The Sprightly Spud

In 2023, I had the pleasure of working as a seasonal employee in a Lululemon outlet store. As a fervid fitness girly, I was quite literally a kid in a candy shop (except the brightly coloured confectionary were leggings). This being said, I gained so much more than a selection of new athletic wear, including a deep-seated admiration for the brand.

Despite my tender age of 18, I was not labelled a ‘store assistant’, but an ‘educator’, as it was my role to educate ‘guests’ (not customers) about the virtues of each fabric and product. What’s more, though I was only contracted for a couple of months, there was ample time and effort invested in teaching me all the technicalities of the ranges, so I could provide the expert service that Lulu guests expect.

The time I spent at Lulu was nothing if not transformative. Inevitably, the job was pretty exhausting, but this was to be expected in prime festive shopping season at the UK’s biggest outlet village. I thrived when connecting with guests and going the extra mile to seek out the ideal gift for yoga-loving sisters, or runners in dire need of new socks! Albeit some guests were less friendly, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Perhaps the most striking personal benefit I gleaned was a sense of sisterhood. Lulu actively seek to employ those with an interest in activity, meaning I was working with girls equally as passionate about movement as I was. Within the store, we had a professional dancer, a swimmer, a pilates instructor, a yoga buff and a competitive powerlifter. As a gym-rat and runner, I added another discipline to our range of ‘sweaty pursuits’. We all bonded over our firmly established appreciation for the joy we found in our respective forms of exercise, enjoyed learning about each others’ specialities, and formed enduring friendships.

From a sales perspective, the scope of our sporting expertise was also an asset. Our breadth of experience meant we could provide tailored advice and recommendations to guests seeking apparel for all kinds of activities. Not only this, but we enjoyed coming to work, so were driven to hit our (somewhat astronomical) seasonal targets, without any additional motivation. We felt like we were doing due diligence to the brand we loved.

This was where my connection to Lulu began…

The Idol

Sweat pouring down my face as I pounded the pedals in a Central London spin class, I was in my element. Drum and bass tunes bangers and disco-esque strobe lighting, made the whole situation feel like a party – regardless of the fact it was 9am on a Tuesday. Critically, the trainer, Gemma, had mastered the art of being encouraging, yet not condescending. Dancing on her bike at the head of the room, she epitomised female strength and energy.

She was dressed top to bottom in coordinating Lulu, and oozed everything the brand aims to promote.

Born in Vancouver in 1998, out of a desire to bridge the gap between performance and fashion, Lululemon has blossomed into one of the leading global sportswear brands over the past 25 years, now boasting 711 stores worldwide. At first, founder Chip Wilson wanted to address the lack of functional, yet flattering yoga apparel that he had noticed through his own practice, but these days, Lulu offer gear specifically designed to perform in multiple athletic disciplines.

Regardless of how you choose to move, a well curated Lululemon outfit has the ability to instil confidence, pride, and a sense of poise in the wearer, hence why, to me, they symbolise one key value; empowerment.

The Gym’s Not a Fashion Show…

… but it’s ok if you want it to be. The irrefutable fact is that when you feel good, you train well. Somedays, ‘feeling good’ might look like an oversized hoodie and joggers, but other days it might be an obnoxiously bright matching bra and shorts.

As someone who rarely wears ‘actual’ clothes, athletic wear that makes me feel a little badass is a must. Not only this, but I want to be able to go hell for leather in my treadmill intervals, without any qualms about chafing, rubbing or material wearing thin.

Regrettably, I’m no Pilates princess, so it’s inevitable that I will leave the gym looking like a dishevelled, wet rodent. Nevertheless, I’d like to arrive to my session in a more presentable state.

Lululemon seem to have mastered the balance of style and substance. Sport specific fabrics mean functionality is a priority, yet fresh colours and flattering cuts mean self-confidence reigns supreme.

The net effect of this is apparel that facilitates high performance, and high self esteem.

Cultivating Community

For countless reasons, which differ based on geography, socio-economic conditions, and stage of life, women do not do as much exercise as men.

By the age of 17, 64% of girls will have given up exercise, and less than one in four women hit the weekly target of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. Aside from the physical implications of a lack of movement, sport and exercise has the ability to revolutionise lives. It lets us make friends for life, settle a turbulent mind, and push ourselves to achievements we never thought possible, thus its tragic that so many females don’t get to experience it. Regardless of why this is, it means Lululemon’s community events have much more significance than being a marketing ploy..

Throughout the year, the brand host various opportunities that allow like-minded individuals to find joy in movement, and often raise funds for good causes. These range from yoga classes to run clubs, and not only enable participation in activity, but allow young women and girls to see the value it can bring. Their recent ‘flex appeal’ sessions, for example, not only celebrated 10 years of the iconic ‘align’ yoga range, but was also conducted in aid of CALM. Inevitably, the event was attended by countless influencers and content creators, all enjoying the yoga and music at white city. Whilst these individuals’ day to day routines may look somewhat different to the average schoolgirl, watching idols engage in movement for the joy of it, may have a huge impact on whether they continue to exercise through to adulthood.

Not only this, but something I struggled with in my school years was the idea that netball and hockey were the only way to exercise. Traditional team sports were portrayed as your sole opportunity to keep fit, and if you couldn’t pass a ball, you were stuffed. In reality, this isn’t the case, and I was lucky enough to discover that I was much more suited to long-distance running than lacrosse. Perhaps, after seeing hundreds of women they look up to practising yoga, someone may be inspired to try it themselves. It could be the catalyst for a lifelong passion.

Lulu Against Loneliness

It may seem ridiculous that such trivial concepts as labels, logos and leggings can fight feelings of solitude, but hear me out…

As a single women in my 20s, its not unusual for days to go by where I don’t speak to anyone on a social level. Yes, I have work colleagues, a few good friends, and a selection of acquaintances, but many of my circle are on their own paths, and at their own stages of life. Some are still on a prolonged ‘gap year’, whilst others are married with kids.

I know there are countless women in similar situations. Perhaps WFH means they rarely leave the house, or city living means they have little time (or energy) for anything but work and chores.

For girls who move, however, there is hope. Something as simple as complimenting someones outfit at a yoga class can trigger a friendship. And striding out of the house in your favourite leggings may leave you bathing in a sense of confidence, and basking in the Lulu identity of strong, feminine energy.

On a physical level, Lululemon’s community events such as run clubs, yoga classes and workshops inevitably help build connections, but I would argue that it is the sense of collective identity that being part of the Lululemon family that can have a deeper, and more empowering impact. We can be both strong and independent, and an invaluable contributor to something much bigger.

Unrealistic Expectations?

As ever, there is a reverse to this coin. Critics may argue that Lululemon’s price point makes their apparel unaffordable for the vast majority of people, particularly young ones. I will be the first to admit that, on occasion, I’ve walked into Lulu stores knowing that I can’t afford to make a purchase, and thus left empty-handed.

The brand would argue that value for money stems from the calibre of their product. Rather than issuing a generic gym legging, each range is designed to withstand a particular discipline. For example, any ‘Wundertrain’ item – intended for high intensity sessions – utilises breathable Everlux fabric, thus keeping the wearer cool. Align, however, is made from ‘buttery soft’ Nulu fabric, which has a four-way stretch and weightless feel, making it ideal for yoga.

Not only does the technical repertoire of Lululemon clothing differentiate it from lower priced brands, but the in-store experience certainly adds value too. In my experience, there is an inherent respect for the taste and individuality of all guests, and educators are keen to allow ample time to try and test any potential purchases.

Seeing our favourite influencers clad in head to toe Lulu may feel disheartening at times, but in some ways the exclusivity of a Lulelmon product adds an extra level of ‘special’. Perhaps that pair of leggings is your go-to piece when you need an extra boost for a particularly hard session, or that hot pink sports bra is your mascot for your heaviest leg days?

Paying upwards of £100 for an item of clothing may seem excessive, and is definitely an unattainable everyday practice for most of us. Yet, as with any investment, the value is subjective. What’s more, when it comes to discouraging ‘fast fashion’ habits, a carefully chosen and treasured product may reduce your personal footprint significantly.

Genuine Ambassadors

Like most global brands, Lululemon do have a select team of ‘ambassadors’ deemed to encapsulate their brand values, and promote their ethos. These are not necessarily celebrities, but rather trainers and inspirational fitness professionals. From PTs to yogis, each one has their own story, and thus make for well-deserving idols for a diverse range of Lulu fans, all across the country.

Among these ‘normal’ folk, there are also a few more recognisable faces, but each of these has certainly earned their status as a Lulu rep. Joe Wicks, for example, shares the brand’ vision of a community of active individuals, and record-breaking marathoner, Anya Culling, is utterly deserving of her athlete status.

For me, the nature and authenticity of the idols Lululemon thrusts into the spotlight is a key indicator of its reputability. These are not your typical ‘influencers’!

More than Leggings

Regardless of your view on Lululemon, for me the brand serves as a pinnacle of inspiration. I want to embody the determination of its ambassadors, the confidence and skill of the instructors who I see wearing its clothes, and the strength of fellow women who wear its apparel.