By now we know that I am in a wardrobe rebuild stage. This certainly includes my workout wear because it’s been an important part of my daily routine since high school (we don’t have to talk about how long ago that was). With this, I’ve tried my fair share of workout brands and likely have notes on 90% of them! Even though I can never get good in-action shots, I think it’s still important to have someone preaching the real about these increasingly expensive brands and their overall usefulness.

Hold company’s feet to the flames? Don’t mind if I do (if necessary). Let’s start these chats with a current cult favorite Alo and a classic love, Lacoste.

Why Alo & why Lacoste?

Well, with Alo, I was in Walnut Creek recently (reminiscing on the days that I’d travel there weekly for SoulCycle with Devin) and said, “why not visit”. I ended up grabbing one of their best selling outfits because I only want to compare “the best” with the best. I also REALLY love a black/white color-block, or a sage number as of late, so it was going to be one or the other no matter what.

With Lacoste, I think I can blame Zendaya. By now we know that her Challengers and Dune 2 looks have prime real estate in my brain! One of her iconic Challengers looks was a well-fitted, white mini dress with embroidered tennis rackets that gave complete Country Club vibes. It honestly made me miss my long-gone days on the tennis court but it also made me completely want to try Lacoste.

With that, let’s get to the post.

alo, we have to talk:

First, who raised you? I hate the way that many brands are choosing to market these days because they’re totally marketing to a very similar and particular group of easily influenced individuals. Yes, the trainers who look the part assist in bolstering this, but it also kicks up the current, problematic and recurrent beauty standards that many complain about. This is not their problem, it’s purely marketing, but you get what I’m saying.

Second, who the heck made your website? Please fire that person immediately. As a matter of fact, the whole marketing team can go and you can just start over because “wow” and I mean that in the worst way possible. Alo’s website looks like Shein’s website but crashes more. How?

With how much you guys charge for your workout and athlesiure gear, you should have top notch everything and if you need help with that, then I’d be more than happy to help. I love seeing companies grow from areas of weakness. This is not to say that this isn’t a strong company that won’t be okay regardless because they’re doing just fine! Again, they’ve got that very specific market on lock! I’m just saying, there’s always room to move up in terms of being the best.

Overall, however, the Airbrush and Airlift pants are everything! I absolutely love them. The bra, on the other hand, I may be able to live without. It’s got amazing coverage but if I can’t wear my normal size, then you’re doing me a disservice. I don’t want to have to size up just to fit your bras because you wanted to make them to where the woman’s boobs spill out. I’ve got a handful that I need to keep tied down because, when I work out, I actually work out. I’m not going to the gym to be cute and stare at myself in the mirror. I’m going to reach and then surpass my fitness goals; to be better than I was yesterday; and to just feel good.

Anyway, from Alo I got The Airbrush Heart Throb Legging which retails for $118.00 and the Airbrush Heart Throb Bra which retails for $74.00, as well as the Airlift High-Waist 7/8 Line Up Legging which retails for $138.00.
The Heart Throb collection has more of a comfortable cotton feel to it. It feels very smooth on the skin. Initially I had issues with the bold white lines in the Heart Throb collection because I’m a tactile girlly and I could feel those lines when I moved. So, my first wear of these was short-lived because I just couldn’t deal with feeling the seams in the clothing. But somehow, during my second wear, I fell in love with the collection. I have no clue how it smoothed itself out, but it did.

I highly recommend getting your hands on this line, if the website permits (because there was definitely an instance that I had to re-add items to my cart multiple times because the website just kept crashing).

Lacoste, you’ll hear from me too:

Lacoste has been around for so long and their track record has been proven and proven again.

This instance is no different. So, from Lacoste, I got the Women’s 7/8 Sport Leggings made with recycled polyester which retailed for $98.00, and the Seamless Sport Women’s Stretch Bra which retails for $90.00.

These two items hold and mold to the body very well. I’ve done strength training in the gym as well as a hike in these badboys and the elastic band on the pants simply don’t allow for any unwanted movement. The pants and bra stay put and keep everything in perfectly! This is what I expect from my workout gear when I purchase it!

While I am searching my memories for drawbacks on these items, I honestly can’t find any. You won’t go wrong in purchasing, and their website actually let’s you peacefully check-out.

Finding a gripe with this set would be a bit difficult because, again, it’s 5/5 for comfort, 5/5 for stretch/fit, 5/5 for the way that it stays put and molds to the body, and 5/5 for the price-point in terms of what you get.

These items have been heavily added to the rotation for me and I enjoy them wear after wear. I will certainly be checking out additional items and styls from this brand because., again, I doubt they miss!

Out of these two brands, in terms of cost and access, Lacoste honestly gave me the least amount of hassle all around, but both brands are good. I’ll be on the lookout for an Alo comparable because the material is amazing on these products but not rare. I have a feeling that I can match quality and find these at a more accessible price point, because I don’t know about you guys, but I”m not rich.

Can’t wait to continue my search for the best, most affordable and most flattering workout gear (while also checking to see if we’re getting our money’s worth), so, see you soon!

Best,
Bree!