When it comes to versatility, Lilac Smoke has a clear advantage. Its subtle, muted nature allows it to be paired with a larger wardrobe and across all four seasons. It’s perfect for creating a chic, understated athleisure look that doesn't scream "I just left the gym."

Lilac Ether makes more of a statement. Its cheerful, pastel vibe is perfect for spring and summer and brings a light, fun energy to a workout. While beautiful, it’s less of a year-round staple and more of a seasonal piece you'd pull out for sunny weather or a specific aesthetic.

Fabric & Finish

Lululemon offers both colors across a variety of fabrics, so the quality and performance are consistently high regardless of your choice. However, the fabric can influence how the color looks. Lilac Ether, often found in buttery Nulu, appears softer and almost a bit brighter. Lilac Smoke, when featured in the more technical, matte Everlux fabric of the Wunder Train line, leans into its muted, sophisticated feel.

Price & Availability

As seasonal colors, the price for an item in either Lilac Ether or Lilac Smoke is determined by the product style, not the color itself. For example, an Align Pant in Lilac Ether will cost the same as an Align Pant in Lilac Smoke. The main consideration here is availability. Both are typically limited-edition drops, so when they sell out, they are unlikely to be restocked. If you see a piece you love in either color, it’s best to grab it.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both colors are beautiful options from Lululemon, but they cater to different personal styles.

Choose Lilac Ether if:

• You love bright, soft pastel colors that feel cheerful and fresh.
• Your activewear style is vibrant, airy, and feminine.
• You are looking for a standout color specifically for spring or summer.
• You primarily wear your pieces for yoga, Pilates, or lounging.

Choose Lilac Smoke if:

• You prefer muted, understated, and sophisticated tones.
• You want a versatile color that functions like a neutral and pairs with almost anything.
• You need your activewear to seamlessly transition to casual, everyday outfits.
• You want a unique color that works for any season of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Lilac Ether and Lilac Smoke?

Lilac Ether is a light, clean pastel lavender with cool undertones. Lilac Smoke is a deeper, dustier purple with prominent gray undertones, giving it a muted, smoky appearance.

Is Lilac Ether or Lilac Smoke a true purple?

Lilac Ether is a classic light purple (lavender). Lilac Smoke is more complex, it’s a grayish-purple that can sometimes read more as a cool-toned neutral than a vibrant purple.

Which color is more versatile?

Lilac Smoke is more versatile. Its muted, grayish tone allows it to function as a year-round neutral that can be paired with a wide range of colors in your wardrobe, both for athletic and casual settings.

Do these colors cost more than Lululemon's core colors?

No. On any given product, like the Align Pant, seasonal colors like Lilac Ether and Lilac Smoke are priced the same as core colors like Black or White.

Will Lululemon restock Lilac Ether and Lilac Smoke?

It's unlikely. These are seasonal shades released in limited quantities. Once a style sells out in one of these colors, they typically do not restock it.

Does a lighter color like Lilac Ether show sweat?

Potentially, yes. Light pastel colors like Lilac Ether can sometimes show moisture more obviously than darker or muted colors like Lilac Smoke, especially during intense workouts.

How should I style Lululemon Lilac Ether and Lilac Smoke?

Lilac Ether is great with white, light gray, soft pink, aqua, and even light-wash denim. Lilac Smoke is incredibly versatile and pairs well with charcoal, light gray, earthy tones, cream colors, black, and navy.

Are these colors available in men's apparel?

These specific shades are typically marketed and released within the women's collections. While some items might be considered unisex, finding Lilac Ether or Lilac Smoke in the men's section is rare.