Lululemon Pauses Leggings Over See-Through Issue
Lululemon has paused online sales of its "Get Low" workout leggings after multiple complaints that the material becomes see-through during squats and bends. The popular athletic wear brand is addressing quality control issues with the new product line. Customers who purchased the leggings can return them under the company's quality guarantee.
- This is not the first time Lululemon has faced issues with fabric transparency; a similar, high-profile incident occurred in March 2013 with their black Luon yoga pants. - The 2013 recall was significant, affecting 17% of all their women's pants and was estimated to have cost the company between $60 million and $67 million in lost revenue. - In response to the 2013 incident, Lululemon implemented more rigorous quality control, including revised specifications for fabric stretch, weight, and tolerance, and stationed employees in factories to oversee production. They also developed a "sheer-o-metre" with university scientists to mechanically test for fabric sheerness. - The 2013 controversy led to major leadership changes, including the resignation of CEO Christine Day and Chief Product Officer Sheree Waterson. - Founder Chip Wilson sparked further controversy in 2013 by suggesting in a television interview that "some women's bodies just don't actually work" for the pants, a comment for which he later apologized. - Lululemon has experienced other quality control issues in recent years, including pulling its "Breezethrough" leggings in 2024 due to customer complaints about an unflattering design. - The company has since invested in material innovation, including partnerships to develop plant-based nylon and mushroom-based leather, as part of a goal to make 100% of its products with sustainable materials by 2030. - In early 2016, Lululemon opened "Lululemon Lab" concept stores in cities like Vancouver and New York to test new, limited-edition designs and gather customer feedback before wider releases.
