Fabletics vs Wantable
This is a combo #Q15 and #TIBIQ post since, let’s face, sometimes what you wear to workout is an important motivation tool to get you going. Or, if you’re one of the many, many folks who have been living that #WFH life, your athletic wear might BE your workwear, in which case, it becomes doubly important. Personally, I still Suit UP! for work but my closet is like 40% work clothes, 40% workout clothes and 20% clothes that we used to like…wear to do things out of the house, I guess. I don’t really access that part of my closet anymore. Oh, and there’s like a separate closets for formal wear and wigs and costumes because…you know, I live a life of whimsy or whatever but I digress. The point is, I own a sizable amount of workout wear and I’ve come here today to talk about it*.
What It Is
Fabletics is a California-based company most famously known for being co-founded by Kate Hudson. They are known for their high-quality and cute sets without the price tag of the Lulelemon or Athleta. Starting as an online boutique, Fabletics now has stores nationwide including for my Austin friends, at the Domain.
How it Works
So, the sneaky thing is, if you want the really great pricing, you have to become a Fabletics “member” which essentially means you give your credit card for recurring membership credits of $49.95 every month. However, you have from the first to the fifth of every month to skip that month. I’ve literally forgotten twice in four years - once while we were in Tanzania and one during the Pandemic. And that’s it. Plus, you get to keep it as store credit.
Pros/Cons
We’ll start with the Pros before I get off on a rampage. First, of all, I love coordinated outfits - like actual sets and not just here’s a shirt from a random race and here are my faded af Nike leggings**. That is what Fabletics does amazingly well. The quality of the product is great - not like holes or staining. I have one pair of pants that faded but it was an error in the manufacturing and I was given a credit before I even knew it was an issue. The costs of set range from $49 (two piece) to $130 (three piece - normally including a jacket). This past year, they’ve added a multi-piece collection called “Kate’s Edit” which can range from $100 - $200 but includes 5 to 8 pieces that really go together. I ended up getting one of those sets about a year ago and had credit and coupons so it was like $50? and items that I wear literally every week. So, yay, Fabletics!
Here’s the downside: In the past year or so, the availability of items has taken a nose-dive. I had never had an issue ordering a set until this year and now, it seems like unless I’m there at 9 am on the day items come out and honestly? That wouldn’t be a big deal IF the website,app or mobile website would actually update because it makes it look like items are available but they aren’t and you don’t find out until checkout. It’s also really frustrating that this is like the ONLY company that won’t send you an email when they’ve: 1) Accepted your order and 2) It’s actually shipped. It actually seems like a wild anamoly that they don’t and after the first time I waited and waited for an item, only to find out that my order had been canceled, I was pretty over it. In addition, never once had a received a damaged item and then received a bra (of a set) that looked like it had been run over and then packaged. And only after I returned that item did I find out the shorts of the set, also had a mark on them. This is one of those classic “it used to be cooler” where I probably wouldn’t think anything of it if the brand hadn’t been so much better before. Even the styles - I don’t want olive green sweatshirt or “almond” (which is just flesh tone) sets in August. They started doing collabs with Gen Zers I don’t know and also, everything for the last six months has included a crop top which…I don’t know what everyone ELSE has been doing in quarantine but like. no.
So, Wantale on the other hand is an edit box much like Stitch Fix which gave me pause.*** HOWEVER, the stylist who put together my first box actually read my notes and delivered in a big way. This is also a subscription box which can be skipped each month (again, no problem) and it costs $20 for the edit just like Stitch Fix. Also, like other editorial boxes that actual items you get are far more expensive than Fabletics. However, the purpose of an editorial box is to introduce you to new brands you love - for me that’s Onzie and Spiritual Gangster. I just ordered my second box to see if I love it as much as the first but I REALLY loved the first one.
So, you pay $20 no matter what but if you order at least five of the items you get a discount and the $20 as credit. It costs no money to return the other items. So differently different idea than Fabletics and also, similarly priced to Lulemon or Athleta but so different and great quality. I wore them everyday during the little break Mr. Selfie and I took and am so, so happy to wear them now that it’s fall. All and all, I’m trying it again but I was really excited for this box during a time where I’m not out in the stores shopping.
How about you? Favorite Athletic brands? Quality versus Cuteness versus Convenience? Let me know!!
*Mostly to grouse about the incredible dip in convenience by Fabletics.
**I actually can’t talk smack about those leggings. I’ve worn them hundreds of times, for countless races including at least two halfs and one marathon for ELEVEN years. That’s quality.
***I detest Stitch Fix - it’s expensive and designed to offload expensive items with the guise of being a deal. It’s also edited to style people who aren’t “into fashion”. I hates it.