Let me introduce you to function: the secret pocket. This multifunctional feature is more than meets the eye. In your secret pocket, you can store:

1. $5 for that post-workout soy latte
2. Your house key (which is no longer tied to your shoelace where it could potentially come off mid-run leaving you locked out and late for work!)
3. The scrap piece of paper with your new impossible-to-remember gym locker combo.
4. Gel packs for that Sunday long run (sigh, I also heart that the new Run Ultra Short II has not one but two hidden pockets to stash all my long run needs!)
5. The business card of that cute trainer at the gym.
6. When you forget the size of your fave Groove Pants (since you tore out the tear-out tag for an anti scratch, distraction-free practice) your size is secretly printed right inside!

7. When your sister tries to steal your crops and pawn them off as her own, you can coyly point to the name tag printed on the inside!
8. Tosca's awesome new ab routine from this month’s Oxygen mag folds neatly inside.
9. Doubles as a built-in iPod holder (no more tucking it in your bra!)

And the final reason why we heart hidden pockets… (insert drum roll here).

10. Cell phone carrier pocket for a handsfree (bounce free) security system during night runs.

What do you stash in your hidden pockets?

Picture the scene: you walk into a lululemon store, and something catches your eye. "How can I get to know this garment/accessory better?" you think to yourself. "How can I be sure that this is exactly what I’m looking for?"

This is where the five Fs come in.

fabric

Today I will be calling upon my trusty Admiral Jacket to illustrate this point. We have a variety of different fabrics to suit a variety of different purposes. In the case of the Admiral Jacket, it is made out of a lightweight cotton/Lycra blend, which we call Stretch French Terry. This fabric is ideal for keeping comfy and relaxed, as it is stretchy, but holds its shape very well.

fit

Different items will have different fits to suit different activities, personal styles, and body types. You can see that my trusty Admiral Jacket has a very slim fit through the torso and arms. This is different from the Fuzzy Fleece Pullover on the left, which has a more relaxed, loose fit through the torso.

function

Much of our clothing and accessories are designed with a range of ideas and activities in mind, but these are always open to interpretation. The Admiral Jacket, for example, makes a great to-and-from piece when going to yoga class, but you can also dress it up with jeans and heels for a classy, casual look.

features

lululemon clothing and accessories are chock-full of special features: some which are immediately visible, and others which might come as a pleasant discovery after you've bought the item! Always feel free to explore and see how many you can track down. Here, I illustrate how the Admiral Jacket can be customized through its features: collar n' cuffs up, or collar n' cuffs down… you decide!

fun

Where would we be without a lot of fun? This is the part where you open up your imagination and let all of the quirks run free!

So if you ever find yourself wondering about that new item of lululemon that's caught your eye, remember the five Fs! See how many you can pick out!

Curious to learn about more fun features on our product? Check it out here: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/features

Here at lululemon, we realize not everyone has a store down the block to visit. Enter our online store at lululemon.com.

Ecommerce is our way of bringing lululemon to every corner of the earth. But how do we replace the amazing education offered when you visit one of our clothing stores in person?

Step 1

Take your measurements (a detailed post on this is coming soon!). Remember, the designer's intended fit doesn’t always match with our personal fit preferences. Consider the measurement chart a guideline towards the designer’s intended fit.

Step 2

Consider the function. Are you layering? If so, a bit bigger might be better. Running? Close to the skin to prevent chafing is best.

Step 3

Ask a friend – they know how you like to wear your clothes.

Step 4

Questions you can't find the answer to online? Call the Guest Education Centre at 1.877.263.9300.

Step 5

Find great feedback and photos by reviewing the product shots on our Facebook page or the Fit & Function section on lululemon Flickr account.

Step 6

Stay tuned, we’re launching an exciting tool soon guaranteed to excite!

Above: Rideau Centre Assistant Manager Danielle Beland Models the Start it Up Jacket!

The idea of “two looks in one” is hardly a new one for lululemon athletica. Anyone that has worn a pair of Groove Pants has been enjoying double the stylish active-wear pleasure for years.

For Fall 2009 our design team created a number of options that give you full “reversibility”. This means that there is a completely different colour/fabric on the opposite side! Check out the Start it Up Jacket, Wunder Unders, Groove Pants and the newer straight leg option the Rock Out Pant all which offer fully reversible versions.

As with all our garments, when you get them home, remove the inside tag. This will ensure that you won’t experience any irritation from the tag and will make your piece completely reversible.

Besides the obvious bonus of getting two pieces for the same price, what I really like about the fully reversible bottoms is that with the double layer of fabric you get extra coverage on your backside. This means that not only will you be warmer this winter but your butt will look even better. Nice!

As you know, our design team loves feedback. Which pieces do you think we should try making into reversible options? Let us know and you may see your double-sided version in a store near you for Fall 2010!

Built in liners

The liners are moisture wicking and we sew them in backwards so the seams don’t chafe – pull one out and have a closer look!

Flat seaming

Not all running shorts/shirts out there have flat locked seaming, which stumps us because chafing is the #1 complaint from runners. Say it loud and proud: our shorts and tech tops are flat seamed to prevent chafing!

Key pockets

Runners want pockets for gels and keys, and we put them in the right places so they don’t get in the way.

Our fabrics

Runners need high performance, lightweight fabrics that feel amazing against the skin and will take a beating. Swift, Silverescent, or Power Luxtreme, anyone?

Removeable labels

This step is often missed in other running apparel. Our labels tear right out so you can focus on your run instead of tickling tags!

Mesh panels for ventilation

We have added super wicking mesh panels to the most notoriously sweaty spots on your bod for maximum breathability.

The Tight & Mini came out recently and I was skeptical at first sight. What was that flap of fabric? Did I really need another pair of leggings? How different could this pair be? Of course, the minute I put them on, I found all the answers to my questions.

The mysterious flap of fabric turned out to be a great little detail that created coverage over my bum (the look of wearing a tunic without having to wear all the layers) and hips. The design of this extra piece is smart too as the waistline is stitched down and tacked in the back so it doesn't fold or roll up.

The rise on this style is a lower waist than any other legging we've done so far. I personally am a fan of a lower waistline and really like where they sat on my hips. With something so low, it was great that a drawstring waist was added to the equation for extra support should I need it.

Bonus: You can alter the length of the tights! 5 bar tacks can be found on the inside seam on either leg. As long as you cut just under that seam, the inside seam will not unravel. Genius!

With so many features packed into this design, it's everything BUT Tight & Mini!

The Tight & Mini gets me from work, to yoga, to play!

For more info and some Tight & Mini close-ups, visit: http://shop.lululemon.com/The_Tight_and_Mini/pd/np/560/p/1485.html

Want to see some of the tanks featured in this video? Check 'em out: http://shop.lululemon.com/women_tanks/pl/c/530.html

Up next? Learn all about how to find the perfect fitting bra!

When I started wearing lululemon clothes, I thought of them as mostly running and yoga apparel. Since beginning working here last year - low and behold - I have discovered some gems for cycling wear.

The run line is an ideal match for spinners and cyclers. The moisture-wicking, flat-seemed garments often include either Silverescent (anti-stink/anti-static) or quick dry and zip or back pockets.

I put our clothes to the test.

The Carlsbad store hosted a private yoga and shopping event with the San Diego Velo Bellas cycling group.

I rode with them before yoga and showed off the Run: Activa Vest and Flow Y Bra, explaining that I was testing the garments for cycling efficiency. While not wind resistant, the back zipper pocket fits my camera and cell phone, and the back pocket of the Spin Babe shorts fits chapstick and my lens cloth. I could have fit Gu, gum and my car key if I wanted to, but it fit in my bike's seat bag.

Jackie, my riding buddy, exclaimed that of course the vest worked - she didn't realize it wasn't a "real" cycling vest.

After the ride, we hosted yoga for the Bellas and invited them to a private shopping event in exchange for design feedback.

After a few months of testing our products in various saddles, here are the winners (please note, not all are currently available in stores):

- Spin Babe Short - have worn spinning and cycling. Lightly padded in the bum.
- Tri Babe Short - see above, plus more moisture wicking
- Run: Sprint Singlet - wore this in a triathlon
- Run: Activa Vest - wore this on a 2 hr ride
- Run: Power Crop - spin class
- Persist Jacket - to/fro bike rides and races
- Hot Yoga Bra - triathlon
- Flow Y Bra - spinning and cycling
- Brisk Run Arm Warmers - made for cold-weather running - and ideal as cycling sleeves.

That being said, lululemon is not best in the world at making cycling gear - yet. The more feedback you give us via our blog, Facebook, twitter, online, and at the store level, the more the designers will hear it and implement changes.

What else have you worn spinning or cycling and loved?

Above: Melissa, the designer of the Ta Ta Tamer and author of this blog post, at her desk in our head office in Vancouver, BC. 

How exciting that the Ta Ta Tamer is making it’s online debut! I couldn’t be more excited to share this product with our online guests.

Let me tell you a little about this bad boy; The Ta Ta Tamer is lululemon’s very first Full Support Sports bra – honest to goodness ladies, Full Support! I’m on the small end of the big boob girls out there but I have enough that I used to wear 2 bras to be comfortable when running. So naturally when I was asked where I saw myself on the Design Team (I was working as a Product Developer, always with goals to move into Design) I couldn’t help but suggest I design Full Support bras for us. The Ta Ta Tamer is my first ‘baby’ and we’ve had such great response from the guests in our stores that I just couldn’t wait to be able to share this with everyone.

We receive regular emails from stores/guests/online community about women no longer needing to wear multiple bras to go for a run – these are the things that make my life and the stories that give me chills I print out and put on my cork board for daily inspiration.

The goal with the TTT was to have a bra geared at larger cup sizes C-DD’s (eventually going up to E cups online only – stay tuned!) specifically for high impact sports like running. One of my pet peeves with most sports bras available today is that they smoosh, I’m a girl and a curvy one and I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t look like a girl when I’m running. The cups maintain your shape – say goodbye to uni-boob! The Ta Ta Tamer is available in regular bra sizes that fit true to size – if you don’t know your size you may want to go to a specialty bra store to get properly fitted, or if you are close to a lululemon athletica location we have fit experts there that would be happy to help you.  

Keep in mind this is designed specifically for full support – which means a snug fit – that’s how it works.

• Try to fit the bra on the middle row of hook & eye loops and a comfortable strap length for regular gym workouts and medium impact activities.
• Specific non stretch areas under the bust and under the arms take a lot of the weight off of your shoulders and keep it around the band – which is where it should be.
• Stabilized shoulder straps help control movement.
• The shoulder straps are also  lightly padded and a little wider to help distribute weight and be as comfortable as possible.
• Mesh around the cup areas not only helps with stability and motion control but also ventilation.
• Tighten up the shoulder straps and hook & eye closure for maximum support during your run

You know your bra is fitting you properly when:

• everything is feeling snug and secure
• there is no spillage out the armholes or top of the cups
• you can breathe
• your girls are front & centre – out of the way of your arms
• the rib cage band sits straight all the way around your torso – if your band is riding up your back then it’s too big and you likely need to go down a band size (*note* if the cups fit you well but the band is riding up, when you go down a band size you need to go up a cup size – so a 36C that is riding up the back may need to try a 34D)
• Jump up and down and make sure your bounce is minimal – adjust straps accordingly

Enjoy! And please send feedback! The Fall 09 colors (hitting stores somewhere close to August) will have adjustable straps in the back so you can easily hide the straps under your racerback tanks (you can see I like to colour coordinate my bras with my outfits).

Here's a peek at what we currently have available online:

In Black or Aruba: http://shop.lululemon.com/Ta_Ta_Tamer_II/
In Alarming: http://shop.lululemon.com/Ta_Ta_Tamer_II/

Or, as always, pop into your local lululemon and do the jump-up-and-down-in-the-change-room test.

Enjoy in good health!

How much do you really know about the lululemon clothing you love?

Look at the pictures below and try to identify which feature is shown! Answers, in order, are at the bottom of this post.

1. (Very top image) Emergency hair tie. Unruly hair? Use the zipper pull from your jacket. It doubles as a hair tie!

2. Silverescent. Look closely… this feature is the fabric! Silverescent uses X-static silver yarn to make the clothing smell like new after washing, no matter how hard you work out in it!

3. Groove pant waistband pocket. Check the waistband of your favorite pair of Groove pants for a pocket that is perfect for a cell phone, gym card, or key!

4. Hidden pocket on Women's Race Tech. Look at the inside of the back of your Race Tech top for a handy hidden pocket!

5. Removable cups. If you don’t need any extra help up top, you can remove the cups from any tank!

6. Headphone cord pull-through. Need a place to stow that iPod without the cords getting in the way? Pop your iPod in here and never get tangled again.

Want to learn more about our features and benefits? Check out our education section here: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/features

Like an ice cold glass of lemonade, LUX is the answer on a hot summer day.

Can you feel it? It's starting to heat up! Even so, as I head out the door in the early morning, or the Weather Channel calls for some wind, I automatically throw on or pack one of my trusty Remix Lulu Hoodies. Out of the closet, just in time for summer, comes my Remix Hoodie Lux.

What is the difference between the regular Remix and the Remix Hoodie Lux? For one, the Lux hoodie feels like my favorite well loved t-shirt. The fabric is made of a natural yarn called Modal® which is derived from wood pulp. This material feels extremely soft against the skin. Added details: Lycra® for stretch and pre-shrunk for the perfect fit!

Whether I'm pairing it with speed shorts to the gym, lounging around in ElementaLuLu Pants or heading to the park in a pair of denim cutoffs, the Remix Hoodie Lux is the perfect addition for my summer wardrobe. LUX it up!

Why We Made This:
-A "to & from" warm layer with a longer body to provide more coverage!
-Lycra® in fabric to hold its shape
-Preshrunk so zipper will not buckle
-Chafe resistant - flat seamed
-Chin protecting zipper garage
-Longer sleeves for added warmth

Want to try one on for yourself? Please vist your nearest lululemon athletica store location or check it out online at: http://shop.lululemon.com/Remix_Hoodie_Lux/pd/np/550/p/1221.html

Check out some pics of Elim in the Remix Hoodie Lux (razzmatazz colour) below!

Above: Elim and her Yoga Journal!

Above: A quick escape from the office - and off to the park!