Lululemon Smooth Twill vs. Versatwill: What's the difference?

While often used for similar occasions, Lululemon's Smooth Twill and Versatwill fabrics are engineered for different priorities. Smooth Twill offers a polished, classic appearance with a soft structure, making it feel like a technical upgrade to a traditional trouser for work or social settings. Versatwill is a lighter, more explicitly performance-driven fabric focused on all-day comfort, travel resilience, and versatility, with a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these innovative woven fabrics is the right choice for your wardrobe.

Lululemon Smooth Twill Trousers

The Smooth Twill collection is Lululemon’s solution for those who want the look of a classic, tailored pant without sacrificing the technical comfort the brand is known for. With a soft feel and polished finish, these pants are designed to transition easily from a business casual office to weekend brunch, offering structure and style in one piece.

• What it is: A line of structured, professional-looking pants made from a soft, technical woven fabric ideal for everyday wear, work, and elevated casual occasions.
• Key features: Wrinkle-resistant finish, four-way stretch for comfort and movement, and a smooth handfeel. Styles often feature a classic tailored cut, such as a high-rise straight leg.
• Price: Around $128 - $148
• Materials/Construction: A durable woven twill fabric that offers breathability and shape retention while maintaining a non-athletic, polished appearance.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to have a tailored, slim-to-straight fit that follows the lines of the body more closely. Generally runs true to size but offers a more structured feel than Lululemon's knit leggings.
• Pros: Sophisticated look appropriate for work. Excellent alternative to rigid jeans or traditional slacks. Comfortable four-way stretch. Wrinkle-resistant fabric keeps you looking put-together.
• Cons: Less focused on pure performance features like moisture-wicking. The tailored fit may not suit those who prefer a more relaxed silhouette. Premium price point.

These trousers are perfect for anyone seeking a polished, work-appropriate pant that still delivers on core comfort and technical benefits.

Shop this product: shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-trousers/Smooth-Twill-HR-Trouser-30/

Lululemon Versatwill Trousers

The Versatwill collection lives up to its name, designed for maximum versatility for a life on the move. Engineered for travel, commuting, and all-day wear, these pants combine a sleek, modern aesthetic with powerful performance features like wrinkle-resistance and moisture-wicking properties, making them a go-to for active, everyday wardrobes.

• What it is: A collection of highly versatile, performance-focused pants with a lightweight feel and sleek design, intended for travel, active days, and seamless wardrobe transitions.
• Key features: Lightweight yet durable proprietary fabric. Excellent wrinkle resistance, moisture-wicking properties, and four-way stretch. Modern, streamlined silhouettes like wide-leg and straight cuts.
• Price: Around $128 - $148
• Materials/Construction: A specialized fabric blend designed to feel light and airy while withstanding the demands of daily wear and travel. The smooth finish has a more "technical" feel than Smooth Twill.
• Sizing/Fit: Often designed with a slightly more relaxed silhouette for optimal movement and comfort, offering structure without constraint. Fits true to size, with a focus on a comfortable drape.
• Pros: Ideal for travel as they pack well and resist wrinkles. Moisture-wicking capabilities keep you comfortable on warmer days. Extremely lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear. Sleek, minimalist design fits a variety of settings.
• Cons: The technical appearance might be too casual for very formal office environments. The lightweight nature may not be ideal for very cold climates without layering.

This collection is ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who values technical performance and needs a single pair of pants that can do almost anything.

Shop this product: shop.lululemon.com/p/womens-trousers/City-Sleek-5-Pocket-Wide-Leg-VersaTwill/

Lululemon Smooth Twill vs. Versatwill Comparison

Style & Aesthetic

The primary difference between the two fabrics lies in their aesthetic. Smooth Twill is designed to look like a classic trouser. Its finish is softer and more matte, closely resembling traditional cotton twill, making it a natural fit for business casual dress codes and more structured outfits. It helps create a polished, deliberate look.

Versatwill leans into a modern, minimalist vibe. The fabric has a subtler sheen and a smoother, more technical appearance that signals performance. While still looking clean and put-together, it's aesthetically aligned with an active, on-the-go lifestyle where function and fashion meet.

Feel & Comfort

Both fabrics feature four-way stretch and are designed for comfort, but they feel noticeably different. Smooth Twill has a softer, more substantial feel against the skin, providing a sense of structure and quality you'd expect from a great pair of slacks.

Versatwill, on the other hand, is distinctly lightweight and airy. It has a slicker, cooler touch that excels in managing temperature and providing an unrestricted feeling. It prioritizes a forget-it's-there comfort, which is especially useful during long travel days or when you're moving around a lot.

Performance & Versatility

This is where Versatwill clearly stands out. It is engineered with superior wrinkle-resistance and moisture-wicking properties, making it the better choice for packing in a suitcase, enduring long commutes, or navigating changing temperatures. Its versatility comes from its ability to handle different environments and activity levels without showing wear.

Smooth Twill’s versatility is more stylistic. It gracefully transitions from an office setting to dinner or a weekend gathering. While it is wrinkle-resistant and breathable, its performance is geared more towards maintaining a crisp look throughout a typical day rather than handling the rigors of active travel.

Price & Value

Both Smooth Twill and Versatwill pants sit in a similar premium price range, typically between $128 and $148. The value proposition for each depends entirely on your needs. For someone who needs a comfortable and reliable pair of pants for work, the durability and polished look of Smooth Twill create lasting value.

For a frequent traveler or someone with a dynamic daily schedule, the performance features of Versatwill offer immense value, potentially replacing multiple other pairs of pants. Both are investment pieces built with Lululemon's high-quality craftsmanship.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both of these Lululemon collections offer fantastic alternatives to traditional pants, but they excel in different areas.

Choose Smooth Twill if:

• You need a sophisticated, comfortable pant for a business casual workplace.
• Your personal style leans classic, tailored, and structured.
• You want an elevated alternative to jeans or stiff trousers for social events.
• Your main priority is a polished look that remains comfortable all day.

Choose Versatwill if:

• You travel frequently and despise wrinkles and discomfort on the go.
• Your lifestyle is active, and you need pants that breathe and move with you.
• You value a lightweight, technical feel in your everyday clothing.
• You want one hyper-versatile pair of pants to wear for errands, commuting, and casual outings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Lululemon Smooth Twill and Versatwill?

The main difference is style versus performance focus. Smooth Twill replicates the polished, structured look of a classic trouser with added comfort, making it ideal for work or dressier occasions. Versatwill is a lightweight, technical fabric engineered for travel and all-day movement, prioritizing wrinkle-resistance and breathability with a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Is Smooth Twill or Versatwill better for work?

For most office environments, especially business casual settings, Smooth Twill is the better choice due to its classic, tailored appearance. Versatwill can work in more creative or casual offices but may look too technical for a traditional workplace.

Which fabric is more wrinkle-resistant?

Both are designed to resist wrinkles, but Versatwill is superior in this regard. It was specifically engineered for travelers to be packed in a suitcase and come out ready to wear.

Do Smooth Twill and Versatwill pants run true to size?

Yes, both collections generally run true to size. However, the fit is different. Smooth Twill styles are typically more tailored and structured, while Versatwill styles often have a slightly more relaxed silhouette to prioritize freedom of movement.

How do these fabrics compare to Nulu or Luon?

Smooth Twill and Versatwill are woven fabrics, not knit fabrics like Nulu (used in Align leggings) or Luon. This means they have significantly more structure, no compression, and drape like a traditional pair of pants or trousers rather than conforming to your body like a pair of leggings.

Can you work out in these pants?

Neither is designed for intense exercise. Versatwill could handle very light activity like a long walk or sightseeing due to its moisture-wicking properties, but both collections are intended for lifestyle, travel, and casual wear, not for gym workouts.

How should I care for these pants?

Care instructions for both are typically to machine wash in cold water with similar fabrics and tumble dry on low heat. They are designed for easy care to fit a busy lifestyle.

Which fabric is a better investment?

This depends on your primary needs. If you'll get more use out of a polished work pant, Smooth Twill is the better investment. If your life involves frequent travel or you prize performance features above all, Versatwill offers superior value.