Fabletics Review: Sheer Crops and Poor Quality

This is my first fabletics order in months.

I've been obsessed with neon lately so I really wanted to order some neon. AND I got a 10% off birthday coupon, so I bought a few things from the March picks. (Ordered at the end of March. I did NOT like a single one of the new April pieces.)

Here are my thoughts.

Salar crop in Wildflower, $44.95

I loved these as soon as I took them out of the bag. I even wore them to my birthday party. So cute. I liked how compressive they were (LOVE THIS.). The print was cute. I love black crops. I love black and white. These had just enough of a print to be fun, but not make my thighs look HUGE (like prints do.) The crops are white on the inside, which means the black is printed on white fabric. I thought the online photo made it look like they had pops of yellow in the middle of the flowers. But it's just a two color crop.

And here's the kicker: Fabletics crops look like CRAP after you wash them. These crops faded a ton with one wash. And got all kinds of pet fur on them from other clothes in the wash. I didn't wear them enough at home for them to get any fur on them, but they came out of the wash super furry.

Here's my worn once crops (see how faded) against
• Worn 50+ times Lululemon crops (left)
• Worn several times Splits50 with a black and white print (right)

All laundered exactly the same: machine cold wash with gentle detergent and line dry.

They look practically grey. They were a slick black brand new.

WTF. I thought since these felt different than my other Fabletics crops they wouldn't have this issue. They were very sporty feeling going in. Coming out of the wash, they looked like I'd worn them for five years. I have 3-year-old crops from Groupon that look better.

After the SECOND time I washed them the black dye faded into the white and there was blue ink on the white flowers around the crotch. WTF. I haven't ever had a crop fade like this. LITERALLY THE WORST CROPS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED.

I called and got store credit. (I had to call and listen to minutes of this guy talking about "pretty" and how quality tested their clothes are. I think NOT for the quality testing. I think this is the first piece in 17 years that I've had bleed in the wash.)

Salar crop in neon yellow, $34.95
These crops are sheer. I was sure they'd be. But the tag popped off while I was trying them on so I guess I'm keeping them.

The color is great. I really like it. It's almost obnoxiously neon. But they're so sheer you can read the size tag through the crops. Even nude underwear show through. Wear a long shirt with this. These are by far the sheerest pants I own. But for $35 not that big of a loss.

Mosa tank in neon yellow, $24.95

I wore this running the other day. The color is great. It has a half layer of mesh in the back under the visible layer. It wasn't too heavy and it was soft. I wasn't sure what it did. Was it supposed to help with sweat and back breakouts?

And my tank wasn't too soaked through after at 3.5 mile trail run.

I ordered an XS, which fit well.  (I'm a 6 in a Lululemon Cool Racerback, small in Nike or Under Armour) but I do like my tanks more fitted. (I've got an athletic build, small chest and hips, and my waist does no cinch in like some girls.)

Malindi bra in neon yellow ($19.95)

This is a cute sports bra. Nothing to write home about. It matches the crops. It bra cups. I'd recommend this one of low impact activities. The description says medium impact, but I wouldn't run in it. (Ordered size small, fits like a small in other brands, small in Lululemon.)

Overall:
1) I usually return 90% of my order. I'm only returning the faded crops for this one. I might have tried to return the sheer yellow crops but apparently I need to keep them.

2) This is why I buy Lululemon. The crops wouldn't fade. And if they did, returns would be easy peasy. I had to have an awkward conversation with someone in India. I did not understand what they were saying.

Still not a fan of Fabletics. I just keep the membership in case there's something I want. (And I have points towards free crap in their rewards program. Still mad that it went from a free outfit as their reward to their clearance crap that no one wants.) And now I have store credit. I could have pushed for a return, but I didn't feel like being that horrible. (Though I should get a refund for craps that poor quality.)

UPDATE
I returned the crops that bled—three weeks later I get an email admitting there was an issue with those crops and sending me a $10 credit.

Birthday offers and activewear

I love a good birthday offer. I decided to track what birthday offers I got via email this year. Food. Clothes. The works. I like a good excuse to spend money.

Birthday offers have definitely declined over the years. Companies want to spend less and less money.

Food
On the Border - Free cheese dip or brownie sundae (Perfect for people with a dairy allergy. Did not use. I actually used to eat here all the time but haven't been in years.)
Zoe's Kitchen - free entree. (Yes!). Received about 10 days before my birthday.
Moe's - got a coupon for a free entree. (Yes!) Received four days before my birthday. Got a burrito bowl :)
Schlotzky's - free original. (Last year it was a free sandwich. I don't eat The Original as I don't eat red meat, so didn't use and unsubscribed since their offers have gotten worse over the years.)
Panera - free dessert (received day of)

Clothing
Fabletics: 10% off order. (I did order some neon crops, will report back if they're sheer.) Received at the beginning of my birthday month.

Revolve: 10% off order. (Couldn't find anything. Looked several times). Received at the beginning of my birthday month.

Express: $40 off (I've had one of their premier credit cards for more than 10 years. Don't shop here much anymore because I've gotten older. I got some dress pants and a sleeveless button down!) Received at the beginning of my birthday month.

Workouts/Misc
A spa I visited on vacation sent me an offer for 50% off a massage or 20% off retail.

Pure Barre sent me an email for 10% off retail. Good for 3 months. (Received day-of)

Ulta also sent me a birthday offer for free mascara. (I am allergic to mascara :( Do birthday offers target things I can't use?) (Received day-of)

Offers I didn't get
I have an Athleta card. I thought there was a birthday discount, but apparently not for me.

Workout clothes/Activewear sales (non bday related)

• I did order a pair of reversible crops with the Sweaty Betty Friends and Family Discount. Free shipping. (Not a birthday offer, but maybe a bday present to myself).

• Bandier had a one-day sale near my birthday. Everything was 15% off. I almost ordered some K-deer leggings but didn't want to pay $10 in shipping. #dealbreaker

• Athleta has 20% off their sale with a coupon code. There's only one sale item I want and think I already have too many long sleeve shirts. (Extra20 through 3/30)

• I've been eying some Lorna Jane crops with pockets. LJ has 30% off their clearance, but I can't quite bring myself to spend the money.

• I also ordered a S'well water bottle last week (as my husband's bday present to me). I love this pretty metallic colorful bottle. (Color: Neptune). I'd hoped it would get here in 7 days in time for my birthday, but it will be nine days before it gets here: So two days late.

Fabletics: cancel my membership

It's been a year and I'm canceling my Fabletics membership.

Top reasons
1. I don't like their new rewards program.
I was THIS close to getting a new free outfit—anything I wanted. And then they changed the rewards program so now I'm THIS close to getting free crappy sale stuff that isn't selling. Seriously, there is nothing in the rewards section that tempts me. It's cheap tanks and sports bras with no support. I contacted customer service about how this new program screwed me over and the canned email suggested I buy a new outfit to look fabulous this weekend. ?? Really?

2. I don't actually wear most of the Fabletics clothes I've purchased.
• The sports bras offer no support.
• The capri's cut into my calves and don't hold up well after washing.
• And the tanks are just cheap and make me look like I have lumps when I don't. (I've tried up a size, it doesn't help.)
• I wear my stuff from other brands more. I don't need more stuff I won't wear.

3. I don't like their outfits concepts. I have a lot of athletic clothes. I might want a pair of capris or a top. But never is everything I want in the same outfit. It's cheaper to buy an outfit when crops are $40 and you have to pay $8 shipping, but shipping is free when you spend $50. So I end up buying outfits and then returning them. And it takes forever for the returns to process. I'd rather buy a top or a pair of shorts, not get a top I'll never wear because it's as cheap as shopping.

4. I'd rather save my money and buy Lululemon.

My overall impression of Fabletics: It was fun for a little while. I had fun ordering outfits, but I just don't wear the clothes I bought from them.

Should you try it? You might like it.

There are some other subscription boxes I'd like to try.