How Does Athleta Sizing Compare to Lululemon?

Working in apparel manufacturing at
Fuki Gymwear
I often review fit blocks, technical specs, and customer feedback from global activewear brands.
One of the most common questions customers ask is:

“Does Athleta fit the same as Lululemon?”

Here’s a simple, trustworthy breakdown based on industry experience and real buyer insights.

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Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• 1. How Athleta Sizing Fits
• 2. How Lululemon Sizing Fits
• 3. Athleta vs Lululemon Size Comparison
• Which Brand Fits Better for Your Body Type?
• Fabric Differences That Affect Fit
• OEM Insights from FukiGymwear
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts

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Quick Answer

Athleta generally runs truer to size and slightly more relaxed.
Lululemon runs more fitted and compressive, especially in leggings.

If you’re in between sizes:

• Size down for Athleta
• Size up for Lululemon

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1. How Athleta Sizing Fits

Athleta (from Athleta.com) focuses on inclusive, comfort-first sizing.

Key Fit Characteristics

• true-to-size in most leggings
• slightly more room in the waist
• softer compression
• curvier fit blocks for hips & thighs
• wider size range (XXS–3X)

Who benefits?

• beginners
• curvier body shapes
• buyers who prefer softness over compression

Athleta sizes feel forgiving and easy to wear.

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2. How Lululemon Sizing Fits

Lululemon (from Lululemon.com) uses performance compression blocks designed for training.

Key Fit Traits

• more compressive
• tighter waistbands
• slimmer hip patterns
• size range typically 0–20
• sports-bra sizing varies more (A–E cup)

If you like a sculpted, athletic fit → Lulu is more structured.

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3. Athleta vs Lululemon Size Comparison

Category	Athleta	Lululemon
Legging Fit	Softer, relaxed	Tighter, compressive
Waistband	Slightly roomier	Snug & sculpting
Hip/Thigh	More forgiving	More narrow
Tops	True-to-size	Runs fitted
Sports Bras	Easier sizing	More variation by style
Best For	Comfort-first wearers	Performance-focused buyers

Summary:
Athleta = softer & roomier
Lululemon = tighter & performance-focused

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Which Brand Fits Better for Your Body Type?

If you have curvy hips → Athleta

• more room through thigh
• gentler compression

If you prefer tight compression → Lululemon

• waist-hugging
• sharp contour lines

If you’re in between sizes

• Athleta: size down
• Lululemon: size up

If you want all-day comfort

→ Athleta

If you want gym-level performance fit

→ Lululemon

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Fabric Differences That Affect Fit

Fit is deeply connected to fabric engineering:

Athleta Fabrics

• brushed-soft surfaces
• 20–30% spandex in many lines
• more stretch recovery
• thicker “hug but not squeeze” textures

Lululemon Fabrics

• Nulu → buttery soft, very stretchy
• Luxtreme → compression + performance
• Nulux → ultra-light, fast-dry

Lululemon fabrics tend to hold shape tighter, while Athleta fabrics feel more relaxed.

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OEM Insights from FukiGymwear

Although we specialize in denim at
Fuki Gymwear
we work closely with brands that study Athleta & Lululemon’s pattern blocks.

Key industry observations:

• Athleta uses more forgiving top blocks
• Lululemon uses tighter crotch curves & narrow hip lines
• Athleta’s sizes grade more smoothly across larger sizes
• Lululemon prioritizes “performance silhouette retention”

Brands often ask us to replicate:

• Athleta’s comfort-fit logic
• Lululemon’s sculpt-and-hold feeling

This is especially true in hybrid denim-athleisure lines.

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FAQs

Does Athleta run larger than Lululemon?

Yes — Athleta fits softer and slightly roomier.

Should I size up in Lululemon?

If you’re between sizes, yes.

Which brand is better for curvy body types?

Athleta.

Which brand is better for compression workouts?

Lululemon.

Do both brands offer plus sizes?

Athleta offers broader size options than Lululemon.

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Final Thoughts

Athleta = comfort-first sizing.
Lululemon = compression-first performance.

Both brands serve different needs, and understanding the fit blocks helps you choose the right size.

For brands exploring active-denim hybrids or lifestyle bottoms,
Fuki Gymwear
offers OEM development with custom fits, washes, and fabric engineering.

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