Latest news with #AlignLeggings
Forbes
26-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The 17 Best Lululemon Memorial Day Scores To Shop Now
Memorial Day is officially here, making it an ideal time to save on products of all kinds—including quality activewear from Lululemon. Though Lululemon doesn't host an official Memorial Day Sale, the brand's 'We Made Too Much' section features a number of Forbes Vetted editor-recommended apparel and accessories at a discount. Right now, you can take 30% off the best-selling Align Leggings, 33% off this classic Pique Polo Shirt and 30% off the cult-favorite Everywhere Belt Bag, among other excellent scores. While there isn't an official Lululemon Memorial Day sale this year, there are plenty of enticing ... More discounts on the brand's site in its "We Made Too Much" section. Offering comfortable loungewear, high-performing athletic gear and everything between, Lululemon's assortment is versatile and high quality—and the same can be said for its 'We Made Too Much' section. The only caveat is that many of the selections featured here are final sale and can't be returned. Below are 17 great picks from the brand that are especially worth considering while they're on sale. Lululemon After researching and testing dozens of Lululemon leggings, our gear team named the Align their favorite from the brand. Ideal for low-impact workouts, the popular design is made of a non-restrictive, sweat-wicking and buttery-soft material that reviewers love. Plus, they continue to maintain their shape even after multiple washes. Lululemon This beloved workout t-shirt is part of the brand's Swiftly Tech collection, making it perfect for running, training and more. The stretchy mesh top has minimal seams to reduce chafing and uses the brand's Silverescent fabric to help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Lululemon Forbes Vetted editors universally love these leggings. They're made of a soft-yet-sleek fabric that feels cool on the skin and absorbs sweat instantly. Plus, the wider waistband and drawstring cord is incredibly supportive. They rarely move, slip or bunch up, which makes them perfect for just about any type of workout. Lululemon Reviewers praise these sneakers for their comfort and support. The shoes have a springy cushion to keep you cozy and stable whether you're running or walking. Lululemon says the Blissfeel 2 sneaker fits true to size but recommends sizing up by half if you have wide feet. Lululemon This stretchy and breathable sports bra is perfect for low-impact movement like yoga as well as casual wear. It features light support (great for A to C cup sizes in particular) and a reversible design; you can wear it as a racerback or a V-neck style. All color ways are discounted now, including goes-with-everything black. Lululemon This cropped quarter-zip is ideal for running errands and heading to the gym alike. It has a kangaroo pocket to store your essentials, thumbholes on each cuff and a zipper pull that doubles as an emergency hair tie. Although it may appear thick and heavy, it's surprisingly lightweight, perfect for chilly summer mornings or layering during colder months. Lululemon This stretchy and breathable top keeps you cool, dries sweat quickly, minimizes chafing and doesn't hold onto body odor. It also has UPF 40+ UV protection to shield your skin from unwanted sun exposure, which makes it an excellent option for outdoor workouts as well. Lululemon Made from the brand's sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric, these linerless shorts are perfect for everything from training and high-impact workouts to lounging at home. The shorts give your glutes and thighs plenty of room and include features like a slide slit and gusset to help increase mobility. They also have a waistband drawcord to tailor your fit and plenty of pockets to stash the essentials. Lululemon Comfortable enough for the golf course but formal enough for work, reviewers say they love the versatility of this classic polo shirt. It has a ribbed knit color and a cotton-blend body that's treated with Lululemon's anti-stink technology, so you'll feel polished and fresh. Lululemon Another versatile piece, these abrasion-resistant pants will keep you comfortable all day. They're made of a stretchy material with an ergonomic gusset at the crotch that removes unwanted tension so you can move freely. The design also includes five pockets (zippered and unzippered) to keep your necessities safely tucked away. Lululemon A cozy sweatshirt transcends seasons. This fleece hoodie provides lightweight warmth, so you can still wear it through the summer months on those days when you want to lounge in comfort. Reviewers say it's incredibly soft and especially love its hidden phone and coin sleeve. Lululemon These chic sneakers have layers of cushioning, a contoured footbed and cupped rubber outsole to keep you from slipping. Thanks to those features, reviewers say you can wear these for hours without discomfort. They also appreciate that you can easily dress them up and down depending on your outfit and the occasion. lululemon The Everywhere Belt Bag is a fan-favorite item for a reason: It's roomy enough to fit all of the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, charger) and has a comfortable strap that can be worn two ways (around the waist or as a crossbody). Our travel editors have named it one of the best crossbody bags for travel because of its versatility and high quality. If the pink color way is not your thing, it's also available in a clear style on sale. Lululemon This expansive and water-repellent duffle was made for the gym. Its water-repellent design has several compartments to separate clean and sweaty clothes, plus one exterior pocket for shoes (comfortably fitting up to a men's size 14) and another for your water bottle. The detachable shoulder strap acts as a carrier for your yoga mat, too, as well as a stretching strap. lululemon This lightweight, water-repellent tote can hold up to 56 liters—then, when it's empty, packs up into itself as a smaller pouch and can be stashed away. It's got a detachable strap that lets you wear it as a crossbody or shoulder bag, or carry it by its shorter handles, and its strong nylon fabric is reinforced with webbing on the inside to evenly distribute heavier loads. In addition to its large main cavity, the bag has an interior pocket for small items so they don't get lost. lululemon This chic and streamlined backpack is also a workhorse, with dedicated pockets for your laptop and water bottle, and comes with a trolley sleeve on its back to slide onto your suitcase when traveling. Padded shoulder straps, adjustable sternum straps, a lumbar support panel and reflective details address safety and comfort, too. The bag is made from recycled polyester constructed from plastic waste and is water repellent. Lululemon As the warmer summer months approach, a breathable and protective running hat is essential to weather the heat and strong UV rays. This model was designed for running in particular, featuring an interior sweatband to wick sweat away from your eyes, reflective details for visibility during nighttime sessions and a stretchy and quick-drying material to provide a snug but well-ventilated fit.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
I've worn lululemon for a decade, and the new Align No Line leggings still blew my mind
New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. I'm calling it now. The Aligns are back, and they're better than ever. What started as my go-to mall stop for yoga pants in seventh grade has grown into a global empire in the activewear arena, and now the original style that won me over in the first place is getting a major makeover. Arguably the brand's most iconic creation — lululemon's Align Leggings — are woven from a stretchy, butter-soft Nulu fabric that is so breathable and featherlight that you could forget they're there. If you've ever squeezed yourself into compression gear or hardcore performance wear, wearing Aligns should feel like free therapy for your glutes and thighs. They're engineered to make you feel free. Advertisement When they were released back in 2015, it was practically a requirement to own a pair. By the time the brand rolled out matching bras, tanks, and jackets, it felt like everyone and their mother were dressed head-to-toe in Align. The second-skin styles quickly amassed a cult-following, which is why I was thrilled when I found out they would be getting a whole new look this Spring. To mark Align's 10th anniversary, lululemon has just dropped a handful of reimagined pieces that reminded me exactly why I fell in love with the brand in the first place. I got my hands on a couple of sets to try out, and I'm already converted. The refreshing new colorways, seamless cuts, and ultra-flattering Align No Line Leggings have proven once again that lululemon understands how to set the bar, raise it, and then raise it again. The next-generation Align pieces are made to deliver support just where you need it — still smooth, extra comfortable, free of distractions, and available in more shades and sizes than any of us can keep track of. The high-waisted leggings and shorts also come in several lengths, so you can find a pair that fits just right. They're pregnancy and postpartum-friendly, too, per some of the many rave reviews. Not to mention, the Align catalog is incredibly versatile. Forget the frumpy, utilitarian workout clothing that you're ashamed to leave the house in. Aligns are sleek, stylish, and made for almost anything, whether grabbing a morning coffee or powering through pilates. They're designed to flatter everybody — sort of like shapewear, minus the struggle to get them on. I've given my new Aligns a whirl around the city, and I have some final thoughts on how they stack up to the originals that had me hooked in the first place. lululemon Pros: Same butter-soft standard, but these leggings still offer a slight shaping effect Very smooth against the skin, no creases or indentations where you don't want them Sweat-wicking fabric keeps you dry during workouts and hot days Seam-free design for an extra smooth look and feel Cons: Not designed for high-impact workouts, best for lower-impact activities The famously soft Align leggings have a brand-new look, and it's brought 'barely there' to a whole new level. The Align No Line design is just what it sounds like. A completely seamless construction that wraps you in a sleek, smooth fabric from waist to ankle. Non-stop stretch means you have the freedom to move where you want, when you want to — no stiff fabric stopping you. Reviewers say this new silhouette is equal parts flattering and functional, making it a fast favorite for anyone with sensitive skin or the stylistic simplists. Miska Salemann trying the Align No Line Leggings. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: If Aligns got a face-lift, it would look like this. No wrinkles, no creases, just smooth, supple fabric that molds to your body and lets you look and feel your best. They're just as buttery as the original Aligns, but seams and stitching are nowhere to be seen. I love to wear them for a light workout or lounging, but they also elevate well with accessories if you need something to throw on for a quick outing. I might not attempt to run a marathon in them, but the support is still there, just not more than you need for a few squats or a downward dog. Everything in moderation, and lululemon understands how to make minimalism feel like a million bucks. Size: 0-12, 25″ or 28″ length | Color Options: 6 lululemon Pros: Very comfortable, thick bands that don't irritate the skin Sweat-wicking fabric Nursing-friendly (bands slide off easily) Offers a lifting effect Cons: It may be too low-cut for some people Not much support for high-impact workouts Said to feel (almost) as good as savasana, this striking V-neck Align yoga bra wraps you up in a buttery fabric that you won't want to take off. Weightless Nulu fabric has a gentle cradling effect, so you get a slight lift with a touch of support. Thick shoulder bands lay smooth against the skin, minimizing any rubbing sensation while working out. While it may not be the bra you throw in for marathon training, it's still a phenomenal option for lower-impact activities. Reviewers also mention it glides on and off easily, making it a great choice if you're nursing or post-partum. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: If you already live in Align leggings, this bra will serve you well. lululemon has a lineup of bras built for higher-impact activities, but this V-neck style is for more casual wear — think lounging on the couch, a light yoga class, or strolling around the city. Perhaps, all the above. It's engineered with the same smooth, sweat-wicking fabric that keeps you feeling clean and refreshed all day long. I've worn it out-and-about on a few 80-degree days, and walked away without a single sweat stain. The lifting effect is a great perk, too, especially if you dread the feeling of a compressive bra but like to feel supported. Cool, confident, and uncomplicated, this bra serves it all. Size: 2-14 | Color Options: 8 lululemon Pros: High-rise waistband for a flattering and supportive fit Versatile length options (2″, 4″, 6″, 8″ lengths) Hidden waistband pocket to stow small items Lined for coverage Cons: They may not be ideal for those who prefer thinner materials (second layer added for coverage) It's not an uncommon predicament. Many of us love leggings, but shorts can always be a bit of a hit-or-miss. Some cut off in a funny spot, or sit too high or too low. Others feel a bit too thin and lack the structure of a solid pair of leggings. The Align High Rise shorts are an anomaly. Offered in four lengths, they're distinctly designed to stay in place and lined for full coverage, even in the lighter colorways. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: I've never been a shorts person, but these Aligns changed me. They're all that I love about the original Align leggings, but just half the length, which has proven to be a game-changer for hot days. They fit true to size, and the material is double-layered, so everything stays in place and you get that smoothing, held-in effect that might just make you look forward to working out. Suddenly, they've become the first thing I grab if I'm running errands or jogging over to the gym on a warm day. The hidden waistband pocket makes it easy to stow keys or cards, so you don't have to lug a bag around, too. No details were missed with these shorts, you can wear them with 100% confidence, wherever you go. Size: 0-20, 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″ length | Color Options: 15 lululemon Pros: Flattering cropped cut that falls at the waist, pairing well with high-waisted shorts or pants Built-in shelf bra for added support and coverage Pockets with removable cups Cons: A bit of a closet fit per testing — recommend sizing up if you prefer something looser Sometimes the best thing you can feel is nothing, and that is the case with the weightless Align tank. This tried-and-tested top is a favorite for morning stretch sessions, shopping sprees, light workouts, and everything in between. The built-in shelf bra provides some coverage, and the attractive V-Neck and slight crop flatter the figure, effortlessly. Unlike traditional tanks, the Align is available in extended sizing for A, B, C, and D cups, so you receive just the right amount of targeted support to take you anywhere. Miska Salemann New York Post Review: A good crop top is hard to come by, so when you find something like the Align Tank, I suggest ordering it ASAP— some sizes are already out of stock. The melty material follows your curves and contours the body without constricting. With the removable cups, you can opt for a more natural look or enjoy a bit of a push-up effect. It's not a high-impact bra, but I've found it still provides enough support for yoga, pilates, hiking, and perhaps travel, too. I've worn it both ways, and still feel there's enough coverage to roll down the street without any stares. The color selection is excellent, with calm neutrals and brighter shades that add some personality to your otherwise plain workout set. On that, it pairs beautifully with the Align No Line Leggings and Align Shorts, so you don't have to fuss over making things match. It's a piece you will get years of good wear out of, in my opinion. Size: 0-20 | Color Options: 11 How We Tested We're not new to the lululemon catalog. Many members of the Post Wanted team have sported — and sworn by — the brand's timeless workout styles for decades. For this review, I stacked up the latest drop with some of the oldies-but-goodies, considering the quality of the material, comfort and fit, as well as versatility and functionality. Quality of the material: lululemon is known for its signature, Nulu butter-soft fabric forged from Nylon, Lycra, and Elastane. While evaluating the new pieces, I considered breathability, elasticity, and the amount of support provided. Each piece was stretched, sweated in, and machine-washed in cold to ensure the fabric held up well, without discoloration, snags, or piling. lululemon is known for its signature, Nulu butter-soft fabric forged from Nylon, Lycra, and Elastane. While evaluating the new pieces, I considered breathability, elasticity, and the amount of support provided. Each piece was stretched, sweated in, and machine-washed in cold to ensure the fabric held up well, without discoloration, snags, or piling. Comfort and fit: lululemon offers an inclusive size range, with options for petite to plus-sized. While the pieces I reviewed are built with an ample amount of stretch, I still tested to ensure that products fit true to size and offer support where needed. In terms of comfort, I considered the smoothness of the material and how well it sits and cuts off near the shoulders, hips, and ankles. lululemon offers an inclusive size range, with options for petite to plus-sized. While the pieces I reviewed are built with an ample amount of stretch, I still tested to ensure that products fit true to size and offer support where needed. In terms of comfort, I considered the smoothness of the material and how well it sits and cuts off near the shoulders, hips, and ankles. Versatility and functionality: Activewear is meant to provide support, and lululemon has designs for every impact level, from light to heavy. I put each set through the workouts it was designed for — yoga, stretching, running errands, all while considering how the design features aided in these different movements. Style is subjective, but I noted how easy these pieces are to dress up or down, if you're looking for activewear that can be styled outside of the gym. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted. This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson's Blueprint Longevity Mix to home gym elliptical machines to Jennifer Aniston's favorite workout platform – often with her adorable one-year old daughter by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
12 Lululemon Memorial Day Finds Worth Adding To Your Cart
Memorial Day is quickly approaching, so now's the perfect time to save big on activewear from brands like Lululemon. While there's not an official Lululemon Memorial Day sale, the brand's 'We Made Too Much' section is full of popular styles for less, like 30% off the best-selling Align Leggings and 33% off this classic Pique Polo Shirt. While there isn't an official Lululemon Memorial Day sale this year, there are plenty of enticing ... More discounts on the brand's site. As a frequent Lululemon shopper who's been combing through the 'We Made Too Much' section for years, I'm a pro at finding the best deals on its site. Here are 12 worth adding to your cart. Lululemon After researching and testing dozens of Lululemon leggings, our gear team named the Align their favorite from the brand. Ideal for low-impact workouts, the popular design is made of a non-restrictive, sweat-wicking and buttery-soft material that reviewers love. Plus, they continue to maintain their shape even after multiple washes. Lululemon This beloved workout t-shirt is part of the brand's Swiftly Tech collection, making it perfect for running, training and more. The stretchy mesh top has minimal seams to reduce chafing and uses the brand's Silverescent fabric to help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Lululemon These are one of my most-used leggings. They're made of a soft yet sleek fabric that feels cool on my skin and absorbs sweat instantly. Plus, the wider waistband and drawstring cord is incredibly supportive. I'm never worried about them moving, slipping or bunching up, which makes them perfect for just about any type of workout. Lululemon Reviewers praise these sneakers for their comfort and support. The shoes have a springy cushion to keep you cozy and stable whether you're running or walking. Lululemon says the Blissfeel 2 sneaker fits true to size but recommends sizing up by half if you have wide feet. Lululemon This stretchy and breathable sports bra is perfect for low-impact movement like yoga and pilates because it offers light support and enough coverage to avoid spillage. Many reviewers also appreciate that the straps and band don't dig into their skin—a features that makes it one of my favorite tops for lounging around the house. Lululemon Whether I'm running errands or heading to the gym, I always wear this cropped quarter-zip. It has a kangaroo pocket to store your essentials, thumbholes on each cuff and a zipper pull that doubles as an emergency hair tie. Although it may appear thick and heavy, it's surprisingly lightweight, perfect for chilly summer mornings or layering during colder months. I own it in four colors and haven't had any issues with the quality, so I think it's worth the money. Lululemon This stretchy and breathable top keeps you cool, dries sweat quickly, minimizes chafing and doesn't hold onto body odor. It also has UPF 40+ UV protection to shield your skin from unwanted sun exposure, which makes it an excellent option for outdoor workouts as well. Lululemon Made from the brand's sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric, these linerless shorts are perfect for everything from training and high-impact workouts to lounging at home. The shorts give your glutes and thighs plenty of room and include features like a slide slit and gusset to help increase mobility. They also have a waistband drawcord to tailor your fit and plenty of pockets to stash the essentials. Lululemon Comfortable enough for the golf course but formal enough for work, reviewers say they love the versatility of this classic polo shirt. It has a ribbed knit color and a cotton-blend body that's treated with Lululemon's anti-stink technology, so you'll feel polished and fresh. Lululemon Another versatile piece, these abrasion-resistant pants will keep you comfortable all day. They're made of a stretchy material with an ergonomic gusset at the crotch that removes unwanted tension so you can move freely. The design also includes five pockets (zippered and unzippered) to keep your necessities safely tucked away. Lululemon A cozy sweatshirt transcends seasons. This fleece hoodie provides lightweight warmth, so you can still wear it through the summer months on those days when you want to lounge in comfort. Reviewers say it's incredibly soft and especially love its hidden phone and coin sleeve. Lululemon These chic sneakers have layers of cushioning, a contoured footbed and cupped rubber outsole to keep you from slipping. Thanks to those features, reviewers say you can wear these for hours without discomfort. They also appreciate that you can easily dress them up and down depending on your outfit and the occasion.
CNN
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
Lululemon just dropped a new version of the Align leggings we've been wanting for years
Lululemon fans, the day has finally come. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its fan-favorite Align leggings, the athleisure brand just dropped a version of the popular Align leggings without a front seam, the Lululemon Align No Line. While the original iteration of the Align leggings is a bestselling Lululemon product for its unparalleled comfort, stretchiness and buttery fabric — just a few reasons they're our best-tested leggings — devoted fans of the brand have been anxiously awaiting (and asking) for this more streamlined style for a more fuss-free wearing experience while working out or running errands. Now, it's finally here. Lululemon Align No Line High-Rise Pant Lululemon's bestselling Align leggings now come in a highly requested, no front-rise seam version for a distraction-free fit for all-day comfort. This new style comes in six colors, two lengths and sizes zero through 12. If you're like me, one of the biggest frustrations I have with tight workout clothes is the dreaded camel toe. Some leggings make this more visible than others, but I've never found a pair that's designed to eliminate this issue. That is — until this launch. While I haven't had a chance to workout in the new Lululemon Align No Line leggings yet, I stopped by a store and tried on a pair to get a feel for them myself. When talking to a store associate, they mentioned that this new seamless style is made to prevent camel toe, which immediately peaked my interest. I initially thought the updated design was just for looks, but when I found this out, it all made sense. After all, Lululemon is dedicated to making innovative performance wear that solves customers' problems. In addition to this new Align legging style, Lululemon is also kicking off the 10-year anniversary of the Align leggings with an entire Align campaign highlighting other products in the line. So, if you're looking to stock up on other lightweight, move-with-you exercise gear like sports bras and shorts for the warmer weather, Lululemon has you covered. To kick off the summer season, I also plan on picking up some of the Align shorts. As an ultimate test, I'll be sweating in them during my favorite high-intensity dance cardio classes. If they work for this class, I know they'll perform in any other type of workout. Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus has been in the editorial and commerce space for nearly a decade, testing and reviewing products in categories from home and kitchen to fashion and beauty. She's specifically tested and reviewed Lululemon products including the Align leggings and the Define jacket.
Fast Company
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Lululemon made $1B selling Align pants. Now it's plotting its next bestseller
If you saw a group of millennials out on a Saturday in the mid-2010s, they were most likely wearing leggings —the uniform of that era. And there's a good chance they were Lululemon's Align leggings. Ten years ago today, Lululemon's designers developed a new material called Nulu that was buttery soft, thin, and stretchy. It put them into a $98 pair of leggings called Align. The fabric proved so irresistible that women started wearing the pants right out of the yoga studio and into the rest of their lives. On the newly launched Instagram app, you would see twenty- and thirtysomethings wearing the pricey leggings out to brunch, or for school pickups, or on long flights. Some women even wore them to the office with a crisp button-down oxford shirt. If the Align legging didn't kick-start athleisure —blending activewear with everyday outfits—then it certainly accelerated the trend. And it helped propel Lululemon from a scrappy yoga startup into a global activewear giant. Over the past decade, Lululemon has generated more than $1 billion on its Align franchise. And it has spawned so many copycats from other brands that two years ago it launched an entire 'dupe swap' marketing campaign, where it invited people to trade in their dupes to get the real thing. Chip Wilson, a yoga obsessive, launched Lululemon in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1998. For its first decade in business, the company remained small and focused on designing high-quality clothing that was perfect for yoga, which was taking off throughout North America. But by 2010, the company's growth accelerated as it went public and began expanding its network of stores. In 2012, Lululemon hit $1 billion in annual revenue. After the Align leggings launched, the company scaled quickly, growing from $1.8 billion to $10.8 billion over the past decade. Today, Lululemon is celebrating the anniversary of the Align pants by launching a range of new products, including a dress and a new version of the pants that offer a seamless construction in the front, developed with customer feedback. But the company is also thinking ahead about how it must evolve beyond this comfortable legging into entirely new categories of clothing. I sat down with Antonia Iamartino, senior director of franchise innovations, research, and product innovation, to hear about how she created the Align pant and how she's thinking ahead about how to spin out the next billion-dollar franchises for Lululemon. Designing a Billion-Dollar Pant Back in 2015, most people went into the yoga studio wearing sweatpants or compression leggings designed for running. Iamartino joined Lululemon in 2005, shortly after she trained as a fashion designer in Vancouver. A decade ago, she was promoted to oversee the yoga category. In this new role, she wanted to design a pair of pants that were ideal for the practice, which involves a variety of physical postures and movements. At the time, Lululemon had developed a very specific design philosophy called the ' science of feel,' which was about creating garments that responded to the way people wanted to feel in a particular moment, rather than the purely technical features of a garment. In focus groups, Iamartino began to get a sense of how yogis wanted to feel throughout their yoga practice. 'They talked about wanting softness and warmth,' she recalls. 'They wanted pieces that felt cozy and inviting.' Iamartino set out to find a material that would meet these specifications. This was a challenge, because many of the fabric mills that Lululemon worked with were used to creating athletic apparel. 'Our inspiration was the texture of a rose petal; something that felt soft and textured,' she says. 'But it was hard to find this among the nylon fabrics on the market.' Over the course of 18 months, she worked with various mills, providing details about what she was looking for. After co-creating 10 different iterations of the material with the mills, she landed on the fabric that would become Nulu. The material had a very soft texture thanks to a process called napping that creates a fuzzy, velvet-like feel on the surface. The matte texture of Lululemon's leggings made them different from much of the slick, shiny sports apparel that was popular at the time. The material was also very lightweight and had just enough compression to make the wearer feel gently hugged but not tightly restricted. 'When we landed on this material, the feedback was unanimous and quick,' Iamartino remembers. 'It was clear we had found something that was very appealing to yogis.' Beyond the Yoga Studio When the Align leggings launched, they were an immediate hit. On social media, women raved about how comfortable they were for yoga. But over time, as word about them spread, customers realized they wanted to wear the pants all the time. Iamartino says that Lululemon happened to catch some important fashion trends along the way. For one thing, skinny jeans were in style back then. Black leggings were aesthetically similar, and could be paired with the same tops you might wear with denim. Fashion was also becoming more casual, so some people felt comfortable wearing leggings to college classes or even to some workplaces. Finally, fitness and wellness were taking off, as people invested in their health by working out and doing yoga, creating a $100 billion global industry. But mostly, Iamartino believes Align was successful because of how it made the wearer feel. Store managers began to report about how customers would come out of the changing room and do a little dance in their Align pants, feeling the leggings with their hand and bouncing around. Ultimately, Iamartino believes that staying laser-focused on the goal of creating comfort helped Lululemon achieve a pair of leggings that transcended the practice of yoga. 'We likely wouldn't have gotten the same result if we had set out to design the best casual pant,' she says. 'It was really the purity of our intention that helped us achieve this fabric, which had this universal appeal. All the tenets that we designed against—the quality, the stitching, the texture—really transcended the experience of yoga in the end.' But What Comes Next? Over the past 10 years, as the Align pant exploded in popularity, Iamartino helped transform the garment from a single product into a franchise. She worked with her team of designers to develop new products, like shorts and wide-leg pants. Now there's even an Align dress. The next step is helping Lululemon think about how it can create the next big franchises. In many ways, the COVID-19 lockdowns took clothing to its casual extreme, with people wearing sweatpants for months on end. But in the post-pandemic world, Iamartino believes people are moving in the other direction and opting for clothing that is dressier. In conversations with customers, Lululemon staffers found that fewer people are wearing leggings and joggers to work; they're looking for pieces that are drawn from a more formal wardrobe, like trousers and blazers. 'But what's different, this time around, is that they are unwilling to compromise on comfort,' Iamatino says. 'So pieces need to look more formal on the exterior but feel much more comfortable.' Lululemon's designers are now focused on creating pieces that do just this. The company made its first foray into clothing that could be worn to the office in the mid-2010s, as it launched trousers for both men and women that looked a lot like khakis but were made from technical fabrics. Over the years, as customers began to see Lululemon as a brand that could outfit them for work, the brand has expanded its range of professional garments. This year, one of its bestsellers is its women's Daydrift trousers, which have the silhouette of old-school men's trousers, with pleats and a waistband. But they're actually pull-up pants made from a stretchy fabric that's infused with Lycra. They feel extremely soft to the touch. The trousers have been very popular among working professionals, and Lululemon has been struggling to keep them in stock. Iamartino is now thinking about how Daydrift could also become a franchise. The brand is launching Daydrift shorts for the summer, with more possible products in the pipeline. Lululemon is launching other garments that are designed for the office, and much like with Align, the company spends a lot of time developing the right fabric for these pieces. For its blazer, for instance, Lululemon has created a till fabric with a textured feel akin to cotton or wool that is made from a wrinkle-free synthetic material. Lululemon's success over the course of its history has come down to innovation. It began as a yoga brand, but over the years it has created garments for a wide range of activities. Now it's next evolution is to create clothes that allow you to move comfortably through the rest of your life. And the lesson that Iamartino takes from designing the Align pants is that the way to succeed is to thoughtfully design products that make people feel good no matter what they're doing. 'We know people today want to feel polished but also comfortable as they're moving throughout their life,' she says. 'We can design around that.'
