Your Definitive Guide to Lululemon (What are Lululemon's Fabrics? Why shop at Lululemon?)

New to Lululemon? Overwhelmed by all the fabrics and options? Wondering why you should shop here?  

For the longest time I was deterred by the high prices of Lululemon. Over $100 for a pair a leggings? Really?! Then I ordered a pair to try and researched the company to figure out what all the hype was about. I am happy to say that I aligned (no pun intended) with a lot of their initiatives. Now Lululemon has become one of my favorite brands. And while I'm completing 75 Hard it is so nice to have a ton of options to choose from.

The Lululemon research and development team has created some fantastic fabrics to ensure these pricey pants hold up whether you are sporting them for your sweatiest workouts or if the athleisure look is more your style. So if you are searching for the perfect piece for yoga, running, casual wear, or more, continue reading. You can also read about my the Lululemon Legging choices if you are interested in learning about more than just fabrics.

The Different Lululemon Fabrics

Cotton (different varieties)

• Cotton-lyocell and linen blend for softness
• Pima Cotton options
• Cotton Jersey options
• Stretchy comfort
• Ideal for casual wear and light movement
• Sizing recommendation: Depends on item
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Used for: Cotton T-Shirt (cotton-lyocell and linen blend), Back in Action Top (pima cotton), All Yours Cotton T-Shirt (pima cotton), Love V-Neck Tee Shirt (pima cotton), Crescent T-Shirt (pima cotton), Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt (cotton jersey), Love Tank Top (pima cotton), Cotton blend T-shirt, Midi Dress (pima cotton), Hold Tight Long Sleeve

Everlux™

• Wicks sweat and breathable
• Fastest drying fabric offered by Lululemon
• Lightweight double layer cover with double knit fabric (feels thicker than Nulux™)
• Buttery smooth outside
• Cooling inside
• Overall super stretchy Lycra® that maintains its shape without sagging
• Very compressive but breathable
• Squat proof 
• Durable and pill-resistant
• Ideal for high-intensity exercises, running, HIIT, cardio, CrossFit, BootCamp
• Sizing recommendation: Size up
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean. I always line dry my Lululemon clothes.

This might be my favorite fabric that Lululemon offers. 

Used for: Wunder Train, Invigorate, Cropped Long Sleeve Top

Luxtreme®

• Sweat-wicking and very stretchy but retains shape
• Second skin feeling
• More of a technical fabric for support and performance
• Durable fabric that is pill resistant
• Tighter compression where you need it (abs, hips, butt, thighs)
• Ideal for high-intensity exercise, running, cycling, spinning, HIIT, and CrossFit
• Sub-types: Light Luxtreme® (lightweight version), Full-On Luxtreme® (increased support and coverage due to tighter weave)
• Size recommendations: True Size
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Leggings that use Luxtreme: Wunder Under, Swift Speed, All the Right Places

Luon®

• 4-way stretch
• Breathable and cottony-smooth but thicker than Nulu
• Made for: Low to Medium Impact Exercise, Yoga, Barre, Dance, Studio Class, Casual Wear
• Avoid high-impact exercises because a lot of friction will cause pilling
• May attract lint
• Different sub-types: Seriously Light Luon® (barely-there version), Light Luon® (lightweight version), and Full-On Luon® (performance fabric with extra support due to tighter weave)
• Size recommendations: True Size
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

This was Lululemon's original fabric I believe and is a great option for low impact things. However, it will not hold up against friction so I would not recommend this fabric for running or other high impact activities. I also think you have to be careful about the surfaces you come into contact with while wearing Luon. It can pill or catch on abrasive fabrics (like towels, jeans or velcro) or surfaces like brick or cement.

Seen in:  Wunder Under, Define Jacket

Merino Wool-Blend

• Soft against your skin
• Naturally thermoregulating
• created by Lululemon lab
• Ideal for casual wear or traveling
• Care Instructions: Check your item to confirm.

Seen in: Mock Neck Long-Sleeve Shirt

Modal

• Soft and breathable
• 4-way stretch
• Modal-silk blend option gives a beautiful drape

Seen in: Hold Tight Tank Top (modal), Modal-Silk Yoga Tank (modal-silk)

Nulu™

• "naked sensation" that feels like a second skin
• Sweat-wicking with allover stretch
• Lightweight, non-restrictive
• Buttery soft
• Not compressive
• Prone to pilling
• Avoid high-intensity workouts with friction
• Attracts lint
• No sweatmarks
• Most famous for the Align™ collection, which includes leggings and tops
• Ideal for low-intensity exercises, yoga, pilates, barre, casual wear
• Sizing recommendation: True Size or Size Down
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Used for: Align, Align Flared Pant, Align Ribbed, Align (with pockets), Groove Super-High-Rise Flared Pant, Cool Racerback Tank, Align Racerback Tank, Align Dress, Cross-back Yoga Bodysuit

Nulux™

• A mashup of the best Nulu™qualities and Luxtreme qualities
• Made for high-sweat and quick-drying
• Light compression but breathable
• Nearly naked sensation 
• Silky smooth and cool-to-touch
• Squat proof
• Pill-resistant
• Ideal for high-intensity exercises, CrossFit, running, cycling/spinning, strength training
• Size recommendations: True to Size or Size Up 
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Used for: Fast and Free Tight (with pockets), Fast and Free High-Rise Tight, Base Pace, Asymmetrical Tennis Dress

Ripstop

• lightweight
• UV protection
• stretchy, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying
• Ideal for outerwear or running items
• Sizing recommendation: Depends on item
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Used for: Stretch Running Top

Rulu

• Thick but stretchy 
• Soft 
• Considered short for "running luon" 
• Warm - popular for winter running 
• More popular for pullovers and jackets
• Made for: Lot to high-intensity exercise, running, yoga, pilates, barre
• Size recommendations: True Size
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Seen in:  Ready to Rulu Joggers, Mock-Neck Top, It's Rulu Run Shirt, It's Rulu Run Cropped Half Zip

Silverescent™

• Minimal seam construction
• Breathable
• Silverescent technology woven into garment to eliminate odor
• Stretchy but retains shape
• Made for: Training
• Size recommendations: True to size
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Seen in: Swiftly Tech shirts

Softstreme™

• Soft - feels like peach fuzz but smooth to your skin
• Quick-drying
• Size recommendations: True to size
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Seen in: Perfectly Oversized Crew Sweater, T-shirt Dress

Swift

• Lightweight, sweat-wicking, and quick drying Lycra®
• Four-way stretch
• Made for: 
• Size recommendations: T
• Care Instructions: wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean

Seen in: Hotty Hot shorts, Speed Up Shorts

Lululemon Sustainability Initiatives

Recycling Program

Lululemon is working to make 100% of their products made with sustainable materials and has an amazing recycling program to eliminate clothing waste. Customers with gently worn merchandise can turn their item in for credit to the store. Then Lululemon takes the item, cleans and sanitizes it, and offers it for purchase on its site under We Made Too Much.

One note on this is I wish that the credit offered was higher. I mean, $5 back on $118 leggings? Of course it is better than nothing but I think Lulu can do better. 

Humanity

While it initially had a rocky moment with controversy about sizing and inclusivity, Lululemon has revised its policies and committed to diversity, gender pay equity, and empowerment. It is even trying to obtain Fair Labor Association accreditation. It also has climate-aims such as reducing freshwater use and single use plastic in packaging. If you purchase from their We Made Too Much resale you will definitely see the anti-plastic initiative in practice. I just wish their item was not still wrapped in individual plastic.

Responsible Down Standard

I am always trying to incorporate more sustainability in my life and the fact that Lululemon shares this commitment to mindful choices is what helps me to want to support the brand. Lululemon is certified by the Responsible Down Standard, a program that tracks supply chain at every step to ensure the feathers used are from humanely treated ducks and geese. Since 2017, 100% of Lululemon down products is certified. I've been eyeing this down jacket. Maybe for this winter.