Fit Review! Athleta Seasoft Bubble Hem Full Zip & Lululemon Softstreme Full Zip Hoodie & Athleta Seasoft Mid Rise Straight Crop
I'm super excited to share this review with you all. It just so happened that Athleta and Lululemon released zip up hoodies that are very similar. I'm going to be judging each hoodie based on comfort, looks, and style. Which one did I end up keeping? Let's find out.
For reference I'm 4 feet 11 inches tall and typically wear size 4 in Lululemon tops and size PXS in Athleta tops.
Athleta's Seasoft Bubble Hem Full Zip runs true to size. I'm wearing my usual Petite XS. The sleeves are a near perfect length. There is an elastic waistband that creates the bubble hem effect which I love. It's a snug fit, but not uncomfortable. I do think the elastic waistband will stretch with wear, but I think that should be okay since it is on the snug side.
From the back you can really see how it drapes beautifully. The front is slightly on the plain side but I do appreciate the pockets. The hood does have drawstrings to cinch and customize to your liking. This hoodie is midweight and feels super soft. The black color is fairly dark. I lightened the photos a little bit to show more detail. But if anyone is wondering, Athleta's black is a darker black than Lululemon's black in Softstreme. Lululemon's black is more of a charcoal gray.
Next up we have Lululemon's Softstreme Full Zip Hoodie. This hoodie runs large. I sized down in this hoodie to size 2.
This hoodie also has a bubble hem, but the bubble hem is not as prominent as Athleta's version. It's very subtle. This hoodie also has an elastic wasitband, but it's very stretchy and not snug at all. The sleeves are still slightly too long. My main issue is how frumpy this hoodie looks when zipped up. I did not find it to be very flattering and gives me a bulky belly. You can really see the bulge in the side profile. I'm not really sure why it won't lay flat. I didn't have this issue with the Athleta version.
Very bulky mid section. 😐
However, this hoodie is very comfortable and looks best when it's unzipped. Then it looks super cute. The back of the hoodie has a slight bubble hem effect, but not too much.
Verdict? Comfort goes to Lululemon. I prefer Lululemon's elastic waistband more because it wasn't as snug and it was way more stretchy than Athleta's version. Style goes to Athleta. If you're really looking for a bubble hem effect, Athleta wins hands down. Excellent draping in the back. I think it's really well done. Looks goes to Athleta. Lululemon's hoodie made me look very bulky in the front when the hoodie was zipped up. I'm wondering if it's because Lululemon's Softstreme fabric is slightly thicker? Both of the hoodies are lined in soft cotton jersey. Athleta's black is also a darker black whereas Lululemon's looks like a charcoal gray. In the end I went with Athleta. One last thing, I noticed that Lululemon's care instructions are lay flat to dry, while Athleta's instructions are machine wash and dry which is what I want to hear!
Last but not least, I added another pair of Athleta's Seasoft Mid Rise Straight Crop in Coastline Blue to my closet. I'm wearing size XS here for a full length look. The inseam measures 25 inches and it's a perfect length for me with shoes. I think I may order another pair in black. These pants are super flattering and I love the straight leg. It's not too wide. They're so comfortable, it really feels like I'm wearing pajamas. I already wore these out and I know they'll be in my regular rotation. Coastline Blue is a nice spring/summer color.
Athleta for the win! Lululemon really needs to step up and add petite sizing. Athleta has very similar styles and if you're petite, everything just fits so much better. No need to hem! Let me know which hoodie you prefer in the comments. That's it for me and I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!
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Thanks for another great review, Leslie!
ReplyDeleteI would go for Athleta’s Seasoft Bubble Hem Full Zip too cos it looks way cuter than the Lululemon Softstreme Full Zip Hoodie on you, especially in the back with the more prominent bubble hem effect. I did think of getting it but I know it will be too short on me even if I size up to XS.
I am a big fan of the Athleta Seasoft Mid Rise Straight Crop and got it in Black, Abalone Grey and Coastline Blue. I prefer it to Lululemon’s Softstreme High-Rise Straight-Leg Cropped Pant which has a seam running down the back of the legs.
I’ve been spending most of my money at Athleta lately for three reasons.
1) Like you said, Athleta is petite-friendly and everything just fits better for us petite ladies.
2) Athleta uses better material in similar styles. LLL’s Dance Studio Mid-rise Jogger is made with Swift fabric which pills, while Athleta’s Attitude Jogger is made with abrasive resistance fabric. I read that Softstreme has water stain issues but my Seasoft items are easy to care for.
3) Athleta offers good sales from time to time and you can return most sale items with a full refund. LLL only offers store credit.
4) Athleta has more interesting and feminine designs, while LLL has a more athletic vibe.
I don’t see myself spending too much money on Lululemon in the clothings department but their bags are still the best.:D
Andrea
Hi Andrea! I totally agree. I love Athleta's Seasoft Straight Crop! I think I have 3 pairs including Coastline Blue. Wish they would release more colors, especially a graphite gray. I prefer these over Lululemon's version because the leg is wider. I really love the straight leg style more. It's more flattering on petites. I have never had an issue with the staining either. I did notice some on Lulu's Softstreme but not enough to bother me. Agree on number 4 too. Athleta has more interesting designs. Did you pick anything up from their weekend sale?
DeleteI am starting to really like Lululemon bags! The canvas mini tote has been surprisingly a good work tote for me when I don't have to carry a lot. I will have more reviews coming. 😊
Hi Leslie,
DeleteI got the matching Seasoft Crewneck Sweatshirt in Coastline Blue and love how soft it is. :)
Also ordered the Coaster Luxe Recover High Hip Sweatshirt but since size XS wasn’t available in Granite Blue (which I LOVE), I ordered one in size XXS but have a feeling that it will be too short for my liking.
I would love to get a pair of Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant but sadly only Black and Navy are available in size XXS Petite for months. I wish I was fast enough to get a pair in Granite Blue!
Andrea
I meant to say size 00 Petite for the Brooklyn Ankle Pants.
DeleteAndrea
Granite Blue is beautiful! It's sold out in PXS here too. Hope the XXS works out for you! I have noticed that petite sizing has been lacking lately. Not a lot of stock. 😕
DeleteThanks for the really informative fit review! I actually ended up ordering (and returning) the Seasoft Zip Up when Athleta had a 25% off sale a couple of weeks ago. Although I really liked the look of it, I couldn't get past the tight elastic at the waist. Every time I moved my arms, the hem would ride up. I contemplated reordering it it in xxs regular to see if a little more length in the torso would help, but they're sold out. Now that I've returned that one, I'm going to give the Lulu version a try.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you and Andrea about Athleta. For the most part, I've been more interested in their styles, and the fact that they offer petite sizing has me hooked. I appreciate that they often do sales AND allow returns on said sale items. Athleta offers better membership rewards as well.
Hi Lola! The waist is snug on me in the black. I wore it with my jeans and didn't find it uncomfortable but I will have to try again to see if I have the same issue when I lift my arms. I didn't notice it when I was taking the photos. Let me know how you like the Lulu version, I just thought there was too much bulk in the front.
DeleteI've always been very happy with my Athleta purchases. I feel like they're also easier to wear on an everyday basis. But agree, the pricing is much better than Lulu!
Yay! I've been waiting for this fit review! I ordered the Athleta version in abalone grey about a week ago when they had a sale..expecting it to arrive soon, so excited! Glad to hear good things about it from your fit review =)
ReplyDeleteHi Melody! I hope you like it. 😊 Do report back!
DeleteWhaaa that sweater is black? It looks like a dark purple on my screen! Not having to hem pants is definitely A+ good fit review
ReplyDeleteHi AC! Yes they are both black. I did lighten it up a little to show details but it's dark charcoal for Lulu and I would say almost black for Athleta. Thanks for reading!
DeleteI love the Athleta one on you! The drape is so much prettier. I find full length LLL hoodies to fit too long in the torso so it always either bunches at the waist or sits too low on my hips and fits off?? It happens with my ruched jacket I bought where it was just two inches too long and it bunched up when I moved at the hips -Janessa
ReplyDeleteYes, I can definitely relate. I think it's why I decided the regular full zip Scubas are not for me anymore. The cropped OS Scubas are still my favorite and I have three.
DeleteThe Athleta one is a true bubble hem hoodie. The LLL version is just off to me.