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The 14 Best lululemon Items for Women Over 40

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Collage of lululemon models on pink and orange ombre background. A "Purewow Editor's Pick" badge is no the top left corner.
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Lululemon is a brand synonymous with activewear that has become a staple in every woman's wardrobe. But as we age, our fit needs and preferences may evolve, and finding the right pieces that provide comfort and style can become a challenge. Women over 40 want leggings that flatter their bodies, bras that offer support, and shirts that feel both comfortable and stylish. Luckily, lululemon has a range of products that cater specifically to our needs. Here, the 14 best leggings, bras, shirts and more that lululemon has to offer for women over 40.

The Best lululemon Picks for Women Over 40 at a Glance

Meet the Expert

Liz Teich is a New York-based commercial and personal fashion stylist, style creator, on-air style expert and mom of two. She has been a professional commercial stylist for 15 years, styling fashion for major brands and retailers and celebrities. Through her blog and Instagram, The New York Stylist, as well as her popular personal styling service “The Closet Refresh™” she teaches women how to shop smarter, in a more thoughtful and sustainable way.

How We Chose the Best lululemon Items for Women Over 40

For this list, we thought about where women over 40 are in their lives—the demands on them and their bodies. We thought about comfort and confidence. We considered common areas of the body that can make fit feel futile. We touched base with an in-demand stylist with all these insights in mind to craft a thorough list for all types of women in their 40s (and beyond) looking for great athleisure and accessories.

What Materials Does lululemon Use?

lululemon uses several types of performance fabrics made of a variety of textiles including Lycra, nylon, cotton, polyester and more, throughout all their product lines. We’ll highlight the most common fabrics below.

  • Nulu: Created with yoga in mind, the buttery soft fabric was designed for that “naked sensation”. The textile is lightweight, unrestricting but with full-coverage (aka squat-proof) and smoothing. Everything in the Align collection is made with Nulu.
  • Luxtreme: Designed for running and training, Luxtreme is a high-performance fabric developed to handle serious sweat. It is inherently sweat-wicking with four-way stretch. It feels smooth and cool to the touch.
  • Everluxe: Unique yarns and double-knit construction keep you cool and dry during intense workouts. The textile has an inner layer for sweat-wicking that’s cool-to-the-touch, while its outer layer is built with quick-drying yarns that offer a buttery-soft texture. lululemon’s higher compression Wunder Train line uses Everluxe.
  • Nulux: This silky material is similar to Nulu is that it’s a high-impact fabric with that “naked sensation” while still offering opaque coverage. It’s more sweat-wicking and quick-drying, however, as it’s made for running and training.

What’s with lululemon’s Price Point?

  • Versatility: There’s an argument to be made that lululemon is pretty expensive for “yoga pants.” But people wear athleisure everywhere now, so often when you’re shopping for workout gear, you’re also shopping for clothes you’ll wear on an everyday basis, whether you’re heading to the studio or not.
  • Quality: There’s also the fact that lululemon pieces are known to last. According to the Yoga Nomad: “On average, Lululemon leggings last for 2-5 years if cared for properly. Some women I know have even had their Lulus for nearly 10 years! Yogis and runners often brag about how durable their leggings really are. They withstand everyday wear and hold up to regular washes (as long as you wash them correctly).” Plus, the lululemon Quality Promise means that if you buy something that doesn’t live up to your expectations, you can return it.
  • Brick and Mortar Sales Assistance and Hemming: There’s a cost built into products for the stores and educators (as the salespeople are called). Don’t love the fit of your Align leggings? Head to a store and see if another option suits you better. lululemon even offers complimentary hemming on tops and bottoms.

The 31 Best Workout Leggings for Every Body Type and Fitness Need


Lululemon model in high wasted Align black camo leggings and bra.
lululemon

Editor’s Pick

1. lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant - Nulu

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: 4-way stretch, 3 length options, hidden pockets, 20+ colorways
  • Material: 80% Nylon, 20% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

Whether it’s the 20-plus colorways (including fun, flattering patterns) or the three different lengths (25”, 28” or 30”), the Align High-Rise pant is versatile, comfortable and flattering. Stylist Liz Teich says that the Align pant is a favorite because of its four-way stretch and buttery soft material—plus the plethora of matching tops and bras in the same Align product line. Though the brand claims that the pant is “weightless”—a branding term Teich cautions to avoid if you’re conscious about your legs—the Align pant might feel light-weight but still provides shape retention with a punch of Lycra. For more coverage, Teich also advises to avoid lighter colors which tend to show more. The high-waisted silhouette is also quite flattering and gives you more options for how you style the pants: with a crop? With an oversized sweatshirt? The world is your oyster.

Lululemon model in sandals and highwaisted trouser.
lululemon
  • Why We Love It: super comfy, versatile, sweat-wicking, 4-way stretch
  • Material: Body: 69% Nylon, 31% Lycra® elastane / Inner waistband: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

These are the trousers that Teich herself often wears, usually paired with a cropped top or oversized sweatshirt. “I love a jogger or athletic trouser, especially one that’s a step up from sweats in a more polished material,” which is exactly what the Stretch High-Rise Pant offers. One lululemon reviewer even wrote, “I dress these up for work and they are so comfortable.” Looks like women can have it all, people. 

lululemon model in yellow tee and gray leggings.
lululemon

Best for Compression

3. Wunder Train High-Rise Tight - Everluxe

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: 4-way stretch, 3 length options, waistband cord, 15+ colorways, hidden pocket
  • Material: Pocket lining:56% Polyester, 33% Coolmax® polyester, 11% Lycra® elastane / Body: 77% Nylon, 23% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

A slightly different take on the Align leggings, lulumemon’s Wunder Train, made from their fast-drying Everluxe fabric, up the compression factor and provide a few more bells and whistles. For one, the dual knit means that the outside of the pants are soft and brushed, while the inside is sleek and cooling. The design also includes a thoughtful waistband cord to prevent slippage—if you’ve experienced tugging your pants up mid-way through downward dog, this feature is for you. Overall, the Wunder Train might not be your everyday go-tos, but they’ve got the same body-smoothing, confidence-building features of the Align perfect for the gym.

Lululemon model wearing Birkenstocks, gray wide leg leggings and sherpa sweater.

Leggings in Disguise

4. Alighn High-Rise Wide-Leg Pant - Nulu

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: hidden pockets, wide-leg silhouette, versatile, short-leg friendly
  • Material: Nulu Fabric 80% Nylon, 20% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

PureWow’s in-house short-girl fashion expert, senior editor Dana Dickey, tells me: “I’m obsessed with the new Lululemon Align High-rise wide-leg pants that have pockets! Pockets that don’t bulge out! Thanks to the super soft Nulu fabric and wide cut of the leg, the pockets just sort of disappear into the rest of the leg, so you still have a nice sleek-looking line. And the high-rise waist makes even my petite legs look long-ish.” But it doesn’t end there. Dickey raves about the wide waistband cut in a “V” shape in the back for some butt-flattering lines. “Basically, these are the pants I can really wear from yoga class to lunch or whatever and look nice, not like a leggings-wearing L.A. cliché.”

Lululemon model in maroon joggers.
lululemon

Best Non-Legging Workout Pants

5. Stretch High-Rise Jogger Full Length - Luxtreme

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: versatile, sweat-wicking, pockets, stretchy
  • Material: Body: 69% Nylon, 31% Lycra® elastane / Inner waistband: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

So you’re going to a restorative yoga class in the dead of winter and can’t fathom taking off your sweats. Or maybe you’re heading to Chipotle with a full carpool of 10-year-olds. Or maybe you just don’t like your tush on full display. The Stretch High-Rise Joggers will be your best friend. One lululemon reviewer wrote, “I love these joggers! I have them now in 3 colors. I am 5’4” and curvy and I would say these are super high rise, but I love them. I find them very flattering and a good length. They also do not pill. These are just the best.” Stylist Teich also agrees that a jogger is a fab alternative to leggings for working out or running errands.

Lululemon model in indigo high-rise leggings with slight flare and matching sports bra.
lululemon

Best Postpartum Pant

6. Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant - Nulu

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: versatile, sweat-wicking, classic, waistband pocket
  • Material: Body:  Nulu™ Fabric 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane / Gusset: 56% Polyester, 33% Coolmax® polyester, 11% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

There’s high-rise, and then there’s super high-rise. And for lots of folks dealing with postpartum body changes, the latter is a great option, particularly given the ultra high-rise and flare legs. Teich says the design choices are flattering and elongating: “I’m loving the Groove Super High-Rise pant for this because it distracts from the tummy area and gives a long line throughout.” 

Lululemon model in loose fitting magenta tee.
lululemon

The “Get It in Every Color” Pick

7. Back in Action Short-Sleeve Shirt

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: relaxed fit with nice silhouette, versatile, longer back,
  • Material: Body: 92% Pima cotton, 8% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

You’ve probably got enough crewnecks from college or your first job piled up to the ceiling in the annals of your closet, so maybe it’s time to add a little diversity to your tee wardrobe. The subtle boat neck elongates the neck and highlights the decolletage without being revealing. The sleeves hang slightly off the shoulder, offering fuller upper arm coverage while still looking purposefully chic—wear them as is or roll up for a casual beachy vibe. The flattering seams and scooped, longer hem in the back tie it all together. To quote (kinda) Amy Poehler in Mean Girls, “This isn’t just a T-shirt, it’s cool T-shirt.”

Lululemon model in high rise black bike shorts.
lululemon
  • Why We Love It: 10” length, super high-rise, waistband pocket
  • Material: Body: 100% Nylon Liner: 100% Recycled polyester
  • Size Range: 0, 18, 20

These biker shorts have all the perks of the Align product line, but they go higher and longer—wahoo if you love a little more coverage. Though the shorts also come in 6” and 8” lengths, we love having the option to show off our gams without sacrificing comfort. Unfortunately, it looks like lululemon has slowed down on production for this particular product, but maybe if they hear us shouting from the rooftops about how much we love them, they’ll up the inventory.

Lululemon model with pink hair in lemon-colored cropped sweatshirt.
lululemon

All-Purpose Hoodie

9. Scuba Oversized Half-Zip Hoodie

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: super comfy, soft, lightweight, breathable, fun colorways
  • Material: Body: Body: 70% Cotton, 30% Polyester Rib: 97% Cotton, 3% Elastane
  • Size Range: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL

Teich loves an oversized hoodie paired with high-rise leggings. And while this one isn’t as big as your dad’s old Harvard hoodie, its proportions are much more flattering. The exaggerated fit is roomy and comfy, but the crop and sleek seams keep things professional-ish. And let’s be honest: Who doesn’t want the option of a 10-minute nap between calls?

lululemon model in bright yellow racerback tank.
lululemon
  • Why We Love It: fun colorways, racerback, versatile
  • Material: 81% Nylon, 19% Lycra® elastane
  • Size Range: 0 to 20

Designed to hit right around your waistband, the Align Racerback is contours to your body for a flattering silhouette. If you’re working with guns you want to show off, this is the pick. The halter neckline does wonders for spotlighting shoulders. The cut also allows for a full range of motion. So if you like to flow through your yoga routine seamlessly, this is your best bet. It also looks pretty cute with a pair of jeans. And psst: It does come in a hips-length option.

Lululemon model in magenta sports bra with zip up front.
lululemon

Stylist Sports Bra Pick

11. Enlite Front-Zip Bra High Support, A–DDD(E) Cups

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: high support, sweat-wicking, smooths and supports
  • Material: Bra: 56% Nylon, 44% Lycra® elastane / Cup: 80% Polyester, 20% Elastane
  • Size Range: A - DDD (E) Cups

“A zip-up bra,” says Teich, “is not only functional but a great stylish feature. The Enlite Front-Zip Bra High Support is one you may even want to be seen in and the girls aren’t going anywhere.” Whelp, you heard it here first: We’ve got a bone-a-fide fashion stylist-approved sports bra. The front zip (with a hidden bra hook to prevent unzipping, duh) and the crisscross straps not only spice up the design, but contribute to the Enlite’s ultimate function: keeping the girls in place during high-impact workouts.

Lululemon model in black sports bra
lululemon

Best Sports Bra for Running

12. lululemon Energy Bra High Support, B–DDD Cups

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: high support, fun colorways, quick-drying
  • Material: 35% Nylon, 31% Polyester, 29% Cotton, 5% Elastane
  • Size Range: S, M, L

A multi-way adjustable bra that was designed with long-distance running in mind, the Energy Bra provides coverage, support and shape while you try to keep pace. We particularly love the soft, brushed underband (no thank you, underwire!) and how specific you can get with fit—there’s the hook-and-eye closures for underband fit and adjustable, double-crossback straps. Your boobs aren’t going anywhere.

lululemon model in magenta zipup with black cross body bag.
lululemon

Best All-Purpose Bag

13. Everywhere Belt Bag Large 2L

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: versatile, 2-way zippers, easy to adjust, water-repellent
  • Material: Body: 100% Nylon Liner: 100% Recycled polyester
  • Size Range: One size

The schlep is real. So it’s no wonder this small but mighty fan-favorite is often sold out. The bag comes in two sizes—1L (7.5" x 2" x 5") and 2L (8.3" x 2.2" x 5.7")—but we’re gonna bet a woman in her 40s on the go would probably opt for the larger one. Whether you’re the bag lady with a thousand totes or a one-and-done lady, the Everywhere Belt Bag will keep your essentials close to your chest, no matter where you’re running to.

Product shot of 5 socks with rainbow details.
lululemon

The Pick-Me-Up

14. Women's Daily Stride Crew Sock 5-Pack

lululemon

  • Why We Love It: integrated cushioning, throwback design
  • Material: 35% Nylon, 31% Polyester, 29% Cotton, 5% Elastane
  • Size Range: S, M, L

As a woman of significance, you shouldn’t be spending wasted time loafing through your clean laundry for a pair of socks. Treat yourself to an accessory on the oft-forgotten basement of our bodies: your feet. The fun, rainbow-color five-pack makes matching a breeze and will add a pep to your step knowing you paid a little extra attention to your toes. They deserve love, too.

How to Wash lululemon Leggings

You will get the most out of your lululemon products by following the care steps carefully. Most care instructions follow as such:

  • Wash with light colors
  • Machine wash cold
  • Do not bleach
  • Tumble dry low
  • Do not iron
  • Do not dry clean

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Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow is the best friend you never had when it comes to finding the best, most useful lifestyle products online. Founded in 2010, our company’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series, which sees each and every item we test being ranked on a 100-point scale of awesomeness, to the painstakingly curated lists our fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family editors create as vertical experts, you can trust that our recommendations include some of the greatest items you’ll find on the internet. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.

26 Pairs of Leggings with Pockets That Are Big Enough to Hold All Your Essentials



DaraKatz

Executive Editor

  • Lifestyle editor and writer with a knack for long-form pieces
  • Has more than a decade of experience in digital media and lifestyle content on the page, podcast and on-camera
  • Studied English at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor