Our good friend Alexis would like to share the magic that is complimentary hemming.

Right off the bat, I have a confession to make. At 5’10”, I rarely need to get my pants hemmed. I actually suffer from a different problem called “my-pants-are-usually-too-freaking-short”, meaning I spend most of the year in a mini-skirt (*please note this is a lie).  However, I do have some pals less Amazonian than myself and I have heard how difficult it can be for more petite ladies to get the right pant length.

We make both regular length and tall length in some of our core pant styles (and yes, tall length is ACTUALLY long. As in 35” inseams).  We also offer complimentary hemming on our pants.

That’s right, let me say it again (it just feels so good): we offer complimentary hemming on our pants.

so, what do you need to know about complimentary hemming?

1. where do I go to get my pants hemmed?
Remember that episode of Friends where Chandler goes to Joey’s tailor and weirdness ensues? This is a lot more straightforward (and less creepy) than that. Go into any of our stores and ask an educator to pin up the hem to your liking. Try and bring the shoes you plan on wearing with your pants so that you can get a perfect fit. Once you drop off your pants, they should be ready for pickup within approximately five business days.

2. how can I get the perfect fit?
The educators in the store are fit experts so don't be afraid to ask for their input. While we do complimentary hemming, we do not offer complimentary alterations…so make sure things are looking good in the waist, hips and thighs. Please also note that certain items with detailing at the hem (like drawcords) can be hemmed but the drawcord detail will not be “re-done” – it will be finished with a standard hem. There is the odd item, like something with a zippered ankle, that cannot be hemmed. For more info on which garments are specifically available for hemming, please contact our Guest Education Centre.

3. I bought my pants online and they are too long. what can I do?
If you bought your pants online, no worries – just head to any of our stores to get them hemmed. Looking for the closest store to your home? Check out our store finder to see what’s in your hood.

4. are my tops invited to the party?
You know it! If you have a top that is too long in the body or sleeves, go to your closest store and chat with an educator to see if your garment fits the bill for complimentary hemming.

5. what else do I need to know?
Are your pants a couple years old but you’ve suddenly shrunk three inches? No problem – we can hem pants at any time and a receipt isn’t necessary. The only thing we do ask is that you bring your pants freshly washed.

So that's that...the need-to-know info on our hemming. See you bending (and not tripping) on the mat.

Our pant wall, (above) is arranged from tightest to loosest fitting.

And now, over to you! How do your lululemon pants make you feel?

and our good friend Jacob.

Football is sacred.

Playing catch is therapeutic.

Any time is good time to talk and argue about it.

They always have to prove who is better on the field...

and off the field...

They always want to be comfortable (the RUN Cross Check Tech LS, the RUN Goal Pullover and Sporto Wideleg pants are crowd favorites)

They don't sweat the details, but they enjoy them.

They understand moderation is important, and enjoy a healthy balance of exercise and food.

At the end of the day, give them a beer...

and they might just love you forever.

Special thanks to Alex and Jacob for letting me tag along in their day.

Alex is 6'5" and is wearing his favorite lululemon pieces Metal Vent Tech LS, RUN Cross Check Tech LS, Court Shorts and Sporto Wideleg pants in Tall.  All are a size XL.

Jacob is 6'4"/6'5" and is wearing his favorite lululemon pieces RUN Goal Pullover and RUN Response Shorts and Sporto Wideleg pants in Tall. Jacob wears is a size L in all of his tops, and an XL in pants.

Day 31 learnings:

1. lululemon makes amazing black stretchy pants.

Both pairs of my Wunder Unders have stood up to this challenge beautifully. They weren't brand new to begin with but they haven't "aged" either. The color did not fade, the fabric did not stretch out and there has been minimal pilling from abrasion.

2. It IS possible to re-purpose.

Prior to this challenge, much of my closet was "categorized". I would only wear certain pieces for work, play, dressy events, and to work out in. I've started to look at all my clothes differently. Something that I would only have pulled out for "dressy" occasions are starting to see the light of day (Examples: Day 1, Day 15, Day 25) and lululemon pieces that only saw the inside of my gym bag are going with me to work and play (Day 12, Day 14, Day 19).

3. I'm already wearing my yoga/run/work out clothes. I have NO excuse not to get my yoga/run/sweat on

The response I received from this challenge has been overwhelming. To every friend, co-worker, and guest who took the time to have a conversation with me, provide encouragement and support, comment on a post, share their day with me by checking into the blog or ask me how I was doing (I loved the concern fellow co-workers expressed over my hygiene), you are WUNDERful. Your words have added more fuel to my fire at reaching my personal goals in fashion and styling.

For my CGSE updates, photos and blog posts
Facebook: Elim Canada
Twitter: @elimcgse
Foursquare: elimcgse

I would like to personally thank Alana, Shawna, and Ron for making this all happen EVERY DAY.

Thank you to lululemon Briar Hill ( @lululemonbhill) for sharing your tweets with me.

Note: Do try this at home. No Wunder Unders were hurt during the course of this challenge.

I'm on day two of the Wunder Under Challenge - today my Wunder Under Pants are keeping me warm under my Feel Good Pants. Later in the day I'm hitting the gym for circuit training!

bust

• Measure around the largest part of the bust.
• Keep the measuring tape straight across the front and back.
• Keep your arms at your sides
• Breathe out (we tend to hold our breath when taking measurements)

waist

Finding the natural waist is important. The natural waist is higher than most think; about 1 inch above your belly button. To find your natural waist, follow the photo below:

• Bend to either side. Where your body bends is the natural waist.
• Keep the measuring tape straight across the front and back.
• Breathe out (we tend to hold our breath when taking measurements)

hip

• Measure around the largest part of your hips and bottom.
• Be sure that the measuring tape is straight across the front and back.
Now you can take this new education and find the perfect garment for every athletic venture! Have fun!

Want to know what other people have to say about the fit of a certain product? Check out lululemon.com's "We heart feedback" section under each product!

Ahhh, the gusset. What, you may ask, is a gusset? Well, it’s a magical patch of material made to help you leap, lunge, squat and move with more freedom. You may not realize the comfort and coddling that the gusset provides until you experience it yourself.

Most pants are made with two seams (front to back and from one leg to the other) that intersect right in the crotch area. Here at lululemon, instead of the standard 4-way stop crotch seam, we incorporate a crucial technical feature to increase mobility, as well as improve the fit and comfort while wearing our pants... it’s called the gusset.

No camel toe here.

In the world of sewing, a gusset is a piece of fabric placed between a seam to provide expansion or reinforcement. The diamond-shaped patch is sewn between the legs – preventing a tight fitting short, pant, or crop from riding up during exercise. The glory of the gusset lies in helping you stay focused on your movement instead of being distracted over a little irritation down there, or heaven forbid, the dreaded camel toe.

Our lovely gusset so you can bend and stretch comfortably.

An added bonus is that most lululemon gussets are made out of Coolmax, a breathable fabric that helps you stay dry while you’re working up a sweat… so that the only thing you have to worry about when exercising is your actual workout. So next time you pull on a pair of lululemon shorts, crops, or pants and prepare to get your groove on, take time to gawk at the glamorous gusset before going on your way.

Curious about some of the other cool features we have? Check out the features and benefits section: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/features

Pssst - the Wunder Unders in the photo above are not yet available in stores OR online! We were so excited about the new antidote colour we wanted to give you a sneak peek. Check back soon and we'll keep you updated on their availability.

There are things in life that are always constant, and the Wunder Under is no exception. It's versatility, moisture wicking, gusset, and 4-way stretch are part of the foundation that makes this pair of tights so great, so I thought I'd introduce you to the entire Wunder family!

The Original Wunder: the Wunder Under Crop

They're every yogi's best friend, every runner's confidant, and ever girl's partner in crime. They've been with me around the block, across the country, even between continents; and they've always been comfortable, felt supportive, and helped me take the guess work out of picking the right pair of tights. Did you know they also come in denim luon?

The Wunder Roll Crop

But every so often a girl needs a bit of variety. Meet the original Wunder Under Crops' playful side: the Wunder Roll Crop. The waist band is soft so nothing digs in, and you can adjust the rise to your own preference. In my personal life, having the option for a higher and lower rise in one pair of tights can be the deal-maker in my most uncomfortable of days.

The Wunder Under Crop *Org

When the Wunder Under Crop *Org (organic) came out, I was skeptical as to how they'd measure up to the originals; I was pleasantly surprised. They're made of an organic cotton blend - maintaining my beloved 4-way stretch and they're naturally breathable - but best of all, they don't compromise! Wherever it is in life that I've needed to go, they've supported me every step of the way.

The Wunder Under Pant

It's back. With a full-length leg, they keep me unquestionably grounded. Did you know that reversibility is an option in the original Wunder Under Crops and the Wunder Under Pants? Grey to black - amazing!

The Wunder Groove Pant

And I know you'll welcome the new member of the Wunder family with open arms (I definitely have): the Wunder Groove Pant. The same waist-band as my favourite Grooves paired with the leg of my favourite tights! And they're reversible - it was love at first wear for me!

It's nice to know that what I loved so much from my very first pair of black Wunder Under Crops has been carried out to make a family of tights suitable for pretty much every day of my life. I may never wear non-tights again!

Check out all our Wunder Unders online or visit your local lululemon to meet the fam!

I have heard all these questions and more a million times over as an educator at lululemon. So today, I'm going to solve all your queries and be your personal "Fit Expert".

First things first: here are my simple guidelines to knowing the pants you are trying on are fitting you right. All you have to do is look down, at your crotch! Yup, you heard right!

When you stand up straight, take a look how the fabric is sitting on you. If you get puckering or bagging, that's excess fabric, and yep -- those pants are too big for you. Are the pants pulling a little? or maybe you are getting what I like to call "cat whiskers" on the front? This often means the pants are too small. Sometimes I do find this can always be attributed to my curvy hips and I just need a different cut. To determine which it is, check out that booty: does it have shine? When you see shine when wearing our garments it means the fabric is a bit too stretched. What you want to look for to know you have that ideal fit, is a smooth, flat plain of fabric across the front.

Ok, I know it is a bit out there, but I'm going to confront the dreaded word -- camel toe! I have a lot of ladies ask me why on earth they get this unsightly wedging at the front of their pants. And ladies, the answer is so simple! It's all in the rise. The pants have just been pulled to high for the rise that the garment has been designed to sit at. This normally occurs when people mistakenly try on low rise pants when they prefer pants that sit at a higher rise, and well, frankly, hike it up there -- causing camel toe. So switching to a pant with a higher rise will obviously save this. The other cause happens to people who have a long rise in the body, so even some high-rise garments can sit on them like mid-rise. The best solution is to try a pant with a gusset and a roll-down waist, such as the Groove Downs, Move Crop and Wunder Roll Crop.

Lastly, I want to quickly go over length. Length is a pretty non-issue with a garments as we offer complimentary hemming! But don't just limit yourself to only full length pants at the perfect length. I'm fairly short, so when I try on a lot of our crops, honestly, they look like my pants have shrunk or I am preparing for the yearly monsoon in a pair of flood pants. My solution: hem my crops.

Next time you are trying on some of our garments, take this all into mind when you are checking yourself out in the fit room mirrors. We offer such a variety of pants, all with different fits and rises, so you can find that perfect pair for you.

From your personal fit expert to you, go find that awesome fitting pair of pants and enjoy!

Above: Alex in her new pair of perfectly fitting Groove Pants. 

I recently had a guest experience that has impacted me on so many levels that I had to share it.

A young woman named Alex and her little sister were in the changing room having the little sister's pants hemmed. Alex was trying on one of our new hoodies and trying to decide between two colours. After deciding that the one with the pink stripes fit nicely the little sister made a comment about how Alex wouldn't have fit into that hoodie a few months ago.

Always curious to learn more about our guests I asked Alex what her sister meant. She told me that she is 20 years old and that she was a size 24 in January. At that time her doctor told her that she had to lose weight and change her habits or the long-term impact on her health and life would have severe consequences. Since her doctor's warning Alex has revolutionized her lifestyle – incorporating healthy eating and regular exercise. To date she has lost an amazing sixty pounds.

Alex then said that her "goal has been to fit into a pair of lululemon pants."

While the girls got changed, I grabbed our incredible store manager and told her that I really wanted to do something to demonstrate that lululemon is a goal-oriented and health conscious team would support Alex in her goal. Rebecca asked me what I wanted to do. "I want to give her that first pair of pants," I said. I was floored when Rebecca responded with "Do it!"

Pulling Alex aside, I said "we are really proud of the changes that you have made to live a better life and that you have made our company a part of them. We are going to give you that pair of pants that you have set as your goal. If they don’t fit today, you can come back when you are ready. But let’s go give it a try now!"

Nervous as to whether or not she would fit into the pants, I suggested we grab the Groove Pants that matched her hoodie. She went back into the change room to put them on. When she came out the pants fit her perfectly. She achieved her goal without even knowing it.

Ultimately Alex took the pants and hoodie home, hopefully as proud of her accomplishment as our team was of her for completing her goal.

It was an amazing thing that the lululemon athletica Rideau Centre team did to support this young woman and it was personally rewarding to be a part of it. I wish Alex the best of luck in accomplishing her next goal.

By putting your goals out there you have a better chance of building the support network required to achieve them. How do you put your goals out there? How do you support others?

To measure your inseam you'll need a friend and a measuring tape. (Easy enough, right?)

Wearing pants that are fairly fitted or shorts, and standing up straight, take the end of the measuring tape (the 1" end) and hold it at the top of your inner thigh.

(Make sure you're standing up straight! If you bend over a little you may end up with shorter pants than you want!)

Get your friend to pull the tape straight down the inside of your leg to the floor – the number that's hitting the floor is your inseam measurement! Make sure you're looking at the inches side of the tape.

**Tip - If you are planning on wearing shoes that have thick soles – like Shox - you may want to add 1" to your inseam length to ensure your pants aren't too short**

Want to find out the length of pants you'll need based on your newly discovered inseam? Check out our size chart here: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/sizes If you're an inbetween length, don't forget we offer free hemming at all of our stores!

Why do I love my wonder under tights? Because if I didn't have them on, I'd be naked.

A Day in the Life of my Wonder Under Tights:

5:30am: Wake up. Think about my day. I'm going to work and then a run afterwards. I want to pack as light as possible. Solution: wear my gear to work. The resulting outfit: Flow Y Bra, Cool Racerback Tank, Wonder Under Tights, a baggy t-shirt and a hoodie for warmth. I am very lucky that I don't have a dress code at work. 

6:45am: Throw my runners into my Jet Running Duffle and I'm out the door to catch the bus. 

12:00pm: Ate two wraps and a salad, am extremely thankful for the 4 way stretch waistband.

5:00pm: Take off my t-shirt and hoodie, tie up my runners and I'm off on a 3km jog to the gym!

These tights are my secret weapon as I navigate though my day of work and play. From keeping me covered in down dog, to wicking sweat across a 10km finish line, or being paired with a pair of gladiator sandals for a stroll down Robson Street, my Wonder Under Tights blur the line of sport and fashion. These are definetly not my momma's 80's spandex.

We currently make three different versions of these tights: We have a long option, regular length crop version, and now an organic cotton yarn legging style. Got questions on the difference? Give us a ring at the GEc (1.877.263.9300) and we'll be happy to give you the lowdown!