State and Liberty vs. Lululemon: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
State and Liberty specializes in performance-driven menswear that looks like office attire but feels like activewear, offering this versatility at a mid-range price point. Lululemon is a global leader in premium athleisure, known for its proprietary high-tech fabrics and sleek, minimalist designs for both men and women, but at a higher price.
Let's compare these two brands to help you decide which is the right fit for your wardrobe and lifestyle.
State and Liberty: Performance-Driven Professional Style
State and Liberty targets men who live an active lifestyle but don’t want to sacrifice professional style. Their core offering is clothing made from athletic performance fabrics but cut and styled as classic menswear, creating a perfect blend of comfort and polish. This makes their apparel ideal for commuting, traveling, or moving directly from a business-casual environment to a more relaxed setting.
- Product mix: A focused range for men, specializing in performance dress shirts, polos, T-shirts, joggers, chinos, and outerwear designed to transition between work and casual life.
- Price point: Mid-range and accessible for the quality. Dress shirts are typically priced between $80-$120, and polos are in the $50-$70 range.
- Quality: Uses durable, moisture-wicking materials with significant stretch for comfort and mobility. The construction emphasizes tailored details to ensure a sharp, modern appearance.
- Sizing/Fit: Known for a slim, athletic fit designed to flatter a V-shaped torso without being tight. Sizing is generally true, but men with broader shoulders or chests may want to size up for a more comfortable fit.
- Return policy: Customer-friendly with easy online shopping and flexible return policies, including free shipping and returns within the U.S.
State and Liberty delivers incredible versatility for the modern man, offering comfortable, performance-ready clothes that look right at home in professional settings.
Shop State and Liberty: stateandliberty.com
Lululemon: The Leader in Premium Athleisure
Lululemon is a globally recognized brand that defines the premium athleisure market. Originally famous for its women’s yoga pants, it now offers an extensive line of high-performance technical apparel for men and women. Their target audience is willing to invest in superior fabrics, exceptional fit, and a stylish aesthetic that performs during intense workouts and looks great for everyday casual wear.
- Product mix: A wide array of activewear and lifestyle clothing for men and women, including leggings, shorts, T-shirts, joggers, hoodies, and jackets. They are well-known for specific product lines like their men’s ABC Pants.
- Price point: Premium pricing across the board. Men's joggers and shorts typically range from $80-$150, while technical shirts and jackets often exceed $100.
- Quality: Renowned for its proprietary fabrics like Luon, Nulu, and Everlux, which offer exceptional softness, stretch, and moisture management. The garments are built for durability and hold their shape well over time.
- Sizing/Fit: Offers a wide range of sizes with consistent and athletic fit that allows for full mobility. Products are generally true to size.
- Return policy: A flexible return policy that allows for returns online or at any of their numerous retail locations, providing excellent convenience.
For those prioritizing cutting-edge fabric technology, a minimalist style, and long-lasting quality for both fitness and leisure, Lululemon remains a top choice.
Shop Lululemon: lululemon.com
State and Liberty vs. Lululemon Comparison
Price Comparison
State and Liberty is the more affordable option. With dress shirts around $120 and polos around $70, it offers excellent value for stylish performance menswear. You can build a versatile work-to-weekend wardrobe without the premium price tag typically associated with high-tech fabrics.
Lululemon operates in the premium category. A pair of their popular men's joggers can cost over $120, and technical shirts are often close to $100. Lululemon positions itself as a luxury athleisure brand, and its prices reflect its strong brand reputation, cutting-edge material innovation, and exceptional build quality.
Quality &, Materials
Both brands prioritize high-quality performance materials, but they focus on different applications. State and Liberty's fabrics are engineered to mimic the look and feel of traditional menswear materials like cotton and twill while incorporating four-way stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and breathability. The result is durable clothing that moves with you and resists wrinkles.
Lululemon is an industry leader in fabric innovation. Proprietary materials like their buttery-soft Nulu™ and durable, sweat-wicking Everlux™ are signature elements of the brand. These fabrics are developed specifically for athletic performance, offering superior feel, stretch retention, and comfort during exercise. The brand’s investment in material science is a key justification for its premium prices.
Style &, Aesthetic
State and Liberty's aesthetic is best described as sporty yet polished. Their clothes feature slim, tailored fits that flatter an athletic build and easily blend into a business-casual or smart-casual wardrobe. The branding is subtle, making pieces versatile enough for the office, a dinner out, or a round of golf.
Lululemon presents a sleek, minimalist, and modern aesthetic. Their designs emphasize clean lines and often come in muted or monochrome color palettes. While rooted in yoga and training gear, their pieces have become fashion items in their own right, defining the look of modern, upscale leisurewear.
Fit &, Sizing
State and Liberty sizing is designed specifically for an athletic physique, offering more room in the chest and shoulders while tapering at the waist. Their fits are generally described as "athletic slim." While true to size for its target demographic, men with a broader, non-V-shaped build might find it necessary to size up to achieve a comfortable fit.
Lululemon offers consistent, athletic sizing that prioritizes mobility and comfort. Their garments are known for maintaining an excellent fit thanks to superior fabric stretch and recovery. They also offer a wider range of sizes and lengths, catering to a more diverse set of body types.
Shopping Experience
State and Liberty operates primarily through its e-commerce website. The online experience is smooth and user-friendly, with clear product information and size guides. They make buying easy with free shipping and returns in the US, which is crucial for a brand focused on fit.
Lululemon offers a robust omnichannel shopping experience. In addition to a polished website, they have an extensive network of physical stores worldwide where customers can try on products, get sizing advice, and make returns. This in-person availability provides a significant advantage for those who prefer to see and feel items before buying.
Sustainability &, Ethics
State and Liberty is focused on creating durable, long-lasting products to reduce fashion waste, although their specific sustainability initiatives are less public. Their mission is more centered around creating high-performance, quality garments.
Lululemon has made more visible commitments to sustainability. The company invests in more eco-friendly materials, sets targets for reducing its carbon footprint, and publishes annual reports on its environmental and social impact. For consumers who prioritize purchasing from brands with clear sustainability goals, Lululemon is the more transparent choice.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your primary use for the clothing and your budget. Both brands offer high-quality products, but they are designed for different ends of the modern wardrobe spectrum.
Choose State and Liberty if:
- You need business-casual clothes that have the comfort and stretch of athletic apparel.
- You primarily wear polos, chinos, and dress shirts, and want better performance from them.
- You value a tailored, athletic fit that accentuates a V-shaped physique.
- You're looking for strong value and don't want to pay a premium price for performance wear.
Choose Lululemon if:
- You're looking for dedicated, top-tier activewear for workouts, yoga, or running.
- You prioritize a sleek, minimalist aesthetic for your casual and athletic wardrobe.
- You are willing to invest in premium, proprietary fabrics known for their feel and durability.
- You appreciate the convenience of shopping online or in-person at physical stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is State and Liberty or Lululemon cheaper?
State and Liberty is significantly more affordable. Their performance dress shirts are around $120, compared to Lululemon products like joggers or hoodies, which often cost over $120. State and Liberty provides a mid-range price point for performance fabric clothing.
Which brand has better quality fabric?
This depends on the intended use. Lululemon is famous for its proprietary fabrics like Nulu™ and Everlux™, which are exceptionally soft, sweat-wicking, and engineered for high-performance exercise. State and Liberty's strength is in fabrics that look professional while being stretchy, durable, and comfortable.
Is State and Liberty good for the office?
Yes, absolutely. This is State and Liberty's core strength. Their dress shirts, polos, and chinos are specifically designed to meet business-casual dress codes while providing the comfort of athletic wear.
Does Lululemon run true to size?
Yes, Lululemon is known for having consistent sizing that is generally true to size. Their fabrics' high stretch content also provides some flexibility in fit.
What is State and Liberty best known for?
State and Liberty is best known for its performance menswear, especially its athletic-fit dress shirts, that bridge the gap between workout clothes and office attire for active men.
Can I wear Lululemon to work?
Certain Lululemon items, particularly their widely popular ABC Pants and Commission Pants for men, are designed with a polished look that is appropriate for many modern business-casual workplaces.
Which brand is better for workouts?
For dedicated, high-intensity workouts, Lululemon is superior. Its technical fabrics and designs are purpose-built for activities like running, training, and yoga. State and Liberty apparel is more suitable for daily activity, light exercise, or sports like golf.
What are the return policies for each brand?
State and Liberty offers a straightforward online return process with free shipping and returns within the U.S. Lululemon has a flexible return policy, with the added benefit of allowing returns at their many physical stores, which simplifies the process for many shoppers.