As someone who spends a lot of time on social media for both personal and professional reasons, I've learned to get really good at speeding by all of the ads in my feed. But there's one company in particular that caught my attention — and held on for dear life: Halara.
Halara, which the brand says is a Greek phrase that means 'take it easy,' is a trendy brand that shot to popularity after its 2020 launch, thanks to viral moments and user-generated content on social media — namely by millennial and Gen Z users on TikTok.
After months — years? — the targeted ads and glowing influencer reviews finally got the best of me. Could it really live up to all of the hype, making my dreams come true as a trendy, comfortable and affordable option for everything from workout wear to denim to work pants? I teamed up with pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab to evaluate some of the brand's top sellers, plus a few new items like their wide-leg denim, to find out.
What is Halara?
Halara was founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Joyce Zhang to fill a demand for athletic and leisure items during the pandemic, but has since expanded offerings to include everyday options like denim and workwear. The company is widely praised for delivering it all: trendy styles, comfort, size-inclusivity and affordability.
Is Halara really that affordable?
Sure, affordability is relative, but you can certainly get a great deal when shopping Halara. Some of the brand's top-rated leggings retail for just $30 compared to close to $100 or more at brands like Lululemon and Alo Yoga. And, if you hit a sale, you can score insanely good deals. At the time of publication, one of the crop tops I tried was on sale (and had been for weeks) for just $15.95 — a whopping 68% off the full price.
What's the shopping experience like?
Halara's website has a ton of options. You can shop everything from leggings, shorts, sports bras and shapewear to shirts, sweaters, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and rompers — even jackets.
Using the navigation bar is a little clumsy. While you'll ultimately find all of the various categories, there's a lot of overlap, so it feels a bit overwhelming. I found the search bar to be the better approach, particularly since I knew what type of styles I was looking for. The search returned relevant results that made it easy to browse available, in-stock options.
Here's what I tried...
Halara Softlyzero Crossover Pocket Leggings
Halara Softlyzero Crossover Pocket Plain Leggings UPF50+
Pros
- Attractive high-waisted silhouette
- Smooth fabric that feels like second skin
- Design includes two side pockets
Cons
- Lacks overall compression
- Fabric pilled in Lab evaluations
I was immediately drawn to these leggings for their bright, rosy color (it comes in 28 colors if you prefer something else!) and high-waisted cross-over design, but what really impressed me when I actually got my hands on the pair was the incredibly soft material. It is on the lightweight side (not ideal for chilly temps), but it's so sleek and stretchy that it truly feels like a second skin. Other GH testers echoed my sentiments, using adjectives like "smooth" and "buttery."
The fit is as flattering as I'd hoped. The trendy V-shape on the waist lends a slimming, hourglass effect. I felt really comfortable and stylish wearing these leggings — even when not exercising. In fact, I think they're better suited for casual wear. During a three-mile jog, the leggings didn't roll down, but I would have felt more comfortable in a pair with more compression. In the Lab, we found them to be a bit see-through (read: not 100% squat proof!) and they pilled easily.
Halara Solid Thumb Hole Cropped Yoga Sports Top
Pros
- Soft, buttery fabric
- Lightweight and breathable
- Very attractive color
Cons
- Tends to roll up a bit
- Fabric is a bit see-through
I wore this crop top with the leggings, and it made for a very stylish and trendy outfit. The composition of the two items is identical — a stretchy blend of polyester and elastane — so they mix and match beautifully, particularly if you stock your closet with complementary colors.
This particular top comes in eight shades, but I was impressed by the lilac. It's soft but rich and different than other shades you typically see in athletic wear. The fabric is just as smooth and buttery, but our complaints mirrored those we had with the leggings. Namely, since the fabric is so lightweight, it is slightly see-through, particularly in the lighter color I tried. It did also tend to roll up towards the chest — particularly when exercising. Overall, I think this is a really cute option if you're going for an athleisure look, but it's not ideal for workouts.
Halara Super High Waisted Back Pocket & Side Hidden Pocket 2-in-1 Yoga Shorts
Halara Super High Waisted Back Pocket & Side Hidden Pocket 2-in-1 Yoga Shorts
Pros
- Comes in 23 colors
- Has built-in shorts
- Designed with two pockets
Cons
- Runs a bit small
Surprise: These shorts, a similar blend of polyester and elastane, were just as comfortable as the leggings and crop top I evaluated. The fabric is smooth, buttery and truly fits like a glove. Sometimes exercise shorts seem to run small, but I opted for my usual size and it was mostly true to size — I would have preferred a slightly breezier style with a little more wiggle room all around.
I really appreciated the built-in shorts, because you can do workouts without any potentially embarrassing peek-a-boo moments. And though there are seams on the built-in shorts, I didn't experience irritation while running — an issue I've had with other similar options. The pockets — one on the side and another on the waistband — are also convenient for small items like keys and ID when out for a run.
Overall, the level of compression is a little bit more than the leggings. I didn't experience any rolling or slipping throughout wear, either. One of my friends even comfortably completed a multi-hour fitness competition in these shorts.
Halara Flex Low Rise Wide Leg Casual Jeans
Pros
- Very stretchy and comfortable material
- Don't stretch or sag throughout the day
Cons
- Inseam may be a bit short for taller individuals
Halara recently expanded their line of denim, and I had the chance to try one of the top-selling new styles: The Flex Low-Rise Casual Jeans. These jeans are made of a cotton, polyester and elastane blend that makes them feel more like leggings than jeans — in a cool, modern wide-leg style that's not at all reminiscent of jeggings. They're exceptionally stretchy and comfortable, but don't sag or stretch out throughout the day. I've really put these to the test over the course of the last month or so, regularly wearing the pair for 10 hours or more.
The style is so flattering — it sits squarely on the hips without digging in and glides down the body in a slightly flared silhouette — that, one afternoon, three different people stopped me in a doctor's waiting room to ask where I got my jeans. Overall, the sizing is accurate — I'm between a 4 and a 6 and, as indicated by the size chart, the small fit me well. And since the jeans are so stretchy, there's definitely some wiggle room if you're deciding between two sizes. On the downside, as a relatively tall 5'7" woman, the 28.5-inch inseam is a bit short.
Other styles we've tested
Halara Backless 2-in-1 Flare Activity Dress-Wannabe
Halara Backless 2-in-1 Flare Activity Dress-Wannabe
Pros
- Built-in shorts, shelf bra and pockets
- Moisture-wicking
- Sort and comfortable material
Cons
- Straps aren't adjustable
The exercise dress is one of the top items that put Halara on the map, and our testers and analysts liked this budget-friendly option for its style and function. The shelf bra has an elastic bottom band for more lift. Testers found the supportive top to be comfortable all day, plus raved about the "insanely soft and comfy" nylon and elastane fabric. We do wish the racerback straps were adjustable for a more custom fit. Like other items, the material is on the thinner side, so some testers longed for more compression.
Halara High-Waisted Back Pocket Plain Slight Flare Leggings
Pros
- Come in petite and tall sizes
- Super soft material
- Performed well in stretch recovery tests
Cons
- Prone to pilling
We love that these flared leggings come in tall and petite sizes, especially because people with petite frames and shorter legs often struggle to find pants that don't drag all over the floor. The flare is slight too, to hit the trend without overwhelming smaller frames.
In our Lab's shape recovery tests, the fabric kept its shape but did show some signs of pilling in our abrasion test. But testers loved the super soft and stretchy polyester and elastane blend, even if the fabric feels a bit thinner than higher-end pairs. The leggings also earned high marks from testers for staying in place during all different types of exercise.
Shipping
Shipping is free on orders over $49, but because everything Halara sells comes from factories in Asia, shipping isn't as quick as consumers, as a whole, have come to expect. Standard shipping, which costs $4.90 for those who have not met the minimum order threshold, takes eight to 10 business days. The most expedited method of shipping costs $19.90 (free for orders over $199), but still takes three to five business days. This is in addition to an extra one to three days of warehouse processing time.
Sizing and fit
Overall, I found the brand runs true to size. Almost everything I tried — leggings, exercise shorts and denim — fit the way I expected it to. When making my selections, I used the size guide as a road map. It confirmed what I suspected: I should order a small (my usual size) across the board. There was one exception: Although the size guide recommended a small for the crop top I tested, I know that as a relatively tall 5'7" woman, a small in a cropped style is usually too small, so I opted for the medium. Each item fit me exactly as expected, minus the crop top, which still felt a little snug and the shorts, which technically fit but could have been a little roomier overall.
Return policy
There are certainly friendlier return policies out there. Halara does not accept exchanges, but you can return an item within 30 days. That said, all return shipping costs are covered by the customer — unless it's due to a quality issue. The caveat? Halara has many parameters surrounding "quality issues." According to the brand, "loose threads, raw edges, thickness, touch and differences in color due to differences in monitor display" do not constitute as quality issues, nor do damages due to use, wash, care, improper maintenance, self-repair or modifications. Dissatisfaction in style and color are also disqualified from free returns. The brand also does not accept returns for underwear, bras, water bottles, hair accessories, glasses, hats, socks, jewelry or shapewear.
Bottom line
Overall, I was very impressed with Halara — especially given the price point and the frequency of sales. You can do a pretty significant refresh on your activewear collection, plus scoop up some very comfortable everyday options for much less than you can at other retailers. Items were generally true to size, and the fabrics are incredibly soft and smooth. That said, it's important to manage your expectations surrounding durability. These products are lighter and thinner as a whole, plus we noticed some issues with pilling, which may mean they won't last as long as more high-end options.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
