Athleta

I’m giving this place a 4, as the last time I went there I had a super helpful salesperson who surprisingly took the time to actually help me. I was a bit surprised as this store usually has some of the most disinterested customer service ever. I like Athleta gear, but find their workout pants to not fit as well (or be as flattering) as Lululemon (but they have their own issues). Athleta is, however, cheaper (big bonus) and I’ve picked up more than a few pieces that I love. I try to shop online, but really this isn’t a bad place to go. Parking is a little rough in the area and its usually a cluster to get here.

Truly Awful Customer Service. I went in to try on swimwear. At first they helped me to the swim dresses I was looking for but after that, the sales staff were a complete no-​show. I was in the dressing room for maybe 20 minutes and not one of the 5 staff members bothered to come check on me. It wasn’t even busy. There were more staff than customers and still no follow up. I was ready to spend a healthy amount of money on these swimsuits if I could have gotten the right size. I asked the cashier if they usually have someone check in on the dressing rooms, and she just said «sorry, we are short today.» I stood there waiting to see if she was going to offer to help me now that I got her attention, but she just stood there waiting for me to leave. I will never go back again.

Clueless Sales Staff Drove Me to Lucy (Next Door)
I own several pieces of Athleta clothing that I’m crazy about. (When Athleta makes a winner, it’s really a winner!) I wandered into the Athleta store at the end of February to see if I could find another gem. It was a disaster.
There was, literally, one other customer in the store, and two visible sales staff. At first they were very friendly, and one even checked in back for the capri pant that wasn’t on the floor in my size. However, as soon as I tried stuff on they were impotent. I’d tried on two sports bras, both size Small: one was so tight I could hardly get it off, and the other so big it was funny. So I asked the salesperson, who was folding clothes, for help with the sizing issue. She shrugged and said, «Yeah, I hear that a lot.»
Sisters, she had no interest in helping me. O_​O
So I went next door to Lucy.
For contrast, let me describe what happened there: the aMAZing sales woman asked me what I wanted and needed. I described it: fitted torso, shelf bra, simple straps. She pulled three styles from the rack, made other gentle and appropriate suggestions, and was professionally attentive but not hovering as I tried on 7 or 8 things. I ended up buying $ 150 worth of goods.
If management from Athleta in the Pearl is reading this: I walked into your store a loyal customer, and left because you haven’t trained your staff, or taught them that paying attention to our requests means you sell stuff. P. S. Lucy’s clothes are better quality than yours.

As far as style is considered for active wear, this wins top notch. The prices are very hit and miss, more miss than hit for what they are. The customer service was good and I actually found some items that fit.

I absolutely love the workout clothing and swimwear in this store, and was thrilled when they opened in Portland after getting their catalogs for a year or two. More stylish than Lucy, much better colors, and fantastic return policy (unlike Lululemon, where I refuse to shop because of their horrible return policy). Truth is I’ve never HAD to return anything to Athleta, but I know that I could, if needed. I love the quality and I get compliments every time I wear their clothes. I’m an avid runner and Athleta’s shorts and leggings/​capris are my absolute favorite items to run in. They look great, have the perfect amount of compression (not too tight), and don’t slide down while running. I feel that some of the tops are too pricey, I won’t pay $ 50 for a tank top… but the bottoms are well worth it, they look great after many many washings.
My one and only complaint about this store location is that I don’t feel the staff is very friendly. I’ve been in 3 or 4 times, and when I walk in, they NEVER say hello. (pet peeve of mine) Just the other day, the gal at the cashier station looked up, right at me, and said nothing. I looked around downstairs for at least 15 min. and was never spoken to. Oddly enough, every time I go upstairs, someone up there always says hello. Maybe it’s because they don’t have as much to do upstairs? Also, when I came back downstairs, I used the restroom and, lo and behold… there was a big selection of clearance items back there! This section is not visible unless you walk back to the fitting rooms or restroom. I would have really appreciated someone TELLING me about the clearance, because I ended up buying from there. Luckily I found it on my own. Just step it up girls, I mean come on… I’ve paid $ 70 for shorts here. you can be nice.

I love this store. Great customer service and yoga pants that pass the squat test, made from great, stretchy, soft fabric, great selection, and cute patterns. I would say their clothes are almost or as good as lululemon clothes.

Great selection of women’s fine active clothing.
Owned by GAP