How to Build a Successful Lifestyle Brand: Strategies and Examples

When selling a product or service, your marketing efforts need not be limited to the product itself. It is all about you and what you can do for your customers—especially how you make them feel. However, some manufacturers take it a step further. It nearly stops being about the product and instead focuses on nurturing that feeling or being a part of that group. These are lifestyle brands. They are the brands you follow on Instagram even if you don’t have any of their products. Let’s take a look at some lifestyle brand examples and how they made the transition from commodity to center of attention.

Key Takeaways

Lifestyle brands go beyond selling a product or service; they sell an emotion, a way of life, and a sense of belonging. Customers are drawn to the feeling or identity associated with the brand, making them loyal followers.
Everything about a lifestyle brand—from its visual identity to its messaging—should consistently reflect the lifestyle it represents. This creates a tangible image that resonates with the target audience, helping them identify with the brand.
Successful lifestyle brands foster a community of like-minded individuals who share similar values and passions. This sense of camaraderie strengthens brand loyalty and deepens the connection between the brand and its audience.
Developing a successful lifestyle brand involves showcasing the desired lifestyle across all aspects of your brand, from visuals to messaging. Community building and integrating your brand into that lifestyle are crucial steps.

What is a Lifestyle Brand?

Lifestyle brands are a unique form of business. They do not fit into any single box or category. For example, I’ve collaborated with lifestyle brands that include coaches, consultants, boutique owners, and others.

With lifestyle brands, you are not just offering a product or service, but also the lifestyle that goes with it. Most of the time, when you invest in a brand, you are investing in an entire community rather than simply a single product or service.

Take Lululemon as an example. When you buy a pair of leggings or a shirt, you are investing in Lulu’s lifestyle rather than merely a piece of clothing. You buy into a community of people who are focused on their health and wellness. You’ll note that everything Lulu does for their brand and marketing revolves around lifestyle choices.

Why Is Lifestyle Branding So Important?

Why is effective lifestyle branding so important? There are several reasons. More broadly, branding is crucial for any business. It helps you attract your potential clients and offers your company a coherent and professional appearance. It gets a little more in-depth for lifestyle brands. You’re not simply selling a product. You’re offering a lifestyle, so your brand should reflect that.

Consider North Face as an example. Their brand is based on an outdoor lifestyle, and their customers prefer hiking and camping over going to the mall or staying in a luxury hotel. They bring this to life in their brand by using a color palette rich in earthy tones, clean, simple fonts, and brand images featuring active people enjoying the outdoors.

Your brand should showcase the lifestyle that potential clients or customers want to live, as well as how you can help them achieve it. Whatever you’re selling, the most effective lifestyle brand examples are those that allow consumers to identify themselves as part of your community and know that what you’re offering will help them in some manner.

Lifestyle Brands Examples

When we talk about lifestyle brands, several well-known names come to mind. These five lifestyle brands are well-known names among customers. Let’s look at some examples of successful lifestyle brands.

#1. Apple.

Apple is more than simply technology; it is also about creativity, innovation, and new ways of thinking. The brand has built a dedicated customer base that perceives itself as part of a creative, forward-thinking group. Apple’s marketing focuses on how their gadgets integrate into their users’ lives rather than the features themselves.

#2. Nike

Nike is an excellent example of a lifestyle brand. Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan encourages a lifestyle of fitness, determination, and excellence. It’s more than just selling shoes or clothing; it’s about inspiring individuals to push themselves and achieve greatness. As an ardent gymnast, I recall how motivated I felt when I put on my first pair of Nikes. It was more than simply a sneaker; it represented my devotion to health and exercise.

#3. The AW Creative

The AW Creative is dedicated to assisting CEOs in developing a compelling framework particular to their firm and providing tools for selling their products and services in a simple, no-nonsense manner. AW believes that success requires a passionate effort combined with solid foundations. They tackle every task in a straightforward yet luxurious manner, keeping things clear and focused without needless difficulty.

The AW Creative takes a new approach to mentorship education, one based on sustainable frameworks and tried-and-true tactics used by multi-million dollar companies. Regardless of the pleasures or ambitions you have in mind, you will be provided with the tools you need to start your own firm, which is completely endless.

#4. Lululemon

Lululemon’s high-performance training outfits are worn by various athletes, including yogis, golfers, tennis players, and others. Lululemon is an excellent example of an athletic business that offers workout gear and everyday outfits.

For instance, it employs the statement “From a moment to a mode.” To market its pant styles, it uses “play mode, chill mode, and flex mode.” Lululemon understands its customers and who influences them; therefore, it invests in the community.

The company sponsors brand ambassadors who represent Lululemon’s ideals and lifestyles. It also has other programs, such as the Sweat Collective, which gives members extra benefits for teaching fitness classes and coaching in their communities.

#5. Nurse Fern

Nurse Fern is a resource and employment board for nurses seeking a more balanced lifestyle through remote nursing opportunities. Also, Nurse Fern is on a mission to transform healthcare by granting nurses the freedom and flexibility they require to recover their work-life balance. They are working to redefine how we think about healthcare roles by providing nurses with more options!

Nurse Fern hopes to inspire nurses to pursue remote nursing careers by sharing their experiences and ideals. They strive to build a strong trusting relationship with nurses by providing critical information such as resources and other employment opportunities outside of the hospital setting.

Lifestyle Brands Clothing

Lifestyle brands fall into various categories, including clothing. When you wear clothes from a lifestyle brand, you’re not simply making a fashion statement; you’re also connecting yourself with a certain way of living.

#1. Patagonia

Patagonia is a market leader for outdoor lifestyle clothing. The brand is well-known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical manufacturing practices. Wearing Patagonia means more than simply having high-quality outdoor clothing; you’re also supporting a brand that shares your beliefs. I recall buying my first Patagonia jacket and felt proud that I was supporting a company that cared about the environment.

#2. Lululemon

Lululemon has become associated with a yoga and wellness lifestyle. The brand’s clothes are intended for those who value health, mindfulness, and balance. Wearing Lululemon means more than just feeling comfortable during a yoga session; it also means embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes well-being and self-care.

#3. Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren personifies the classic American lifestyle, combining preppy, refined, and informal features. The company has effectively established a lifestyle centered on its clothing, appealing to those who respect elegance, tradition, and timeless fashion. When I wear Ralph Lauren, I feel as if I am part of a legacy that appreciates quality and timeless style.

#4. Nike

Nike is a household name among sports fans. It’s simply difficult not to, as they are unquestionably the largest brand in sportswear. In terms of footwear alone (Nike’s inception), in May 2017, they controlled 46.5% of the market between the principal brand and the Jordan label. Other brands, such as Adidas and Under Armour, have made progress in recent years, but they still have a long way to go.

Because of their market dominance, Nike is more than just shoes. But it’s not just their popularity that propels Nike from sportswear to lifestyle brands. It’s the link to athletes. The Air Jordan line is one of the most iconic in both sports and fashion, thanks in large part to the legendary Michael Jordan and his own brand value.

#5. Under Armour

Under Armour is well-known for its durability and quality, making it a popular choice among athletes. It has a mission: “To inspire you with performance solutions you never knew you needed and can’t imagine living without.”

Under Armour’s app offers tailored offerings, new gear alerts, and a seamless in-app checkout that syncs with your Under Armour account and accepts Apple Pay.

Under Armour customers and sports lovers can buy items from collections chosen by their favorite athletes. The Curry Golf Collection promotes basketball player Stephen Curry’s selections, stating that “Golf isn’t Stephen’s job; it’s his obsession.” This collection combines some of our best ideas with his unique style.”

These clothing brands have managed to go beyond fashion and develop a culture around their products, drawing clients who want to express themselves via what they wear.

Outdoor Lifestyle Brands

The emergence of outdoor lifestyle brands indicates a growing desire for adventure, discovery, and connection to nature. These brands target people who enjoy the outdoors and want items that support their active lifestyles.

#1. The North Face.

The North Face is a pioneer among outdoor lifestyle brands. It’s more than just selling coats and gear; it’s about encouraging people to enjoy the great outdoors. The brand’s “Never Stop Exploring” slogan appeals to adventurers and nature enthusiasts who regard their products as indispensable companions on their travels.

#2. YETI

YETI has established itself as a popular brand among outdoor enthusiasts. Its also known for its sturdy coolers and drinkware, embodies a lifestyle of toughness, endurance, and a love of the outdoors. I remembered taking my YETI cooler on a weekend getaway and felt sure that it would resist the effects of the outdoors. It was more than simply a cooler; it represented my loyalty to the outdoor lifestyle.

#3. REI

REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is more than simply a business; it’s a community of outdoor enthusiasts. The brand encourages people to get out and discover nature by providing products and experiences that promote an active lifestyle. REI’s co-op membership concept fosters a sense of belonging in its customers, making them feel like they are part of a broader community of adventurers.

#4. Klymit

A bad night’s sleep may quickly ruin an outdoor adventure; Klymit’s primary goal is to prevent this from happening. “When it comes to backpacking, the best sleeping pad I’ve tried is made by Klymit,” says Latinxhikers co-founder Luz Lituma. “The Static Sleeping Air Pad is side-sleeper-friendly, takes way fewer breaths to fill, and is super affordable compared to other brands.”

#5. Cotopaxi

Davis Smith named his outdoor brand Cotopaxi after an active volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes. His apparel and gear are popular among outdoor enthusiasts, including Travis Welch, an alumni trip coordinator at NOLS, a global wilderness school. “These days, we want more out of our brands than simple good gear, and Cotopaxi fits the bill,” Welch elaborates.

“They’re not scared of using colors, have great corporate values, and fund grants related to international poverty relief.” The Luzon 18L pack is the product Welch uses the most: “It’s lightweight, compact, and durable, so I keep it in my checked luggage at all times,” he says. “My Luzon has been on five continents with me.”

These outdoor lifestyle brands have effectively capitalized on the growing demand for adventure and exploration, developing products that improve the outdoor experience and appeal to those who love the wilderness.

Our Brand Building Checklist will provide you with a step-by-step roadmap to building a lifestyle brand that resonates with your target audience and creates a lasting connection.

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How to Create a Lifestyle Brand

Creating a lifestyle brand necessitates a distinct strategy from other brands. There are intricacies in the approach that make a huge difference. Embrace them and include them in your tactical work to establish the bond. See infographics below:

Further explanation:

#1. Lead with lifestyle

Everything about your brand, from its visual identity to its content, message, narrative, images, beliefs, and values, should reflect the intended lifestyle on which it is based. The method entailed bringing the desired lifestyle to light in every area imaginable. The more comprehensive the image of the lifestyle, the more tangible it feels, and the more likely the target audience will identify with it and join the tribe on this typical task at hand.

#2. Create a community of like-minded people.

We all seek a sense of belonging. Even better, we all want to be with individuals who share our views. When lifestyle brands successfully create an engaged community of individuals who are all looking the same way, pulling in the same direction, and singing the same tune, a sense of camaraderie emerges, intensifying the feelings, beliefs, and passions for the desired lifestyle.

#3. Integrate your brand into that way of life.

Successful lifestyle brands prioritize products and services as a secondary consideration. The brand’s service becomes a means to an end thanks to its compelling visual, aligned marketing, and enthusiastic community.

The end goal is a lifestyle, and the means are the products and services that help the audience achieve it. Through product placement in the represented lifestyle or inspiring suggestions and how to accomplish them, the brand and its offering simply serve as a guiding aide and stepping stone to the desired existence.

What is a lifestyle brand example?

Nike, Under Armour, Lululemon, Columbia, and The North Face are five athletic clothing and gear brands that perfectly fit the on-the-go, health-conscious lifestyle that many consumers seek.

What is the most famous lifestyle brand?

The most famous lifestyle brands loved by millennials today are:

Nike.
Apple.
Burt’s Bees.
Red Bull.
Vans.
Calvin Klein.
Gucci.
Casio.

How does a lifestyle brand make money?

Product sales, service-based revenue, advertising and sponsorship, subscription models, licensing, and royalties are all potential revenue sources. It is critical to assess various revenue streams in order to determine the most profitable sectors of the organization and make sound decisions.

Conclusion

Lifestyle brands have a significant influence on our society and consumer behavior. Understanding what makes them successful allows you to create your own brand that connects with your target audience and attracts a loyal following.

Which are your favorite lifestyle brands? How have they impacted your lifestyle? Share your ideas with us in the comments section.