Lululemon Outfit of the Day- 54

Hello Internet people! today I’m wearing my Parallel Stripe Wunder Under Crops with a Scuba in Commuter Denim Black, a plain black Cool Racerback & a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Litas. Once again, the necklace is from BaubleBar. Thanks for looking!
  

The Align Pant- New Colors now in-store!

I’ll admit, I was tempted. I went TWICE to the store to try on the Align pant. They were practically all gone by the time I arrived Monday afternoon, the first time, and I tried my normal size, but I’m between sizes right now, so I figured I’ll wait until they get re-stocked in my “between sizes” size, and try them again.

The next time that happened was about a week later, and this did not change my opinion of them. They feel amazing, but I am just not quite sold. First off, I don’t love high-waisted pants. I have a couple of pairs in a select print or two, and while I don’t love the high waist, I get a lot of use out of them because I love the print. Second, while the fabric is exceptionally soft, I don’t like the way they feel. I want them to feel like a Wunder Under, and they don’t, so it’s really just a couple of preference issues so far. The third reason I don’t love them is because the fabric feels thin to me and, fourth, I read online that it attracts dog hair quite easily. I have a white dog. This would not go well with these pants. Fifth, the fabric at the ankle is bunchy, I guess if I were taller that this might not be a problem, but it bothered me, I even took a picture.


That said, yet another reason I did not buy them was because they’re boring. I have a pair of black Wunder Unders, I also have a few pairs of other black pants. I don’t need more black in my wardrobe.

With regards to size- if you’re between sizes like me, go with your smaller size.

So, as per the title of this post, it’s good to see that Lulu has manufactured and is now stocking, in-store, Align Pants with colored waistbands. Honestly, they are so so soft, and while I still probably won’t rush out to buy them, at least this is a step in the right direction. If they throw a great print on them, like the cherry cheeta one I saw in this bra I spoke about recently, well, I might have to pick up a pair.


Here they are, in store- I think the blue is Saphire and the pink looks like Pink Shell but is likely not.

What do YOU think about the Align pants? Have you tried them? So many people are enjoying them! I’d love to hear your opinion.

Lululemon Outfit of the Day – 53

Happy Sunday everybody! 

  
Here I’m wearing my Dhanasarana Crops in Heathered Medium Grey and a Ziggy Wee October Angel Wing Cool Racerback. 

The Dhana… crops are a fabulous length for biking! Plus they have this little keyhole feature along the side. Very cute. One caveat: I’ve read that some people find the ones pictured below in “Flash,” (pink) are sheer. So, if you’re considering them, I would just be aware of that criticism regarding that particular color.

  

Going to brunch with friends today, how are you spending your Sunday?

Lululemon Outfit of the Day #52

Good day! Today I’m once again in love with these cute long sleeves from Macy’s– This one says “I work out, Just kidding, I take naps.” Under that, I’m wearing my March Space Dye Cool Racerback, and Rust Berry Pique Luon Wunder Under pant. If you don’t own these Rust Berry Pique Luon Wunder Unders, and you see them around (which I have yet to ever see them on eBay or on the Facebook pages- although, I’m sure one reason is that I’m not looking hard enough)- get them. You won’t regret it. They’re true to size AND so so soft and comfy. 

Lululemon Outfit of the Day Series 2- #50

Hello everyone! I’ve decided to re-start a popular series I used to do last year. My outfit of the day series! I’ve decided to ignore whether I’ve done one thing or another before, which was one reason why I stopped last time (my goal was no repeats!). My collection is such that repeats are unlikely but I don’t plan on going through old posts to make certain like I used to. In any case, here is today’s Outfit of the Day!


The necklace is by BaubleBar which I love and you should check it out. (Check Retail Me Not for deals! Don’t pay full price at BaubleBar)

Under this Style & Co cotton/ poly mix yoga shirt I recently got at Macy’s is a Blue Moon Cool Racerback and a Stuff Your Bra in Angel Wing. One of my favorite pairs of crops are my Beach Runners in Aquamarine/ Beach Blanket Blue. And of course, I’m wearing my Vibrams, which I wrote about after the lawsuit, here.

Lulu Wants To Know How You FEEL

Good day internet people! It has been quite some time since I last wrote, and part of the reason is that I was out of town, another reason is that I have not felt inspired to write and still another part is that I have been writing more often for academic purposes rather than simple pleasure. In any case, I’m back in town and looking forward to adding my voice to the recent changes in a key part of Lululemon’s marketing strategy.

The Pant Wall

The pant wall is one of Lululemon’s key selling features. During on-boarding (training) educators are thoroughly acquainted with The Wall. Hours are spent training, learning how to educate guests about the different features of the different types of pants, all the while folding and re-folding pair upon pair of Lululemon pants. Sometimes it can get lonely at The Wall…

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http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/The_Wall

No, not THAT wall!

Lululemon Pants Wall
Lululemon Pants Wall

That’s better.

So, they’ve updated the infamous pant wall to reflect how their guests want to FEEL. Personally, I think this is a fabulous marketing strategy. Naomi Klein talks about brand dissemination in her book No Logo and in an interview in the 2003 documentary “The Corporation,” she said that

“Branding is not advertising it’s production. And very successful corporations, the corporations of the future do not product products, they produce brand meaning. The dissemination of the idea of themselves is their act of production, and the dissemination of the idea of themselves is an enormously invasive project. So how do you make a brand idea real? Well, a good place to start is by building a 3D manifestation of your brand.”

These ideas remind me of photos I took in China. These photos depict a globe, engraved with several well-known brand logos.

This exists between a subway station and a highly developed financial area.
This work of art exists between an under developed residential area and a highly developed financial area.
This is a picture of the same globe, from a different angle. Whereas in one photo you see a rather old residential building, in this one you can see the brand new tall structures.
This is a picture of the same globe, from a different angle. Whereas in one photo you see a rather old residential building, in this one you can see the brand new tall structures.

While these are 3D depictions of brands, this is not what Naomi was talking about, but this globe represents how strongly people associate with brands. I imagine myself as the artist, considering what progress means, and maybe it means the growth of large companies all over the world, but particularly those that come to developing nations to start operations such as the brands featured on this globe. I originally took both of these photos for the juxtaposition of old China vs. new, but I’m glad they could make it into my blog.

So, Lululemon is attempting to increase its brand penetration by helping its consumer base associate it with positive feelings like ‘feeling hugged.’ While I applaud the effort, (however transparent it seems to me) I remarked a slight discrepancy between the positive feelings I was experiencing after being hugged in their *Special Edition* Laser Dot Wunder Under Crop, and the negative feelings I associated with the not so minor price increases that accompanied this new marketing campaign. Many pants were re-priced and new pants are now more expensive that they would have been had they been released a week prior.

Laser Dot Detail
Laser Dot Detail
Wunder Under Crop *SE Laser Dot
Wunder Under Crop *SE Laser Dot “Hugged” Sensation

In this case, Lululemon is attempting to change the way you choose pants shifting from function (because who cares if you can actually work out in them?), to how they make you feel. Regardless of my skepticism, this marketing campaign probably tested well with the focus groups and was likely designed by a professional marketing firm. It’s a great idea that I hope they’re able to transition across all product lines. This idea is founded in current research on marketing psychology and I think it’s a winner despite my ability to see through it.

So, now that I’ve explained my opinion on the marketing strategy, let’s discuss those pesky price increases. Lululemon is a luxury brand. In order to maintain the illusion of exclusivity they must tread delicately between being so expensive as to evoke hostility and being so cheap as to be replaced by another brand in its competitive ‘luxury athleisure wear’ category. While I am not completely stoked about the price increases, I understand pricing strategy and respect the brand for making an unpopular decision. Those who don’t like the price increase will move on to other products (such as Athleta, whose quality is comparable, yet prices are lower), and those who are brand loyal will stay the course and continue to make their purchases regardless of such increases in price. It’s the boring answer, but I am confident that it represents the reactions of the vast majority of the Lululemon-buying public.

What do you think about the new marketing campaign? What do you think about the prices? How about my analysis? I’d love to hear from you!

In case anyone is interested: I did not buy the *SE Laser Dot Wunder Under crops, they’re pretty, but I already have a pair of Bordeaux Drama WUCs, and did not see what was so *special* about these. 🙂

The Retreat Dress

I am absolutely LOVING the Retreat Dress. As a curvy girl living in a warm, humid climate I appreciate the light, airy fabric that is Seriously Light Luon. It is also anti-stink with Silverescent technology built-in. (Thank goodness!) I really love how good it looks on all shapes and sizes. So far I’ve seen a ton of really flattering photos and I’m a HUGE fan!

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New Things!!!

What I’m Loving Right Now!

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I am really into this Retreat Dress. It looks so comfy and airy. Perfect for hot, muggy Southern summers.

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Yowza! All these Free To Be Wild bras. I am not a huge fan of these but I know that they’re popular. And these are some gorgeous colors! The Wunder Under crops are Breezy Regal Plum and they look beautiful on everyone I’ve seen them on so far.

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I am loving this Star Crushed print. I was at Barre class today and saw the instructor wearing a Cool Racerback in this print- it was beautiful!

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Apart from loving this print- I really like this saying… Except… I think it should say: This is the beginning of EVERYTHING you want. Because I am literally loving a ton of stuff this week.

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The Trail Bound line has been getting a lot of attention but I don’t see it selling out online. I felt it in-store and I have to admit that they did feel a tad thin. Honestly, I would wait this one out and see if they go to markdown if you’re interested at all. (They’re on Markdown now for $59!)

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MORE Free to Be Wild bras! So pretty of colors!!! That Electric Coral looks super pretty.

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This “Best Vest” jacket looks interesting, and I like it, but I feel like I would have to see it in person in order to determine whether I really like it or not. (UPDATE!: I did end up seeing this in-store and it did not impress me. I think that it sold out anyways. I wonder who bought this and what they liked best about it.)

Things I’m Loving Right Now

I decided to re-start my old series, “Things I Love Right Now.” A lot of different bloggers cover uploads, and they actually do a really great job at it. I think I’ll stick to talking about things I love, it’s more fun this way. I hope you enjoy!

ZOMG! I regret missing out on the Blue Tropics items when they came out around Christmas (with all the other good stuff, am I right?) These are totally cute! I hope they release more Blue Tropics items!
ZOMG! I regret missing out on the Blue Tropics items when they came out around Christmas (with all the other good stuff, am I right?) These are totally cute! I hope they release more Blue Tropics items! I should note, that these are 100% Full-Lux, and do not have the usual mesh behind the knees that other Inspire Crops have.
I know a lot of people aren't crazy about the "If You're Lucky" line of items, but I actually like this tank. It's selling fairly well online too! The lightweight material will be great during the summer.
I know a lot of people aren’t crazy about the “If You’re Lucky” line of items, but I actually like this tank. It’s selling fairly well online too! The lightweight material will be great during the summer.
Pace Rival Skirt looks great on this girl!
Pace Rival Skirt looks great on this girl!
I'm absolutely LOVING this skirt! It's so pretty!
I’m absolutely LOVING this skirt! It’s so pretty!