How tight should Lulus be?
As a rule of thumb, Lulu tights, leggings, and tops fit true to size but joggers and sweats may run larger or smaller depending on how baggy or “relaxed” you prefer the fit.
As a general rule, consider sizing up in more compressive styles, stick to your true size in styles with medium compression, and consider sizing down in styles with little compression.
Generally, lululemon leggings do not stretch out. Even the basic leggings are about 85% nylon and 15% Lycra. The Lycra keeps the pants from stretching out. Beyond the materials, there are design features that prevent stretching.
Size | Waist | Hip |
---|---|---|
XS/4 | 61 - 66 CM | 86.4 - 91.4 CM |
S/6 | 66 - 71.1 CM | 91.4 - 96.5 CM |
M/8 | 71.1 - 76.2 CM | 96.5 - 101.6 CM |
L/10 - 12 | 76.2 - 83.8 CM | 101.6 - 109.2 CM |
Items labeled as lightweight, naked, or barely-there will likely feel a little looser, and you may even prefer a smaller size. On the other hand, items (especially tights) designed for a supportive, compressive fit will feel tight and may even nudge you toward a larger size.
Leggings roll down whenever the fabrics degrade or the waist is not properly fitted. Some yoga pants are designed to fold down, but most leggings fall as a result of improper fit, worn-out waistband, or a low-quality design.
- Telltale Signs Your Leggings Are Too Tight.
- Just Wear Them.
- To Stretch Spandex, Move Around a Lot in Your Leggings.
- Avoid Hot Water in the Washing Machine; Wash Them With Cold Water.
- Avoid the Dryer; Air Dry Your Leggings.
- Pull Them (Gently) When They're Wet.
- … ...
- Try Soaking Them In Baby Shampoo.
If you're looking to exchange an item purchased online or in store, head to your closest lululemon location—our in-store Educators would be happy to help. Keep in mind, exchanges can only be completed in store and not online with our GEC. Find your closest store location HERE.
If you're searching for leggings with just the right amount of compression, we recommend the Wunder Train High-Rise Tight, which also earned a perfect overall score in our test.
For women's bras, the Lululemon size dot is on the inside left of the bra insert. For women's tank tops, the size dot is in the same location – look on the inside left of where the inserts of the bra part go.
What is the most popular Lululemon legging?
lululemon Align Leggings
With more than 3,000 five-star reviews, these are hands-down lululemon's most popular leggings. That said, a lot of people prefer to wear them as everyday loungewear because of their signature buttery soft material and flattering fit.
Size | Waist | |
---|---|---|
XS | 0-2 | 26.125" - 26.875 |
S | 4-6 | 27.625" - 28.5" |
M | 8-10 | 29.5" - 30.5" |
L | 12-14 | 32.25" - 34" |

The obvious reason leggings will fall down is that your leggings are too big. Indeed any body-hugging item of clothing or underwear needs to be bang-on when it comes to sizing. Too big, and it will not only look all wrong, but won't hug you the way it ought to.
They are too small. If they're too tight, then your extra flesh will keep pushing its way out the top, causing the leggings to slide down. This also results in the dreaded 'Legging Top', which is like a muffin-top but much less tasty.
Leggings can fall down for a number of reasons: Your leggings are the wrong size – your leggings are simply too big for your body shape. The elastic in the waistband has worn out, making the “stretch” effect feel simply “stretched” – and therefore baggy.
For those who want to machine wash and dry the jeans, we recommend sizing up. For your waist, increase 1" for sizes 27"-36", 2" for 38"-48", and 3" for 50" and up. And for your inseam, increase 3" for sizes 27"-34" and 4" for 36" and up. For purists who like their denim unwashed, no need to size up.
Another shopping secret is that Lululemon will also mend ripped seams or holes meaning your leggings will truly last you a lifetime.
Trade in new and gently used Lululemon items for an e-gift card. If you missed the 30-day return mark (or prematurely tore the tags off your items), there's still hope. The Like New program lets you trade in new and gently used Lululemon items in exchange for an e-gift card.
Lululemon Align bottoms typically run true to size. If you are in between sizes or prefer a more compressive, tight fit, we recommend sizing down.
The Educators recommend sizing up one size for a more comfortable fit. Women with a bigger chest but small band should size up. If you like a more compressive fit, you can choose to go with your exact size.
What happens if Lululemon doesn't fit anymore?
You can only exchange Lululemon items in store. If you need a different style or size, you'll have to visit a Lululemon store to make the swap.
Squat like a frog, as low as you can go.
Look at your rear in the mirror. If you can see the white Lululemon tag through the pants, or anything else, your pants are too tight. Go up a size or two, even if the length isn't quite right. Lululemon can alter the length for you.
Lululemon's Quality Promise says “if our product doesn't perform for you, we'll take it back.” They stand behind the performance of their leggings and yoga gear, so you can claim this “warranty” by bringing the leggings and proof of purchase to your local Lululemon store where they can issue an exchange for a new ...
Lulus accept returns that are postmarked within 30 days of the delivery date but in order to return your item free of charge, you will need to have sent the item back postmarked after just 10 days, which is quite a short turnaround compared to other retailers.
Leggings (especially leggings with compression) should give you a feeling of snug security, or be gently tight. If they just feel 'there' but there's no snugness, they're probably too big. Remember that they'll stretch more over time (with wearing and washing etc.) so definitely look for snug to begin with.
Best Compression: Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight
The Wunder Train is extra supportive, fully opaque, and made of Lululemon's fast-drying Everlux fabric, making it the perfect addition to a trainer's wardrobe.
5 of my dresses are size XS and my one dress that is a size S is a bit loose so as far as everything I've ordered from them I would say true to size. They run small. I am an XS, but when ordering from them I often get a size up.
Generally, Lululemon´s pants, leggings, and shorts run true to size. Shirt sizes also fit the way you'd expect. Some of their other options don't fit as expected. Their outerwear, bras, and dresses run small.
- Athleta – a Gap subsidiary.
- Victoria Sports.
- Under Armour.
- Prana – a Columbia sportswear subsidiary.
- Nike.
- Adidas.
- Puma.
- Sweaty Betty.
Zella by Nordstrom
Not only are the leggings a close duplicate, but you will also find similar styles to your favorite Lululemon shorts, tops and more. Sizes range between XXS and XXL. Nordstrom regularly has sales on the Zella line, and you can find discounted Zella styles at Nordstrom Rack.
What makes Lululemon leggings so expensive?
According to a Lululemon press rep, "We have always and will continue to price our products based on a commitment to the value of fit, functionality, premium materials and detail, craftsmanship and technology." Basically, these are the Holy Grail of leggings created with top-quality material, which yes, costs a little ...
Leggings Size and Fit
Leggings should feel like second-skin on your body. It should be snug across the buttocks, thighs, and calves. The waistband should not be too tight so that it can create the dreaded “muffin top” or should be too loose where you have to keep pulling them up every five minutes.
Jean Size Women (W) | US Misses Size | Waist (Inches) |
---|---|---|
24 | 0 | 24.5” - 25.5” |
25/26 | 2 | 25.5” - 27.5” |
27 | 4 | 27.5” - 28.5” |
28 | 6 | 28.5” - 29.5” |
XS | S | |
---|---|---|
Sizes | 4 | 6 |
Bust | 33 1/2" | 34 1/2" |
Waist | 25" | 26" |
Hips | 35 1/2" | 36 1/2" |
Is Lulu's true to size? For the most part yes, however, all pieces will vary since they are not from one particular manufacturer. My overall experience has been that most pieces do fit me true to size.
5 of my dresses are size XS and my one dress that is a size S is a bit loose so as far as everything I've ordered from them I would say true to size. They run small. I am an XS, but when ordering from them I often get a size up.
Size | US/CAN | Bust |
---|---|---|
XS | 0 | 31"-32" |
S | 2-4 | 33"-34" |
M | 6-8 | 35"-36" |
L | 10-12 | 37"-39" |
If the material becomes sheer when squatting, the size is too small. When your leggings keep slipping down, you should size up one or two sizes. Leggings should never be loose at your knees, so if you find that they are baggy, you need to size down.
We recommend: machine wash cold with similar fabrics. avoid fabric softeners and abrasive fabrics/materials. hang to dry (or tumble dry on low)
The company recommends hanging or laying flat to dry for best results, but tumble drying on low will not damage their proprietary fabrics in any way. Just be sure you don't put them on a hot drying cycle. Lulu's natural blend and merino wool garments should only be laid flat to dry.
Will Lulus shrink in the dryer?
Typically leggings are made of 100% synthetic fiber so they tend not to shrink much if at all. The synthetic fabric also means the leggings will dry very quickly so a hang dry will probably have them dry by next day.
When you just don't know what size to order or if you think you're in between sizes, it's always a safe bet to go a size up. It's much easier to work with a garment that's slightly bigger than one that's too small, if you don't want to return it.
You have 30 days to return items to Lulus.
Here's the most important part: items must have a return postmark date within that 30-day window for you to receive a refund. If you try to send it back 31 days after your order arrived, there's a good chance Lulus won't accept your return.
Lulus actually considers themselves an affordable luxury brand. And, according to an article on the Glossy, a good 90% of the clothes seen on Lulus are exclusive to the site. Lulus clothing is not like Shein or other fast fashion brands that are manufactured overseas in sweatshops and fall apart upon first wash.