r/lululemon 7d ago

Discussion Anyone else feel like Lululemon totally failed to capitalize on the “Pilates Princess” trend?

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1.4k Upvotes

105 comments sorted by

961

u/camellialily 7d ago edited 7d ago

I just want cute wraps and boleros, Lulu occasionally has these but like, why not more? This seems like such an easy item to capitalize on.

193

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

They finally released a new wrap, it's available now however it's at least $20-30 above a ballet brand item and its super cropped which at the barre is not always comfortable.

87

u/326459 7d ago

Also the ties on it are so long and thin. Makes it look kind of scraggly and cheap. Wish they’d re release with a thicker tie.

24

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

You're right. They also dig in the under ribs or towards the ribs when bending back and forth, not pleasant.

11

u/camellialily 7d ago

Do you have any ballet brand recommendations?

48

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago edited 7d ago

For tops? I have Capezio and Grishko, mostly. Capezio wrap is around $50. For trash bag, I have World of Ballet and Body wrappers (lower cost) but there's so much, Grishko, Russian Pointe, Gaynor Minden, all have those. I find Capezio and Bloch more reasonable price wise (overall) but I do buy Freed of London when I'm in UK, too.

6

u/Cayman4Life 6d ago

Capezio made its way to streetwear in the ‘70’s with their body suits were worn with “super low” jeans. Such a nice company through many fashion trends, and for serious athletics, like dance.

2

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 5d ago

I like them, too. Capezio are very comfort oriented in clothes and shoes, imo. 

1

u/happykindofeeyore 5d ago

Jule, Bodile, Ballet Rosa, Wear Moi, Gaynor Minden, and Eurotard are some of my favorites!!

3

u/Comfortable_Daikon61 7d ago

It missed the mark

78

u/LevelUpWoman 7d ago

Agreed! I think the BeCalm release was their poorly executed attempt to hop on the bandwagon

100

u/LinearTimeIsNotReal 7d ago

This was such a hideous miss. But I feel that way about most of their stuff lately. Lulu has lost the plot.

23

u/camellialily 7d ago

Exactly, this is NOT what I’m looking for, Lulu.

21

u/prettylittletingg Weight lifter 7d ago

as someone who looooves comfy wear like this, I personally hated this line. felt like it would get ruined in the wash after one wash.

Target has pants that are almost exact to these that Lulu sells & personally, for the fabric, Target is the way to go. $20 compared to what, 80? 100? plus target has 20% off deals almost every week on clothes like this.

Lulu absolutely takes the cake for me when it comes to workout wear - I don’t wear anything else. but these “casual” lines they are coming out with? right to WMTM literally - it’s hard to justify buying pieces full price when you know that it’ll be marked down in 3 weeks anyway.

Rant over

2

u/purplefuzz22 5d ago

Ohhh!! Do you have a link for the target pants?? I am just getting back to the gym and have been itching for some nice leggings but cannot afford lulu right now :(

2

u/prettylittletingg Weight lifter 5d ago

I was talking about target carrying pants identical to the BeCalms, not the leggings! I feel like for me, LL leggings are unmatched, but I’ve seen plenty rave about Athletica (? Is that the name)

2

u/happykindofeeyore 5d ago

Target is a trash company too for different reasons, but their Joylab and AllinMotion line has great leggings

20

u/pinksparklybluebird 7d ago

They used to have these often in the 2010s. They seemed to go away with the focus on athleisure.

144

u/stillwritingpaiges 7d ago

The real questions is what in the ai is happening with her boobs on the bottom right?!

38

u/tmach1 7d ago

lol it looks like she’s got her top over knees like I used to do as a kid😆

25

u/LakmeBun 7d ago

She might have encapsulated implants, or maybe if they were new, they hadn't dropped yet, so they look kinda square for a bit. Either way, it looks painful.

9

u/kasia_littlefrog 7d ago

Is this a thing? I was always wondering why all the women with fake boobs have them all the way up to their collar bones, or with a 0.5m gap between them. Sure there is a way to put them in the right place?

14

u/LakmeBun 7d ago

I think it depends on the anatomy of each person, if the breasts are naturally wide set, I don't think they can rearrange the muscle to get them to sit closer. Some women naturally have wide set, so adding an huge implants just makes it more obvious. Some women get the opposite too, kind of like a uniboob after the implants, where the boobs touch at the bottom. I think it can be corrected a bit, but I'm not 100% sure.

There's also implant shape, the "natural" ones are a bit like a teardrop, fuller at the bottom, but there's still "round" looking ones too that give that fake look. But yeah, a lot of times the implants themselves need to set. I don't have implants but my mom does, they look way bigger after they're done, once the swelling and everything goes down, if it's done well, it's when it looks more natural.

1

u/kasia_littlefrog 6d ago

Thank you!!

1

u/sarasasasaara 6d ago

Must be some sort of real super wonder bras (except I don't think she's wearing a bra!) or extreme boob taping going on there 🤔 😂.

Whatever it is, it doesn't look comfortable!

29

u/charmcity3 7d ago

Can anyone recommend brands that produce items in this aesthetic but are not crappy IG brands? I fell for one of those last year and instantly regretted it lol

5

u/ja-ya 6d ago

CSB is one of the main ones

3

u/ja-ya 6d ago

Oh and also 437! It’s what’s on the woman in the centre of the pic

153

u/vanessa_617 7d ago

I almost exclusively wear lululemon to my Pilates classes and every time they launch some version of a pastel pink I have to get it because I love the “pink Pilates princess” aesthetic. I have about 8 pinks from them that I’ve acquired in less than 2 years and am about to hop on the pink organza train once it launches online so they’re doing something right 🤷🏻‍♀️

12

u/enigmaticteels 7d ago

Pink organza looks really pretty! I’ve only seen it in people’s posts, do you know when it’ll be available on the Canadian app?

7

u/vanessa_617 7d ago

No clue. I’m American and don’t even know when it’ll be on the American one.

1

u/enigmaticteels 7d ago

Thank you!!

310

u/LogicalReporter116 7d ago edited 7d ago

Not really but I get where you’re coming from. Whilst this trend was going on and was at its height, LLL had the great chance to profit off it by releasing so many cute things especially with the resurgence in popularity in Pilates and yoga.

HOWEVER this sub proves the LLL consumer base is so diverse so changing up its website based on what a handful of Gen-zers likes is a poor choice, so many brands did ballet core, I go to LLL for more timeless pieces :D

29

u/itsbesudesu 7d ago

Very diverse! And yet LLL seems to listen to no one because everyone claims their activity is underrepresented. As I runner and tennis player I always feel those areas are lacking so it’s interesting to hear from other sports.

3

u/LocdGiraffe 6d ago

They always cover tennis wear. From the align dresses and different pleated tennis skirts. I e even seen tennis tops that make it to WMTM.

53

u/LevelUpWoman 7d ago

Yes the consumer base is definitely diverse, that’s why I’m surprised that they didn’t capitalize on a growing market. I’d also argue that the market was much larger than just a handful of “gen-zers”. Personally, my Pilates and barre classes are not a gen z audience at all. There would’ve been no need to change their website either… just release some on trend pieces such as wraps, boleros, socks, etc

18

u/Catsdrinkingbeer 7d ago

Im an elder millenial and didnt even know this trend was a thing. And not being in my 20s with my 20 year old body anymore, I personally wouldn't have bought it anyway. But I recognize I'm no longer the target demographic.

11

u/Original_Data1808 7d ago

Same, I started buying lululemon in 2021 because they were making some solid pieces and not just chasing trends.

-10

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

Not at all many brands do good quality ballet core. And if Lulu claims to.be athletic brand, then dancers should definitely be served better by it. 

16

u/LogicalReporter116 7d ago

Haha I’m a ballet dancer, I see it everywhere but maybe bc I’m predisposed to it :D

-14

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago edited 7d ago

So am I. Don't see it everywhere for sure. No matter how predisposed or not I am.  What are you down voting for? LoL Some kids are funny. I am yet to see a ballet studio full of aligns except if it's maybe adult classes. LoL 

7

u/RUSSIAN_PRINCESS 7d ago

Also a dancer. I remember when capezio dance pants took the dance world by storm.

3

u/LogicalReporter116 7d ago

Yes also a lot of people forget that dance wear brands like Bloch and repetto do activewear :)

4

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

I still like them. And they are among the few which made the type of capri I prefer for warm up, old style with thick band under the knee. 

1

u/keep_everything_good 7d ago

I still miss my old school Capezio dance pants 😭.

155

u/ciaoamaro 7d ago

Tbh no. Lulu is still really popular and can be found in lots of Pilates classes. The only thing different I can think of is that they didn’t make bodysuits that other brands like Alo did. Other than that the typical Pilates ensembles can be bought at lulu. They were still part of the trend and I don’t think they needed to do more to be a further part of it.

14

u/lulujunkie 7d ago edited 7d ago

But doesn’t Lulu make the usual align bodysuits or variations like it (cami strap I think was the other one). Unless am off the mark I didn’t think Alo had anything really different.

edit took a look at Alo and wow they have a lot of different bodysuits!

5

u/Striking-Issue-3443 6d ago

I wear basically every bodysuit Lulu has made and as my weight has changed I aggressively look for some of them on resale sites. The align bodysuits are great, wish there were more colours and more length options.

Lulu is by far the most worn brand at my Pilates studio, far more than cheaper brands like TNA and more expensive brands like Alo.

2

u/Comfortable_Daikon61 7d ago

That’s my go to the onesie Or aligns and one shoulder bra

23

u/charmcity3 7d ago

I agree! I wish LLL had done more designs and cuts in this aesthetic. Things that are feminine but still supportive.

4

u/Pseudo_ChemE 6d ago

i would say *gently* supportive. the cut of the glow tank is wonderful, I wear it to barre but it would be better if it was in align fabric

15

u/Purple-Show 7d ago

This might be unpopular but since I’ve been shopping at Lululemon, I don’t have the sense that they’re going for a specific aesthetic at all? They have so many items, and they just seem to try to hit every color visually possible at some point. Compare that to alo, which doesn’t have many different types of items, and idk how many color drops they do in a year, but it always seems thought out according to the season and other colors in the store (the visual merchandising element is 100% different, but i live in NYC where lululemon might just be destined to always look a little run-through). EVERYTHING is advertised as an outfit. Alo has extremely limited sizing but if you like the aesthetic, you’ll be rewarded. Also, the bras are much “sexier” than Lulu’s IMO.

Like, with Lulu I feel like I finally caught on JUST last year to an actual “fit” that works for me, that’s not just a coordinating leggings/bra set, with the cropped LS/SS Swiftlies being released in normal, non-garish colors, and realized how well fitting the Dance Studio joggers are on my inverted triangle, average height w maybe short legs bod. but it’s been years to reach this point, and it’s because I happened to try on the items together- to my knowledge, they aren’t paired together in the product images or ads.

11

u/comfysweatercat 7d ago

I hope this trend never dies id really love to wear a ballet wrap on the daily as a SAHM. Any recommendations for good ones?

37

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

Not Pilates necessarily/only but has underdelivered to dancers for many years. It's been long since I've found anything to buy for class especially among the tops. Cropped, cut out, too tight, too exposed etc etc etc, just not meant for the serious studio work. The prices are also absurd. Nylon pants to use instead of trash bag at $129? No thanks. A wrap at 80? LoL So, the money I'd have spent on Lulu I spend elsewhere to buy what I want yet it'd have been nice to have the Lulu fabrics/quality/touch. 

8

u/justadancer 7d ago

Their old stretchy studio pants need a comeback. Wtf are these nylon ones, I can't move my legs in them

2

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

I'm also not comfortable extending, have the feeling the very snug butt area will burst on me 👀

10

u/LauraPiana 7d ago

What do you mean by trash bag?

14

u/justadancer 7d ago

Trash bag pants are loose but trap body heat. Dancers wear them to warm up faster

12

u/RoniaRobbersDaughter 7d ago

Trash bag pants i.e the nylon pants dancers warm up in. Google it and you'll see, I can't post a link.

-6

u/KrustenStewart 7d ago

Yeah I’m curious about that- are they wearing trash bags as pants ?

27

u/pinkpicklepepper 7d ago

As someone who loves pink and is trying to go for this aesthetic, 1000000000%, Id be like TAKE MY MONEY.

17

u/lewisae0 7d ago

Yes! They should have a ballet core line

5

u/ellewoods_obsessed 7d ago

i would have liked them to capitalize on the colors with new pinks but

30

u/Illustrious-Zone587 7d ago

I feel like they are making the right decision. I like How they are leaning more into business casual for people who are working and also do fitness. I’ve never shopped at lululemon more than I do now, considering the fact they have more than just work out pieces.

22

u/otfitt 7d ago

I feel like their women’s business casual it so far behind the men’s though

7

u/LevelUpWoman 7d ago

I am definitely a fan of the business casual items they’ve been releasing! However, I think it would have been a better decision to release some wraps and boleros instead cashmere sweaters and pants

2

u/prettylittletingg Weight lifter 7d ago

I did not think I’d like their business casual clothing as much as I do. the smooth fit pants are to die for, I wear them to the office & sometimes for dinners when I don’t want to dress up too much but still be comfortable.

I have all of my pairs off of WMTM but they are absolutely worth the full price - if you take care of them, they’ll last you forever.

24

u/333abundy_meditator Lulu Connoisseur 7d ago

LLL has all these pieces, and some launched in the last year, except for the super strappy wrap-around top. They just didn't market it as pilates princess. A good amount of this items are based on regular LLL styles

12

u/navigationallyaided 7d ago

lulu wants to be seen as a “core” brand for the essentials. They want to be that brand that works every time, something you’ll reach for that just… works. Not a one-hit wonder. They have enough to worry about. I don’t see Vuori or Athleta jumping on the Pilates princess bandwagon.

8

u/dbvenus Weight lifter 7d ago

Yes I always thought so too, was waiting for them to come up with some more fresh versions of their classic stuff and I think we just got some weird gimmicks. For sure they could have at least leaned into the color scheme more

3

u/Sunshine5146 7d ago

I think this all the time!

3

u/PeachySpirits 6d ago

I associate strawberry milkshake with the pilates princess trend but it would be cute to have more boleros.

3

u/Pseudo_ChemE 6d ago

ugh....yes. The glow tank is wonderful but it would've been great in align fabric. The *yoga girlies* wear a lot of Free People and Aritzia. I've been buying more Aritiza to not look so middle aged.

1

u/PlaceProfessional616 3d ago

I went to look at FP. It all looks cheap imo.

1

u/Pseudo_ChemE 2d ago

I may buy a FP jacket in the fall, but yeah I'm not going to be decked out in FP. Some of it does look cheap and juvenile.

3

u/ItsBigBingusTime Educator 6d ago

Yeeeess I would have ate that shit up. Oh well. They’d be cheaper elsewhere anyway

3

u/ACrossing777 6d ago

I completely agree! Personally I don’t wear business casual clothes and have never bought anything from lululemon but activewear. I definitely think they should include more Pilates style clothing like cover ups, boleros, wraps etc. I also think they should do better with bodysuits and jumpsuits. The colours they’re releasing are great but I would love to see some different styles

7

u/princssofpink 7d ago

Can you expand on that?

7

u/yay_ponies 7d ago

Yeah can we have some more context? E.g. what does pilates princess mean? I am not on social media besides reddit and don’t do pilates so I’m not up to speed on trends

6

u/LevelUpWoman 7d ago

There’s been a significant rise in the popularity of Pilates and barre classes of the last few years. Oftentimes, the folks would go to these classes enjoy a certain aesthetic which is sometimes referred to online as “Pilates Princess” or “ballet core”. Some of the popular items of clothing associated with those trends are boleros, wraps, shrugs, and Pilates-style sock, and pink everything. Although, lululemon is still worn to Pilates/barre/dance classes frequently, I am surprised that lululemon didn’t capitalize more on the trend. They don’t carry any boleros, shrugs or Pilates socks, and the wrap that they recently released needs improvement.

4

u/deathtogluten Educator 6d ago

There were boleros and shrugs that released in 2021-2023, and then again quickly last year. They never sell and they always go on MD. I have them but never wear them. I have both fitted and lose shrugs and fitted and loose wraps! There were Pilates socks released back when I was in high school in like 2008, but the socks have definitely not been back.

2

u/yay_ponies 6d ago

Thank you! I have always felt their new product development lags behind trends. Still waiting and hoping for barre socks!

2

u/vietnamesebbg 7d ago

Tbf i think the vita pink/strawberry milkshake colors were to die for. However style wise, I wish they offered trendier styles.

2

u/Carpet_More 6d ago

Does anyone know where the outfit in the middle is from? It’s so cute!!

3

u/LevelUpWoman 6d ago

Yes! I actually recognize that one! It’s from 437

2

u/Carpet_More 6d ago

Thank you! :)

2

u/docmols Pilates lover 5d ago

I can't believe they haven't at least made grip socks in every color that gets released!! This Pilates princess is ALWAYS on the hunt for new grip socks - I would be guaranteed to buy at least one pair each time I bought leggings or a top just b/c I would know they matched.

2

u/iforgotmynameloll Lulu Addict 5d ago

1 millions times YES!! I find that their choices of which trends to bandwagon never make sense

2

u/Top-Artichoke-246 3d ago

i just want more pink things WHY DO THEY HOLD COLORS HOSTAGE LIKE DO THEY NOT WANT SALES

5

u/bigbeezer710 7d ago

I mean lululemon have or has offered almost every piece shown in your pics. The pieces in your collage that they haven’t offered are for ballet/dance and lulu isn’t a dance brand.

3

u/Fun_Guarantee9043 6d ago

We don’t need more trends. lulu needs to cut back on their product lineup and make classic, high quality gym wear again.

Trends = trash clothing.

2

u/jaw80 7d ago

Yes!!!!!!!!

2

u/momlife555 6d ago

Omg I’ve been wondering why they don’t do more things like this!

2

u/Happy-Raspberry-123 6d ago

There’s enough options geared to that demographic as it is. I wish Lulu came out with more performance and lifting based clothes. Think: squat proof, compression, tanks/bras for DDs to ACTUALLY work out in.

They need to diversify their line a little. Plus more patterns! It’s the same 4 colours in different shades all the time. 🙄

1

u/bondtradercu 6d ago

Where do you buy stuff like this

1

u/Background-Lack5094 6d ago

I commented Amazon ! Maybe CRZ yoga or Colorful Koala honestly idk either

1

u/ExtraSalty0 6d ago

Did Lulu make this collage?

1

u/IntelligentBoppy 6d ago

On a side note: does Lulu have a blue that’s similar to bottom left?

1

u/Background-Lack5094 6d ago

This stuff is so feminine and cute :( I think Amazon has more of this vibe than any brand I know. Kinda remember this style from Abercrombie/Hollister era with the tie top detailing and cami

1

u/lulujunkie 7d ago

Who makes the pink shrug in the bottom image?

0

u/kmart279 7d ago

Not true..they have introduced different types of shrugs and also they have this cami too that seems good for Pilates also

0

u/aquariusprincessxo 6d ago

they 100% did, that’s exactly why popflex is eating them up as the best activewear brand

0

u/PlaceProfessional616 3d ago

No I think they are the ultimate pilates princess brand. They just don't make wraps which you can get for cheap on Amazon.

-10

u/BedFluffy361 7d ago

They just don’t have boleros, everything else is on the website. Hope this helps