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Tuesday, January 21st
Lululemon, known as Lulus by shoppers, was founded in Vancouver, Canada in 1998. Chip Wilson started the company after taking a yoga class himself and realizing that stylish and breathable fitness clothing was hard for ladies to find. When he started the company, his goal was to make athletic clothes for women that were high-quality and dependable, and the company now offers menswear too. The first storefront opened in 2000, and now there are over 710 stores for Lululemon around the world.
Clean and minimal site
Lululemon's site is designed to be minimal and easy to browse. The color scheme is simple with white, black, and pops of red. The landing page highlights the new arrivals for the season like "Back to School” clothing for men and women or "Top Looks”. If you know what you're looking for, you can use the top navigation bar to find your fitness clothing. You can choose from men's or women's as well as activities like running, tennis, golf, yoga, general workout, and casual. Once you start browsing your favorite section, you can find filters like category of clothing, type, size, height, inseam, rise, fit, color, collection, and an expanded list of activities. Oddly, Lululemon's listings show the clothing in two different ways. Some items (like the Lululemon Energy Longline Bra) show back and front images when you mouse over them. Other items (like the Hotty Hot Low Rise Lined Short) only show two front photos with one more zoomed in than the other. All listings allow you to view different colors at a glance (including photos for each color) without needing to click on the listing itself.
Smaller, more focused selection
There are slightly fewer total options at Lululemon than at other companies. But there are still plenty of styles to choose from. The women's department offers 875 different types of fitness clothing. The men's section is a little smaller. It offers 543 different styles. To break it down further, you'll find 107 types of leggings, 43 styles in women's sweatpants, 15 different hoodies for men, and 34 pairs of 5 Pocket Pants for men.
Prices from $14 to $498
The one place that hurts a little at Lululemon is the price. If you're looking for discount or budget-friendly, this luxury-focused brand won't be ideal for you. But, if you don't mind shelling out for your Lulu Align Leggings, you'll be joining one of many fans of the brand. You just might need to save up if you want a full Lululemon outfit. The cheapest option for women is the Wundermost Ultra-Soft Mid-Rise Bikini Underwear for $14. The most expensive item for women is the Wunder Puff Long Jacket for $398. In the men's department, prices are similar with the least expensive item being a pair of Team Canada Power Stride Crew Socks for $14. The most expensive men's item is the StrechSeal Down-Filled Parka for $498. Here are some other fan-favorite items and their price ranges for you:
Free returns within 30 days
Returns at Lululemon are simple and free, which is a huge relief. If you pay $90 for leggings, you want to be able to return them if they're not perfect. When you order online, you can return by shipping or at a local Lululemon store. You'll need proof of your original payment (receipt) with your return. Items must be unworn and unwashed with the tags still attached to quality for a full return. However, all returns are handled on a "case-by-case” basis, according to Lululemon, so your return may still be rejected depending on what the company decides.
Extremely poor ratings and horrible customer service
Lululemon isn't particularly popular with review sites. According to the Better Business Bureau, Lululemon has an "F” rating due to a pattern of complaints for poor products or items that are not up to the standard advertised by Lululemon. There were 462 complaints registered with the BBB in the last three years. Outside of the BBB, the news still isn't great. Lululemon has a 1.3-star average from Sitejabber and a 1.6-star average from Trustpilot. Customers complain about a variety of issues with Lululemon, including poor customer service, missing items that show they were "delivered” but never arrived, and poor quality items compared to previous purchases. One reviewer said he was "delulu about Lululemon” as he trusted the brand's quality but immediately found his clothes deteriorating in the wash.
Not worth your money
We're here to help you from being "delulu about Lulus” so, you may want to keep away from this fitness clothing brand for now. Sadly, the company has high prices and a lot of quality and customer service issues. While the free return policy is nice, it sounds like customers are having a lot of trouble actually getting their returns completed. While Lululemon is seen as a status symbol, the way it's going right now it might not be true anymore. Keep your hard-earned money and pick a higher-rated fitness brand instead.
Whether you're a gym rat who loves pumping iron, a dancer who needs clothing that moves with his body, a runner looking for full support, or a Pilates momma hoping for that perfect legging contour, finding the right fitness clothing can be a difficult task. There are so many brands, so many sports, and so many sizes that finding the perfect fit can take some serious trial and error.
There are tons of reasons you might need new gear. Maybe you've caked up those glutes and need a better fit. Maybe your old running shoes are running right out of tread. Or maybe you've just watched too many fitness gear hauls on TikTok (guilty as charged!). Whatever your reason, there are plenty of places to get new fitness clothing.
Lucky for you, shopping for fitness clothing online is a breeze. With the recent craze for athleisure, almost every brand is making fitness-style clothing in a dazzling array of colors, cuts, and styles. Whether you like sparkly leggings for your lifting day, a sporty fit with black and silver for your next run, or something breathable for your yoga class, there are tons of fitness clothing brands out there waiting to be discovered.
You can find specialized heat-tech insulated items for cold winter workouts and barely-there seamless styles that don't chafe when you hit the Stairmaster. Whether you're a Gym Shark fan or a Lululemon girlie, there's something out there to suit your fancy.
Fitness clothing is usually separated into men's and women's, and there are different options based on your chosen workout or sport. But don't worry, if you see something you like in the "Tennis” section, but you're only heading to your in-home gym, don't sweat it. While styles can be specialized for function, anybody can enjoy fitness gear. Dancers wear basketball shorts to class, and weightlifters can wear full tracksuits. Nothing's stopping you but your own sense of style. And what better way to get pumped for your workout than a great new "fit”?
Now, as you start browsing different retailers, you might find they have a brand "feel” or design. Many fitness clothing sites sell their own brands or partnered brands only. So, if you're looking for a wide selection, you might need to shop around. However, there are a few retailers out there that offer multiple brands in one place. So, whether you're a brand loyalist who has to have her new Align Leggings or a fitness newbie who's just looking for some starter gear, make sure you find the best brand or store for your journey.
With so many places to get fitness clothing, how do you know where to start? Don't worry - we've done the heavy lifting for you. If you're not sure where to begin narrowing the field from our favorites, here are a few factors you might consider while shopping:
To get you the best fitness clothing for your workout, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked today's most popular online retailers. We hope this helps you get those gains and pick out new items that put the "fit” in your fitness journey. Happy shopping!
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