Another rival wants to be Lululemon but cheaper | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

I love Lululemon as much as everyone else. But it’s expensive, and there are only so many pairs of $100+ leggings one woman can justify. So I’m always looking for alternatives.

Beyond Yoga and Athleta have good options, although they’re not exactly bargains either, unless you happen to hit a sale.

And what about when you’re in the market for more than leggings and sports bras? Athleisure, for example, or ‘fits for tennis, golf, or pickleball. I play all three, but a Lululemon dress to wear for pickleball or tennis is $148, and a skirt is $78. Ouch.

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Nordstrom is hoping people will give its Zella line a second look.

Zella doesn’t make Lululemon dupes per se, but it certainly has plenty of lookalike products in its lineup.

Some of the comparisons are especially obvious in categories outside of the basics.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America for the third year in a row; Nordstrom teamed up with popular pickleball brand Recess on a new clothing line.

Image source&colon; Getty Images

Nordstrom goes all in on pickleball with the Recess x Zella launch

Now Nordstrom is jumping on the hottest trend in fitness and collaborating with Recess, the unstoppable pickleball brand.

Recess x Zella just launched, and it’s winning plenty of kudos on social media. The limited time lineup features lined shorts for men and women, mesh tops, dresses and skirts, plus vests and sweaters with a vintage vibe.

As @losangelesinfluencers writes, “Loving this retro trend.” And @nhiii says, “OK that green vest!!!” while @maisonpickleclub says, “Congrats! Great price point!”

If you happen to be one of the millions of people who have picked up pickleball in the last couple of years, you know you can’t wear just anything to play.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in America for the past four years, according to the Sport and Fitness Industry Association, and while pickleball doesn’t necessarily require a wardrobe of its own, people who play definitely love to have options just for the game.

True pickleball cultists will also want to check out the Recess x Zella paddles, available in colors and styles that match the clothing.

A Recess x Zella dress runs $79. Men’s court shorts with a compression liner from the Recess x Zella line are $49, while a similar pair from Lululemon are $78.

Recess calls it a “collection for on and off the court.”

Athleisure is still a growing category

Athleisure has seen explosive growth over the last few years, starting during the pandemic but evolving from a trend into a lifestyle. During the lockdowns, consumers prioritized comfort and versatility in their wardrobes so sales of leggings, joggers, and performance tops surged, and brands quickly adapted with new styles and fabric technologies.

Players like Lululemon, Nike, and Adidas also expanded their offerings, while newer brands like Alo, Zella, and Vuori gained traction with influencer-driven strategies.

More retail:

According to industry reports, the global athleisure market is expected to continue growing, driven by health-conscious lifestyles, increased focus on wellness, and more casual workplace dress codes.

In the United States alone, the athleisure market was estimated at $88.48 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to around $245.25 billion by 2034, a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%, according to Precedence Research.

Lululemon will likely maintain its status in the market (only Nike has a bigger share), but other brands like Zella are coming up with ways to chip away at its dominance.