Fashion Articles

Fashion in Fitness:  Lululemon MANIA!

Lululemon
Full Expression SS Tee in Aqua

As a new resident of Scottsdale, Arizona, I immediately immersed myself in the new fitness scene by joining Lifetime Fitness.  It's the nicest, most inclusive and expensive health club I've every belonged to, but worth every second and every penny.

I've got a new found love for yoga, and their program is absolutely outstanding.  But, I noticed something the first few days I attended my new classes.  EVERY woman was wearing this brand of clothing with a little omega-shaped symbol on the back.  The colors were bright and beautiful, the styles were all flattering and the materials all looked soft, comfortable and cool.

Lululemon No Limit Tank
in black with attached
black camouflage bra

"It has to be expensive," I told myself.  This is Scottsdale.  I was right.  I saw a few of the women carrying around tote bags with the symbol on it and the name "Lululemon."  I thought it must be new and it must be French or something.  I've worked in the fitness industry on and off for the last 15 years and I've never seen anything like this.

I'm not sure why I never saw Lululemon clothing in San Diego, because it's NOT French (it's Canadian) and it's not new.

*Lululemon was founded in 1998, by Dennis "Chip" Wilson in response to increased female participation in sports and in accordance with his belief in yoga as the optimal way to maintain athletic excellence into an advanced age.

Wilson opened the first Lululemon store in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Kitsilano. It included a design studio, a retail store, and shared space with a yoga studio.   As of their website today, they have showrooms and stores all throughout the US and Canada, three outlet stores and LOTS more on the way worldwide.

A side view of the Lululemon
Run: Chase Me Skirt

Lululemon Athletica announced an initial public offering in May 2007 and became a public company on July 27, 2007. Chip Wilson rang the opening bell on the NASDAQ exchange in the United States that day.*

Their stores all offer free yoga classes, they all have local instructors called "ambassadors" to teach and represent their brand, and they regularly preach their positive "manifesto" by printing it on their clothing, water bottles and bags.

So, I looked on e-bay to see how much a piece of "lulu" was going for.  I immediately found tops, pants and skirts going for OVER $100.  EACH.  I thought it was ridiculous, but immediately wanted ALL of it.

Lululemon
Pure Balance Tank
in Heathered Dewberry

I found my way into one of their retail stores, where I found the prices to be much better.  Not cheap, but better.  It turns out that Lululemon changes their designs and colors on a monthly basis.  Some seasonal, some just for fun.  The more popular designs and colors can sell out in the stores and on their website within days, and become worth their weight in gold on e-bay and other re-sale sites.  Hence, the gazillion dollar tops.

You can get used items on e-bay for less (see my e-bay store), or you can visit one of their three outlet stores in Seattle, Chicago and Orlando.  The Chicago store sounds like an absolute ZOO, as they say that people line up around the corner and are let in only in shifts and groups so that "everyone has time to shop."  I'll be paying a visit to the Orlando store someday and visiting Mickey Mouse with baby Bodhi most of the time.

So, is it a fad?  Is it a fitness fashion revolution?  Only time can tell, as its been gaining stead popularity for the last 10+ years and only grown stronger and stronger.  I for one, am now a firm believer in the Lululemon Manifesto!



*Sourced and paraphrased from www.wikipedia.com