Why I dislike Lululemon…more than before
Tags: economy, fired, laid off, Lululemon, unemployed
Lululemon is pop culture’s answer to wearable spirituality. You don’t have to be spiritual. You don’t even have to do yoga. Pull on a $200+ Lululemon yoga outfit and voila – you’re surrounded by an aura of faux enlightenment that Lululemon parades on its shopping bags with its “manifesto” which is really just a random collection of sayings like:
“The pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness.”
“That which matters most should never give way to that which matters least.”
Or this rather strangely-worded one:
“Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you actually have them.”
(Want to read them all? Here you go. They’re proudly displayed on their website.)
There’s something about self-promoting nuggets of packaged insight on the side of a shopping bag that makes my stomach turn. It’s over-priced clothing, okay? But clearly, it’s much more according to founder Chip Wilson.
The self-important founder over-impressed with himself
In explaining the formation of Lululemon, Wilson talks about the pill, women’s lib, super-women trying to do it all, superheros, breast cancer and another generation of women freed to be themselves. He concludes with this statement, “Ultimately, Lululemon was formed because female education levels, breast cancer, yoga/athletics and the desire to dress feminine came together all at one time.”
This final sentence follows some of the worst dribble I’ve ever read masquerading as social science commentary. It’s remarkable to think that the man who espouses this also built a company that now has more than 100 outlets and $340 million in annual revenue. Then again, Jerry Falwell and Ted Haggard also built great financial empires.
The corporate hypocrisy
Everyone knows Lululemon costs more than yoga wear needs to cost. Maybe giving away all this free spiritual advice is why the clothes cost so darn much.
It couldn’t be the actual cost to make them.
Seventy percent of their clothing is manufactured in third-world countries with factories in China, Taiwan, South Korea, South America, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Lululemon website explains, “Global economic forces…have shifted manufacturing to more cost-attractive locations and resulted in closures of some domestic factories.”
The truth according to Lululemon is evidently a Rashemon-like multi-versioned thing. On the one hand, Lululemon stands for values like spirituality, fairness, and freedom. On the other hand, a buck’s a buck.
Their stated mission is: “To elevate the world from mediocrity to a place of greatness.” I wonder if the children and adults working in the Thaiwanese and Vietnamese factories are rising above their own mediocrity to new levels of greatness.
Placing importance on something that isn’t important
I do yoga off and on. I’m not a purist in any way. When I do it, I love it. When I don’t do it for a stretch (pardon the pun), I don’t. But one of the things I love about yoga is that it takes me away from the commercial world that Lululemon is smack in the centre of. For an hour and a half, the world outside stops. And at the risk of sounding all terribly new agey, I feel grounded, calm and in touch with a sense of myself that I often lose during the daily acts of hurried living. And I could care less about my clothes.
In genuine yoga culture, it doesn’t matter what you wear. And I’ve seen people wear shorts and sweat pants and yoga pants and pj bottoms and ordinary t-shirts.
My last true vacation was a little over a year ago (the last one I’ll have for a while) and was spent at a yoga retreat in the mountains of Colorado. I went for a much-needed time out, and for five days, I spent my time doing yoga and meditation, taking walks and reading. I was up at 5 or 5:30 each morning and in bed by 9. I ate very healthy. I wore not a stitch of make-up. I wore my hiking clothes during the day and my $30 yoga pants in class. And I don’t think I saw any Lululemon the whole time.
Remember one of those lines from the shopping bag? “That which matters most should never give way to that which matters least.”
Firing someone for not being Lululemon enough. Aka the right shape.
Now everything I’ve written up to this point I’ve known for a while. But nothing made me feel a stronger dislike for Lululemon than learning about an experience that a friend of one of my son’s had.
She got a job working at the local Lululemon store, but later lost it. The reason given? As a young woman on the larger side of average, she wasn’t a good representative of the Lululemon physical ideal. I was shocked. You’d think an organization spouting words like “Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself” would have a more inclusive approach to hiring than Abercrombie & Fitch.
Chip Wilson, what about namaste don’t you understand?
(Na-ma-ste is a Sanskrit expression often said by both the instructor and students at the end of a yoga class and is a greeting of respect meaning: “The divine in me greets and honors the divine in you.”)
Tags: economy, fired, laid off, Lululemon, unemployed
sangman said:
Mar 30, 09 at 7:50 amI am totally agree with you, is like the case of Carlos Santana fired an assistant because he says she isn’t enough spirituality … I like santana’s music but actions like this makes him a musician with fanatics ideas.
MErider said:
Mar 30, 09 at 10:26 amI’m not a yoga fan personally (no offense to the bendy sorts, but it just ain’t my thang), so I hadn’t a clue who Lululemon was or what overpriced product they sell. But your entry above describing Chip Wilson and this company’s practices is thought provoking to say the least. Sorry your son’s friend had such a negative (and discriminatory!) experience. Shame on Lululemon, for sure.
Now, as for you doing yoga and feeling grounded and calm - try cycling.
everysandwich said:
Mar 30, 09 at 3:35 pmYet more proof that sometimes people become what they hate and are utterly unable to recognize it.
Steph Woods said:
Mar 30, 09 at 3:45 pmI am with you on the whole Lululemon phenomenon … it too bothers me (although they seem to make everyone’s butt look great).
I happen to live in a town where there are lots of people with money to throw around. This factor in combination with the casual style here (people wear flip flops everywhere - not just the beach) equals the streets being flooded by Lululemon.
I actually love the way the clothing looks - I am adverse to the snobby people that wear it and the superficially high price tag. What they did to that poor guy is now the icing on the cake!
PW said:
Mar 30, 09 at 11:10 pmHi FFN - you’re absolutely right. I have long considered Lululemon an overdone piece of marketing excess. The various sayings all serve to reinforce the “wearable spirituality” available in his stores. Let’s face it, Chip hit upon a great idea, branded, marketed and packaged it well for the mass market and created an saleable aura of spirituality and presto, Lululemon.
ffn said:
Mar 31, 09 at 5:25 amPW — what’s the overall view of Lululemon out there in its birthplace? Is Wilson loved, resented, celebrated, sneered at….? I imagine there’s two camps (at least). How’s the new gig?
Rhonda Mitchell said:
Mar 31, 09 at 8:46 amLike someone else here, I’ve never heard of Lululemon but this was eye-opening. I have never got why people needed pricey duds to do Yoga. I think if one is that enlightened, that it will radiate on its own and one doesn’t need clothing or a shopping bag to advertise it.
Karol said:
Mar 31, 09 at 1:02 pmMMM….Well, I am an average size woman, and what this bit of info tells me is that this company thinks of good looks, fine bodies and brainless individuals such as themselves more than they do the average person, their physic and attitude. No wonder there are so many people out there with eating disorders and body image insecurities! Society has always played a role in this type of thinking. Way back when, when boobs on a model was thought to be horrible and a waist bigger than a 24 was disgusting. Now we have companies that issue statements like those above to play on one’s self esteem and mind. These people need a reality check in the way society has changed and instead of being negative on one’s genetic morphology, they need to adjust to the societies livestyles and encourage not hinder what a person looks like instead of hindering because of looks and such. how shameful that they have to degrade someone else to make themselves “LOOK” better. A person can still be average or even big and still be healthy and beautiful. Accepetance is wonderful and should be embraced, not hindered by moronic comments that puts more on body typing than looking at what is inside a person and valueing the character to the brawn. How sad as a society we allow this. The saying “don’t jusge a book by its cover” never came to mind for this company. I don’t care what a person looks like. It takes personality and character to keep me interested and obviously this company lacks both, so I am moving on to better things………
Sean Riley said:
Mar 31, 09 at 6:41 pmChildren are the orgasm of life. They’re noisy, not acceptable in public spaces and when especially vigorous can break furniture.
Children are the orgasm of life. If you make one after the age of 35, it’s probably defective.
Children are the orgasm of life. You can pick one up in the wrong part of town for $50, if you know where to look.
I could go on.
Mary T said:
Mar 31, 09 at 8:27 pmThey don’t sell any clothes over a size 12, do they? Because you know, no ENORMOUS person over that size ever took a yoga class. /snark
Trevor said:
Apr 01, 09 at 10:28 amYou’re giving consumers too much credit. The average buyer of Lululemon doesn’t do yoga. Though they love the idea.
They just want clothes that are trendy, look good, and lend them the karmic equivalent of Canadian Tire Money.
Lulu gives people what they want…the six-minute abs of spirituality — and a nice ass.
PW said:
Apr 01, 09 at 9:31 pmHi FFN - I’m sorry for the delayed post. I currently have the flu. Some idiot who was sick this past Monday decided that his presence was more important at work than at home. So far there’s a least four of us who are now sick. As far as Chip Wilson is concerned, the local media have treated him evenly after all he is a local entrepreneur who has done quite well. The twenty-something and thirty-something women all seem to be happy with Lululemon’s wearables. I’m in agreement with Trevor’s comments. It’s likely that women are buying the pieces for their trendiness, connection to the spirit of yoga and to its implied lifestyle, even if they don’t actually do yoga. The gig is what it is. It was meant to provide some income for me to meet my obiligations. Nothing more. It’s unlikely to even make it onto my resume. Anyways, I’m off to bed. Hope that you’re well.
ffn said:
Apr 02, 09 at 4:48 amPW — no need for apologies. Sorry you got breathed on by the fellow-worked who dragged his butt in. It sometimes feels like the heroic thing to do, but it’s not worth getting everyone else sick. Re Lululemon — I occasionally post my blog posts on Open Salon when I feel it’s something of interest to that community. The Lululemon post attracted a lot of comment. If you feel like it, have a look at the couple of comments explaining experiences people had making objections to the company. Pretty interesting. http://smurl.name/7q5z
Hope you feel better soon!
PW said:
Apr 02, 09 at 10:44 amHi FFN - thank you, I did have a look at Open Salon. Yikes, you can learn alot but really, the comments on Open Salon together with your original post on Lululemon only served to reinforce what my “bullshit” radar has already been telling me. I once saw a picture of Chip that was part of a newspaper article from the local business rag and while I can’t recall the specifics of the article, I do recall thinking, “gee what absolute drivel”. In the absence of substance unless you count the merchandise, Chip has parlayed the trendiness of yoga and built a successful franchise by wrapping an implied “lifestyle, spirituality, philosophy and enlightenment” around yoga clothing and accessories, giving the stylistic masses, the new god of “wearable spirituality”.
Home Health Care Services said:
May 29, 09 at 5:31 amHome Health Care Services…
Care givers and looking at Home Health Care Services as a viable alternative….
J Chambers said:
Jun 15, 09 at 9:51 pmMy personal “not-so-favorite” from the list:
“Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.”
Thanks for bringing this to light. I had no idea about the countries they manufacture in. They are on my watch list now and I plan on letting everyone know it.
joanne said:
Jul 15, 09 at 1:46 pmGreat Article! I went to a Lululemon store and was shocked that they would sell something that high priced and still promote spirituality. The love of money is the root of evil. Lululemon lacks the authenticity of showing that they care about what is going on in a grander sense, the Recession. Average people have lost their jobs or fear loosing their jobs and they have the AUDACITY to sell you zen but a $90 pair of crop pants. Totally F’ed up! I’d have more respect for lululemon if they had a price point line and while keeping the premium line, to show fairness and lowering the bar on their elitism.
Kiddo said:
Aug 05, 09 at 12:30 amI totally and absolutley agree with you. I just wrote a small paper on this topic but after reading this i am inspired to elaborate.
lola said:
Sep 21, 09 at 3:55 pmI hate lululemon because:
1. I walked around the store with my arms full of clothing to try on and no one ever asked me if I wanted any help. Ever.
2. Their sizing. Everywhere else I shop, a small is an 8-10, not a 6-8.
3. I wrote to complain about a year ago and to date, I have never even received an acknowledgement of my complaint.
4. I went into a store today to look around and there was not one size 14 on the rack, now mind you, a 14 is really a 16, but hey - they claim to have that size but it was no where to be seen.
5. I am sick of yoga wannabees.
Steph said:
Oct 23, 09 at 4:00 pmI admit I’ve been wanting to buy some Lululemon pants (I’m from Vancouver, how can I not) though not to do yoga in, but to run or go to the gym in. But then my sister told me that a friend of hers got a job there and in training, when one person asked “Why are the clothes being made in China?” they said that its because people in Canada don’t want factory jobs, but in China they do! So they are really helping the Chinese economy by moving all of their production over there. That is the biggest peice of bulls**t I’ve ever heard. Plus they expected her to work set shifts when she had class, no flexibility whatsoever. She quit ASAP and now I refuse to buy anything Lululemon due solely to their stupidity.
Buy UGG Boots said:
Oct 31, 09 at 10:19 pmHi FFN - you’re absolutely right. I have long considered Lululemon an overdone piece of marketing excess. The various sayings all serve to reinforce the “wearable spirituality” available in his stores. Let’s face it, Chip hit upon a great idea, branded, marketed and packaged it well for the mass market and created an saleable aura of spirituality and presto, Lululemon.
Cammylle said:
Dec 30, 09 at 7:49 amHi,
I loove lululemon. And I don’t do yoga. Why I love lululemon? First, there clothes are perfect to do my figure skating. And yeahh, the price is high, buut yeees its quality full. And sorry, but i went to a lululemon shop, and there was about 3 lady’s that helps me when i was trying my clothes. Thank you,
Cammylle.
Tina said:
Jan 19, 10 at 6:34 pmLulu Lemon…hmmmm. Well I must say the price is outrageous but I have bought a few things from there and it is so comfy. You know lulu and all this yoga they inspire and teach was founded in India 5000 years ago(Ayruveda) and exists today. The caucasian’s are teaching indian s to do yoga, haha common. Find something unique Lulu and make something affordable.I own my own Ayurvedic business and I must say Lulu is in over their heads. All in all people still love it, just my opinion.
GD said:
Jan 27, 10 at 6:58 pmI’m plain sick of lululemon. Everybody and their dog wear them. How cool is that? When everyone is wearing it? It takes away all originality and becomes plain collective stupidity.
coach said:
Feb 04, 10 at 1:12 amsurrounded by an aura of faux enlightenment that Lululemon parades on its shopping bags with its “manifesto” which is really just a random collection of sayings
justin said:
Mar 24, 10 at 6:42 pmAny of you care to know that LULU stock is up 500% over the past year?
I’ve actually never seen their clothing but I’m not getting the greatest impression from the comments.
Lulula said:
May 21, 10 at 8:06 pmOf course they don’t want a OVERWEIGHT girl working at the store! The store represents fit people, and sorry but if I had a fitness store or a gym/studio I would never hire a fattie! That is a business, people! And stop complaining their clothes run small, get your ass at the gym, work out, loose the pounds and get a life!
CalgaryGal said:
May 24, 10 at 7:58 pmUh…Lulula? It’s ‘lose’…not ‘loose’. Get a life? How about you get a dictionary?
PS - No, I’m not some disgruntled ‘fattie’ that cannot wear the clothes. I have at least $2000-3000 worth of Lulu items, and at the same time by no means do I support your idea of not hiring overweight people to work there. I’ve personally seen overweight women working at Lulu stores, and it does not change my perception of the brand (both good and bad).
Your quick judgement represents what’s so wrong in this world as far as stepping on others to make yourself feel better. Go on now… go watch some more Jersey Shore. I’m sure they’re more fitting to your little world that you live in.
Becca said:
Jun 15, 10 at 12:43 pmI have to say that while many of your arguments may be fact, you may want to reconsider what you’ve been told about your sons’ friend getting fired for not being the right ’shape’. I have been to lululemon before, though it is very over-priced (some of my friends shop there)and I have seen quite a few ‘larger’ girls working there. Maybe your sons’ friend doesn’t want to tell people that she’s simply not a very good worker. Your story is also harder to believe because instead of putting together a baanced opinion, you are bashing the subject. This is one of the things that my professors warn against when writing reviews; it makes your argument seem less legitimate.
The Bear said:
Jul 11, 10 at 1:41 amI agree that the Lulu manifesto seems a bit contrived, AND that several of the sayings are badly-worded.
I also agree that their products are ridiculously pricey.
But I’d like to add a few thoughts to this discussion:
I’ve been an avid practitioner of yoga for the last 5 years, and as much as I’m appalled by the lululemon prices, I’m genuinely impressed by the quality. At the recommendation of a good friend, I reluctantly bought a pair of lululemon yoga pants in the summer of 2007, they were on sale at $58 (I think regular price was $70-something!!) which seemed like extortion at the time…hey, I’m the kind of gal that won’t pay more than $50 for ANY single clothing item—including shoes, jackets, formal dresses etc BUT long story short, those pants are WAAAY better than anything I’ve ever found at Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, (all the places I usually shop) or even Sports Authority (which I pretty much hate). I’ve worn these pants at least twice or three times per week for the last 3 years and they’re only now JUST beginning to show signs of a little wear, meaning, they now no longer look brand spanking new. They’ve kept their shape, they haven’t faded at all, they really do seem to have air-wicking capabilities (don’t ask me how) and best of all, they stay put, not bunching up or slouching off my butt like any other pair eventually does. So I guess my $58 was a good investment because I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to get several more years of use outta these suckers. The pants I used to buy from Target for $19.99 could barely last a full year at the rate I would wear them.
Also, (gosh, this is becoming an essay, sorry) their seamless running shirts are great for distance running. I don’t see any need for special gear if it’s just a 3-6 mile jog, I can wear just about anything without having any chafing or bra support issues, BUT when I’m marathon training, which I do for about 4 months out of the year, the lululemon running tanks are BY FAR the most reliable, durable and chafe-resistant shirts I’ve ever had. Even for 26.2 miles, I barely had to use any vaseline, which is pretty damn miraculous if you ask me.
So there you have it, an amateur (but avid) yogini and a distance runner gives her two cents in defense of the quality of lulu products. I still think the price is crazy, but for my lifestyle, i’m willing to buy a few choice pieces on sale (basically pants, and a few shirts) because I know they’ll get the job done.
Ashley said:
Aug 02, 10 at 6:23 amWow. I’m surprised at all the negativity….note please that nowhere in the manifesto does it say “Don’t outsource production to third-world countries,” and face it, nearly everything you wear/use was produced in a third world country. It’s sad but a necessary evil of the way the society we live in functions. Want to change it? Be my guest. But for now, lululemon quality is outstanding and regarding price, have you ever been to a lululemon outlet store?
cosplay said:
Aug 06, 10 at 1:57 amWow. I’m surprised at all the negativity….note please that nowhere in the manifesto does it say “Don’t outsource production to third-world countries,” and face it, nearly everything you wear/use was produced in a third world country. It’s sad but a necessary evil of the way the
Fiscal irresponsibility « Lavender Blume said:
Aug 24, 10 at 3:37 pm[...] things are several times more expensive than they should be, like Lululemon yoga pants ($100 – this company may very well end up the subject of a future post) or [...]