Hello! I just wanted to make a quick post talking about my in-store experience I’m just leaving from this boxing day!
The first thing I’ll say is that if you’re apprehensive at all about leaving your house this morning- definitely just check the website first. Not only were all the deals I saw in-store also online, if your size is sold out online, there is a feature on there that will tell you in there is a store in your area that has your size in-stock.
My store was SUPER busy and the line was about 15 people deep, so I did not buy anything. I have a couple of things on my maybe list that I’ll pick up online- IF I decide I want them.
In any event- I just wanted to let you know that the deals in-store seem to be the same online so, if you were thinking that they might be different, you can rest assured that they are not. The only difference was a longer line- and also, my store has a DJ today, so that is a nice touch.
Happy Shopping! And I hope you had a very merry Christmas!
I just want to do a really quick post about the Manifesto print from this year compared to last year’s Manifesto print. So, they are really close but the newest one has a gold tone to it, that last year’s manifesto print did not, making it more noticeable on the item itself. Here is a side-by-side of last year’s “20YR Manifesto Embossed Black” and this year’s “20YR Manifesto Foil Black.”
As you can see, the one on the right, the “foil” from this year is shinier and has a golden-ish tone to it compared to last year’s offering.
I hope this helps you decide whether you’re interested or not based on what you got in Manifesto print from last year if you love the manifesto print like I do. I think they’re both pretty, but I think I like this year’s better in the black and last year’s better in the red.
Let me know what you think! Do you love the Manifesto print as much as I do? Also: Did you stop by Lululemon today? It’s Black Friday, so they’ll have a ton of Sale items out!
I was just checking Lululemon’s website for new arrivals, since the Autumn season is upon us, and Lululemon will be coming out with all my favorites that I’m sure I will “need,” and I noticed a few new arrivals that aren’t branded or co-branded with Lululemon! I can’t remember the last time I saw items on Lululemon website that weren’t at least co-branded, for example the recent Barry’s gym and Soul Cycle collections. Perhaps those necklaces from last year? Were those co-branded or not? – Of course, I had to check! They were co-branded, here is an article about them.
The bad news is that I don’t think they should be branching out this way. I think Lululemon should sell Lululemon and branching out and selling other brands opens them up to some risks. For example, if the quality doesn’t hold up, or if the clientele doesn’t like these products or if they’re simply not seeking to purchase them from Lululemon. I, for one, prefer to purchase my Coola products from Ulta to get those sweet, sweet points!
It was only just recently that Lululemon started selling their own branded Self Care items, which I reviewed, and this branching out into self care can work for Lululemon, but now selling other brands of self care in addition to their own seems like they’re moving too quickly and branching out too far from their core capacities as a brand.
The good news is that these are, in my experience, good products. I’ve tried the Coola setting spray and the Sunscreen Lotion and I think they’re both quality products. The lotion is my go-to and it’s what I’ve been using for about 3 years now. The Setting Spray, I believe came in one of my subscription boxes and I do like it, but it’s not going to be replacing my MAC Fix+ anytime soon. I haven’t yet tried the Sunscreen Spray, also newly available on Lululemon.com.
There are also some Davines products available for sale. Again, a great brand. I’ve tried many Davines hair products and absolutely adore the scents they use and the way they make my coarse (ugh :-/ ) hair feel after I use them. It looks like the full size is available at Walmart for a lot cheaper than at Lululemon, but at the same time, it is being sold through a third party vendor, so it was probably purchased on clearout as overstock and is being re-resold, so it’s a personal choice whether you want to save the money or buy from Lululemon directly. – That is, if you’re even interested in trying it at all. My opinion on Davines products is that they work great, they smell divine, but boy are they expensive and because they’re not sold at Ulta (or even Sephora) where I get rewarded for shopping, I’d rather buy Living Proof or S Factor hair care products if I’m wanting to go high end. Links are to my number one favorite from each brand.
Curious as to what y’all think about the new self care options at Lululemon. They also had an anti-chafe balm and some shower sheets, but I’ve never tried these specific products, anything like them or anything from their brands, so I don’t have much to say. I might try to shower wipes, but I don’t personally have much use for an anti chafe balm, maybe I’ll make my husband try it, lol.
Until then, Thanks for reading and let me know in the comments or on Twitter (@lululemonexpert) what you think about Lululemon branching out!
To you early birds who visit my blog the day I publish a new article: Thank you for coming to visit my blog- I apologize if any of the links above are wonky- I am writing and editing this entirely on mobile to see if it’s possible to make a completely seamless blogpost on the go. I’ll fix anything that doesn’t work when I get home!
I was fondly recalling my favorites out of all my Lululemon clothes and much of the Manifesto print came to mind. That’s when I thought it would be fun to talk about my favorite pieces and also discuss the controversial and evolving document that is: The Lululemon Manifesto.
The manifesto is not just a document, it’s a living embodiment of values that Lululemon is expressing as a part of their brand. I think they’ve become more mainstream recently, and while Lululemon used to espouse “irreverence,” they now are more conformist to please the average consumer and their stockholders. We can see the evolution from irreverence to increased conformity by looking at the advice on the documents over time. Lululemon’s core audience “got” the inside jokes, while the general public & mainstream media has ridiculed or berated their choice of words. Even when the phrases on the manifesto seemed odd, most Lululemon fans quickly forgave the slip-ups. A good example of how fans got the inside jokes was when Lululemon was hiring a new CEO after Christine Day stepped down. They put up a cheeky ad on their site, and the media criticized whether they should be doing that when the company was having difficulties at the time. Most people I spoke to at the time thought it was funny and we laughed about it, but we can hold two thoughts in our minds at the same time and also were complaining about the ongoing issues that Lululemon was having.
That’s not the only time something Lululemon wrote caused controversy! In 2008, after learning that some phrases printed on their bags were disturbing to some guests, rather than destroying the bags, they chose to cover the phrases. Unfortunately, some people were still able to view the phrases, and Lululemon eventually decided to destroy the bags. Phrases such as “Some brief or quick-fix incidences when our minds are clear to be creative are….when drunk or stoned…just after an orgasm,” “The athlete’s high is the most long-lasting as it can last up to six hours,” “There is little difference between addicts and fanatic athletes. Both are continually searching for a way to remain in a creative state,” and “You only have 30,000 days to live and then you are dead,” were present on the bags.
Back in 2008, Lululemon also removed the phrase “Coke, Pepsi and all other pops will be known as the cigarettes of the future. Colas are not a substitute for water. They are just another cheap drug made to look great by advertising.” It was explained, at the time, by Chief Executive Bob Meers as simply a regular update to the manifesto “in order to stay fresh in message,” and was not a response to any cola company.
Yet another controversial phrase that once graced the bags was “Sunscreen absorbed into the skin might be worse for you than sunshine. Get the right amount of sunshine.” Some people thought that the messaging could be dangerous as it encouraged people to go without sunscreen. This, at a time when skin cancer rates were on the rise, according to a CTV news article on the subject. Lululemon issued a response saying that the advice was “not research-based,” and, I love this, that the Manifesto is a “collection of statements that are ever-evolving and intended to spark conversation.” Well, they’ve definitely sparked conversation over the years! That’s for sure!!!
Without further adieu, here is a short discussion on two versions of the manifesto.
As it stands, the newest version, updated in celebration of their 20th Anniversary can be found, for download on either mobile or desktop, here. So, if you need a new background for either your phone or computer, here’s something for you! However, there is a history of this document that I’m also interested in exploring.
Let’s take a look at the new Anniversary Edition Manifesto first. I was able to find all of the following advice and sayings on the newest iteration:
Breathe deeply
Namaste
Ignore the haters, including yourself
Creativity is maximized when you are living in the moment
Your biggest opportunity for growth is when it all hits the fan
Reconnect with nature. The better you know it the less you take it for granted. (Love you, Vancouver.)
Gratitude is contagious
That which matters most should never give way to that which matters least
Posi+ive +hough+s, words, and actions create posi+ive +hough+s, words, and ac+ions
Open your ears, eyes and heart & Open your mind
Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to
Replace the word try with will and watch the magic happen
The most important answers will never be found in a search bar
The pursuit of happiness is the source of unhappiness
Before speaking, ask yourself: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?
You attract love when you love yourself
Treat goals like coconuts. Hit them hard, crack them open, celebrate
Do one thing a day that scares you
Put away your phone. The real world is not on hold.
Life is full of setbacks; success is determined by how you handle setbacks
This is not your practice life. This is all there is
Stress is related to 99% of all illness
Friends are more important than money
Listen, listen, listen and then as intentional questions
Vulnerability makes a good leader great
Hope is not a strategy
Do Yoga Be Yoga
Those are the ones I could read from the downloads, I think there are a couple of other ones I couldn’t quite make out.
Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.
A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.
Do one thing a day that scares you.
Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.
Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.
Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.
Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.
That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.
Stress is related to 99% of all illness.
Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.
The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!
Friends are more important than money.
Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.
Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.
Don’t trust that an old age pension will be sufficient.
Visualize your eventual demise. It can have an amazing effect on how you live for the moment.
The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.
Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water, Vancouver will do nicely.
Observe a plant before and after watering and relate these benefits to your body and brain.
Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.
Dance, sing, floss and travel.
Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them.
Successful people replace the words ‘wish’, ‘should’ and ‘try’, with ‘I will’.
Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment.
Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life.
lululemon athletica creates components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress-free, we believe the world will become a much better place.
Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.
SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin.
Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of every word. An agreement is an agreement only if each party knows the conditions for satisfaction and a time is set for satisfaction to occur.
What we do to the earth we do to ourselves.
The pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness.
There are a few in there, that I personally miss as an old school Lululemon client. I love “Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel.” That one is not controversial, and I really wish it would have stayed.
I’m glad they kept “Do one thing a day that scares you.” I think it’s important to encourage people to step out of their comfort zones.
They changed “Listen, listen, listen, then ask strategic questions” to “Listen, listen, listen, then ask intentional questions.” I don’t even have an opinion on this, I just kind of wonder why, since it’s so similar, except “intentional” is more of a mot-du-jour than “strategic.”
The old manifesto reflected Lululemon’s values, according to the brand’s founder, Chip Wilson. As confirmed by Bob Meers in 2008 as a response to the removal of the quote about cola, Bob stated simply that the manifesto “is company founder and chairman Chip Wilson’s vision and point of view.” Back then, Chip mostly emphasized elevating one’s self from mediocrity to greatness. “Our bags are visual reminders for ourselves to live a life we love and conquer the epidemic of mediocrity. We all have a John Galt inside of us, cheering us on. How are we going to live lives we love?” Chip Wilson via HuffPo
The new manifesto reflects values, post Wilson: “The newly designed manifesto showcases Lululemon’s long-standing brand values across nine themes, including: integrity, personal responsibility, social impact, honesty/authenticity, overcoming fear, greatness, purpose, elevating the world (even on hard days), fun + laughter, sweat + the practice of yoga.” -Lululemon via PhillyVoice
I like both versions, but some of the things in the old one strike me as odd, or tone-deaf. Like “Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.” Yes, I suppose this might be true, there are also studies that show that vitamins result in little more than expensive urine, but we can let the experts duke it out on that one, and, for the record: I do take vitamins. I just think the elimination of the “bottleneck to everlasting health” is not found in a pill.
Another one that strikes me as a little odd is “Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.” Okay… Full disclosure: I only use Method cleaners on my counters, but I’m not over here, judging someone who uses “chemical” (in quotes because everything, even water, is technically a chemical) cleaners on their counters. … … Slightly judging people who don’t put down a cutting board or plate before making a sandwich though 😉
“Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of every word. An agreement is an agreement only if each party knows the conditions for satisfaction and a time is set for satisfaction to occur.” – I love this one. The first part that emphasizes that we all have different definitions of every word is more important in everyday life than we realize. Sometimes, when you’re having a conversation with someone, you don’t realize that you’re actually either in agreement or in disagreement with them based on their definitions of the words that are being used. I have a degree in Political Science, and I could summarize a good deal of my experience with a chart and this piece of advice: As people (or academics), we are entitled to have our own interpretations of the meaning of words that we use in our arguments and if we can establish the definitions of the words being used in an argument, often, we can win that argument. Just something (one of the only useful things) I learned in my grad-level classes.
There is so much more to this document that I could discuss, and I may return to it in the future either by updating this post or making a new one, but I do actually want to get to my favorite Manifesto printed garments!
This Pace Setter and these Speed Shorts
Speed shorts and Pace Setters are classic Lululemon staple items. ’nuff said, these are fantabulous.
The 20th Anniversary Manifesto Printed Wunder Unders and Energy Bras
I absolutely LOVE the recent (ish) 20th anniversary Manifesto-embossed Wunder Unders and Energy Bras. I bought them all when they came out- I could not resist!
This Long Sleeve Top:
Manifesto LS in Paris Pink – Burnout fabric
Okay, so the Burnout fabric is a little tooooooo delicate, but I freakin love Paris Pink. Truth be told: This is actually on my wish list, not in my closet where it belongs lol
Let me know in the comments what you think about the Manifesto, as it exists now, or in the past and what you think about the controversies. Or, just let me know: Do you like the Manifesto-printed items?
I have always wanted to write a post about what the best Lululemon for pregnancy is, but, until now, I never really had any personal experience with it! As of now, I am almost 6 months along.
Mostly, you’ll want to have things that can “grow” with you.
Right now, my absolute favorite “cold weather” pants are my Pleasing Pants. I bought them in all three colors (black, polar cream & limitless blue) when they came out, in 2012. They are still in amazing condition. They are SUPER stretchy & the low waistband allows your belly to “protrude” over it completely comfortably.
Limitless Blue Pleasing Pants
The next pants on my pregnancy must-have list are the Still Pants. Lululemon no longer sells the Still Pants, however, I find that every couple of years they’ll release pants that are very similar to the Still pants, such as the “Be Still” pants.
Still Pants in Dune
Align pants are fabulous for pregnant ladies because they can really stretch, but the fabric is designed to hold its shape, so they can stretch with you, without losing their ability to fit you once you’re no longer holding baby in your tummy.
Baby-Body-Friendly Tops
The No Limits tank will always be my favorite, but it might not be an option for some due to the size of the bra. The built-in bra that is inside the No Limits tank is basically the Flow Y bra, attached to the light circle mesh structure that is the no Limits tank. This bra is designed for small-busted women and provides good support for A/B cups. If your chest measurement grows by much, I don’t know that this bra will stretch alongside the extent of the growth in your chest measurement, as they no longer fit mine. However, I have known some women to be able to wear their No Limits tanks throughout their pregnancies as the circle mesh portion of the tank is extremely stretchy and will easily cover your pregnant belly. On top of that it looks amazing on pregnant women when I’ve seen it worn.
For those of us whose busts have grown considerably during pregnancy, to the extent that we need new bras, Lululemon tops with built-in bras may not be an option, unless they’re particularly stretchy (perhaps one made of Luxtreme or light Luon would be a viable option for some? All of mine are too small now). For us, the Cool Racerback is my favorite, core-product option. If I was going to be especially picky, I’d suggest the Extra Long versions of this top which were released in 2011.
Here is the extra long version in Ziggy Wee Caspian
Here is the regular length in Ziggy Wee August Glo
The next tops I would recommend are the 105 F Singlets. These are amazing. I love them in general, but they fit nicely over my belly and they’re really stretchy.
I wish there were some shorts or skirts I could recommend, but I don’t want to recommend anything that would be too difficult to find, so, other than Still Shorts (which haven’t been available in years), and a few one-off cotton shorts, I can’t think of anything that would be stretchy enough and recently, currently, part of the core collection or easy enough to find on ebay/poshmark/etc to recommend to you.
I will say that some things I own in light luxtreme are still ok, but the fit isn’t great. They just look off. But technically, I can get them over the belly. I want to commit to adding some things to this, if I think of anything else- especially shorts/ skirts. I’ve got three months here left to figure out what in my collection still wants to fit me. If I find anything, I’ll update this post. In the meantime, if you’ve ever been pregnant, let me know in the comments what items from your collection still fit you during most of it! Thanks!
With Christmas- and Black Friday, and it’s cousin Cyber Monday coming up so very soon, I decided to finally make this gift guide!
I have always wanted to make a “gift guide” of some sort, and I usually make an attempt at one, but I haven’t made one specifically for ladies who adore Lululemon- that doesn’t recommend a single Lululemon product.
Without further adieu, here are some things I think make great gifts for Lulu-lovers.
This defuzzer is great. I first wrote about this in my post about how to repair Lululemon, I included some photos of how I used it to fix an especially fuzz-ridden Cool RacerBack tank top, which I had purchased on a Facebook group. Sometimes, it’s easier to repair something than to go through the process of getting a refund. It’s perfect now, and I love it.
I only use a fitness belt from time to time while jogging or going on a long walk, I usually use a mini backpack- but I like this one because it doesn’t seem to ride up the way other belts do. It’s pretty affordable and adjustable- which is what I like best compared to other belts. I would definitely recommend something a little more durable if you’re a daily jogger- for example, I’d consider this one: FlipBelt I used to use this one, and it is very durable, but I found that it would ride up on me when I ran. Solid choice for a daily runner though.
Shoes
Unconventional shoe recommendation: Vibram toe shoes
OK, OK, I know, they look silly, and I’m pretty sure that no one even wears these anymore. But I love them- I have like 8 pairs and they’re perfect for me. I wrote a post about them a while back, and while I recommend them for everyone- that does exclude anyone with existing foot issues. The point of these shoes is to mimic natural running, strengthening the tiny muscles in the foot. However, if you have existing issues, it might be a good idea to wear supportive shoes prior to switching to anything minimalistic like these.
If you happen to be interested, you can find them really cheap on 6pm.com, which is Zappos clearance site- or for better size availability you can check at Zappos. You can find them pretty cheap on Amazon too, but I would check 6pm first, because that’s where I’ve gotten them cheaply in the past- but it’s probably a good idea to check both sites.
OK, now that I’m done talking about my favorite shoes, my second favorite shoes are these Nike’s I own. I wear these when it’s too cold for my Vibrams OR if I think the Vibram’s wouldn’t look good with my outfit. I love these Nike Free RN Flyknits, which you can find on the Nike website or other models for less on Amazon.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with a pair of UGGs or Hunters either! I love my Hunters for muddy festival season, and UGGs are perfect for casual wear during chilly winters.
Fitness band
I love my fitbit! I had a Surge for at least 2 years, and prior to that I had a Flex for two years. I now own a FitBit Versa that I adore. Any fitness enthusiast will love the step-counting, heart rate, and fitness-related functions, but I also like that I can see texts and phone calls without looking at my phone. It comes in handy in social and work situations.
Ok, so not a fitness-related item, but I did want to mention these for a couple of reasons: They’re personal favorites of mine, & they’re having the best sale of the year on December 1st. They kind of smell amazing and their holiday scents really get me in the spirit. Right now, I’m burning a Gingerbread scented one I got a while back.
I will definitely stop in to buy some on the 1st. Right now they’re buy 3, get 3 free- pretty decent deal already if you ask me. One of my favorite couponing channels on YouTube, Running Kimono made a video about these that convinced me to head in on the first of December to fetch some.
I hope you liked this quick gift guide for people like me, who love Lululemon. I would also like to add that classes at local yoga studios or entry fees paid for local races would also likely be appreciated!
Thanks for stopping by & I hope you have a very merry holiday season!
Fall is upon us, and Lululemon releases some of their absolute greatest hits during the Fall season. Prior to [American] Thanksgiving (after which, they release giftable items- think staple pieces in black, grey, white and bright pink (usually)) Lululemon releases their best pieces of the year, IMO. That’s because they know that prior to Thanksgiving, their customers are shopping for themselves, and afterwards, they’re buying gifts for friends and family.
So, right now, I have a few favorites to share with you- and a few things I think will go to markdown after the holidays are over. Note: Lululemon institutes as special holiday extended return policy, so if you buy something you like after November 2nd, but it goes on clearance online, as long as you haven’t worn it, you have until the 24th of January to return it- so, you could buy the item on sale online, and return the unused item to a store if you’re interested in arbitrage in that way. I usually can’t wait to pop the tags off a new item, but if you’re patient, you might be able to save some $$$-so long as the item actually makes it to WMTM. If it never goes on sale: well, At least you waited and tried? No big deal. Also: you can still return it if you think full price is too expensive.
The first thing I want to share is something I saw in-store, the Down For It All Vest. This one is in “Dark Adobe.” I saw this in-store and it is so comfy. This is my favorite color of the three released- it looks a lot like Bordeaux Drama 🙂
Next up: this Define Jacket in Scatter Blossom Jacquard Garnet Black. I know, it’s not shocking that I found a new Define jacket to love, but I really like the texture on this one- I know it is not going to be soft like the other Luon ones I have- since the Jacquard ones just aren’t soft like that- but it has an interesting texture and color quality that makes me like it because it is unique.
This next item, the Cinch It Dress reminds me of an awesome dress I have from 2012 called the “It’s a Cinch Dress,” which is pictured alongside it below. The “Cinch It Dress” is pictured in Black, while the dress from 2012 is in the very floral “Blurred Blossom,” one of my favorite colorways Lulu has ever produced! It’s difficult to see in the photo, but the main difference is the Cinch It dress only has cinching on one side, while the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) has cinching available on both sides. Also: The backs are different with the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) having a “Racerback.”
Both are lovely, and I will probably pick this up in the black. It also comes in Heathered Medium Grey, but I have the It’s a Cinch Dress (2012) in that color already.
Right now, and literally since they were released (!) I’ve been loving the Train Times Shorts. I only have them in Black, but they are super compressive and great for high-intensity activities. Full-On Luxtreme is good for those types of things. They have them available online only in a few blacks and various shades of black.
These are gorgeous- they’re Wunder Under 1/2 Tights in Heathered Black, I’m betting they’re super soft too partly because of my familiarity with this fabric and partly because people are complaining in the reviews about pilling, which usually coincides with softness. I love that they’re hi-rise, but also only land just past the knee. Big fan of that particular combination. These are available online only, and I am probably going to pick them up!
Will it Go on Sale? Future WMTM Predictions
Now I want to talk about a few items that I think will go on sale, so if you like them you can probably hold off- but I could be wrong, so if you really love something, you should just grab it- and tell me how wrong I am about it on Twitter… go ahead an add me now @LululemonExpert I have been loving Twitter lately!
The first thing is something that reminds me of the Uba Hoodies of early 2013. Here are some photos of those:
Detachable dickie
So, what you’ll notice it that it appears that this is a two-layer item, but what it actually is is a hoodie with a detatchable dickie in the front- on the last photo you can see how it zips out. This makes the hoodie feel slick on the inside, and it is not as cozy as a traditional Scuba Hoodie, as I recall.
This year, they have this online-only item, same as last year, called the “Scuba Hoodie Glyde.” I think these may be leftover from last year, since they also sold the Boysenberry color last season as well, but I could be wrong. The other reason I think these are left over is because there is no Black. Lululemon always releases items in black, so the fact that there is none is interesting. The reviews are all positive, but some say the jacket is short-ish, so if you’re long in the torso, this one may not be for you.
I don’t think it is a secret that Lululemon’s winter gear usually goes on sale, I’ve seen this stuff go on sale every year after Christmas for ages. The only question is whether it goes to markdown or if it is shipped straight to the outlets. These are on my list of potential markdowns: The Endless Summer Ankle Warmers:
These are kind of cute, but the price is just way too high, in my opinion. At $34, I think these will be marked down to $19 after Christmas.
The next thing I think will go on sale are the Dance Studio Jackets with the ribbed sleeves. Not only do I think that the ribbed sleeves are not particularly cute, I remember that the re-released Dance Studio Jackets went to markdown as well. Personal preference: Anything with color-blocking is not the cutest, imo.
Let me know what you think about my picks in the comments!
Anything you think will go to markdown? Let me know what I missed!
My has it been a while since I last wrote! I have been working hard, putting in the hours at work, and working on my YT channel. But mostly: It’s festival season and my weekends (when I usually write) have been filled with social activities. This past weekend, I went to Bonnarroo, prior to that, Italian Fest and before that, BBQ Fest, so it has been a little busy! Anywho- I wanted to do a little “What I’m loving right now” post, because I went to Lululemon last weekend, and got/ saw a few things I’d like to share with y’all!
I almost got this, it is better for the shorter-waisted among us, and it fit me just fine. It’s a bit boxy, but I actually enjoyed the way it looked. The only reason I didn’t pick this up, is that I actually think it will go on sale. There are some complaints in reviews about the poor zipper quality, what concerns me more is people talking about the weight of the hood pulling the jacket down. That could get annoying, but I still think it’s a really cute jacket… which is why I will totally get it once it’s on markdown. 🙂
Of course, I needed a matching bottom, right? This skirt is super pretty. After reading the reviews, I’m seeing some sizing issues, I didn’t personally have any issues, but we all know Lululemon has had sizing issues before, so… maybe try before you buy on this one.
This is so pretty too, and what I actually love most about it is the mesh fabric. This top reminds me a little of the Hot Like Agni tanks, because of the high neckline and ability to tie the back. I bought all of the Hot Like Agni tanks, and I got this Miles Ahead tank in this Ruby Wine color and in Sage.
Sun Runners are BACK! So excited! I absolutely love the Sun Runners. I will definitely be getting these! The length is perfect, and the mesh in the back is so pleasantly cooling 🙂 The cut is pretty flattering too.
Anywho- That’s all I have for now! Thanks for stopping by!
Aligns were released around September, 2015. They were released with a few other pant types when Lululemon was re-vamping their pant-wall. The released pants were the Align Pant, Zone In Tight, All the Right Places Pant, and Tight Stuff 7/8 Tight.
And honestly, at first, I wasn’t all that interested. I prefered the “hugged” feeling of my Wunder Unders and the fabric seemed a little delicate… even moreso than normal! The other thing is that sometimes when Lululemon comes out with a new item, they phase something else out (Speed Ups replacing Speed Shorts) and then bring back the old favorite, at a higher price. So, I was biding my time, waiting to see what the Aligns were replacing, only to be phased out and to have the beloved classic item return for a higher price. But this has not happened and I am now convinced that the Aligns are here to stay. As an aside, What happened to the Zone-In tights? I’m not able to find them on Lululemon’s site and they were released at the same time.
Anyways, I’ve never talked about Aligns before on my blog, but I think now is a good time to start.
Fit: Form-fitting, not forgiving. If you have flaws, you’re not getting any assistance from these, unlike the way one might with Luxtreme or even the traditional Wunder Under Luon. That said, they fit pretty much like Wunder Unders, the fabric is just less thick and less tight than the WUs.
Feel: These are the softest things I have ever felt from Lululemon. They really do feel like nothing at all on and I love this fabric!
Issues: The reviews say it all. People LOVE the softness, but HATE the pilling. This is one of the reasons why I have stayed away from these. I can’t bring myself to pay $100 for pants that are destined to pill after only a few wears. In addition, people are complaining about loose threads/snagging.
My opinion: Buy if you are not concerned about pilling. Let’s be honest, we all love silky leggings that are super comfortable to wear. Like a good lipstick, legging that feel like nothing at all are amazing. However, we also like our things to last, and based on the 2.5* average review on Lululemon’s website and given the extensive list of comments regarding pilling, I think it’s safe to assume that these do not last, for most people. And, while a depiller can help with this, the question becomes, should this really be necessary when I’ve only worn these a couple of times?
At the end of the day, the answer to “should I buy?” is up to you, but so far, I’ve said ‘No thanks.’
UPDATE! I recently wrote a new post where I address the Aligns again. It’s been 2 years and I have caved and bought a couple of pairs. Read about my experience here: https://lululemonexpert.com/2020/06/08/lululemon-aligns/
I am so lucky that the people at Lululemon have heard me! I said: I want bright colors! They said, “Let me get the people at Saint Martins to whip something up for you! [again]” And it was done.
This is Lululemon’s second time collaborating with Central Saint Martins, and this time, it’s more up my alley than last time 🙂
UPDATE: I bought my first two favorites
Fabric is mostly Nylon, which is great! However, they are lined in white, which I don’t love because I find that this makes the pattern sheer out a little. I, however, did not find these to be sheer, nor did the pattern distort too much upon “application” to my body 🙂 The one complaint I have it that these slide down during activity. Glad I bought them!
This collection is gorgeous! Let’s start with my favorite design:
I went back and forth a little bit on this one, but the Quartize Wunder Under Nulux Multi is my favorite from this collection and probably the one I want to get my hands on ASAP.
So pretty! I love this blue/green color! The print design itself reminds me of a black/ white print Lululemon had called “Marbled Mix” and another in engineered print Nulux called Multi Black. And I almost got those ones, but didn’t because of the waistband and because I found them a tad sheer in a bend. I always am extra vigilant around Wunder Unders lined in white, as they tend to be more prone to sheering out.
If they get all of these in my store, I’ll go do a try-on/ fit review for y’all. I went on Tuesday, but they had not yet arrived.
The one, that I’ll call ‘tied for first’ on my list is the Kascade Wunder Under Multi. This one is sooooooo pretty! I love the variations/ stops in pattern just the way it looks- I bet it will be very flattering! I’ll let you know!
The next one on my list: Tulle Wunder Under Multi. I like this one a lot, but don’t love it and will likely pass, but it is still gorgeous. I love how feminine this print looks. The lines in the print seem so light and dainty.
Finally, the last one. Although I do like this print, I do not love it. The colors are nice, but the print itself is too geometrics for me. Not my fave.
What do y’all think of this collection? Let me know in the comments below!
