we asked: pants, crops or shorts?

Last week there was a question buzzing around the Digital team: what do you love to work out in: pants, crops or shorts? We spun it to our friends on Facebook and got a tidal wave of feedback. Bottom line is this: everyone has an opinion. The question is really not that simple but people really love whatever they choose.

How Do Your Pants Make You Feel? from lululemon athletica on Vimeo.

pants?

It goes without saying that people in colder climates love pants more than those in sunnier spots, but weather aside, why do people love their pants?

• Muscles stay warm. Cold-weather runners and yin-yogis agree. Injury prevention never looked better. Wicking fabrics mean you're warm without being sweaty.
• They're perfect for instructors. They're not working like the rest of the class and that extra length does a body good.
• Razors last longer. Why shave your legs when you can wear pants instead?
• They're versatile. Reverse them, roll them, or cuff  them. (If you're feeling adventurous, hem them into crops. Speaking of...)

crops?

If Goldilocks shopped at our store, we're pretty sure she would only buy crops. The consensus is that they're not too cool, not too hot, not too short and not too long - they're just right. Perhaps the ultimate in versatility, here's what people love about crops.

• They have built-in air conditioning. That breeze on the calves feels so right when you're working so hard.
• You can get a grip in hot yoga. A lot of guests like how they can hold tree pose more easily with a little help from their crops.
• Spin class has no surprises. There's no chance of catching a hem in a pedal.
• Your skin can come out to play. If you've been working on toning your legs but shorts are still a bit frightening, crops are the perfect choice. (You have to start somewhere, right?)

shorts?

'Tis almost the season for sunscreen and sandals. In the summer months, most people whip out their shorts for their workouts but even guests outside of California, Florida and Arizona wear shorts all year long. Here's why.

• Hello, maximum freedom! Nothing feels better than wearing nothing at all and shorts are the closest thing.
• You can wear them like a trophy. The best reward is feeling fearless in your Speed Shorts.
• They go the distance. Clocking major miles in shorts is the way to go for all our marathoners out there.
• You can't hide. They're the ultimate "hold me accountable for my form" sign for instructors worldwide, a major plus for those looking to take their fitness up a notch.

if you're here to shop

We offer a lot of our favourite styles in varied hem lengths so you don't have to choose one fit over another. You can find your favourite Groove fit in pants, crops and shorts. Same goes for the Relaxed Fit and Wunder Unders. (FACT: The Boogie Shorts fit just like your favourite pair of versatile tights. Don't let the name fool you.)

Elim loves the Wunder Unders so much, she wore them for 31 days straight.

No matter which style you choose, there are things to know before you buy. If flat seams, gussets, hidden pockets and moisture-wicking luon are words you're unfamiliar with, check out a few other blogs to get familiar with the basics.

• How do I wash my lululemon? You're dying to know. It's simple.
• What is a gusset? Great question. It's money well spent. Learn why.
• Can I get my older pants hemmed? Sure can. Read all about complimentary hemming.
• What the *Br does that mean?! Yes, those abbreviations mean something. Read our guide to product lingo.

Stash your gym pass, credit card and house key in our hidden pockets.

want more?

• Join the Facebook hemline conversation. It's a looooong one.
• Get inspired by all things Wunder-ful. Check out Elim's 31-day Challenge.
• Get in your Groove. This blog has tips to finding the perfect fit in our iconic pant.
• Shop for your next favourite pair of pants, crops or shorts. Right this way.

what is off the mat?

For the next four weeks, I'll show you how I wore the Still Pant, Astro Pant, Groove Pant and (of course) the Wunder Under Pant to the office and then repurposed for yoga or the gym.

Meet the pants I'll be wearing during Off the Mat:

1. groove pants

The Groove Pant style is one of our classics and have been a part of the lululemon athletica family since 1998 with various design updates.

2. still pants

Designed to be the relaxed and loose fitting answer to our Groove Pant, the Still Pant is a company favorite to wear for or after yoga/gym and play. Some of our guests have even taken it into maternity with them!

3. wunder under pants

This style is beyond versatile. Need to see for yourself? Check out the Wunder Under Challenge from earlier this year.

4. astro pants

New to my wardrobe and for many others, meet the Astro Pant: a mid rise, straight leg alternative to the Groove Pant.

Stay tuned, outfits posts will start next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

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

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

Brittany, our product trainer, recently got her hands on some samples for Fall 2010 and put together a special sneak peek video for you with some highlights. Enjoy!

These items and colours will be available between now and the next six weeks, so if you don't see the item you're after online or at your local store, check back soon!

If you loved the first sneak peek video above and have a little extra time, check out the extended 11 minute version with a few more exciting fall 2010 items: http://www.vimeo.com/13397940

Some of the products featured in the video:

• Run: Inspire Crop
• Push Ur Limits Tank
• Run: Reflection Skirt
• Mens Smash Jacket
• Mens Smash Pant

Wait, what's a gusset? A gusset is a diamond shaped patch of material that helps you move in and out of Warrior II and Triangle Pose with freedom. Most pants are made with two seams (front to back and from one leg to the other) that intersect right in the crotch area. We've replaced that uncomfortable and unsightly crotch seam with a gusset to increase mobility and comfort in all of your workouts.

The diamond-shaped patch is sewn between the legs – preventing a tight fitting short, pant, or crop from riding up during exercise and therefore preventing CT.

Wondering what CT stands for? CT is a situation no one wants to talk about, but everyone wants to know if it's happening to them without them knowing: camel toe. We wouldn't let you walk out of our store with toilet paper hanging from your pants, and as any good girlfriend should, we will make sure CT is not a problem for you.

CT can also happen if your pants are pulled too high for the rise that the garment has been designed to sit at. Think of switching to a higher rise pant or crop like the Mynah Crop if you find yourself wanting to pull your pants up higher.

The fabric of the gusset in all of our garments is also moisture wicking, so if you prefer exercising without underwear, the gusset will keep you comfortable. We'll jump to that!

So the next time you adorn your lululemon crops, pants, or fitted shorts, maybe thank your gusset for keeping you comfortable and helping you say no to camel toe.

Namaste.

love at first luon

As I strolled through lululemon for the first time, I -- like many of our guests do -- caught my eye on the pant wall, and headed straight for it. From crops to full-length pants, you will find a variety of fits and functions of all of our different styles. Right in the middle of the wall, you will find our classic Groove Pants, the perfect multi-sport, multi-purpose pants that are flattering on an array of figures. Stepping into Groove Pants you find love at first feel with our signature fabric, luon®. luon is a blend of lycra and nylon, has four-way stretch, and is moisture wicking. Standing in my first pair of Grooves my legs and bum felt supported, the firm yet comfortable waistband tucked my core in, I felt confident, and my body suddenly wanted to dance.

Dance I did, all the way into a matching a Power Y tank, and that was the end of my baggy workout gear career. The Power Y tank is also made of our signature luon fabric. It is form fitting, with medium support and perfect for yoga. You can comfortably move in an out of different poses without spilling out or having to tug your top every which way to keep you covered.

I found myself being able to stretch deeper into yoga poses, and all the while felt much better about my body being supported and not fussing with pulling my shirt down and my shorts up. Coming from a world of baggy cottons and pure polyester uniforms, finding Groove Pants and the Power Y tank felt life changing.

remix lulu hoodie: the icing on the cake

To top off the dream of a workout outfit, we introduce our guests to the delight of a Remix Lulu Hoodie. The Remix is made of warm, thick preshrunk cotton fleece, and is literally the most comfortable hoodie you will ever wear. It is form fitting, will hug your curves and yet has the feel of your old baggy university sweatshirt. The Remix is like the icing on the cake of your Power Y Tank and Groove Pants, and will take you to and from yoga, and throughout all the errands of your day.

sharing our roots

Today one of my favourite moments in working for lululemon is when I introduce guests to the combination of Groove Pants, a Power Y tank, and a Remix Hoodie. Every time I introduce our roots to someone new, I get to see the same look in their eyes that I had in mine 4 years ago. It’s a look of amazement and appreciation. The same look occurs when our guests learn that we have two different lengths in our pants as well as complimentary hemming. A Regular length for petite to normal heights with a 31” inseam, and a Tall length for above average and taller women with a 35” inseam. I have helped women from 4'0" to a wonderful 6'2" tall woman who hugged me having found a pair of pants that fit her correctly.

It is these moments that make us extremely happy and proud as a company to share our roots with our guests. There is truly no better moment in our fit rooms than introducing our guests to our roots of function, comfort and femininity in the combination of Groove Pants, a Power Y Tank, and a Remix Hoodie. It's these moments that keep me smiling in my job everyday, and thankful that I walked in to the Beverly Hills store four years ago and found more than lululemon's roots, but my own passion. Namaste.

the review

These might be the most comfortable pair of sweatpants I have ever worn in my life. I hit the park and enjoyed a few yoga flows in the comfort of my Namaste Pants. I stayed true to size in these pants, as they are intended to fit loose and relaxed, but one could size down for a more form-fitting style.

why we made this

• A stylish alternative to the tried-and-true loose fitting sweatpant. Find your flow in the park, or toss it over your barely there Bikram outfit, and you are bound to find a yogic calm before class. Preparing your mind is just as important as preparing your body for Bikram.

• Made with certified organic cotton and spandex, which gives natural softness and stretch for shape retention. Not only beyond comfortable, when you wash these little dreams, they won’t bag out or obtain that scratchy balled-up cotton texture your sweats from college have.  Feel free to gracefully move in and out of flow sequences, and up and down the street.

• Tencel silk waistband gives support with out digging into you. Have you ever gone through your comfy day in sweats to find pink indentations on your tummy? Tencel silk = divine, and your tummy will thank you for being nice to it.

• Cuffed pants to keep them in place during downward dog, and you can head right into Warrior III without having to fuss with your pant legs.

• Lovely details: no hemming required (even petite women can wear this as a full-length pant without hemming!). Drawcord for adjustability, and not the cotton rope you’re used to tying in knots: we dressed it up for success. Preshrunk, so wash me without worry! Back zipper pocket to store cash, keys, and lip balm.

why we love this

Chelsea: Loves the length of the pant and she prefers to scrunch it up and stride around town. Loves being able to get her flow on in the park and head back to the real world with a dose of tranquility comfortably tucked in her back pocket.

Chelsea is 5’4" and is wearing a size 8 in the Namaste Pant in Heathered Charcoal. She is also wearing the Cool Racerback in Tang Light.

Meaghan: Loves the lightweight warmth. She can move in and out of sequences staying warm in the cool Spring sun but not over heating. She also loves the stretch the pants have. You never know when Meaghan will find the desire to climb trees or pop out a balancing pose, so at least now she has the flexibility to accommodate her random movements, even on lazy days.

Meaghan is 5’4” and is wearing a size 4 in the Namaste Pant (stayed true to size) in Heathered Athletica Grey. She's also wearing the Modern Racer Tank in Tang Light in a size 4.

Whitney (me): I love how comfortable and lightweight these lady loves are. I can move around town, to yoga, coffee, and cuddle up at home on a rainy day with my laptop. Love is sitting in my Namaste pants with a cup of green tea after yoga at my favourite coffee shop, Caffe Carpe Diem.

Whitney is 5’7” and is wearing a size 8 in the Namaste Pant in Heathered Athletica Grey (stayed true to size), she is also wearing the Manifesto Racerback in Lagoon.

Go find your Om in the park. Namaste.

Meet Groove Pant, Groove Crop, Wunder Groove Crop and Reverse Groove Short!  They have matching DNA of a smooth flat waistband, and moisture wicking abilities runs through their veins.

Though different in nature, they tend to be the same size on any particular woman.  Whitney here wears a size 6 in all members of the Groove Family, but has a long standing relationship with the Groove Pant.

The all-purpose low impact members of the Groove Family are wonderful for being a warrior and getting your down dog on.

Groove Crops + Power Y = luon love.

The Reverse Groove Shorts have been known to wick sweat in heated yoga, running, and spinning.

The inseam of the Reverse Groove Shorts measures to 5 & 1/2 inches, and like everyone in the Groove Family, can be hemmed if you dare to bare a little bit more.

Last but not least, for those of you who love your Wunder Unders and your Groove Pants equally...

Allow us to introduce the newest member of the Groove Family, the Wunder Groove Crop!  Waistband of the Groove Pant combined with the tight crop feeling of the Wunder Under, amazing.  Now you can tip me over without pouring me out in extended side angle.

Everyone in the Groove Family was born with with a hidden inner pocket perfect for cash, keys, and love notes.

P.S. Have you checked out the lululemon lab for your own custom pair of Groove Pants?  Namaste.

TGIF everyone! What are your sweat challenge activities this weekend?

My lululemon pieces today:
-Wunder Under Crop
-Cool Racerback
-OM Stainless bottle