Vuori review: What's worth buying and what to skip

Vuori has become one of the most recognizable names in athleisure, and not necessarily because it makes the best workout clothes. The California-based brand has built its reputation on clean, basic silhouettes made from exceptionally soft fabrics that let you blur the line between activewear and everyday clothing.

But the $78-$128 price range, combined with the simplicity of its designs, definitely begs the question: Is Vuori worth buying?

I became a fitness writer in 2013, and since then I've tried nearly every workout clothing brand on the market. I don't love every item from Vuori, especially ones I tested during high-sweat workouts or long runs. It is, however, the brand I reach for most when I want to feel put together while lounging at home.

The best Vuori clothing I own, starting with the basics

After years of testing, I think Vuori really excels in three categories: perfect basics; elevated loungewear you'll want to live in; and breathable, comfortable travel clothes for a more polished airport look. Below are all the very best Vuori clothing items that I and the Reviews team have tested.

Halo Baby Tee

Our fit tip: This fits snugly true to size. I sized up for a slightly looser fit.

I am super picky about my basics, but this might just be the perfect form-fitting, slightly-cropped tee I've ever worn.

For starters, the fit is perfect if you're aiming for cute and feminine — the cap sleeves are more flattering and dainty than a traditional short sleeve, the length is cropped but not too short, and the silhouette is form-fitting without being too tight (I sized up so the tee wasn't skin tight and it still sits perfectly close to the body).

But what I really love about this t-shirt is the fabric. For me, 100% cotton tees make me sweat and overheat easily. The Baby Tee is made from the brushed jersey DreamKnit fabric so it's moisture wicking and has that brushed softness the brand is known for, but it still looks clean and simple so you can wear it with trousers just as easily as leggings. This fabric also has four-way stretch which contributes to the perfectly clingy fit without looking like a workout shirt.

$68 is a lot for a basic Baby Tee, but, in my opinion, worth it for the perfect baby tee.

Restore Oversized Hoodie

Our fit tip: This fits very oversized with a baggy body and long waistband. Size down for a more true hem and more compact but still oversized look.

If you're looking for a clean, classic hoodie, I couldn't recommend the Restore enough. It's made from a brushed French terry that is insanely soft — literally one of the coziest things I own. I find I'm always packing it for a weekend away or if I'm running out quickly on a fall day and I just want to feel hugged and comforted.

The hood is perfectly oversized but stays on when up and the ribbed waistband is sized so you can wear the sweatshirt full-length around your hips or pulled up by your jeans for a more cropped look. I also appreciate that the inside doesn't shed on whatever shirt I'm wearing underneath, even before it was first washed.

This sweatshirt is super classic, but also super clean — Vuori did away with the drawstrings on the hood and the front kangaroo pocket which gives it a much sleeker and more streamlined look. It's definitely on the pricier side, especially for a simple hoodie, but sometimes it's worth the splurge if you value simplicity and high comfort.

Also note it runs true-to-size to be oversized, so I sized down for a more cropped look (and it's still, arguably, giving oversized cozy).

The more elevated pieces

Émilie Cashmere Rib Double

Our fit tip: This fits oversized, more like a hoodie than a cardigan. Size down 1-2 sizes for a closer-to-body look.

This may actually be the perfect sweater: It's incredibly cozy, perfectly balanced between lightweight and warm, and, thanks to the cashmere fabric and rich color, it looks far more put together than your typical zip-up hoodie.

The Émilie is made of 60% recycled cashmere and 40% new cashmere, and I found it to be soft on my skin and not itchy at all. I love the versatility of the two-way zip to add a little more interest to an outfit when I need it, along with the texture of the rib knit.

This has quickly become my go-to sweater for everything from airport travel to heading into a yoga class to curling up on the couch. It is pricey, but considering it's 100% natural fibers and it can be worn in so many different situations, it definitely feels worth it.

Halo Easy Wideleg Pant

Our fit tip: These fit true to size in the waist and hips, but run long in length. Vuori recommends Regular length for 5'5 to 5'7, but I'm 5'5 and would've been happier with a Short.

I like to think myself a stylish millennial, but still, I never thought I would be reaching for low-rise, wide-leg leggings — and yet I've worn these pants practically every day since I got them.

For starters, they're constructed so you can choose to wear them low-, mid-, or high-rise. The legs are almost comically wide, but it gives the pants an interesting silhouette, especially for loungewear. Moreover, the silhouette makes them ridiculously comfortable. The wide waistband sits perfectly clingy whichever rise you go for. The drapey DreamKnit fabric — Vuori's signature material made from brushed jersey — is soft, stretchy, and lightweight, which is a combo that makes for all I want to walk around in. The fabric has a lovely silky softness against your skin but doesn't look pilly or worn (and it's held up against dozens of wash cycles).

There is a lot of fabric in the legs, amplified by the fact that they run super long. I'm 5'5 and the Regular length still brushes the ground when I wear my two-inch platform UGGs. My feet don't get tangled up in the bottom as much as I'd expect (probably because the fabric is so light), but I wouldn't ever workout in these, even at the correct length.

That said, I find myself reaching for the Halo Easy Essential Wideleg Pants pretty much every other moment: when I'm working from home, walking the dog, or, most of all, when I'm running errands and I want the comfort and casualness of leggings without the constriction.

I will most definitely be buying these in other colors.

AllTheFeels Slim Flare

Our fit tip: These fit true to size in the waist and hips, but run long in length. Vuori recommends Regular length for 5'5 to 5'7, but I'm 5'5 and would've been happier with a Short.

As a fitness apparel writer, I've tried a lot of leggings. While I prefer more compression during my high-sweat workouts, the AllTheFeels Slim Flare hit the sweet spot for light compression and soft-to-the-touch performance fabric. These are my go-to leggings for yoga classes — everything from restorative yins to fast-moving flows — because I find the fabric does a great job at moving with my body without feeling overly tight, and they don't get swampy if I want to grab a coffee and hang out in them after class.

These leggings are made with Vuori's BlissBlend fabric, a combination of recycled polyamide and elastane that is pleasantly stretchy and great at wicking moisture when yoga class heats up, but that doesn't feel slick or plasticky like some workout tights. The waistband is high, comfortably snug, and doesn't roll down too much, and the silhouette is somehow both slim and also has the perfect amount of flare. They do run long, though, which can be annoying during workouts.

Its lounge pants are perfect for travel

Villa Wideleg Pant

Our fit tip: These fit true to size in the waist and hips, but slightly long in the length.

As someone who is always riding the line between feeling comfortable and looking put together, I'm always on the lookout for nice-looking lounge pants — and the Villa Wideleg Pants honestly ace it.

The two-inch high-waist band is stitched and slightly gathered so it sits comfortably across your stomach for long flights or car rides, and is super flattering on all types of body shapes. But it's really the fabric that stands out here: These pants are made of an uber-lightweight recycled performance fabric that's slightly stretchy, a little silky, and very, very breathable.

I've worn them for all-day travel and they felt weightless and comfortable after spending hours sitting and sweating in them.

Aesthetically, they look kind of like performance silk (without the easy-stain potential) which I find makes them blend in across a lot of different dress codes. I wore them with a clean t-shirt, sweater, and sneakers for a solid airport outfit, but could easily pair them with a button down or blazer on a corporate girlie day or even a bikini top for heading down to the pool on vacation. The material doesn't wrinkle, either, which is a massive plus for traveling.

Halo Essential Sweatpants

Our fit tip: These fit true to size in the hips and thighs. Choose the 29-inch inseam if you're 5'4" or below or the 33-inch inseam if you're 5'8" and above.

After her 19-hour nonstop trip from New York to Singapore (the longest direct flight in the world, in fact), travel writer Maria Yagoda called the Vuori Halo Essential Wideleg Pants her saving grace. "I have never found such breezy, soft, cooling, light-as-air travel pants that didn't feel sweaty and sticky by the end of my journey," writes Maria.

Performance Joggers

Our fit tip: Choose the long inseam version if you're 5'7" or above.

Freelance style contributor Talia Ergas gave the Performance Joggers pair the top spot in our guide to the best joggers for women. "The recycled polyester and elastane material is dubbed the Dreamknit, and it feels exactly what it sounds like: buttery soft to the touch, stretchy but not flimsy, lightweight yet durable. The two front pockets and a contrast color drawstring waist are functional and stylish touches. They're intended to hit above the ankle. I'm 5'7", and I opted for the long inseam version for a full-length fit."

Read more in our guide to Vuori's loungewear for travel.

These styles were decent, but could've been better

AllTheFeels Short: Made from the same buttery-soft fabric as the Slim Flare leggings I love, these bike shorts are comfortable to wear with a waistband that stays put and legs that don't ride up, even on long runs. The only bummer is the stitching was starting to fray after just two washes, and that made it hard to justify the price.

Nomadic Packable Rain Shell: I've tested a lot of women's rain jackets and I did like the cropped boxy fit of this one. Its 3-layer construction was water-resistant enough to keep me dry during light sprinkles, but unfortunately it isn't fully waterproof and, for the price, it really should be able to keep up in all situations.

One Shot Tennis Dress: I've tested many exercise dresses and while Vuori's One Shot look stylish and sleek, the shorts don't stay down which is a deal breaker for me. Our favorite exercise dresses come from Spanx instead.

Halo Essential Scoop Tank: I absolutely love the fit of this tank and the soft, perfectly-clingy DreamKnit fabric is just lovely for everything from sleep to travel. However, I found the fabric held onto odor from my underarms (weirdly this wasn't an issue on other tops in the same fabric), which meant I had to wash it all the time — that's annoying on a practical level and shortens the lifespan of the tank.

The bottom line

Vuori is worth your money if you're looking for incredibly comfortable loungewear with a bit of a luxe edge to it.

Their workout clothes don't have a ton of compression so are better suited to low-intensity activities like yoga and pilates, in my opinion, but all of their performance fabrics are sweat-wicking and perfectly stretchy without being sheer.

The real magic behind Vuori is their fabrics and their on-trend silhouettes. All the fabrics the brand uses are ridiculously soft, and most have some stretch and moisture-wicking properties so they keep you comfortable when you're on the move through the airport or grocery store. Combined with their attention to detail on basic items like tees, sweatshirts, and travel pants, Vuori does a great job at making apparel that looks good and feels even better.

It's not the cheapest loungewear brand, but, in my opinion, the quality and thoughtful design make it worth splurging on items you know you'll wear again and again.

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