Whether it be for 5Ks, trips to the gym or athleisure, we always have a need for athletic apparel. I want to look cute running to and from class but I also don’t want to chafe running on the treadmill. However, I don’t have the funds to buy athletic apparel for every occasion. This week I decided to test out my athletic apparel and see what was worth the price. One day I wore entirely Nike and another day I wore Lululemon exclusively. Both brands are pricey and popular. I judged the clothes on quality, comfort, sweat wicking, and fit (and yes, I actually did work out in them).
Day one: Lululemon
I’m going to sound biased, but I am one of those girls who loves me some Lulu. Every day I find myself wearing something from the store. Today I wore black Wunder Under leggings ($98), the Hill and Valley Mock Neck Crop Top (originally $88, but on sale for $48) and the Free To Be Zen sports bra ($52).
Quality: 10/10
The moment I put on my outfit I could feel the quality compared to some other brands I’ve worn before. I wore this outfit for the entire day. The leggings did not stretch and the sports bra did not dig in at all. I was warm from my shirt, which was advertised, but I wished I wore a tank top underneath so I could take off a layer in classes. Overall, this outfit gets a 10/10 for quality since the products did what they were meant to do.
Comfort: 9/10
When I went to the gym that night, I could feel myself heating up in this shirt. My gym is usually hot, so it probably wasn’t a good idea to wear long sleeves. I recommend wearing layers with this shirt so you can cool down, especially during cardio. The leggings and sports bra were great during the workout.
Style: 10/10
I felt like I looked good considering I was wearing leggings and long sleeves all day. The leggings were super flattering and didn’t give me a muffin top. The shirt is a little cropped, which can be both good and bad. I would have preferred the leggings to be high-rise, so I didn’t feel as exposed throughout the day.
Price: 5/10
This outfit was pretty expensive (total cost: $198). It should receive a 4/10, but I added a point since my shirt was on sale. I definitely would not go to a store and make a purchase for three items in one trip. However, the price reflects the quality of the pieces. I think that for how long the pieces will last they are worth the price.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Overall I feel like this outfit was worth the money – not to mention I got my shirt on sale. For people who want the look at a lower price, go to Marshall’s and find similar pieces for way cheaper. I would give the outfit an 8/10. The shirt made me hot so I won’t be able to wear it once spring comes around.
Day Two: Nike
Today I wore black Nike Pro Dri-Fit Leggings ($48), a Nike Pro sports bra ($30) and a Nike Flow Graphic Tank ($35). The total cost of this outfit was $90 cheaper than the previous day’s Lululemon.
Quality: 8/10
As the day passed, I noticed my leggings stretch slightly, especially after working out. I could tell that the sports bra didn’t stretch throughout the day, which gave me hope that I could purchase a quality sports bra for under $50. However, this became a bad thing since the fit was not true to size.
Comfort: 6/10
A size small felt like an extra small, and I could feel the bra tugging on my back throughout the day, which was uncomfortable. The tank top was a loose fit, which made it easy to work out. When I wasn’t working out, however, I felt exposed since my back was almost bare during class. I had to wear a sweatshirt for the majority of my classes.
Style: 10/10
The outfit was cute and flattering. The leggings did stretch so by the end of the day I had a little bit of extra room in my knees, which looked weird. Overall the outfit was flattering, and I received a couple of compliments.
Price: 8/10
My outfit today was nearly $100 cheaper than my Lululemon outfit. Getting three pieces for a little over $100 (the same price as a pair of Lululemon leggings) was a steal. However, Nike is definitely not the most affordable sportswear brand either.
Final Rating: 8/10
Quality winner: Lululemon
Comfort winner: Lululemon
Style winner: Tie
Price winner: Nike
Lululemon won overall, but if I bought the size up in my Nike sports bra, it would be a complete tie. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would recommend Lululemon because the quality is unbeatable. The leggings don’t stretch throughout the day, and the clothes don’t dig into your skin. If you’re looking for cheaper athletic alternatives, try Fabletics or even Target.