Lululemon Wunder Under crops – $68
SoLow Eclon crops – $51
James Perse Yoga capris – $95
I have resisted Lululemon for the longest time, not so much because of the price (which is a consideration), but mostly because I am not really one to follow the herd when it comes to fashion. Even exercise gear. And Lululemon is a RELIGION here, among college students, yoga moms…nearly everyone actually. Not a day goes by when I don’t see so much Lululemon it makes my head spin (and not just in my PureBarre class…). So, even though I’ve tried to resist the temptation, I decided to hop into the store and try to find a pair of cropped leggings for my class. And now I’m hooked.
Let me say first though, that I don’t mind spending money on exercise clothing – and that’s always served me well. About 6 years ago I bought several pairs of Lucy running pants and knee shorts (which aren’t cheap either) and have worn them daily since then. Now, they’re a little worn, and a little big and since I’m going to a class every day, I wanted something much more form-fitting and a little “nicer” looking. Basically, I wanted something to suck me in and smooth out my bumps. And the Wunder Unders by Lululemon do that well.
I also have the SoLow crops pictured and linked above (got them via Refinery29 Reserve last week) and like those as well, not as much as the Lululemons though. The SoLow crops are higher-waisted, which I personally don’t like as much, but you might, and didn’t wick away the sweat as well as the Lululemons. They are comfortable though, and easy to move in, so I’ll keep them in rotation. They’re a good alternative for a little less money than the wunder unders, but I would recommend spending the extra $17 for Lululemon.
I do have a pair of the James Perse Yosemite yoga shorts (shorter than the capris pictured above, purchased via Gilt) and they’re great, but a little big, so they don’t suck me in as much as I’d like. They’re the most comfortable of all of them though, it’s like you’re not even wearing anything. I’d obviously recommend those also, but they’re much more than Lululemon.
Ultimately, I’m glad I tried Lululemon, but I won’t turn into a crazy person and purchase everything they make. I do highly recommend the wunder under crops, and I think I may purchase a pair of the regular wunder under pants and get them hemmed to my ankle to wear as actual leggings in the winter because they’re so comfortable (the astro pants are nice also, they’re more of a straight leg). Incidentally, because I’m short, the crops come to just a few inches above my ankle, which is good for exercise, but I wouldn’t wear them out in public like that.
What do you think? Do you spend money on exercise clothing? What have you found that fits you the best? Are you a Lululemon convert? 😉
I don’t like to spend money on workout clothes. I am the girl in the gym wearing a baggy t-shirt from high school/college, and a pair of wind shorts. It’s definitely not the cutest look, but being pretty frugal with my money, the last thing I would spend money on would be workout clothes (except running shoes). I have seen a ton of women in Austin in the Lululemon stuff, and had never heard of it before I moved here a few months ago. Very cute, and it looks uber comfy, but I like my clothes to fit a bit loose when I work out. Thanks for the review : )
great job on sticking with the class…pretty soon you will look forward to it even on “off-days” 🙂 I love the Wunder Under crops and most stuff from Lululemon for that matter because despite them being so expensive, they are so flattering on and fitting into a smaller size on my next shopping spree is always a motivating factor. The fact that they suck everything in makes you aware of how you move and a tip that works for me is running errands or lounging around in workout gear like Lululemon because I guarantee it is impossible to go crazy on fro-yo run when every bit of you is defined 🙂
I love Lululemon! I have been wearing it for a few years now, 4 I think. I love the way the bottoms fit, and that they offer free hemming is a big bonus. I love the Scuba hoodies too, living in Seattle I have lots of opportunities to wear them. I am one of those moms you see in my Lululemon at the park with my kids, so comfortable and its perfect for keeping up with them.
I love Lucy apparel too, I have a nice mix of both. Great quality and very flattering on.
oh! i love the idea of looking forward to fitting into a smaller size; i should be able to by the beginning of august 🙂
and good tip also – i normally lounge around in the loosest stuff i can find!!
i never heard of lululemon before i moved here either! it’s a cult, i think 😉
yes, i love the free hemming option. that’s one thing i’ve always had a hard time with – paying to have exercise clothes hemmed – which is why i bought lucy pants. i do hope my lululemon can hold up as long as my lucy stuff. seems like it does for most people, i see a lot of comments on their site about women having items for many years…