How Well Does Kate Hudson’s Fabletics Measure Up?

As a lover of all things activewear, the October 2013 launch of the Kate Hudson-backed Fabletics piqued my curiosity almost immediately from the start. The brand promised high-quality, chic gear at lower prices. What athletic clothing buyer wouldn’t be intrigued by that? My next question, naturally, was how does it really perform and hold up against other brands? The answer is: beautifully. Fabletics sent me a handful of products to review for Bite Size Wellness.

Take a look at this Lucy Activewear Clothing Review!

Before I get into that though, it’s worth covering the site’s unique pricing structure. You can buy items per piece at a slightly higher cost (but still lower than what the typical high-end athletic company charges), or join as a VIP member and receive free shipping on orders over $49.95 and a complete outfit for as low as $49.95. Becoming a member, in my opinion, would depend on how often you plan on buying from them. If you can see yourself buying an outfit from Fabletics every month, go for it. If you plan on just purchasing a few items once in a while, it might not be worth it since you have to remember to use the site’s “skip the month” feature once a month to avoid being charged. Or else, you will be spending more than it is worth!

1. Salar Legging

This long legging kept me warm throughout this winter’s seemingly never-ending cold spell, but never made me too hot during class. The fabric felt thick and durable, but I never once felt suffocated in these. That’s a great feeling, especially when you’re wandering around town in 40-degree weather in March. (Aren’t you glad winter’s over?) I even loved the way the pants gathered around the ankles too. It made for a chic touch. Since many pant-length leggings to do this unintentionally, it made sense for the designers to add this stylish feature. These really hug your body and flatter troubled areas too.

2. Lima Capri

The calf-length lima capri is one of the brand’s signature styles and for good reason too. This high-waisted piece will keep your gut in check (literally) and its high-compression fabrics helps “smooth” everything out too. I love how these, like the Salar leggings, also felt thick and durable without ever holding in too much heat. They’re also surprisingly soft too, another feature that I adored. I even wore these during the D.C. area’s recent heat spells and never had any issues. I also was pleased with how this pair passed the bend test. I couldn’t see anything when I checked—especially impressive since I tested out the pretty light blue color. My only problem with these is that they’re so tight they did tend to bunch right under each cheek. Oops! It’s not bad, but it is noticeable. Try different sizing if that will make you uncomfortable!

3. Rio Run Capri

The dark gray (with a chic blue stripe running up the side) Rio Run Capris were my favorite bottoms from this line of winners! Again, these feel durable but don’t trap heat and moisture. The capris come with a drawstring—perfect for runners who want their bottoms to stay put while jogging. I especially appreciated the ventilated side panels that cooled me down even more. These are comfy too and could be worn while running errands.

4. Lille Sports Bra - Peoni

I enjoyed everything about this bra. I loved how the intricate straps don’t get tangled—a common problem with pieces like this. The straps are also perfect if you have plenty of off-the-shoulder tanks. The watermelon pink is such a great color for summer, too! However, I especially liked how this bra is like two in one! If you’re busty, though, it should be noted that you probably couldn’t wear this during high-impact activities like running, but it would work for essentially anything else. This also would be perfect for active women who just wear bras during workouts like Bikram yoga.

5. Jackson Tank

My favorite thing about this tank was its elegant back and cutout. It provides just enough sex appeal while still being modest. Overall, I found this to be an extremely flattering option. Its flared hemline would look good on most. I also appreciated the tiny zip pocket on this one—ideal for storing an iPod, keys or even small snacks. Since this tank does flare and has no drawstring to keep the bottom secure, it wouldn’t be ideal for any type of exercise where you’re upside down a lot (I’m lookin’ at you, yoga class), unless you don’t mind showing off a lot. Because of the way it’s made, the bra strap that runs right under the chest can get tangled when you put it on, too. Just watch out for this when you’re slipping it over your head. This would be an ideal top for walks or spinning class. I wore this to an outdoor Pilates class and found that is kept me dry and cool despite the 80-degree temps.

6. Norwalk Tank

This is a classic athletic tank with a built-in bra attached. I loved the dark pink and white sport bra combination of this one. Overall, it looked stylish, but I had issues with the tank part riding up. I wasn’t too crazy about the way the pink material felt—a little too synthetic—but I loved how it kept me cool and dry in the heat. The drawstring here is two separate cords, and it didn’t always feel too secure.

If you’re looking for a lower-cost line that still has cute and functional pieces, look no further than Fabletics. It’s chic, affordable and perfect for active women everywhere!

See how well Lorna Jane functions when put to the ultimate test here!

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For more on Fun & Fitness, check out our articles here.

_{All images courtesy of Fabletics}