the sweaty pop

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Lululemon Leggings Cheat Sheet

I see this question all the time.. which Lululemon leggings are which?? Which ones are the buttery soft, the thick cotton, the silky spandex? Which ones are good for running? Which ones have piling? Since I’ve started wearing Lululemon, they have changed their fabrics and names a couple times so it’s been hard to know which ones I love or which ones I already have, but I’ve finally cracked the code.

In all Lulu styles, I wear a size 8 (I wear a 28/29 in pants). As a rule, the printed fabrics are a bit more snug than solid but I don’t size up. I am 5’6 and the 25” leggings are a perfect full length for me. I wash all my leggings inside out and air dry to keep them in top notch condition.

Here are the fabrics and styles in order of the most buttery to extra spandex-y and everything in between.

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align ribbed pant 28” (new!)

Fabric - Nulu (ribbed)

These leggings literally feel like you are not wearing anything at all. They are super light weight and sweat wicking. Since they are so light weight, they don’t necessarily snatch you BUT i still think they’re really flattering. The ribbing on these were all i needed to justify buying ANOTHER pair of black leggings and I’m glad because they have quickly become my favorite staple black legging.

wunder train tight 28” (new!)

Fabric - Everlux

If the align ribbed pant doesn’t SNATCH you, these DO. They are a lot more compressive than the aligns to keep you held in for your whole workout. The fabric is really soft yet smooth and a slightly silky to the touch. It is designed for more intense training but comfortable enough to wear running errands. These are a staple pair everyone needs in their collection. At $98, these are on the lower end of the lululemon price range which is always a plus.

Align Super-High Rise 28”

Fabric - Nulu

These are the most buttery you will find. Although they are meant for yoga, I still run in them and risk the piling. They stay up while working out but wont suck you in like some other fabrics. The Nulu’s feel barely there and super lightweight. The 28” is a bit long for me but not enough to really bother me.

The Align style is essentially seamless and super flattering. Won’t dig in anywhere. Aligns are my all time favorite and the classic lululemon style.

The Nulu’s tend to have some piling just due to the delicate fabric. I have linked a fabric shaver here.

Invigorate High-Rise TIght 25'“ Diamond Dye

Fabric - EVERLUX

These are a buttery soft BUT with a bit of spandex feel. My first impression is that they hold you in tighter than the buttery Nulu fabric and are a bit thicker. These will stay up while you’re running for sure and I think they are less likely to pile compared to the softer fabrics. I’m obsessed with this fabric.

The Invigorate style has pockets on the side and seams along the outer thigh and along the back. I would love this fabric in a seamless style (Align / Wunder under). This legging style is perfectly suited for any activity but I don’t think I would lounge in it.

Wunder under High-Rise Tight 25”

Fabric - Full-On LUON

These are a thick, cottony feeling, full coverage legging. They are super strecthy and will hold you in tight and snatch your waist and legs which I LOVE. They will not move around while running or any other workout. They are on the warmer side so not ideal for outside activities in the summer.

The Wunder Unders are seamless, have a thick waist band, and super flattering. These are similar to the Alo Yoga Airbrush leggings. If I had to have two pairs of leggings for the rest of my life, it would be these, and the Aligns. Both staple pieces everyone should have.


Wunder Under High-rise Tight 28”

Fabric - Full-On Luxtreme

These are the classic silky, stretchy, spandex-y material. The print on these make them a tad tighter than the solid color options of the same material and style, but not enough for me to size up. It holds you in nice and tight and is sweat wicking. The only problem with these is they tend to slip down when I run until i get sweaty enough for them to stick to my skin? Once you’re a bit sweaty, they don’t move much.

Same as the Wunder Unders above, they are a prefect seamless design with a wide waist band to suck you in, in all the right places. These are my everyday leggings that I have in nearly every color and the OG Lulus everyone knows and loves.

All the right places Crop 23”

Fabric - Full -On Luxtreme

This fabric is super stretchy, silky, and soft. Not buttery, more spandex. It holds you in nice and tight but its not too heavy and feels light weight, cool, and breathable. There’s no front seam so no camel toe. They feel hugging and supportive. They also make the Swift Speed legging in this amazing fabric.

The style has lots of seam details on the legs, around the back, and also pockets on the sides. Designed for running and training. I think the seams will prevent these from sliding around unlike the Wunder Under in the same fabric. The coolest thing about these is if you cuff the ankle seam, there’s a reflective detail for night time running that you would have no idea was there otherwise.

Fast and free High-Rise 25” tight

Fabric - Nulux

This fabric is very similar to the Luxtreme but a bit thinner and more light weight. They feel barely there compared to a hugging sensation from the Luxtreme. Perfect for summer and i can tell these are super sweat wicking. I would be careful not to damage this material since it is so thin (not see through though, don’t worry).

The Fast and Free style is similar to the All The Right Places but less seams. There’s a small seam down the side (with pockets on the thighs) and one seam across the back above your butt. There’s also a draw string waist band inside which can come in handy since these silky materials seem to slide around while running.

To summarize the best of the best: My absolute favorite styles are the Align and the Wunder Under. To be honest I wouldn’t spend my money on anything other than those two. As far as fabrics go: I own the most Luxtreme, but I’m newly obsessed with the Everlux and the Luon for working out. For lounging, the Nulu is a must.

xo Eliza

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