Latest news with #Luon
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Penneys shoppers rushing to buy newest activewear that's dupe for luxury brands – and costs just €18
PENNEYS fans are rushing to buy a new activewear dupe for summer after it landed in stores - and it costs just €18. The butter performance jacket is the perfect dupe of the Lululemon define jacket. Advertisement 4 The new butter performance jacket is perfect for hyrox Credit: 4 This newest dupe is a bargain at just €18 Credit: 4 Spot the difference? The Lululemon define jacket costs €118 Credit: The company has released their new butter performance jacket for just €18 meaning it's €100 cheaper than the original. The retailer said: "The full-zip design creates a smooth silhouette, while the high neck offers extra coverage for those chilly morning workouts. "Thoughtfully placed seams and a fitted cut enhance your movement, making this neutral jacket perfect for the gym or casual weekend plans." Advertisement READ MORE IN FABULOUS With four different colours to choose from, this jacket is a must-have for your It's complete with zipped side pockets for functionality while you work out. Choose from light green, ecru, tan and black for the ideal layering piece for your gym fits. The define jacket Luon from the luxury brand only comes in two colours and retails for €118. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous This dreamy dupe is available in stores and online in sizes ranging from XXS and M-XXL. I tried Penneys skims dupe - they make you look so snatched and they cost just €10 Meanwhile, shoppers are also loving Sinead Kearney has alerted her followers to the €10 bodysuit dupe from Penneys. Posting to her Advertisement It comes in four different colours and is over €100 cheaper than the original With neutral tones like taupe, black, fig and mocha, this item is ideal for layering. Penneys said: "If you're in the market for the ultimate outfit foundation, then you're in luck because this bodysuit is exactly that." Sizes start at XS and go up to XXL. Advertisement This Skims twin can now be found online and in locations around the country. And a clever fashion fan has shown off her latest gorgeous Penneys buys - and revealed they're from the CHILDREN'S section. The beloved high street chain has an extensive kids' section - and one Hailey Rose, who goes by @ Advertisement She posed in a pink dress from the section as well as butter yellow jeans and a matching striped set. Hailey said: "Penneys/Primark children's section is honestly the best." "For reference I'm a U.K. 8/10 Stripe top 12-13 yrs, stripe pants 14-15 yrs and pink dress 12-13 yrs. "Yellow jeans 14-15 yrs Jacket 13-14 yrs." Advertisement 4 You can shop all these dupes in stores and online now Credit: Garrett White THE HISTORY OF PENNEYS THE Penneys brand grew from humble beginnings on Dublin's Mary Street, where it opened its first store in 1969. Known as Penneys branched into the UK in 1973 with its first store opening in Derby. The UK now has 191 Primark stores in total. However, the Penneys name could not travel to Britain as the American retailer JC Penney had the right to use the name in the region. And in 2006, the expansion into Europe began with an opening in Spain, followed by the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Austria, France and Italy. Primark went Stateside for the first time in September 2015, with the opening of a store in Boston. There are now 27 stores in America with branches in Florida, Brooklyn, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The retailer's opened its largest store in Birmingham in 2019. It spans five floors and features Primark's biggest beauty studio to date, a barbers and three restaurants.
CNN
13-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
I tested Lululemon's Define jacket against a $40 version to see if it's worth $80 more
Over the past year, there's one athleisure item I've spotted in just about every workout class I've been to: Lululemon's Define jacket. Because we review the cult-favorite workout brand regularly here at Underscored, and our fitness expert Marissa Miller stands behind it too, I was curious to see for myself what all the fuss was over this $118 jacket. I took things a step further and tested the brand name jacket against a budget-friendly $40 version to see if you really need to shell out over a hundred bucks for this workout essential. Keep reading to see if the trendy label is worth the extra dollar signs. Lululemon Define Jacket Lululemon's Define jacket comes in two fabrics: Luon (pictured above) and Nulu (more on that below). The color selection rotates, so if you see a color you like, grab it. I tested both the standard style and the cropped version, which offers a flattering fit if you have a shorter torso. Sizes range from 0 to 20, depending on the color and style you choose. 90 Degree by Reflex Full-Zip Runner Jacket At almost $80 cheaper than Lululemon's version, this 90 Degree by Reflex jacket offers a similar look for less. It comes in four styles in a variety of colors and in sizes XS to 3X. While I ordered the jacket in the standard black color via Amazon, it appears I was sent a slightly different version. Instagram post not found. Post has been removed or is no longer public. Nulu / Luon Varies by style Varies by style and material Varies by style Cropped, Standard, Hooded and Relaxed Fit Standard, Fleece-Lined, Ribbed and High-Low Hem Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 0-20 (varies by style and color) XS-3X First and foremost, let's discuss the jacket I ended up receiving from 90 Degree by Reflex via Amazon, which was slightly different than the one I ordered. I didn't immediately realize it, but the zipper on my jacket lacks a pull tab like the one featured in the photo online. Otherwise, it offers the same look overall, so the discrepancy didn't bother me that much. After scanning the reviews of the jacket on Amazon, I found that at least one other customer had the same experience and even requested a replacement, only to be sent the same incorrect jacket. According to the tag on the jacket I received, I got the Wonderlink Essential Icon Jacket, but that name is not listed anywhere on the Amazon page or retailer's website. I also did a Google search and could not find this specific style anywhere online, except for resale sites. To try to get some answers, I reached out to 90 Degree by Reflex's customer service via email. I asked if they could provide any clarification about this discrepancy — including if the Wonderlink style was still available to purchase anywhere online — but they said they were unable to assist me. There's a possibility the Amazon page just didn't have the Wonderlink name listed, and it could be the same jacket but with a different zipper, but I was not able to confirm. It didn't help that the Amazon product page was also confusing to navigate, and it was impossible to discern what materials correlated with each style, so keep that in mind while shopping for this jacket. While a frustrating customer experience, it's not entirely uncommon to receive a slightly different product than the one you ordered via Amazon, especially when there are so many styles to choose from. This is a mystery I'll likely never solve, but for the purposes of this review, I'm going to review the jacket I received. It's still a comparable alternative to the Lululemon version. As you can see in the comparison chart above, both brands currently have four styles to shop from and come in a variety of colors too. While I'm not sure if the 90 Degree by Reflex color selection rotates, Lululemon's often does, so you'll want to act fast if you see one you love (my black Lululemon jacket was out of stock at the time of publication, though it could potentially restock in the future). While I only tried one style from 90 Degree by Reflex, I tested two versions of Lululemon's viral Define jacket: the Luon in the regular length and the Nulu in the cropped version that sits right above your waistband. Dedicated Lululemon customers know that these two fabrics are a key purchasing decision they'll have to make at the retailer. Prev Next What's the difference between these materials? The Luon fabric, according to Lululemon's website, has a cottony-soft feel. The body is made with 87% nylon and 13% Lycra elastane (which helps with stretch and shape retention), while the lining is made with 89% nylon and 11% elastane. On the other hand, the Nulu fabric has a more buttery feel but is not as supportive as the Luon material. The Nulu body is made with 81% nylon and 19% Lycra elastane, and the lining is made with 56% polyester, 33% Coolmax polyester and 11% Lycra elastane. If you want a more structured fit and slightly thicker fabric, go with Lululemon's Luon. For a more lightweight, less rigid and softer feel, opt for the Nulu. The version of the budget-friendly 90 Degree by Reflex jacket I received is made with 75% polyester and 25% spandex. The product page on Amazon doesn't make it clear which combination of materials make up the outer jacket versus the lining, or the other styles' materials, which is a major downside to shopping this jacket. The only way I found this out was by reading the tag after I received it. It's my job to look out for trends, and while I'm picky about the ones I adopt, I always like to find unique ways to make them my own. That's why the elevated gold hardware available on some Lululemon colors immediately caught my attention. It's basically jewelry for my workout gear! Gold hardware aside, the 90 Degree by Reflex jacket's zipper doesn't compare to Lululemon's zipper construction. The Lululemon zipper glides like butter and is much thicker, while the 90 Degree by Reflex zipper sometimes got caught and feels cheap. It's worth mentioning that some Amazon reviews echo my subpar experience with the zipper. Prev Next While the more affordable jacket was certainly soft and semi-comparable to Lululemon, I felt Lululemon's jackets were more luxe overall in design and feel. Plus, with Lululemon, there's clear transparency with what materials you're getting based on the style you buy. Both these jackets have a slim fit because you don't want the jacket to flap around or get caught in workout equipment, so I wasn't bothered by the body-contouring design. With that said, if you don't like clothing that accentuates your body, you may want to consider sizing up (or opt for the Relaxed-Fit style Lululemon offers). I am 5 foot, 5 inches and usually a size 6, and the fit was exactly as I expected for both. As multiple Lululemon reviews mention, this jacket made me feel 'snatched,' but it wasn't too tight to the point that it was uncomfortable or cut off my circulation like shapewear often does. Some Amazon reviews of the 90 Degree by Reflex jacket mention the sleeves being too long, which I also experienced (along with the Lululemon jackets). Because I'm a pretty average height, I run into this issue with most long-sleeve tops, so I didn't think anything of it. I just scrunched them up and called it a day. This type of jacket does need longer sleeves to accommodate the thumbhole design, so it was to be expected. If you're looking for something that'll keep you super warm in frigid temps, these jackets are not what you're looking for (though I would assume 90 Degree by Reflex's fleece-lined option would be warmer). They're great base layers to wear under a warmer puffer coat or to use as a cover-up over a sports bra if you don't like showing a ton of skin at the gym. If you're an outdoor runner, I could see this being the perfect jacket to wear in more mildly cold temps. As for me, I'll be wearing these jackets on outdoor walks during transitional weather periods, like the spring and fall. Prev Next Both jackets have thumbholes, which come in handy especially if you're running outside in the cold (they both also have reflective logos on the back). However, the Lululemon thumbholes have thicker fabric and feel more durable and higher quality. As you can see in the photo above, the Lululemon jacket also covers more of the thumb area, thanks to an extra layer of fabric. I'd be remiss not to mention the ingenious built-in hair-tie zipper pull on Lululemon's jacket, which is a lifesaver if you forget your hair tie. How many times have you had to do a workout class with your hair in your face because you forgot a hair tie or it snapped mid-downward dog? Luckily, I haven't had to use this feature yet, but it's comforting to have. Because of the negative shopping experience I had on Amazon, the winner was obvious right out of the gate: The Lululemon Define jacket has become my go-to warm-up jacket to wear to hot yoga and other fitness classes in the winter. It's the perfect lightweight layer to wear under a puffer jacket and at the beginning of class when my body is still defrosting from the chilly temps. The slim fit also ensures it won't get in the way, though this may not be a selling point if you prefer looser-fitting clothing. If you're looking at the 90 Degree by Reflex jacket from afar, it resembles the Lululemon version, but once you get a closer look and try it on for yourself, there's no comparison in the overall craftsmanship like the elevated zippers and thumbhole design. Don't get me wrong, the budget-friendly version is still plenty soft, but for me, I'm all about the elevated details (and getting the item I actually paid for). I can't speak to the longevity of both jackets because I've only had them for a few months, but if you're in a pinch and don't want to fork out over $100 right now, I think the 90 Degree by Reflex will do the basic job. However, chances are, the budget-friendly version isn't going to last as long, and you'll end up spending the same amount — or more — buying multiple $40 jackets to replace the worn-out ones. To sum it up, I think it's worth shelling out an extra $80 for Lululemon's Define jacket, which will potentially save you money in the long run. Based on my experience, there's also no guarantee you'll receive the exact 90 Degree by Reflex jacket you order on Amazon. Lululemon also offers a Quality Promise, ensuring the brand will replace any item within one year of purchasing if it's not performing as intended, but you won't get that same customer service experience with the Amazon version. Is the Lululemon Define jacket true to size? Is the Lululemon Define jacket true to size? I wear a size 6 in Lululemon bottoms, and that's the size I got in the Define jacket. It fits snugly, but it's stretchy, and that is how it's intended to fit. If you want a little more wiggle room, I'd recommend getting a size up. I'm typically a size 6 overall, so I'd say, yes, it's true to size. Can you work out in the Lululemon Define jacket? Can you work out in the Lululemon Define jacket? I exclusively attend indoor workout classes and only use the Define jacket in the warm-up phase of class, taking it off once I start breaking a sweat. While I'm not an outdoor runner, I have seen many people wearing it on jogs. The reflective logo on the back is also nice for visibility purposes if you're running in the dark. Its extremely stretchy, and the form-fitting design also ensures it won't get in the way of your workouts. CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevent to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus tested the cult-favorite Lululemon Define Jacket in the Nulu and Luon materials, along with 90 Degree by Reflex's $40 jacket, to see if it's worth spending $80 more on the high-end brand.
