By now you’ve probably heard of Kate Hudson’s subscription-based activewear line, Fabletics. Offering women a special introductory price of $25 for your first workout outfit, the service seems like a deal too sweet to pass up. With a VIP enrollment program that offers discounted prices on auto-renewed monthly outfit purchases of $49.95, the brand claims to deliver quality, style and value.
But with only a few brick and mortar locations nationwide, we were a little hesitant to trust the quality of Fabletics’ workout clothes without first consulting our friends about their experiences. We conducted a survey of several Fabletics customers to get the scoop on whether the service actually provides a collection of high quality outfits that will stand up to our toughest workouts.
The reviews were little a mixed. Several women enthused about great quality, especially for the price. Others said the materials of certain outfits did not seem appropriate for athletic use. One client felt her first pair of yoga pants deteriorated too quickly, developing a hole soon after she started wearing them. A few women mentioned the shirts were too big or fit awkwardly. More than one person remarked that the quality seemed to vary between outfits and items, receiving some Fabletics pieces that they loved, while other items disappointed them.
The mixed feedback extended even to pieces of the same type, such as the Fabletics leggings. While several ladies felt they were too thin, another remarked her pair was too thick to be comfortable for hot yoga. While the site offers several different styles of leggings, this discrepancy could also come down to personal preference.
Nearly everyone agreed the service is worth the $25 trial subscription price. But even women who adored the clothes and felt Fabletics offered great quality workout gear unsubscribed simply because they didn’t want or need a whole new outfit each month. The company does offer a process for “skipping” a month, but several women mentioned they would forget to visit the site during the first to the fifth of each month to select this option. They would end up being charged each month, which made the service feel too expensive to maintain.
Some women who have since cancelled their Fabletics VIP membership still purchase individual items that appeal to them or wait until the merchandise makes it way to sale sites like Hautelook and Nordstrom Rack.
Another issue that frustrated otherwise loyal Fabletics customers was the inadequate supply of the limited edition prints and outfits released each month. We can imagine the frustration of having your heart set on your favorite style only to discover it’s sold out in your size.
So what’s a girl to do: take a chance on Fabletics or stick with what you know? If you’re tired of paying $88 for one pair of yoga crops at Lululemon, we say the service is definitely worth trying. The introductory price of $25 for an entire outfit is super reasonable, plus you’ll get to experience the quality firsthand and decide for yourself whether it’s worth the continued payment of $50 per outfit. If you’re not totally satisfied with how it looks and feels, you can always return the unused items for free.
If you’re still nervous about ordering online or don’t want to commit to a subscription-based purchasing model, plenty of other brands offer affordable workout clothes that you can order a la carte or try on in store. We personally recommended Old Navy’s activewear and fitness clothing. The brand has totally redone its styles and upped the material quality since we had last tried it several years ago. Our (unsubstantiated) theory is that Old Navy borrows from its sister brands, Athleta and GapFit, to produce super high quality duds with a modest price tag.
Alternatively, keep an eye out for Nordstrom‘s house brand, Zella or even better, Z by Zella, available at a deep discount from Nordstrom Rack.
Have you tried Fabletics? Share your experience below or tweet us @entity_mag!
