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Does the Brand Lululemon Run Big or Small? What Is Their Sizing Like — and What’s Good to Buy?

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Is Lululemon True to Size?

Lululemon is one of the most recognisable names in activewear globally. Known for high-performance fabrics, sculpted silhouettes, and premium design, it’s a go-to brand for gym-goers, yogis, runners, and athleisure lovers alike. But a question we hear often is: Does Lululemon run big or small?

The short answer: Lululemon generally runs small — especially in leggings, bras, and body-contouring styles. While some items offer more give due to stretch fabrics, the brand uses North American sizing that tends to be slimmer than UK high-street norms.

👉 Before you scroll further: Tellar.co.uk has already analysed every single brand’s size data, including Lululemon, and will match your measurements to the correct size in over 1,500 brands. You’ll get a free measuring tape, a one-time setup, and lifetime access to your perfect fit — always free to use, with no catches. You'll never need to check a size chart again.


Understanding Lululemon Sizing: Performance-Fit Explained

Lululemon uses a numerical sizing system for women (typically 0–20) and lettered sizing for men (XS–XXL). The sizing is designed for compression and sculpting — meaning pieces often feel smaller than expected, especially on first wear.

1. Women’s Leggings and Bottoms

This is Lululemon’s flagship category — think Align, Wunder Train, Fast & Free.

  • Compression styles (like Wunder Train): Run small — expect a tight fit

  • Soft styles (like Align): Feel truer to size but may still be snug at the waist

  • Sculpting and running leggings: Often fit tighter in the hips and thighs

💡 Most women size up one size from their usual UK high street size.

📏 Want to know whether you're a Lululemon size 8, 10, or 12?

👉 Tellar will match it perfectly for you

🔗 Related post: Why Activewear Brands Run Small

2. Sports Bras & Crop Tops

Supportive and designed to stay in place, Lululemon bras and tops are cut smaller than standard UK sizing — especially in the band.

  • High-support bras: Often tight under the bust, especially for fuller chests

  • Low-support bras: May fit more comfortably but can still run small in length

  • Longline tops: Tighter than they look in the product photos

✅ If you’re in between sizes or have a larger bust, Tellar will recommend whether to go up 1 or 2 sizes depending on support level.

🔗 See also: How to Measure Your Bust for Activewear

3. Outerwear & Hoodies

Jackets and fleeces from Lululemon tend to fit closer to the body — not oversized like other athleisure brands.

  • Define jacket: Very tight fit (most size up)

  • Scuba hoodies: Slightly boxier but still small in the shoulders

  • Packable outerwear: Cut for layering but still runs snug

📦 Most outerwear is designed for a sleek silhouette, not baggy comfort.

👉 Use Tellar to find your perfect layering size


Men’s Lululemon Sizing: Tailored and Slim

Lululemon menswear is cut for movement and aesthetic. It runs slimmer than traditional UK gym wear, but slightly more relaxed than designer tailoring.

  • T-shirts: Slim through the arms and chest

  • Shorts: True to size, some with stretch panels

  • Joggers & trousers: May run short in inseam for taller frames

👕 For comparison, a man wearing a UK Medium in Nike or Gymshark might find a Lululemon M too snug — Tellar solves this by mapping your exact chest, waist, and leg length to the best size.

🔗 Related: Eytys Sizing Guide (Unisex Fit), Eleventy Fit Guide


Lululemon vs Other Activewear Brands

Brand

Fit Style

Notes

Lululemon

Slim / compression

Runs small, especially in bottoms and bras

Sweaty Betty

Small

Similar to Lululemon in bras; leggings are stretchier

Gymshark

Small

Sizing varies by collection

Nike

True to small

Generally more relaxed in activewear fit

Alo Yoga

Fitted

Close match to Lululemon in sizing

🎯 Tellar.co.uk maps all of these brands to your profile in seconds — and adjusts for fabric stretch, garment type, and fit style.


Lululemon International Sizing: US vs UK

Lululemon uses US numerical sizes, which can create confusion for UK shoppers.

  • Lululemon size 4 = UK 8

  • Lululemon size 6 = UK 10

  • Lululemon size 8 = UK 12

  • Lululemon size 10 = UK 14

But the reality is — even these conversions vary depending on the product’s fabric and support level.

💡 Don’t rely on charts.

Let Tellar calculate your precise size by measurement

🔗 Helpful read: UK, US & EU Size Conversion Guide


Most Popular Lululemon Items to Buy (And Fit Tips)

Align Leggings (Soft Yoga)

Ultra-soft and flexible — run slightly small at the waist. Best for low-impact or everyday wear.

🧘‍♀️ Size up for more comfort.

Wunder Train Leggings (High Support)

Sweat-wicking and compressive — excellent for cardio, strength training.

🏋️‍♀️ Tight fit; definitely size up if in doubt.

Energy Bra (Medium Support)

Classic racerback style — firm and secure, but small in the band.

📏 Tellar will help you balance band vs bust size.

Define Jacket

Extremely fitted, often tight in the shoulders.

🧥 Many shoppers size up 1–2 sizes.


Why Lululemon Is Exactly Why You Need Tellar

With compression fits, variable stretch, and North American sizing — Lululemon is a brand where size charts simply don’t work. That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in:

✅ We've analysed every Lululemon product category

✅ You enter your measurements once (and get a free tape)

✅ Tellar instantly tells you your size in leggings, bras, jackets, and more

✅ Over 1,500 brands matched to your profile

Always free to use — no gimmicks, no upsells

🧠 Click here to get your exact Lululemon size


Other Tellar Sizing Guides You’ll Find Useful


Final Verdict: Does Lululemon Run Big or Small?

Lululemon runs small across most of its range, especially in women’s leggings, bras, and jackets. While the quality and fit are excellent, sizing up is often required — and guessing can lead to disappointment.

📏 That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists — to give you a precise match in seconds, across all Lululemon categories and 1,500+ brands.


✅ CTA: Find Your Lululemon Size Instantly

🎯 Say goodbye to returns and size guessing. Create your free Tellar profile and get your best-fitting size in Lululemon and all your other favourite brands.

🔗 Click here to get started – it’s free & easy