Lululemon vs. Lorna Jane: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Lululemon is known for its high-performance, minimalist activewear with a premium price point, focusing on innovative technical fabrics for serious athletes and everyday wear. In contrast, Lorna Jane offers vibrant, expressive, and fun activewear with motivational designs at a slightly more accessible price point, appealing to those who want statement pieces for the gym and beyond.

Let's compare everything you need to know about these two activewear brands to help you decide which is the right fit for your wardrobe and workout style.

Lululemon: The Premium Performance Leader

Lululemon is a globally recognized leader in athletic apparel, famous for its high-quality fabrics and sleek, versatile designs. The brand appeals to dedicated fitness enthusiasts and those with a polished, minimalist style who are willing to invest in premium gear that lasts for years. It effortlessly bridges the gap between high-performance wear and everyday athleisure.

• Product mix: Extensive range of activewear including leggings, shorts, sports bras, tops, and jackets for yoga, running, training, and casual wear. They also offer lifestyle apparel and accessories for men and women.
• Price point: Premium pricing reflects fabric technology and quality. Leggings typically range from $98 to $128, sports bras from $48 to $78, and jackets often exceed $150.
• Quality & Materials: Known for signature fabrics like the buttery-soft Nulu™ used in Align™ pants and moisture-wicking Luxtreme™. Construction is exceptional, with flatlock seams to prevent chafing and high durability.
• Style & Aesthetic: Sleek, minimalist, and modern. Mostly solid colors, subtle heathered patterns, and minimal branding allow pieces to be styled easily for casual, non-gym wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing runs from 0-20. Most items fit true to size and are known for their compressive yet comfortable, body-contouring feel.
• Return policy: Unworn and unwashed items can be returned within 30 days. Final sale items cannot be returned.

Lululemon is the go-to for durable, high-tech, minimalist activewear that delivers trusted performance and style.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Lorna Jane: The Vibrant and Expressive Motivator

Founded in Australia, Lorna Jane is built on empowering women to live active lives through fashion-forward designs. Her target customer wants their activewear to be as expressive and fun as it is functional. With a focus on bold colors, unique prints, and motivational slogans, the brand provides stylish and comfortable options for a wide range of activities.

• Product mix: A comprehensive collection of women's activewear, including leggings, sports bras, tops, shorts, and supportive outerwear for studio workouts, running, and all-day wear.
• Price point: More accessible than Lululemon, though still in the high-quality activewear category. Leggings are generally $80-$110, and sports bras are around $60-$80.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes high-quality performance fabrics with good moisture-wicking and stretch. While their clothing is durable for moderate activity, some materials may not offer the same long-term resistance to pilling as Lululemon's.
• Style & Aesthetic: Bold, colorful, and energetic. Expect vibrant prints, bright colors, and clothing with motivational messaging, catering to a customer who loves to stand out.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers sizes from XXS to XXL. The fit is generally true to size but can be slightly more accommodating and less compressive than Lululemon's, prioritizing comfort for all-day wear.
• Return policy: Offers returns on full-priced items within 30 days of purchase for a credit or refund.

Lorna Jane is a great choice for fun, expressive activewear that provides solid performance at a friendly price.

Shop Lorna Jane: lornajane.com

Lululemon vs. Lorna Jane Comparison

Price Comparison

Lululemon consistently occupies the premium end of the activewear market. A pair of their iconic Align leggings costs $98, a price that sets the standard for their leggings collection. Lorna Jane offers a similar high-quality product but at a more moderate price. You can find many of their popular leggings in the $80-$100 range, making them a more budget-friendly option without a significant drop in quality.

While both brands host sales, Lorna Jane is known for more frequent promotions and discount opportunities. If catching a deal is important, you may have more luck with Lorna Jane. Lululemon's "We Made Too Much" sale section is popular, but its core products rarely see significant price drops.

Quality & Materials

Quality is where Lululemon truly shines and often justifies its higher price. The brand invests heavily in proprietary performance fabrics like Nulu™, Luxtreme™, and Everlux™, each engineered for a specific feel and activity - whether it's weightless comfort for yoga or high-support compression for running. These materials are known for their exceptional durability and long-term shape retention.

Lorna Jane also uses technical, quality fabrics designed for performance. They feel great on the skin and perform well during most workouts. However, when compared directly, Lululemon's fabrics often have a more substantial, technical feel and superior long-term resilience against pilling and fading, especially with intense, frequent use and washing.

Style & Aesthetic

The visual difference between the two brands is immediately clear. Lululemon’s aesthetic is clean, minimalist, and sophisticated. They rely on flattering silhouettes, a muted color palette (with occasional seasonal brights), and subtle branding. This approach makes their pieces extremely versatile, easily transitioning from a workout to being part of a casual everyday outfit.

Lorna Jane embraces a louder, more expressive design philosophy. Their collections are filled with vibrant colors, eye-catching patterns, and supportive designs with unique details like mesh panels and stylish straps. Shoppers who want their workout clothes to be a source of energy and a form of self-expression will find more to love at Lorna Jane.

Fit & Sizing

Lululemon offers a sizing range from 0 to 20, providing a slightly more inclusive range on the upper end. Their fit is famously precise and body-hugging, offering a sculpted, supportive feel that many devotees swear by. Sizing is known for being very consistent across different styles, which makes online shopping reliable.

Lorna Jane offers sizes XXS to XXL, which roughly converts to a similar range but with lettered sizing. Their fit is often described as slightly more relaxed or forgiving compared to Lululemon, focusing on comfort that can adapt from a workout to lounging. While their sizing is generally reliable, some shoppers find slight variations between different styles and fabrics.

Shopping Experience

Both brands provide excellent in-store and online shopping experiences. The Lululemon online store is clean and functional, with an emphasis on fabric technology and product benefits. In-store, their "educators" are well-trained to help customers find the perfect fit and style for their intended activity.

Lorna Jane’s website and stores project a more community-focused, motivational energy. Their online platform includes workout tips and articles that reinforce their mission of empowering women. The in-store experience feels vibrant and approachable, often creating a strong sense of community around the brand.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have made public commitments to improving their environmental impact. Lululemon shares regular impact reports and has set clear goals for using more sustainable materials and reducing carbon emissions in its supply chain. Their larger scale allows for more investment in textile innovation aimed at sustainability.

Lorna Jane also promotes its move toward more conscious and eco-friendly products, often using recycled fabrics in its newer collections. While committed to the philosophy, their transparency regarding specific supply chain details and manufacturing processes is not as extensive as Lululemon’s.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on your personal style, priorities, and budget. Both are excellent activewear brands, but they serve different needs.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You prioritize technical performance and groundbreaking fabrics over everything else.
• You prefer a minimalist, versatile aesthetic that easily blends into your everyday wardrobe.
• You are willing to invest more for activewear that is famous for its long-term durability.
• You want a precise, body-contouring fit that offers targeted support for intense workouts.

Choose Lorna Jane if:

• You love bold colors, vibrant prints, and an energetic style that makes a statement.
• You are looking for high-quality activewear at a slightly more accessible price point.
• You want a comfortable, versatile fit that works well for a mix of moderate exercise, errands, and lounging.
• You connect with a brand that focuses on motivation, female empowerment, and a strong community feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lululemon or Lorna Jane cheaper?

Overall, Lorna Jane is the more affordable option. While not a budget brand, their leggings, tops, and bras are typically priced 15-25% lower than comparable items at Lululemon. Lorna Jane also offers more frequent sales and promotions.

Who has better quality activewear?

Lululemon is widely recognized for having superior fabric technology and construction, leading to exceptional durability, color retention, and shape retention over years of use. Lorna Jane offers very good quality for its price, but Lululemon is considered the industry benchmark for long-lasting, high-performance wear.

Which is better for high-intensity workouts like running?

Lululemon's focus on specialized fabrics like Luxtreme™ (for low-friction support) and Everlux™ (fast-drying for intense sweat) often makes it the top choice for serious runners and athletes who need maximum support and moisture-wicking capability.

Do Lorna Jane and Lululemon fit the same?

Not exactly. While both are generally true to size, Lululemon is known for a more compressive, "held-in" feel. Lorna Jane often has a more relaxed, comfortable fit that is less constricting, though they also offer high-support options. Always check the size guide for the specific item you're buying.

Can you return items easily to both stores?

Yes, both brands have straightforward return policies. Lululemon and Lorna Jane each offer a 30-day return window for unworn items with tags attached. Lululemon's policy can be strict on the timeline, while both brands often designate sale items as final sale.

Which brand's style is more trendy?

Lorna Jane aligns more closely with trends through its use of bold, seasonal colors and graphic prints. Lululemon’s style is more classic and timeless, focusing on silhouettes and materials rather than fleeting trends.

What about squat-proof leggings?

Both brands prioritize creating opaque leggings that pass the "squat test." Lululemon’s darker colored Luon and Luxtreme fabrics are famous for being fully squat-proof. Lorna Jane’s core fabrics are also reliable, but it’s always wise to check reviews for lighter colors or printed materials.

Does either brand have a loyalty program?

Lululemon does not have a traditional points-based loyalty program for all customers. Lorna Jane offers a loyalty program where members can earn points on purchases, get access to exclusive offers, and receive birthday rewards.