 |
| Front page of the March 19, 2013 Wall Street Journal |
Now, onto my favorite new items from this year:
#1 - Luxtreme Wunder Unders (now called Wunder Under *Interlock)
Love, love, love. I don't know what took lululemon so long to come out with these. They are opaque, breathable, compressive, don't pill, and don't hang onto pet hair or lint. These have become my go-to gym bottoms. The only thing better than lux WUCs would be to make them with the higher Groove pant waistband to combat their tendency to slide down.
#2 - Open Your Heart LS Top
Though there is a sizing issue with these (I went down two sizes from my normal built in bra tank size) I really like the thicker fabric, figure flattering style, and reversibility. I've been waiting forever for luluelmon to come out with a thicker, henley style top for fall/winter and the OYLS was it. I have two of these.
#3 - Pump It Up Jacket
Though it technically came out in 2012, it was at the very end of December so I'm going to count it for 2013. It doesn't look like much in the photos but this loose fitting brushed luxtreme jacket was one of my go-to jackets for the year.
#4 - Mod Waves Cool Racerback
Though most of these ended up going to We Made Too Much, I just loved these mesh-backed version of the CRB. They are super cool for hot workouts and are a great run top. I think the reason a lot of them went to markdown was that most of them came in light colors and were see though. I bought the Raspberry Glo and solid black versions.
#5 Track Attack Shorts
This year was the year I got into run shorts in a big way and my two favorites were the Track Attack shorts and Groovy Run shorts. The TAs are a great design for those of us who like a little more coverage than Speed Shorts provide. They are super comfy and great for hot weather.
#6 Runday Crops
My favorite new run crop style yet. The higher, wide waistband is like a luxtreme tummy tuck and the zippered mesh vents at the bottom are surprisingly cool.
#7 Base Runner Hoodie
Comfy warm rulu technical piece that can pass for casual.
#8 Base Runner Pant
Rulu sweatpants that you can wear on their own as apres wear, a base layer, or layered over run crops as a to/from piece. They are a little dressier looking than sweatpants but just as comfy. I hope they make a comeback next year, though in solid colors and not in two-tone.
Wonderfully roomy gym bag with a ton of pockets - super well thought out - and a bag finally came in an eye-catching print!
#10 - Practice Daily Crops in Full On Luon
Flattering seaming, compressive, and opaque with handy holster thigh pockets. These are my first pair of full on luon bottoms and I've been impressed that the thicker fabric is so breathable and wicking. I love the slimming style of these.
Honorable Mention: Post Chaturanga Pullover
There was a sizing issue with these - tight arms and super roomy body - but it's a great layering piece. I got the gray and black and am getting a lot of wear out of it. I like being able to unzip the neck when I go indoors with this.
Not new designs but deserve mention:
1 - The return of the regular luon Power Y and Scoop Neck tanks. Using Light Luon for these tanks just did not work, good riddance to their permanent (I hope) retirement.
2 - The return of Groovy Run shorts (one of my favorites) and Push UR Limits tanks.
Wishes for 2014:
1 - Bring back the longer, heavier fabric, ribbed Scuba design
Lululemon had to mark the Scuba Stretch $50 off to get them to move, that ought to tell them nobody likes the new design too much.
2 - Bring back the Don't Hurry Be Happy.
We were teased with rumors of it coming back but it never did - It better be coming next fall. It's a great looking super warm piece. Please, in addition to black, gray, and cream bring this out in a color like Plum or Deep Zinfandel. Enough with the outerwear in gray, black, and white pullovers/jackets.
Pique rulu was a big seller this fall. It would have done even better if it had come out in the Turn Around LS style.
Bring out a lightweight basic hoodie. You'd sell a ton. Lux hoodies are very sought after on the resale boards (hint, hint).
5 - Try the Runaway Fleece again - but bring it out in COLORS.
It's a very nice layering piece but we have enough gray, black, and white outerwear. If you'd have brought this out in Angel Blue, Power Purple, Baroque Blue, etc. you'd have sold a ton. As it is, they are sitting in the stores and on the website.
What would you put on your personal list of Best of for this year?
What do you want to see again?
