LA label Alo Yoga is loved by celebs and influencers – we put it to the test to see if the hype is real
If you've spent any time on social media, chances are you've seen a celeb or two decked out in a full kit from the LA-born label Alo Yoga. With its sleek, fashion-forward designs and a roster of A-list fans like Kendall Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Kylie Jenner and Taylor Swift, the brand has cultivated an enormous cult following.
Alo Yoga was founded in 2007 by childhood friends Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge, who wanted to create high-quality gear that brought the benefits of yoga to more people. What started as a passion project blew up into a global phenomenon, seamlessly blending activewear with luxury fashion.
But with all the hype and an ever-growing fan base, does Alo Yoga actually hold up for real workouts? As both a fashion editor and a dedicated gym junkie, I put Alo to the test – evaluating everything from its signature loungewear to performance gear. Here’s how it fared.
How we tested
Now, to be fair Alo Yoga does not describe itself as a training-specific brand. I mean it's in the name that the label is focused on Yoga and similar workouts like Pilates, Barre etc. But it's branched out into more running and training-centric spaces of late, with the launch of the Alo Runner (which I reviewed recently and you can check out here). The brand also offers an enormous array of loungewear and lifestyle pieces to build out the everyday active person's wardrobe.
So I thought it fair to try out their kit as my everyday loungewear, running errands and grabbing morning coffees, sweating it in the gym and of course hitting up a lower-impact class like Barre.
Alo brand review
I was first introduced to Alo last year and have been lucky enough to try a range of their pieces, some of which are now everyday staples.
Let’s get straight to it: I have zero complaints about its activewear line. The fabrics are buttery soft, the designs flattering, and they’re perfect for low-intensity workouts like Pilates and Yoga. During a Barre class, not only did I get compliments on my full Alo fit, but I also didn’t think about my outfit once – a rare win considering I’m usually adjusting bra straps or hoiking (it's a word) up my leggings.
For gym sessions and cardio, though, I’d skip Alo’s sports bras for high-impact workouts, since they offer light to medium support. That said, they’re great for strength and weight training. The activewear pieces wash really well and feel super comfortable on the body. I haven't had any issues with them in several months of frequent wear.
I’ve also worn Alo's running gear on hikes and my daily Hot Girl Walk, staying cool, comfortable, and stylish. And the accessories? Top-notch. My Alo trucker cap is practically glued to my head, and I have to literally wrestle my partner out of my Alo socks.
Let’s not beat around the bush: Alo isn’t the most budget-friendly activewear brand. If you’re spending over £100 on joggers and hoodies, you expect top-notch quality. My first test piece was the Accolade Sweatpants, and at first try I loved the slouchy fit and flattering straight-leg silhouette. That said, they’re long, I’m 5’9 and still had to roll the waistband to keep them from dragging. The real letdown? They pilled after just one wash. Other reviews mention the same issue with this set, so it may be a fabric flaw. That said, my Make Waves hoodie has held up impressively – worn constantly and washed weekly, it’s only slightly pilled after seven months (although I'd prefer no pilling at all tbh).
I gave Alo’s new Runner a full breakdown here (spoiler: big fan), but I’ve also been wearing their Recovery Mode Trainer. Designed to aid post-workout recovery with pressure points and high-rebound foam, it still serves up a stylish streetwear look. I really rate these trainers and wear them all the time – whether for a quick Tesco run or coffee stop. Just a heads-up: they fit snug, so I’d recommend sizing up.
Airlift Line Up Bra
I love this Airlift set as a whole, I think the velvet detailing is a super sweet and stylish touch and the is actually surprisingly supportive. I probably wouldn't do sprints or run a marathon in it, but it's great for weights or Pilates!
Airlift High-Waist 7/8 Line Up Legging
The super high waist on these leggings ensures you're not constantly pulling them up. They're extremely chic and comfortable to wear, I didn't feel too sweaty or gross after even a really hard Stairmaster sesh.
Make Waves Hoodie
LOVE this hoodie, if you're my boyfriend reading this please take it off it's not yours. It's very soft, I love the unique Wave design, it's held up well over frequent washes and I can even work out in it to warm up.
Accolade Sweatpants
Really love the shape of these joggers, I love a slouchy straight leg, but I don't love this material. It's a shame it pilled so badly after the first wash so that's a point off. I do still wear these often but I wish I could wear them out of the house more.
Cropped Playmaker Jacket
This is actually a silent winner for me, I really love this jacket for spring/autumn runs and walks. It has mesh panelling for airflow and still provides a bit of wind protection without feeling too stuffy or constrictive. The lightweight material is super breezy and it looks great on the body.
Alumni Shorts
A great pair of structured nylon shorts, I really rate these for summer walks or even hikes as they hold their own and can keep out the wind a bit. The high waist is very flattering and they look great with the Cropped Playmaker Jacket.
3" High-Waist Airlift Shorts
If you're after a pair of tiny booty shorts for Pilates, these are great. The high waist not only looks good but keeps them in place. Personally I would go for the longer style as I have a bigger butt and thighs and found these rolled up on me a lot (as most shorts do) but they felt high quality yet lightweight and buttery soft.
Recovery Mode Sneaker
These are a genuinely great everyday trainer. They look good, they're comfortable on the feet, they promote recovery and they come in a range of colourways to suit your style. A surprisingly good pair of shoes, the higher-than-average price tag is my only concern.
The WH verdict
After nearly a year of trialling Alo, where do I stand? I’d rate them between 3.5 and 4 stars. The activewear is high-quality, squat-proof, and great for strength training or low-intensity workouts. Its shoes are super impressive, too, especially for a brand not known for footwear— they have me curious to see what they do next in that space.
What really sets Alo apart is its ability to sell a lifestyle. Alo wearers are fit, healthy, and stylish: It Girl energy. The brand's pieces are undeniably chic, its market research is spot-on, and I genuinely look forward to wearing its gear and working out – arguably the best testament to a brand.
My only gripe? The lighter jersey material in some loungewear pills way too quickly for the price you're paying, so I would hope this is something Alo's aware of and working on. And yes, it's pricey – but think of Alo as luxury-adjacent activewear, and it makes sense.
If you’ve been eyeing the brand, it’s worth a try if it fits your budget. For loungewear, I’d recommend visiting a store if possible, so you can feel the fabric and gauge durability before buying.
I actually would and probably will purchase some more Alo pieces down the line, as a fashion editor I appreciate the chance to express myself style-wise even when working out. So, have we convinced you?
More gymwear reviews:
'These are the 13 running jackets that got me through marathon training in two winters'
First look: we take a test run of the brand new R.A.D One V2 trainers
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If you've spent any time on social media, you're almost guaranteed to have spotted a celeb or two decked out in a full kit from LA-born label, Alo Yoga. The much-beloved activewear brand has an enormous cult following thanks to its stylish and fashion-forward silhouettes and plenty of celeb endorsements.
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