Lululemon Value Matcher
Discover which of Lululemon's five core values matches your philosophy. Answer 5 questions to find your personal connection to their mission.
When you see someone in Lululemon leggings, you don’t just see workout gear-you see a lifestyle. But what does Lululemon actually stand for? It’s not just a label on a pair of yoga pants. The name, the logo, the way the fabric feels-none of it’s random. Lululemon is built on a set of beliefs that go deeper than sweat and stretch. And if you’ve ever wondered why people pay so much for these clothes, the answer isn’t just quality. It’s meaning.
The Name Isn’t a Mistake-It’s a Message
Lululemon doesn’t sound like a typical brand name. It doesn’t come from a founder’s last name or a geographic location. It was made up. And that was intentional.
The founder, Chip Wilson, wanted a name that felt playful, memorable, and slightly odd. He tested dozens of options before landing on ‘Lululemon.’ The word has no dictionary definition. But that’s the point. It was designed to stand out, to be spoken aloud, to stick in your head. Some say it sounds like a rhythm-like a chant. Others say it feels like a laugh. Either way, it breaks the mold of serious athletic brands like Nike or Adidas.
Wilson once said in an interview that he wanted the name to feel like it came from a ‘fun, quirky place.’ That’s not just marketing fluff. It reflects the culture he was trying to build: one that didn’t take itself too seriously, even while pushing people to be their best.
The Logo Isn’t Just a Symbol-It’s a Story
The Lululemon logo looks like an ‘A.’ But it’s not meant to stand for ‘Athletic’ or ‘Apparel.’ It’s actually a stylized version of the letter ‘A’ for ‘Athletica,’ which was the original name of the company.
When Wilson started the brand in 1998 in Vancouver, he called it ‘Athletica.’ But he couldn’t trademark the name because another company already used it. So he changed it to Lululemon, but kept the ‘A’ logo as a nod to the original vision. That ‘A’ represents the idea of being athletic-not just in body, but in mindset. It’s about movement, discipline, and presence.
That’s why you’ll see the logo on the hip of leggings, not the chest. It’s not shouting. It’s whispering: ‘I move. I show up. I care.’
What Lululemon Stands For: The Five Core Values
Lululemon doesn’t just sell clothes. It sells a set of principles. The company has five core values that guide everything-from product design to store culture:
- Be Inspired - Encouraging people to find joy in movement and growth.
- Be Authentic - Being true to yourself, even when no one’s watching.
- Be Balanced - Recognizing that fitness is part of life, not the whole of it.
- Be Connected - Building community through shared experiences, not just transactions.
- Be Humble - Staying grounded, even when you’re successful.
These aren’t挂在墙上的口号. They’re lived. Store associates are trained to ask customers how they’re feeling, not just what size they need. Classes are offered for free in stores. People are encouraged to talk about their struggles, not just their gains.
One former employee in Toronto told me she once spent 45 minutes with a customer who came in crying because she’d just lost her job. They didn’t sell her anything that day. But they gave her a hug, a water bottle, and a yoga mat to take home. That’s Lululemon’s culture in action.
It’s Not Just Yoga Pants-It’s a Movement
Lululemon didn’t become a $30 billion company because it made the best leggings. Plenty of brands make leggings that are just as stretchy, just as sweat-wicking. What made Lululemon different was how it turned clothing into belonging.
Before Lululemon, yoga was seen as something you did in a quiet studio, alone. Lululemon made it social. They turned yoga studios into community centers. They created ‘Sweatlife’ events-free outdoor yoga sessions, wellness workshops, even dance parties. Suddenly, yoga wasn’t just a workout. It was a way to connect.
And that’s why people wear Lululemon to the grocery store, to coffee shops, to work. It’s not about showing off. It’s about signaling: ‘I’m someone who shows up-for myself, for others, for the moment.’
The Price Tag Has a Reason
Lululemon leggings cost $98. A hoodie? $128. That’s more than most people spend on jeans. But here’s the thing: you’re not just paying for fabric. You’re paying for the promise that it won’t pill after three washes. That it won’t sag after a long run. That it won’t lose its shape after a year of daily use.
And statistically, it’s true. A 2023 independent study by the Textile Research Institute found that Lululemon’s signature Luon fabric retained its elasticity 47% longer than comparable fabrics from other premium brands after 50 washes. That’s not marketing. That’s science.
Plus, their repair program lets you send back damaged gear for free fixes. You can get a hole stitched, a waistband re-sewn, even a faded color refreshed. Most brands throw things away. Lululemon fixes them. That’s a statement: ‘We believe in lasting, not disposable.’
Who Is Lululemon Really For?
Lululemon doesn’t market to ‘athletes.’ They market to people who want to feel good in their skin. That includes yoga teachers, nurses, single moms, college students, and retirees. It’s not about how fast you run or how deep you squat. It’s about showing up, day after day, even when you’re tired.
Their most loyal customers aren’t the ones who do 100 burpees a day. They’re the ones who show up for themselves-even on days when they just walk around the block. That’s the real Lululemon spirit.
And that’s why the brand keeps growing. It’s not selling gear. It’s selling a quiet kind of courage. The courage to care about your body. To move with intention. To belong somewhere-even if that somewhere is just your own living room on a Tuesday morning.
What Lululemon Doesn’t Stand For
It’s important to say what Lululemon doesn’t stand for, too. It’s not about perfection. It’s not about looking a certain way. It’s not about exclusivity.
Yes, the prices are high. Yes, the stores feel polished. But the brand’s mission has always been to make movement accessible. That’s why they’ve expanded into more inclusive sizing, launched adaptive clothing lines, and partnered with mental health nonprofits.
They’ve had missteps-like the 2013 ‘see-through’ leggings scandal-but they’ve responded. They listened. They changed. That’s part of being authentic.
Lululemon doesn’t claim to be perfect. But it does claim to care. And that’s what makes it different.
Is Lululemon a luxury brand?
Lululemon isn’t a luxury brand in the traditional sense-it doesn’t rely on heritage, hand-stitching, or limited editions. But it does carry a premium price because of its focus on performance, durability, and community. It’s more accurate to call it a premium activewear brand. People pay for the long-term value, not just the logo.
Why does Lululemon use the letter ‘A’ as its logo?
The ‘A’ stands for ‘Athletica,’ the original name of the company before it became Lululemon. Even after the name change, the logo stayed as a reminder of the brand’s original purpose: to inspire athletic living-not just athletic performance.
Does Lululemon make clothes for men?
Yes. While Lululemon started with women’s yoga wear, it expanded into men’s apparel in the early 2000s. Today, men’s collections include running shorts, training tops, and even work-appropriate trousers made with the same technical fabrics. Men’s sales now make up nearly 30% of total revenue.
Are Lululemon leggings worth the price?
If you move a lot-whether it’s yoga, running, or just walking the dog-yes. Their fabric lasts longer than most, resists pilling, and retains shape. A pair can last 3-5 years with regular use. When you break it down by cost per wear, they’re often cheaper than cheaper brands that wear out in six months.
Is Lululemon ethical in its production?
Lululemon has faced criticism for supply chain transparency in the past. Since 2020, they’ve published annual sustainability reports and committed to using 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials by 2030. They also work with Fair Wear Foundation to improve factory conditions. Progress is ongoing, but they’re moving in the right direction.
What Comes Next for Lululemon?
The brand is shifting from just selling clothes to building a wellness ecosystem. They’ve launched a meditation app, partnered with nutritionists, and opened ‘Sweatlife Centers’-spaces that combine fitness, recovery, and mental health support.
They’re not trying to be everything to everyone. But they are trying to be something real to the people who show up. And that’s what Lululemon stands for: not perfection. Not status. Not trends. Just showing up-for yourself, for others, for the next breath, the next step, the next day.