Peter Millar vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Peter Millar offers sophisticated, classic lifestyle apparel with a luxury price point, focusing on high-end golf and resort wear made from premium materials like pima cotton and cashmere. In contrast, Lululemon is a premium activewear brand famous for its innovative, technical fabrics and modern, trend-conscious designs for yoga, running, and daily athleisure.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of both brands to help you decide which one best suits your wardrobe and activities.

Peter Millar: Classic Elegance for Golf and Leisure

Peter Millar is a luxury lifestyle brand built on refined, classic American style. Established in 2001, it caters to an affluent customer who wants sophisticated and comfortable clothing for the golf course, the office, and weekend getaways. The brand is known for its excellent craftsmanship, premium fabrics, and timeless pieces that don't bow to fleeting fashion trends.

• Product mix: Specializes in high-performance golf apparel, polos, tailored trousers, luxurious sweaters, and casual resort wear. Their collections also include dress shirts, sport coats, and footwear, bridging the gap between casual and business casual.
• Price point: Luxury positioning reflects its quality. Polos typically range from $100 to $150, sweaters can cost $200-$300+, and tailored jackets are often upwards of $500.
• Quality: Known for superior craftsmanship and high-end materials. Fabrics include soft pima cotton, flexible performance blends for sport, luxurious cashmere, and merino wool.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers a classic, true-to-size fit designed for comfort and a polished look. Sizing is generally consistent, catering to men who prefer a traditional silhouette rather than an overly slim, athletic cut.
• Sustainability: The brand emphasizes responsible sourcing and eco-friendly manufacturing, including the use of sustainable cotton to reduce its environmental footprint.

Peter Millar is the go-to brand for those seeking understated luxury, exceptional quality, and versatile pieces perfect for a country club or an upscale casual event.

Shop Peter Millar: petermillar.com

Lululemon: High-Performance Athleisure & Activewear

Lululemon has grown from a yoga-focused brand into a global leader in athletic and athleisure apparel. Famous for its technical fabrics that offer exceptional comfort, support, and style, Lululemon caters to an active, modern demographic. The brand's products are designed to perform during intense workouts and transition seamlessly into everyday life.

• Product mix: Extensive line of leggings, shorts, sports bras, and tops for yoga, running, and training. Also offers popular athleisure wear for men and women, including hoodies, joggers, and their famous ABC Pants line.
• Price point: Positioned in the premium activewear segment. Leggings and pants range from $80 to $150, tops from $50 to $100, and jackets from $120 to over $200.
• Quality: Lululemon's reputation is built on its innovative fabrics. Materials like the buttery-soft Nulu™ for yoga and lightweight Everlux™ for intense training are engineered for stretch, durability, and moisture-wicking properties.
• Sizing/Fit: Known for consistent and inclusive sizing that is designed to contour the body. Fits are typically athletic and modern, with detailed size guides to help shoppers find the perfect size for activities or casual wear.
• Sustainability: Committed to reducing its environmental impact through responsible sourcing and setting goals for a more circular economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Lululemon is ideal for anyone who prioritizes performance, comfort, and modern style in their fitness gear and daily casual wardrobe.

Shop Lululemon: shop.lululemon.com

Peter Millar vs. Lululemon Comparison

Price Comparison

Peter Millar operates in the luxury market, and its prices reflect that. A typical performance polo is around $110, while a cashmere sweater might be $350. You are paying for the premium natural materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless design that define the brand.

Lululemon lives in the premium activewear space, making it more accessible but still considered a high-end choice for sportswear. A pair of Align leggings costs around $98, and their popular ABC Pants are $128. With Lululemon, the price is justified by the proprietary technical fabrics, workout-tested durability, and trend-setting styles.

Quality & Materials

Peter Millar’s quality is rooted in traditional luxury. The brand heavily favors high-end natural fibers like pima cotton, merino wool, and cashmere, which provide exceptional softness and a classic look. Their performance wear integrates these with synthetic blends to add stretch and moisture-wicking properties without sacrificing a refined feel. The focus is on longevity and a premium touch.

Lululemon’s quality is technical and performance-driven. Their innovative fabrics like Luon™, Nulu™, and Everlux™ are at the center of their appeal. These materials are engineered for specific activities, offering properties like four-way stretch, sweat-wicking, and breathability. Garments are constructed to withstand hundreds of workouts and washes, making them a very durable investment for active individuals.

Style & Aesthetic

The Peter Millar aesthetic is classic, preppy, and understated. It's the style you'd find at an upscale golf club, a coastal resort, or a relaxed business-casual office. Their color palettes are sophisticated, their patterns are traditional, and the overall look focuses on timeless elegance over passing trends.

Lululemon embodies a modern, sporty, and fashionable athleisure vibe. Its designs are sleek, often featuring bright or trendy colors, and are cut for an athletic silhouette. Lululemon’s style is functional enough for an intense workout but stylish enough for running errands, meeting friends for coffee, or traveling comfortably.

Fit & Sizing

Peter Millar generally offers a more classic fit that is true-to-size. It's comfortable and generous without being baggy, catering to a customer base that values a traditional, polished silhouette over ultra-slim cuts. Their sizing is consistent across their product lines, from polos to sport coats.

Lululemon is known for a consistent, athletic fit designed to contour and support the body. Their clothing, especially activewear bottoms, fits close to form. Many products are offered in a wide range of sizes, and their online guides are very helpful for choosing the right fit for your body type and intended activity.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have made public commitments to sustainability. Peter Millar highlights its use of sustainable cotton and responsible sourcing in its supply chain. They focus on creating high-quality, durable goods that are meant to be worn for years, resisting the fast-fashion cycle.

Lululemon focuses its sustainability efforts on reducing environmental impact, making its supply chain more transparent, and moving toward a circular economy model. They publish impact reports and have set clear goals for reducing waste and emissions.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands represent the top tier of their respective categories, but they serve very different needs and styles.

Choose Peter Millar if:

• You're an avid golfer or have a style that leans toward the classic, preppy aesthetic.
• You need versatile clothing for upscale casual events, resort vacations, or a relaxed professional environment.
• You prioritize premium natural materials like pima cotton and cashmere over technical synthetics.
• You prefer a timeless investment piece over something trend-focused.

Choose Lululemon if:

• You live an active lifestyle and need high-performance apparel for running, training, or yoga.
• Your personal style is modern, sporty, and leans heavily into athleisure.
• You value innovative technical fabrics that provide superior comfort, stretch, and moisture management.
• You want versatile clothes that can take you directly from a workout to daily activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peter Millar or Lululemon more expensive?

Peter Millar is generally more expensive. It is positioned as a luxury lifestyle and golf brand, with polos often starting over $100 and sweaters reaching several hundred dollars. Lululemon is a premium activewear brand but its core products, like leggings and shorts, are typically priced between $80 and $150.

Which brand offers better quality?

Both brands are known for excellent quality, but in different ways. Peter Millar’s quality is in its traditional craftsmanship, meticulous detailing, and use of luxury natural fabrics. Lululemon's quality lies in its cutting-edge, durable technical fabrics designed for athletic performance and extreme comfort.

Is Peter Millar better for golf than Lululemon?

Peter Millar is the traditional choice for golf, offering classic polos, shorts, and trousers that meet most country club dress codes. However, Lululemon's golf line has gained significant popularity for its modern athletic fit, flexibility, and comfort, particularly with products like their Commission and ABC pants.

Can men wear Lululemon?

Absolutely. Lululemon has a very popular and extensive men's collection that includes performance shorts, shirts, and outerwear, as well as extremely popular casual pieces like the ABC Pants and City Sweat Joggers.

Do I have to size up in Lululemon?

Lululemon typically fits true-to-size, but its pieces are designed for a close-to-body, athletic fit. If you are between sizes or prefer a more relaxed fit in your tops or joggers, you might consider sizing up. Their leggings and compression shorts are intended to be snug.

Can you wear Peter Millar casually?

Yes, Peter Millar excels at upscale casualwear. Their polos, quarter-zips, and five-pocket pants are perfect for daily wear, weekend outings, or any situation that calls for a polished yet comfortable look.

Which is better for travel?

Lululemon is often preferred for comfort during travel, especially for long flights or road trips. Their stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabrics are ideal for sitting for long periods. Peter Millar is an excellent choice for the destination itself, providing a sophisticated vacation wardrobe.

Are both brands sold in retail stores?

Yes. Peter Millar is sold in its own boutiques as well as in high-end department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Lululemon primarily sells through its own dedicated retail stores, but is also available through select partners like Equinox.