Bonobos vs Lululemon: Which One Has Better Clothes?

In this article, I’ll review and compare two clothing companies that have one goal – to dress you better.

You will get to know each brand, the main differences, and similarities, as well as some of their most popular and best-selling products.

After reading this article, you will know whether Bonobos or Lululemon is your next shopping destination.

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Bonobos vs Lululemon – Table Comparison

For the start, let’s list some key things about each brand.

Bonobos vs Lululemon: Which One Has Better Clothes For Men
Target AudienceMenMen and Women
Main stylesCasual and Formal wearSports wear
ShippingFreeFree
ReturnsFree within 90 daysFree within 30 days
Environmental impactUsing eco-friendly materials and cruelty-free practices to make products75%+ less water used 39% recycled polyester of total polyester content

Source 100% renewable electricity  

Goal by 2030: Make 100% of products with sustainable materials
Website:

Bonobos Review

Bonobos was founded in 2007 by Andy Dunn and Brian Spaly. The main mission is to give men a completely different product and shopping experience: better fitting, higher quality clothing, in new and imaginative ways.

And so far, they’ve done exactly that. The brand has gotten thousands of loyal customers who are happy with the service, fast delivery, and most importantly – the clothes.

The clothes and other products are made in Philly, and Bonobos started shipping internationally to a growing number of countries.

Speaking of products, Bonobos offers high-quality pants, jeans, swim trunks, shirts, golf wear, (and more) that perfectly fit each individual. The fact that Nordstrom partnered with Bonobos is proof of the successful business they’ve built.

In 2017, Walmart acquired Bonobos, and Bonobos’s founder and CEO, Andy Dunn describes this as an excellent move that would provide the brand with more money to expand its inventory and styles.

Last but not least, Bonobos is listed as a brand that makes products using eco-friendly materials and cruelty-free practices. Speaking of shipping and returns, Bonobos offers free shipping within the US and they ship the products internationally via DHL. If, for any reason, you’re not happy with your garments, you can return them within 90 days.

Product review: The M-Flex Golf Polo

Let’s have a look at one of the top-rated and most favorite Bonobos products for men – The M-Flex Golf Polo.

The M-Flex polo is a highly breathable, stretchy performance golf shirt, designed for any conditions. Thanks to the stretchy fabric, you will feel comfortable and stitched-in flex panels allow unrestricted movement. The M-Flex features UV protection (UPF 50) as well, to keep the skin safe from harmful sun rays.

It is made from polyester, offering durability for ample wash and wear. Speaking of details, it includes a 2 button placket, an embroidered logo, and a flamingo print with a contrasting ribbed collar.

Customers loved this Polo shirt because of its fit, breathability, quality, and style.

Here’s one among many positive reviews – It fits great and feels extremely light and breathable. Perfect for the hot summer days on the course.

PROS

  • High-quality products
  • A lot of positive reviews online
  • Hundreds of different styles
  • Inclusive sizes
  • International shipping
  • Free shipping
  • Free returns within 90 days

CONS

  • The products are limited to men only

Lululemon Review

Lululemon focuses mainly on athletic and yoga apparel and they offer products for both men and women.

They do have a wide range of button-down shirts, pants, polos, etc. therefore Lululemon is a worthy competitor in this review.

The company is founded in 1998 by Chip Wilson but the first store wasn’t opened until 2000. In November 2000, what started as a design studio by day and yoga studio by night, became a standalone store.

Chip’s vision was to create high-quality sportswear for men and women. The entire idea was yoga-inspired and that’s why, as Chip says “Yoga is at the core of everything we do.” What customers mainly love about Lululemon products is style and impressive durability. Some customers claim that they’ve been using leggings for over 7 years now, and they still look great.

On the other hand, some customers complain that the price of certain products is too high, but hey, if you want an everlasting piece of clothing, you can’t get it for 20 bucks.

What impresses me about Lululemon is The Three Pillars agenda. The Three Pillars represent Lululemon’s vision. Be Human, Be Well, and Be Planet are the names of the pillars and each one illustrates the company’s effort in an ethical and environmental way. Also, Lululemon doesn’t just represent a clothing store but a community hub where everyone can learn about yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and healthy living.

Product review: Evolution Short Sleeve Polo Shirt

Evolution Short Sleeve Polo Shirt is a comfortable all-around shirt that you can wear on the course or wherever you go. It’s made from recycled polyester and nylon with added Lycra fiber for stretch and shape retention. The shirt is slim-fit with sweat-wick and quick-dry features.

Besides that, customers love it because of its anti-stink technology. In other words, the Silverescent technology, powered by X-STATIC, prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Evolution Short Sleeve Polo Shirt comes in 6 sizes (XS – XXL) and 9 different colors.

Here’s one of the reviews from Lululemon’s website on this product:

I had never worn Lululemon before but was in the market for new polos. This polo is extremely comfortable, a great fit, and looks great for both casual and business-oriented occasions.

But, there’s the other side of the coin. Many customers complained about the anti-stink technology and stains that remained on the shirt after the wash. Here’s one example:

This shirt is both comfortable, and fashionable, with good breathability for those hot days. Unfortunately, the shirt has begun to keep odor over the moderate time I’ve owned it. Even right out of the wash (only hang drying), the odor is there. Any older clothing will begin to keep smell, but this is probably the worse I’ve experienced so far.

Speaking of shipping and returns, Lululemon offers free shipping and if you’re not happy with your product, you can return it within 30 days.

PROS

  • High-quality products
  • Durable
  • Stylish
  • Ethical and sustainable approach
  • Free shipping
  • Free returns within 30 days

CONS

  • Quite a number of negative reviews online especially towards customer service

Bonobos vs Lululemon – Head to Head

Even though Bonobos and Lululemon are different when it comes to style they promote, both brands offer high-quality products and have a significant customer base.

Bonobos is driven by the idea of providing the perfect clothes for men that won’t fall around them. Not many brands offer such a variety of options when it comes to men’s clothing. You just have to appreciate the impressive range of styles, vibrant colors, and futuristic cuts.

Also, Bonobos offers inclusive sizes, therefore I’m sure every man will find what he’s looking for.

Most importantly, customers love Bonobos. There are so many positive reviews on their products, and customers agree that Bonobos offers well-constructed clothes that actually fit. Many of them noticed that the clothes fit so well like they’re tailored, and that’s exactly what Bonobos is aiming for.

Even though Lululemon is a mainly sports-oriented brand, in this review we saw quite an amazing casual clothing piece – Evolution Short Sleeve Polo Shirt. The brand doesn’t just represent a clothing company but a community as well.

Lululemon cares a lot about the employees’ well-being as well as our planet. The Three Pillar agenda is an impressive example of how most companies should operate. The only downside I’d mentioned is reviews. We can’t disregard them, especially when there’s quite a number of them. Some customers are super-pleased with Lululemon while others complain about many things, especially customer service.

Shockingly, Lululemon scored 1.62 from 224 reviews on Sitejabber. Consumers are complaining about Lululemon’s most frequently mentioned customer service, gift cards, and business day problems. Results on other review websites are similar – on TrustPilot, Lululemon scored 1,9 based on 700 reviews.

The Verdict

Speaking of the products, honestly, whether you go for Bonobos or Lululemon, you won’t make a mistake. Bonobos seems a better choice when it comes to casual and formal wear, but Lululemon is unbeatable in terms of athletic and yoga apparel.

If I want to order shorts for jogging, or some leggings for my wife, I will go for Lululemon risking poor customer service. And that’s the only reason why I believe Bonobos is a better brand than Lululemon.

Bonobos has much better reviews than Lululemon and that means they care a lot about their customers. Also, the variety of styles and options for men is incredible. Perhaps a few brands can compete with Bonobos when it comes to a huge range of styles.

Moreover, the products are made of eco-friendly materials, without animal cruelty, and most importantly, the materials are high-quality.

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About the author: Borut's expertise extends to his passion for product exploration. With a discerning eye for quality and a keen sense of what consumers value, he shares his insights on various products, unveiling their unique features and benefits. Read more by Borut Udovic