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| front of the jacket I ordered from the website |
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| Stitching on the sleeve from a jacket in the store |
It was with great reluctance I returned my Pow Pink Define today. I really, really wanted to keep it because I love the color but the stitching on the front of the jacket was just too bad on too great an area of the jacket for me to live with. I have a Potion Purple that has seams that are getting rough in a couple of areas after two years of use so I know what this jacket is going to look like:
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| Rough seams on the arm of my Potion Define |
My Potion jacket has been well-used over the past two years but it's about ready to take a trip to the store to see if they can fix these seams. (And yes, I'd say Potion is one of the worst colors I've run across as far as wear is concerned. Sometimes that happens - certain colors wear worse than others.)
You can even see some of the poor stitching on the photo of the jacket on the website. Well, you used to be able to see it when the jacket was in stock. My Pow Define had bad stiching in several areas - on the front, both forearms and along one side of rectangle in the back of the jacket. If it had only been a small area or two I might have chosen to live with it and have the store seamstress take a crack at fixing it when the time came but it was an all-over problem. The fact that it's decorative stitching on a light color makes getting it repaired that much more of a crapshoot, too. Sometimes the store seamstress doesn't do such a hot job at the stitching. It's not a problem if it's on the hem of dark pants but when it's front and center on a bright jacket then I become reluctant to gamble on it. I also buy with an eye to reselling in a couple of years and I prefer not to have to heavily discount my used stuff for wear that isn't my fault.
It also wasn't just my jacket with a problem. I took a look at three jackets at one store last week and another five today at a different store. They all had major issues with the stitching. Ever since Stride jackets had a problem with the sleeves developing rough stitching (two, three years ago?) I always inspect any jacket for bad seams and this is the worst Define I have ever seen. It's a shame because the color is beautiful. However, on a happier note, the store I went to today happened to have a lone Bruised Berry Define in my size so I got that instead. The Bruised Berry Define has solid stitching and was made in another country (Cambodia vs. the China-made Pow Pink Define). The Bruised Berry also has the normal heavier weight, stiffer luon I prefer in a jacket. The Pow is very stretchy and light weight, almost like a light luon feel. I know some people have described the Bruised Berry as being scratchy but I think it feels normal. Another thing I didn't like about the Pow Define is that the mesh panel in the back is white and not Pow:
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| Tag from Pow Define. It shows the white mesh used on the interior. |
In all my other Defines, the mesh always matches a color used in the jacket.
It's a major bummer that the quality has declined so much - it seems quality just went off a cliff from the occasional bad apple to nearly across-the-board junk. You really have to practice defensive buying - thoroughly inspecting a piece before you buy, deciding how fragile something is, deciding whether you can live with bleeding. Most of my recent buying has been basics that haven't had too many problems - Swiftly tanks, Cool Racerbacks, and headbands. The high resale value of lululemon also factors heavily into my purchase equations. I know quite a few of you are saying try this brand or that brand but I still get a nice percentage back on my lulu investment when I sell it so I cannot discount that factor. I am starting to look around a bit and checked out some Zella (still not a fan except for the USA-made nylon stuff) while I was in the mall today.
PS - Regarding bleeding and the cold/hot/hot wash technique. I did the wash on my Pow and Flash Dune Cool Racerbacks. It seemed to have worked. I didn't have any bleeding on either and the purple circles I got in the armpit of the Flash/Dune CRB didn't come back. I wore the Flash/Dune CRB with a white bra the other day with no problems. I've read comments that the technique didn't work so well on Flash luxtreme items - it tended to fade those items and they still get purple streaks when they dry. I think Flash and Ray luxtreme are two of the worst bleeders as far as problems I've read about.
118 comments:
I started noticing this with the so called 'reversible" wonder unders... they have the same bad quality sticking on the inside that i can't imagine using them reversed.
Oh man, bad smelling! I meant "stitching"
Good job on the return. lulu needs to realize that their customers are not going to take this rapid and continuing decline in quality. Our hard earned dollars would be better spent elsewhere.
Omg! The mesh on mine is a "nude" color! They aren't even the same!? Anyone else have something different? I thought this nude color was weird!
I don't know where to send comments directly, but to anyone who reads these, the lift and separate is coming in a flash/black combo. :) Saw it today!
Wowza, it's appalling that LLL quality control would allow such shoddy work to be shipped to the end user. I'm insulted that they would think we wouldn't notice uneven seam construction or that we wouldn't care. It's like LLL management thinks we'll buy anything they release.
@Anon 10:03
I agree with you on the "reversible" wunder unders. I always have mine hemmed so I lose most of the calf logo, but the stitching on the inside of my indigo WUCs is too sloppy to be worn on the outside anyways.
Wow... I am shocked to see how bad that is!!! So sad to see a once awesome company deteriorate so drastically :(
Yea, I have reversible crops too and I never wear them on the 'reversible' side coz the stitching always seem off.
The stitching on my light flash crb is shoddy. It's lose and looks like it could snag or unravel at any moment. Looking back, I should have just returned it.
I wore my white Pace Setter Skirt for the 2nd time yesterday. I washed it and the seams around the top of the gusset in the shorts totally unraveled. There is a giant hole in the shorts, taking it back this week.
What a crappy stitching job? Holy lack of quality control! The jacket should be PERFECT for $100+. Lulu quality has really, really taken a turn for the worst. In the past few months, there always seems to be something to "look-out" for......sheerness, bleeding, unraveling stitching, CT, etc. The quality issues have been wonderful on my wallet.
I noticed the same thing on my pow define. I went through the pile to
find the one with the best seams. I actually notice that a lot with lulu's stuff now. All of the seams seem over done, frayed, and uneven. This is my first define so I didn't know about the mesh. Not sure if I will keep it. I really like the color and fit and unlike the stride, I can run in it. I'm bummed because I also came home with black ebb and flows and they are so sheer, my husband said there was no way I could wear them. I love them but the picture he took when I bent over was crazy. It looked like I had stockings on. I get really upset when I see other women write it must me their body type. That's crazy! I am confident it isn't my butt that is making them so sheer. Why can't lulu get it right anymore? Depressing.
Kristin Don't forget fish smelling items!! Lol.
What kind of margins are they targeting?? Prices up, costs down.. weren'they making enough before?
Same issue on my pow reversible WUC. No possibility of wearing these crops reversed. The stitching is as bad, or worse than than the photos of your define :(
Oh and I really love that potion purple color- I wish I was around for that one!
Vey disappointing about the Defines. What's next?
I received my Pow WUC yesterday. They are definitely going back due to complete sheerness. I'm sure they would bleed all over the place too. I wanted to love them because I missed out on the Paris Pink.
I also tried the new Engage bra in Pow. I like it but it is going back because it fits smaller than my other bras. I am consistently a 6 in LLL bras (flow y and energy) but this 6 was too small. I like it so I'm going to try the 8 but I have to deal with the hassle of Internet returns and snail mail. This irks me because in addition to all the other LLL issues mentioned in earlier posts, there is also inconsistent sizing across the board! It's a total gamble ordering online!
On a bleeding note, I always wash before wear and sort colors. Usually have separate loads of flash & pink. I wash warm/cold/cold (can set my old "top loader" with an extra rinse) and use powder Tide. I have had zero bleeding issues to date. I washed my POW mantra LS separately first and noticed the water was a beautiful pink but was clear by the second rinse. Haven't worn it yet so will let you know if there are bleeding issues.
The same situation occurred when I washed my Pop orange ss swiftly and Pop orange crb. Water was PINK (yep) but clear by second rinse. Again, haven't worn either yet.
So I'm one of those people whom have had no bleeding issues with any ray or flash items, UNTIL YESTERDAY!! I wore my daily tank in flash on a run and when I returned, I noticed that dang it, my pH isn't so magical after all and had turned the lovely purple everyone is experiencing :( I'm bummed and now completely disenchanted...I still love the Lulu fit and design, but just can't justify the price tag anymore, it just pisses me off at this point. They are cheapening the brand so much, I'd be surprised if anyone wants to wear their stuff come this time next year. Meanwhile, I'm definitely spending my money elsewhere, so much awesome stuff cropping up everywhere!! What a shame Lulu!!
I'm sad. I really loved Lulu, but it doesnt't seem like the company is coming back to its former glory. Things continue to go downhill.
Yep....and if people keep buying, but say they aren't (I know....I know....it's hard to stop!) Lulu will just figure, they can continue to get away with....selling us cheap crap, from china. What a shame... I may have to cut my "love affair" with Lulu and find a new lover! Just trying to figure out....when is the best time for us to "break up!!" LOL....
My breakup has been very slow and drawn out. I definitely buy MUCH less than I used too - an occasional item, but maybe one or two a month as opposed to a few each upload. It's all very dysfunctional with me imploring "Why, lulu, why are you treating me so badly! I just want us to have what we used to!"
I agree...why should I continue to spend hard earned money on crap like this. I can find better quality stuff in the mall. This makes me so sad. I hope they are paying attention to the number of complaints/returns and see that they are just running this company into the ground. They are cheapening this brand and it's so sad to see.
kira grace! I know there is not a great selection but the crops look like better quality.
Far as I can see....K G doesn't shop to Canada! :( BOO! I've never been "out of a relationship" (Lulu) This is going to be so hard...to be on my own again! LOL
@ Christie 3:01 AM - you can take your CRB in for repair of the seam(s). If they cannot fix it to your satisfaction, you're at least going to get a store credit.
@ Anon 4:48 - Ebb & Flow crop being sheer. It's really annoying when people say it's someone's body type making them that way. It's not! They come in different sizes! You should be fine in your proper size for yoga with all the bending! My two pairs are slightly sheer, but not obscene, and nude seamless underwear solves the slight sheerness issue for me.
It's a shame there are issues with the E&F as it is otherwise a superior crop in so many ways. I also don't understand why the front material at the pelvis area is thicker than the material at the back, it should be reversed or they should match.
LLA, that's very unfortunate about the number of issues with your Pow Define. Nice one on the Bruised Berry Define. It's great when it works out like that.
My pow define is going back for the same reason. Not only is the inside mesh panel white, but mesh under the flap in back and the mesh in the pocket is too. It's these little details that made us all love lulu in the first place, and now frown. My stitching is jacked! ...and it smelled fishy when it came in the mail.
...and when I broke up with lulu this month the pow define was the one item I told myself I could have if it came out. sad. :(
Agreed Moneygirl!! it's gonna be a BAAAD breakup!! I hope in the breakup...I get the house, the new sports car....ohhh and the new cottage on the lake! :) LOL...
I'm pretty shocked at how a company can put out such garbage and still increase prices and expect people to take it. Sorry but if I buy something that is poor quality, unless I'm paying for it at a huge discount, I'm going to bring it back and complain big time.
I've worked in retail for a long time, that's what customers do. If a purchase is faulty, it's return worthy. Seems logical.
What boggles my mind is how people still buy things that are essentially defective when it comes to lulu. Or they buy things that deteriorate and they debate keeping it because it's a certain "hot" item or a certain special colour. It's absolutely insane. If lulu fans want to see better quality, better stuff coming out they can't continue to hoard product that bleeds, rips, pulls, pills, and has shoddy stitching. They need to COMPLAIN.
But not complain and keep their purchases. That's counter productive. The company is laughing in your face when you do that.
Imagine this scenario: Oh I'm not happy with my new macbook because "insert issue here". But instead of returning it within my rights to do so as a consumer, I will keep it and use it despite its faults just because it is an apple product and I'm afraid of never getting such and such a model again.
And then the company sits back, rakes it in and laughs at the consumer.
I'm convinced that's what they are doing. It's what Christine Day is doing, mark my words.
As a student who runs and coaches runners, I need good quality workout clothes, and of course I like them to be stylish. But there's no way in hell I'm going to spend 60 dollars on a top if it's going to bleed all over itself because I'm sweating. That's completely asinine.
.....
I could go on. But I think my rant is over for now.
I'm not totally breaking up with Lulu (yet) but sad to say I'm looking at other options already. I just got myself a ray-like, highlighter yellow sports bra from H&M for US$19. The design is like the Ebb&Flow bras so I'm happy. Pretty sure it won't bleed too since I have the same one in a bright purple color.
FYI -- Check your seams on the Swiftly Tanks too, I got a Pow Pink (light, i think) one from the website last week that had a shoddy seam on the lower front hem that was crooked and I was pretty sure would unravel when washed. Really bummed because of course it was sold out by the time I got mine, but at that price it has to go back...
6 months ago..I got 2 yogi t shirts in the mail. both came in 2 Seperate orders and right out of the shipping bag, with seams all coming unravelled....... I emailed Lulu, no reply....I called and got a rude rep, who said "send it back" and didn't even offer to find me a new one and a also got on chat....and the rep Siya was useless. Took a good 3 solid days of arguing with them...online, through emails (I had REFUSED to call them again) before they offered me a crappy solution, I wasn't exactly happy with...and then after "helping" me...said my items were now "final sale!" That's how Lulu treats its top customers! Poor customer service, shoddy work from china, bleeding colors....please remind me again, WHY we buy from Lululemon??? Yes, anon. 7:18...Christine Day is definitely laughing at us--ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK! Dough!
Thank you for posting the photos of the terrible quality of the Pow Pink Define.
Well, ok.... I guess now I know what to expect when mine arrives tomorrow.
Anyone with a conscience would not allow for such poor quality to get to the stores !! Very sad !
This really makes a difference to my Lulu shopping. I thought I was just being too fussy, but I completely agree with you. I checked the seams on all of my Defines after reading this, and none of them are as crazy as the seams on your new Pow Pink. Thanks for writing about this issue, and the ups and downs of a good company gone global.
My Pop CRB had this issue as well... disappointing. Unfortunately I only noticed after I had removed the tags.
@ Anon 7:25 AM, thanks for the tip on an E&F like sports bra from H&M. I'll have to check that out.
On quality and production...LLL is beholden to the shareholder. Make more money and better return on investment. "Enough" is never enough. Do you remember when LLL used to limit stock? When they were done producing an item, they were done. This does not happen anymore. They keep producing it or it comes back in another round. As for issues of the decreasing quality of the Luon, especially in the WU's, I don't get it. The WU is a famous, staple item. In the least you would think the quality on WU's would remain perfect. And why on earth would they discontinue the Still Pant?! The Relaxed Fit pant is the nearest, similar pant and they are two completely different pants! I have both and the "Relaxed" pant is actually more fitted!
Someone else wrote this under the Thursday topic, and it is bang on. There is no QC in the LLL factories before they leave the floor. How else do you have fishy smelly clam diggers released? Mirage WU with the pattern lay reversed (white up top when it's to be white on the bottom), one factory (so it was stated here) producing the wrong way, but LLL still putting it in stores/shipping, and seeing if customers notice and/or backlash.
"Anonymous said...
Foreign subcontractors are a huge problem for a lot of merchandise these days. The real problem is that lulu has no quality control system in place and continues to ship DEFECTIVE items to customers. lulu stores put DEFECTIVE items out on the floor for purchase, too. lulu is hoping that consumers won't notice the defects within the ridiculously limited 14-day return window. No more lulu for me. Already sold my stock. Advise my students of all the problems as explanation why I no longer wear lulu and give them free advertising. Only way to make lulu clean up their act is to hit them where it hurts -- which is their bottom line profit!!
July 14, 2012 9:06 AM "
@ Anon 7:49 AM - I encourage you to take your CRB back. This is not a case of you simply changng your mind/tags off, this is a quality issue. Your Pop CRB is not that old! When it is a quality issue, they either have to fix it or try to satisfy you in some other way, i.e. store credit. All the quality issues add up and bringing it back is the best way to let them know. I know it's a hassle to bring it back.
i have been away for several weeks and the last item i ordered were the indigo wu crops. they came the day before i was leaving and i threw them in the suitcase and hoped for the best. sheer. and not a sizing issue.
i am certain i missed all the discussion while gone but that was the one item i had ordered in weeks! its been one order for me for the last 6 weeks or so and i was unhappy but, my fault for taking them with me as now its too late for return.
no more for me until quality, bleeding, and sheerness issues are solved. i do love the new colours and patterns but i just am not willing to take the chance.
Good rant Steph, I liked it. Meanwhile I have cut down, I'm purchasing 15% of what I used to at my nadir of LLL shopping excess ... I've ordered Pow WUC to wear casually under long tops/tunics because the colour is lovely. But I'm determined to return them if they smell (although coming from the Aussie warehouse, we'll see what happens), bleed, or are rudely sheer ! Promise I will and not just bitch & moan about it online
I live 6 hrs from a store. I had cotton pants from Lulu $89 and washed them 2 times....the bum was all coming apart!!! I called the Halifax Lulu and they. Told me, "no problem bring it in....we'll fix on the spot!" She assured me and reassured me over the phone. got there a few days later, early morning and was told by their staff, "no can do! leave them here....and it will take a few days to fix and we will ship to you....AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE!!!" They wanted to charge me $15 for shipping!! LOL.... I was like ummmm...Nooooooo...this should be FREE IF CHARGE, this is YOUR defective item! I ended up with them exchanging the item, for a completely different pair of pants, bec. they were all out of the pant I wanted. They would rather....give you something else, than even fix their poor quality. I left thinking..."what a waste of money on their part!" Why couldn't they just take 10 minutes to restitch the bum? They argued with me in person and I had to "remind them," that I was reassured over the phone, by %#\%* that they would fix them...when I brought them in. lulu's word.....means nothing today. They seem to like saying one thing....and then doing whatever they want, when you get there! :( customer service....with this company, is very hit or miss. they say they care....but believe me, they don't. "Money...is more important that Friends."
"FREE OF CHARGE"
No need to break up! I'm pretty sure we all have PLENTY to ride on during the dark ages!! - The winter time! The season of desolation!!
lol
SOOOO- until Lulu shapes up - we just have fun with our sportswear drama. Scope the new colors and designs. Try stuff on - but spend elsewhere FOR NOW!
I am a fan of supporting positive behavior! If lulu offers something worth it - I spend. if not . .. pass!
Enjoy scoping new/other brands and get good use out of your current items that are solid.
I just bought a pair of nancy rose crops yesterday! - i saw someone wearing them in pure barre - they look light weight but no sheerness. - also there is a cute three stitch accent on the inner cuff inside the leg - much like lulu three stitch contrast thread on the mens tops..
@ anon 6:43 & 6:49 am - I have some Kira Grace coming to me and am very excited to try it out. I will let you know what I think when I get it and write a review after a few washings and wearings. I swear their website says they ship anywhere in the world, barring export limitations.
@ anon 7:49 am - A pop orange CRB with stitching falling apart when you get it is annoying but the stitching on that is so simple and not in a visible place that you can bring it to your store to be easily repaired. I've had a few tops that had to be restitched on the hems over the years. It's irritating but not a big deal if you really like the color. FWIW, I ordered a pop orange CRB and tried another on yesterday. I didn't notice a glaring problem like with the Pow Define.
I think a lot of the problems are factory dependent (I believe lulu has switched to lower priced, crummy contractors in a lot of the case) so now the China-made stuff is on my watch list. I looked at the White/Silver Defines when I was in the store and that stitching looked like crap. That was another China-made Define. However, the Blush/High Noon Dot Define had decent stitching. That was another Cambodia-made Define.
@ anon 7:29 am - I just checked my Pow Swiftly. That is ok - phew.
@ anon 7:44 am - I've heard more stories about the GEC requiring photos on known bleeders (ray luxtreme items) so I really think the returns are affecting them. Definitely push/escalate with the GEC/store management to get satisfaction.
@Minda - thanks for the tip. I just checked out the site and liking some of the tops and crops. What's the gusset shape for the bottoms? Would love to hear your review after wearing them to class. :-)
This is all making me want to go buy the Danskin line at Walmart, I mean, if I'm going to be supporting a shady company, I might as well be saving TONS of money!!
Seriously though, I get why brands like Beyond Yoga, Hard Tail and Teeki are pricey when they are made in the U.S., but come on Lulu, you're getting your crappy merchandise made in CHINA and your prices are going UP!!! As consumers we should all be beyond pissed at this, especially given the economy and unemployment rates here in the U.S....don't buy products made overseas when you could buy a superior product that is made here and then complain about the state of things. The only thing that is going to CHANGE anything here is if we "speak" with our dollars and stop in a sense saying that we are okay with this crappy quality and ridiculous price tag just be we like sporting that little LLL logo!!
Okay, sorry, didn't mean to go off on a rampage, but this is starting to really make my blood boil. I'm at the point where I almost feel embarrassed wearing anything LLL. It is starting to make me feel shallow.
@ anon 10:20 pm - Interesting that you have nude mesh inside yours. What country was it made in? How is the stitching? Maybe there are two different factories making them and there is a better batch out here. I will say all of the Pow Defines I tried on (9 total?) did not have a bad smell.
Well..... I finally received my pow define yesterday.... And it has a shoddy seam on right shoulder that I am debating taking it back. White mesh also. I love the color so much and it matches my mirage inspires darn it!!!!
LLA, when you returned your defective define did you notice that the receipt said "return: resale able". ? Mine did. (not even a real word, but it is in lulu's world.). Interesting...waiting for the next sucker.
This is exactly what my flash light define looks like.
I heard...through the grapevine...that someone might have copied a bunch of threads from lulu's FB wall and sent them to a few of Lululemon's competitors....and well it "apparently" came back, the company(s) were shocked, at how ugly things have been getting. if I were in CDay's shoes...I would be beyond embarrassed....that all my horrible Lulu issues are getting around...and my competitors are now hearing about it. If I were her, I'd start looking for a rock to hide my head under!!
@ Minda - Love it - Keep tossing out names of other companies for us to look at. That Nancy Rose is different looking. I prefer higher end, made in North America/European, nylon stuff thanks. ;-) I need to explore the NR website after I get back from running this morning.
Do you have any Elisabetta Rogiani? I've heard good things about that company.
I agree, no need to break up with lulu quite yet - return the junk, buy the decent stuff - but we can explore our options. One of the big reasons that keeps me buying lulu is that I have so much of it and the great majority of old colors goes with that newest colors so it makes matching old with new easy.
However, I do have to say lulu is getting pretty exposed, maybe overexposed and it's not fun to walk into a class where a couple of people are sporting the same top/jacket as you are.
@ Amy B - if it is only one shoulder seam that is bad then I would keep it and have the seamstress fix it if it gets rough with wear. Since all the Pow Defines I looked at had multiple areas on the front, back, and arms of the jacket it was just too much to deal with.
@ anon 8:56 am - You would think the competitors regular check out the lulu store to see what's up. I'm surprised the analysts aren't aware of the drastic decline in quality but I suspect they are playing a shell game with numbers and don't really care about the actual product.
@LLA....one would hope they were checking....but sounds like they aren't! Also, I have read numerous times on LLL FB wall over the years, that they have huge quality control at their factories....now if that REALLY were true, I would tend to believe....all this shoddy work, wouldn't even make it into stores. Im thinking...this is a big fat lie, on Lulu's part. I don't believe...there's ANY QC--in fact, I saw something made in Egypt the other day...and the list goes on....sooooo...the Lulu factories are probably popping up all over the world....so fast, (and that's their main focus) they probably have NO TIME to hire any Quality Control teams! (That's just my thoughts anyway)
I agree: shell game. It will all be revealed in the end.
So....does Lulu send threads to all the store tailors so they can match exactly? If not, do people notice? I would think it would be hard on a decorative seam on the front to only fix part of it and have it not be noticeable. That is, with a color other than black or other basics.
To those insisting that people here complain and then keep buying: remember there are thousands of people following this blog and commenting. So some keep buying. Some complain and stop buying altogether. Some complain and buy a small fraction of what they used to, waiting for feedback first or returning anything that's not up to par. And some, I suppose, keep buying blindly.
Well put 9:11 & 9:29 :)
@ 9:29 AM, on the LLL seamstresses that do hemming & repairs: yes indeed it does seem that they have all the LLL exact thread matches. I have had several items hemmed (CRB's in particular), and a few repaired, and the items always come back with the exact thread match. I'm not talking black or fossil etc., I'm talking bright colors.
As for quality, lack thereof, buying or not buying. I have not had any major problems with my gear. I don't own any bleeders so can't relate to that, I can't relate to pilling as that has not happened to me with any items...these issues would be intolerable to me. I have many crops, pants, shorts, tanks, tops, jackets, scubas, all of which I would characterize as excellent and superior quality. I mean that with regard to the way the items are made, how they fit, comfort, wear & tear, and wash. I'll continue to be discerning and I'll know when/if to put a stop to acquiring items. I would have no problem doing it either.
The stitching on my pow define is perfect! Guess I got lucky.... It had the white mesh panels, but I really don't care what color mesh lll uses...I don't see it anyway when wearing the jacket, so it doesn't bother me (and frankly, since the mesh has more polyester content and bleeding seems to be worse with the items with more polyester/spandex/Lycra....I'm happy that the mesh isn't pink..it would probably be a bleeding issue. I have a bb define too, and don't find it "scratchy". It's not as soft as the pow, but I like that it has more structure since its not as supple.
I think the problem here (re: buying, not buying due to quality) is major denial. I'm sorry, but to continue to buy this brand with these quality issues, at these prices and to support sweat shops (I have done research on the realities of child labor and how horrible these women and children are treated and, yes, it IS frequently utilized overseas) is very irresponsible. I know that some people are taking notice and taking their business elsewhere, but I am noticing a lot of people still defending LLL and their shoddy (at least recently) business practices. A lot of LLL customers wouldn't dare shop at Walmart, yet line up to pay $60 for a tank top that is bleeding color everywhere, coming undone at the seams and boasting a "Made in " tag indicating it is highly likely to have been made by a woman/child in horrendous working conditions for virtually no $, all so the shareholders can build nice nest eggs for themselves. And LLL's main customer base are yogis??? Supporting a company with these ethics is NOT something I have picked up in my yoga practice, not at all, quite the contrary in fact. We really need to wake up here and do the right thing, there is just so much more at stake here than camel toe or whether or arses look perfectly tight in downdog.
I meant "Made in "insert third world country here""
@ Anon 8:30 am and LLA, I will let you know how the Nancy Rose crops work out after they arrive and I can use and wash them for a little while.
I see the grasshopper crops and the plank pants are both 87% nylon 13% Lycra.
The Eagle tank has caught my eye but 72$ is steep for a tank! I scoured the site too and haven't seen where these products are manufactured. I will look at the tags when I go to my Pure Barre Boutique tomorrow. They are the ones who turned me on to trying this brand out. They were carrying a few items and I noticed it was very very light weight. I noticed two ladies wearing the brand in class - one had grasshoppers on - the other the eagle tank! both are lovely on and the top is cute.
Sometimes it is pretty funny how all these Pure Barre girls seem to be trying to out do each other with the latest of the latest of whatever lulu has out. LOL In the end - everyone is the same!!
I heard through the grapevine that Splits59 will have another price drop sometime soon on what they are offering for clearing out inventory on summer sale which is 50% off at this moment. I saw on their fb they were asking if anyone wanted something in particular. . I said dusty tights and ocean ashby! she said she put me on the list for it. . wow! thats cool! some might find ashby tanks to be too thin but I adore them.. and i dig the full length dusty tights all the way.
Anyway - I have not tried the elisabetta rogiani, as I was inspecting that website a few days ago when someone mentioned the brand - it seemed to be out of my league! I'm not a competitor in need of cat suits LOL - also it was mentioned that they take your measurements in order to ensure perfect fit. . eep! maybe if i was a figure competitor! but I just want some good fitting roos to lift tone and burn in! LOL
Horrific and ever expanding quality issues! I found the slits misaligned on one pair of Gather and Crows, and shoddy stitching plus one leg shorter than the other on a second pair! It's a torrential downpour of bad product, seems to be expanding rather than getting better.
Minda, did you notice that when you try to enlarge the FIRST image of the BLACK "Rouched Front Tank Top" from Nancy Rose's site, that picture automatically changes to a different one where the pants the model is wearing don't show CT? On the original image, or at least the image on the top left, the model has her legs together and the pants she's wearing clearly outline her female part.
Just noticed it and since you ordered her bottoms, maybe you want to check if your pants do the same on you.
To the Anon who wrote about the different fit between the Still Pant and the Relaxed Pants, I know what you're talking about: I too have both pants, and while I stayed TTS (4) in the Relaxed, they are fitter, way fitter than the Still Pants, for which I sized down to a 2!!
And the Indigo Relaxed Pants all have defective stitching too. The two small tunnels for the drawstring to be tied up on the inside, are so raw/unfinish that whenever I try to wear the pants, I cannot because of the irritation on my skin after 10 or 15 min of having them on.
Bought them on MD so I am stuck with them.
Re: Analysts
As someone with a finance background I find it interesting that the analysts are not even following the numbers game well. Lulu has received several comment letters from the SEC regarding a variety of issues - i believe even recently receiving one about not knowing the difference between "Net Income" and "Operating Income" in their 10K from prior year. If they can't get the basics of an SEC filing correct, how do analysts expect to analyze the numbers?
Apologies for typos and grammar - responding via iPhone
LLL selling items with below poor quality stitching is not sth new: My Every Yogi Tee SL (the one with the patch on the back) in Porcelaine blue/white came with a double and faulty stiching work on the OUTSIDE of tee, along the so visible patch! I was in horror when I saw that, I mean, impossible not to see it, when the patch is already pretty visible! I'm in Europe and the cost of sending the tee back to lll, was half of what I paid for it. I just kept it and it sitting in the closet eversince. I can't wear it like that, it's way too obvious. Money wasted.
Sorry, I meant the Aquamarine Every Yogi SL, not Porcelaine. Just pulled it out of the hanger, and of course, Made in China.
LLA I know you returned your PP Define, but by any chance, did you take a pic of the whole tag? Or anyone who still has one these Define's with faulty stitches, could you share the numbers/reference at the bottom of the rip tag? They look like these:
CA 38801
RN 106259
D1
I'd just like to check if all the defective items are being manufactured in/by the same line/plant in China. The above references are from my defective Every Yogi SL in Aquamarine. It still has all tags on, as I said before.
If they happen to match one line of reference, I will simply start rejecting any item that comes with the same numbers, because they are coming from the same plant in China.
I just bought my first top from Elisabetta Rogiani at Yogaworks. Marked down to $25 from $88! The Metro Tank- absolutely love it! Super comfy and stretchy, made in the USA. I usually wear a size 8 top in Lululemon and I bought the Rogiani tank is Medium.
@Anon 11:03 am whoaaa good eye! that is serious ... frontal definition LOL!!!
I think there is something to be said about gussets for sure- at the same time I also think there is more to do with body shape. Not meaning slender or heavy but just SHAPE.
I'm a solid gal - strong on plow! big too! - dad is scottish and mom is philippine! hence big asian! LOL -
I don't ever have CT issues in the items that many people are upset with. What I notice about this pic you pointed out is its FULL definition! not just the center area! but on the sides too. wild.
I will keep a look out! thanks =D I don't mean to sound like a creeper- but I did like how these grasshoppers looked on other ladies. I was paying attention to sheerness factor- ease of movement, body shaping, and smooth lines.
I hope they are keepers! If not. . oh well the hunt continues! Even though . . . I'm pretty happy with splits dusty tights and beyond gathers ... there is always that fun idea of OOOoOoOoh new LEGGINGS! That I just can't turn away from !!
Great point about sweatshops and shopping with integrity, 10:46 a.m.
@Minda
Please do let us know when Splits59 done restocking and price dropping. I'm dying to try their Dusty! :)
I was weeding out my workout wardrobe and came across some LLL Backbend Crops from Spring 2011 that I hadn't worn in months. The construction and fabric are perfect. Meticulous stitching, matched seams, even on the decorative mesh inset around the waistband. The Luon is at least 25% heavier than what they're currently releasing.
I think some of the current LLL tanks are still worth the money, like the new Scoop Me Up, but I need to find a new pants supplier that makes a nice heavy, compressive legging or crop that can be used for more than just yoga. Going to try Splits59 next.
Neiman Marcus has asby tanks for $25 online right now.
@AZ Lulu Fan
Same here in regards to the "older" lulu releases. I am now reduced to trolling Ebay for nice or NWT items from 2011 or older. Still refuse to pay more than retail, but I sometimes get lucky to snag one or two at great prices. I also have a big stash of the older, better quality items from "lulu of the days gone by"....Very selective with my buys on upload nights, nowadays. Would rather spend my money on yoga workshops/retreats here in the US and all over the world. Have two that I've signed on for Sept and Oct (Berkeley and Portland) and already did several this year. Have one "big maybe" in India next year. So we'll see. No hurry to snatch the latest piece from lulu anymore, just those that have great reviews and endorsed by all here in this blog! Thanks all...keep the reviews coming. :)
i received a pair of sun sprinter shorts that have awful stitching throughout. the bottom of the pocket completely unraveled after washing for the first time. i didn't even get to wear them!
these were made in cambodia, so it isn't just china responsible for the shoddy stitching!
The last pair of black Wunder Unders I purchased had the shoddy stitching in the legs and gusset, figured they were black so I would keep them since it was not that noticeable and I had forgotten workout pants on a trip. Next thing a know a huge clump of thread ended up on my knee in Pure Barre. No clue where it came from on the pants and don't care to waste time finding it somewhere in the clumpy looking stitching. I figure I'll find it and take them back if they start wearing funny or something falls apart. Just won't buy any more Wunder Unders after that.
My bruised berry Define had the same sloppiness. They are sending it to their seamstress to try to fix. Fingers crossed, because I love the color. All of the jackets in that size and color had problems, mostly around the chest, where the logo seams meet.
Sounds like.....we ALL need to go on a Lulu diet! That's the ONLY WAY....Lulu will get the message! :)
@ anon 11:10 AM, it's anon again that commented about Stills vs Relaxed. I'm the same, 2 in Stills & 4 in Relaxed. This is weird but fine since I knew about sizing down with the Stills. However, I just find the way the Still pant hangs, not fitted to the butt and is more relaxed that the Relaxed pant, which is more fitted to the butt. Mine fit me tts, I just find it odd that the "Relaxed" pant is not as relaxed. I won't start on the drawcords (for the Relaxed), nice idea but I'm going to end up getting them hemmed. I didn't have to get any regular length Stills hemmed, they are perfect. Honestly, don't even know why I bought the Relaxed ones since I really love my Still pants!
Its not a diet!! its a lifestyle change!LOLOLOL
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Aye Aye Capt'n Yogibabe!! I will let you know when I find out about the splits59 restock and drop! I can't wait! I love the dusty because I think it is more all terrain than BY and I like having a drawstring on the waist because of jumping jacks and running.
I emailed Nancy Rose asking all of the questions we want to know LOL I will let you know when I hear back what they say about their products and wearability, washing/care, gusset, which is more popular the grasshoppers or the plank crops - I also commented that the eagle tank is beautiful but steep price for a tank =(
I saw on their FB if you sign up to register there via link they provide- its a 20% discount off first website purchase.
looking forward to LLA Kira review!
@ Anon 11:10am
I agree with you regarding the Relaxed Pants. I love the fit and great lounge pants. After wearing them for 15min, the drawstring holes on the inside of the pants were rubbing on my skin. The openings are bonded and are sharp. When I brought it in to store, they had their seamstress 'FIX' the problem but it is still rubbing and causing redness. I am having my regular tailor fix it... we shall see. Selling my stocks Monday.
WOW!!!! just took a "peek" at the Lululemon FB wall! LOTS of people PI$$ED off with Lulu right now...and a few more people, just raking Lulu over the coals!!! WOW.... and what "shoddy" responses the GEC gives! Sad....
And seriously, think about this for a moment: If you were working...in some foreign overseas company....and had 4 kids at home and had to work making probably $5 US dollars a day, maybe less...would YOU...care about how well you did on the stitching, knowing all to well....the clothes are probably going to some "rich" westerner?! I can imagine, how they must feel...being paid such terrible wages....so if I were in that situation, I probably wouldn't care how well I do the stitching! (just saying)
@Minda
LOL! Thank you missy for keeping us up to date with bunches of other "worthy to try" brands. Yes, I'm looking forward to LLA's Kira review too.
So for now....Hup two three four. Jump the jumping jacks!!! We don't want your leggins get DUSTY!! Heehee...I know, I know...that was kinda lame! Somehow visions of Jack LaLane doing the jumping jacks floats in my mind when you mentioned that move! :)
I have Mind over Matter crops from spring 2011 that had bad stitching in several places. I kept them anyway because the color print was sold out, and anyway black doesn't show these problems. 1 year later the stitching has unravelled a little more but oh well. LLL quality has been bad for a long time, but it keeps getting worse! I have a pair of thick soft WUs from summer 2009 that started pilling horribly within 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS! Think about how long we've been complaining and think about how much this company's profits have soared in the past 2-3 years!
@yogibabe
I've been searching eBay for retired LLL styles too! Right now I'm on the hunt for Scoop Neck tanks in colors I don't have. I look for NWT or barely worn items that aren't recent releases and are at retail pricing or less. I would never support a LLL scalper. Doesn't matter how much I want the item, if I missed it on upload night or at the store, I'll just wait for the next cute item to be released.
Maybe we'll run into each other at a yoga retreat someday. I haven't been to one yet, but I had a fabulous experience at my first Chopra Center meditation workshop and would love to attend a week long yoga retreat. Chopra Center Bonus - the La Costa resort shop is a LLL strategic store partner.
Thanks for the post, LLA. I order almost *all my things online so this is a caveat emptor indeed! Pretty rough when as a premium product they can't guarantee the calibre and quality we are expecting.
I've had to return to reseam a few items before. It mostly fixed the issue though they never looked AS good.
Has anyone successfully returned pants that looked like they've been attacked by a lawn mower the pilling is so terrible? These now serve only as lounge pants despite best efforts :(
They have also eliminated or changed the fit of many core items that I was willing to purchase online or in the store without a second thought if I liked the color or pattern-Stills, Push Ur Limits, Scoops, etc. I tried on about ten tops today and they either fit poorly (Scoop Me Up) or poorly and differently then the same product purchased months ago (Concord v-neck swiftly versus Pow and Pop orange). A good quality fabric can hide some of the design flaws and vice versa. I ended up with one pair of shorts and came home and ordered a Reebok Crossfit tank to try them out.
I tried on the POW Define yesterday and the stitching was, indeed, a little shoddy. What I noticed was the fit was a bit off. What normally fits snug on the bust was looser and poofy=not attractive, not a sale. My pig blue Define fits like a glove and looks great.
Walked out of the store empty handed yet again.
Anon 3:19, agreed although $5 an hour sounds high, most probably make mere CENTS per DAY, not dollars per hour :( Workers in Bangladesh make on average 13 cents per hour, China 44 cents...factor in cheap dye and declining quality fabric and it makes you go "Hmmmmmm?"
@ anon 11:34 am - I don't have a more complete photo of the tag of the bad define. If I head to the store this week I will make a note of the info. It sounds like some people are getting Pow Defines that are ok but my two closest stores did not.
@ Minda - have you tried Nux brand? I can't recall if you said you have.
@LLA hi! No I haven't tried nux yet. Though since you've asked a couple times I think I will scope them out!! Snooping detectors ON! Lol. Yay love to scope!!
@AZ Lulu Fan
That would be fun if we were to run into each other at a retreat. We will be checking out each other lulus! lol!
The retreats that I am into right now are more focused on Ayurveda, Shadow Yoga and Nrtta Sadhana (see shadowyoga.com, and click on their you tube link on the top left side. I've always been asked, "What's Shadow Yoga, hence the site! Easier to explain this way...)
Did a 10 day Vippasana meditation retreat two years ago. That was tough! 10 days of Noble Silence and meditating from 4am till 9pm (with meal breaks and rest breaks, of course). It's easy to make a grown woman AND man bawl! It was intense and I rewarded myself with some lulus! (Not to make the meditation light, but it was rewarding in many ways, more than just lulus, of course.)
So, if we happen to be at a same retreat, we must give heads up on which lulu we will be wearing, for identification purposes! :)
Yogibabe & AZ Fan you will identify each other immediately bc you both will be wearing the latest and trendiest lullulemon items at the moment!
Doesn't it happen often to most of you in Canada and in the States? I wonder. I buy lulu amongst other reasons, because nobody knows/wears the brand here in the country I live in. I'm not sure if I'd still be buying the latest releases if I suspected someone else in my class/gym might show up wearing the exact same thing/colours/prints. Particularly when you are paying a significant amount for it.
Can you please post these on the reviews at the lulu-website? Because these issues need to be dealt with!
It would have to be an item they both wear for identification! Everyone wears the latest lulu where I am. It is an army of clones!! Anothe reason why I love to mix and match brands!!
I'm the only one at my gym who wear Lulu too... Lorna Jane dominates the fitness fashion market here in Queensland Australia :)
No.....I didn't mean $5 an hour for wages in factories....I was saying more like $5 a day, but it's probably wayyyy more less than that. If you are curious about this sort of thing--outsourcing to factories in China, just google it and YouTube it. china apparently has the highest percentage of their labour being CHILDREN and I heard in one video, it was something like 40%!!! I never knew.....it was that bad, until recently...looking up some videos online. I think....everyone should be "in the know" about this! If you care about people/children...you owe it to yourself, to at least know about it! nothing wrong with educating yourself...about what goes on in the rest of the world.
Agree with so many posters here, especially about forced labor using women and children working in horrendous conditions for pennies. What's next from lululemon, human trafficking? As for stockholders who have no conscience when it comes to the plight of others in this world, what about the SEC warnings that have been issued to lululemon? CEO Day is trying to hide losses to artificially inflate stock prices. Analysts can't look at their numbers properly because "Net Income" and "Operating Income" are being reported incorrectly, falsely if you will. If this is anything other than a purposeful attempt to conceal lululemon losses, then lululemon must only hire the incompetent, even when it comes to finances. What does CEO Christine Day have to say about that? Sign up for the SEC Alerts. It's time to DUMP LLM stock and start buying competing brands!!
I just looked at my Flash Light define and it indeed has poor stitching. I will be retuning it tomorrow...
My Bruised Berry and Pow Pink defines are lovely, but the BB definitely has superb stitching, not a single flaw!!
Completely OT but I noticed some people were searching for Scoop Neck tanks and I have one, Blurred Blossoms size 4 BNWT, for sale. $30 if anyone is interested.
Well said 4:34 and 5:27....Lulu is a sinking ship rut now.....
"right now" LOL
Re: trafficking - I suspect it is very high margin and I would put nothing past LULU in an effort to please their shareholders.
Some companies increase profitability by standardizing product quality and minimizing returns - not LULU.
Yes, definitely now is the time to sell off LULU stock if you haven't done so already. More info about their HIGHLY overvalued stock and "unique" business practices: http://seekingalpha.com/article/567831-lululemon-shares-are-overvalued-as-margins-contract-and-growth-slows
@Minda (AZ Lulu Fan et al...)
Yup! I'll say something like, " I'm the one with this or that lulu (preferably vintage-not too many clones that way) and a California Poppy stuck on my left strap!" (Talking through one side of the mouth...like some super secret agent!) Strictly for ID purposes! I wonder how many LLA bloggers will see each other at the Sea Wheeze? Maybe they all will need to employ this method of identifying each other. :) They all will have a good time talking trash or reminiscing good times about lulu. Sigh....wish I will be there....
I just received my Pow Pink Define from Fedex ! :) It's perfect ! No problems with the stitching and no fishy smell. Actually, it smells like rice ! hehe
But the Pow Pink WUC are indecent ! :( I did the bend over test and one can see the tag right thru. Those are going back. I'm so glad I got the Paris Pink ones. Those are awesome !
What do ya'll think happens to the defective items we return?? Do you think Lulu resells them until someone keeps them?? Just curious........
I was so excited about this jacket, but now so disappointed. There's no excuse for this kind of lack of quality. It wouldn't be acceptable in discount garments, let alone for what we pay for this stuff. I'm passing on the jacket.
I haven't quite given up on lulu yet. I like the diversity line, and I've been in all my local stores, digging through the WU stock finding the last remaining diamond gusset WUs in my size. The amount I'm buying per month or two now is less than what I used to pick up in a week or two.
The thrill is waning though, and every time I look at the site at see items available days or weeks after upload that would have been sold out in hours a year ago, I can't understand why lulu isn't noticing serious differences in what has to be many people's buying habits.
Anon 9:57 I think lulu educators are educated to put those pieces with defectived seams back on to the sales floor, "waiting for the next sucker" as someone put it above, to get them at full price or $10 less in final sales, hoping the next one won't notice it or care about it.
I'm sure there are some people out there that don't care for quality, just the brand next hot item.
And the Ebay sharks must be stocking up to resell all Pow Pink defines and other defective pieces at twice or triple its original price... and someone will buy it at. That is what's worst of it all.
IMO worse than lululemon producing and selling those terrible quality pieces, are the women who buy them!!!
I have friends who don't care about the quality of lasting because they buy so much that they just always change with whatever is new and cool.. . but I think that attitude is changing for them because it isn't cute to bleed dyes all over. It isn't cute to have sheerness or CT. It isn't cute to smell like rotting fish or have seams straggling all over. It doesn't even have to do with the money factor - lol surprisingly. . . It is vanity. And if something isn't CUTE - then POOF out it goes.
I think lulu sends a lot of it's bad stuff to the outlets or it shows up on the We Made Too Much Section very quickly. I've been burned by things I've bought from WMTM - unraveling seams, etc.
Received mine today.. finally! And on my birthday :)
This was my first lululemon purchase and I was really worried when I heard about the stitching problems. On careful inspection, mine appears to be fine. There is one spot on the shoulder where the lines meet that is off a bit, but it's barely noticeable.
I thought maybe it was me and the odd chance I caused the damaged to the seams on my lulu wear. I did notice on a friends item they had the same seam issue, but they never noticed themselves so they where unsure when it happened and didn't think it was purchased like that.
I Love my lulu wear and will continue purchasing, but will be more diligent on my purchases ~.^
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