I put it through the wringer and I have thoughts.
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It feels like everyone is making workout clothes lately. And in a twist I personally didn't see coming, Aritzia has now entered the chat. The minimalist apparel brand has always had an athleisure line (TNA, for those who are fans of the Canadian-rooted store), but only recently dropped an activewear line called Golden.
Did we need another activewear brand? No. It's an oversaturated market at this point. But, my curiosity was piqued after seeing a host of fabric options, affordable price points (mostly pieces under $100), and very sleek styles.
I've tested three different fabrics from the brand (including the Butter leggings, below, that compete with Lululemon's bestselling Aligns) across many different workout classes in the past month, and I'm happy—and surprised—to report that Golden holds up to some of our editors' top brands. I'm breaking down the testing process, what to know before you shop, and whether or not you should add Golden to your wardrobe.
I sampled three out of six of Golden's fabrics across a range of workouts and day-to-day activities. From HIIT classes to reformer Pilates to outdoor runs (averaging three miles at a time), this lineup of workout wear was put through the wringer—I'm admittedly a heavy sweater and odds are high it'll show on fabrics.
For any activities I'd normally wear my Lululemon or Alo Yoga pieces to, I swapped out for Golden for a month. I took notice of whether the bottoms were sliding down throughout workouts or if the sports bras rode up (hint: no problem here!), whether leggings felt see-through during squats, how much sweat showed post-workout, and how each fabric performed during various types of exercise. On top of workouts, I wore Aritzia's activewear on long plane rides (the ultimate comfort test, if you ask me) and errand runs around my neighborhood.
My gear always gets put through the wash at the end of the night to help make it last and I'm typically a hang-dry-only type of person. I followed Golden's instructions and washed the pieces in cold water, then hung them to dry overnight. Since I tested for four weeks, items were put through a full month of wear and wash.
Golden has six fabrics under its umbrella. You can filter by fabric on Aritzia's site and find short breakdowns of each material. I got hands-on with the three that seemed the most similar to other brands we know and love. For more in-depth insight into the activewear's fabrication, details are below:
Lululemon Align lovers, take note. This fabric is named Butter for good reason. I'd go as far as to say it's as soft, if not softer, as the treasured Nulu fabric. The composition is comparable: Butter is 80 percent nylon and 20 percent elastane, while the Align fabric is 81 percent nylon, 19 percent Lycra elastane.
The extra-soft fabric was ideal for Pilates and yoga classes. I was surprised at how little the bright fabric showed sweat (hot yoga will get you, though), and how the comfort held up throughout workouts. I've washed my set four or five times now and haven't noticed any pilling, and it's just as soft as when it first arrived.
There's a wide range of pieces available in the Butter fabric, so it's a versatile material to shop for. The Volley Bra gave a bit more rib coverage than other styles, while the V-neck and ruching gave the bra added feminine details. The Butter bras I tested came with removable padding (as did the Conquer Tank). Butter is the best place to start if you're interested in Aritzia's styles for low-impact activities and lounging.
This is Golden's compressive, sweat-wicking fabric. As someone who leans towards this type of material (I'm an Alo Yoga Airlift loyalist), I was taken aback by how sleek, sculpting, and comfortable GlossForm felt. I wore these for my HIIT classes, spin, and outdoor runs.
It's comprised of 85 percent polyamide and 15 percent elastane (comparable to the Airlift fabric I love that's 82 percent polyester and 18 percent elastane). The sports bra did not come with padding, and my hottest take is that I'd rather have the option to remove padding than have none at all. But, much to my surprise, the compressive fabric did an excellent job of keeping everything smooth.
My only complaint about this fabric is that I wish it were available in more styles. The racerback sports bra was supportive enough for me (I'm smaller-chested), but I'd imagine it wouldn't provide much support if you're more well-endowed. I'm hopeful Aritzia drops a long-line bra in the fabric, or a high-neck option for more coverage.
The LIFE fabric is meant for low-impact workouts, but I found myself grabbing my matching set for the true purpose of athleisure: looking put together but feeling comfortable. Sunday morning grocery runs suddenly looked more chic, while I felt just as cozy as I would in sweatpants. The leggings were easy to style with a sweatshirt and sneakers.
The LIFE fabric is thicker than the Butter material, almost as if it's double-lined, although it isn't. The 82 percent nylon, 18 percent elastane fabric had a cotton feel to it but stayed sculpting and lightly compressive.
As someone who overheats easily, the leggings were still breathable through yoga flows and long walks. Similar to the GlossForm sports bra it was surprisingly effective at keeping things covered. Again, I wish there were more style options here, but the thicker racerback straps helped me feel secure even in downward-facing dog and on a Pilates reformer.
Short and sweet, yes. Golden proved to hold its own against heavy hitters like Lululemon and Alo, and I think the brand will continue to do so. Aritzia popped off with a solid list of options for a wide range of activities. Even after I finished testing, I've found myself reaching for these pieces before heading to a workout or to grab a coffee.
It's worth noting that almost every item from Golden (except for some jumpsuits and outerwear) is under $100. It's an affordable option if you're not looking to pay top dollar but want to purchase high-quality athleisure. After multiple washes, the fabrics held their shape and softness, and I've yet to notice any pilling.
I donned my LIFE set paired with an oversized t-shirt for a six-hour flight and the leggings felt like a second skin. I barely noticed the fabric, and it was easy and comfortable to sit in. My biggest regret was not having a second set to wear for the plane ride home.
Best Leggings For Women | Best High-Impact Sports Bras | Best One-Shoulder Sports Bras | Best Workout Tops | Best Long-Line Sports Bras | Best Workout Clothes For Women | Best Target Activewear | Best Lululemon Leggings
Ellen McAlpine is a commerce editor and writer at Hearst Magazines, covering tech, fitness, lifestyle, and beyond. In her time as a writer, she’s covered everything from top tech items like running watches and ring lights to phone cases and beauty tools.
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