When it comes to clothes, I love Lululemon as much as Swifties stan Taylor Swift. If you don’t get that analogy, try this one: I check the We Made Too Much tab as often as my farmer dad checks the weather. While my dad’s alfalfa crop could use some serious precipitation this weekend, I’m pleased to report that Lululemon’s under-the-radar section has been restocked for Memorial Day, and it features some of the most incredible finds I’ve seen in my 15 years of following the brand.
I actually used to work at a Lululemon store in New York. My role as a “store educator” wasn’t to sell apparel. It was to educate shoppers about proprietary fabrics and features designed to benefit wearers whether they were standing on their heads in a yoga studio or just trying to stay comfy on an 18-hour flight. Yes, Lululemon makes clothing for that kind of movement. In fact, it recently debuted a travel collection with pieces that are perfect for long travel days and sightseeing — rain, shine, or even snow.
We can’t control the weather, but we can control what we wear. So, if you appreciate practical, stylish pieces that will last for years (I’m still rocking a pair of Speed-up Shorts from 2010), you’re in luck. I recently scrolled through Lululemon’s entire We Made Too Much Section for the 15 best finds. These handpicked items are what I, a travel writer on a budget — who no longer includes a generous Lululemon employee discount — would personally purchase, and pack.
Convertible Ripstop Hiking Jacket
As a traveler who lives out of a carry-on, anything “convertible” piques my interest. Not only does this jacket feature a stowable hood and zip-off sleeves so it becomes a vest when you’re too hot, but it also boasts a removable shoulder bag. Long story short: You effectively get three pieces for the price, and space, of one.
Align V-waist Mini-flare Pants
I’ve worn Lululemon’s Align Joggers all over the world, so I’m partial to anything in the Align collection. These pants are made of the same “buttery soft” fabric as my favorite joggers, but they have a slimmer fit and slight flare, two important details that make them stylish enough to wear to dinner. Shoppers of all shapes and sizes write that the V-waist is “flattering.” Their biggest complaint? They wish Lululemon would feature the V-waist in more of their bottoms.
Women’s Restfeel Slides
I recently stayed at Cape Town’s most luxurious hotel, Ellerman House, where they don’t skimp on the slippers. Still, I don’t always crash in posh pads. For 3-star stays, I recommend packing these durable foam slides. With nearly 2,000 five-star ratings, I think they’re Lululemon’s best-selling footwear. Your feet will literally feel like they’re floating on clouds thanks to the dual-density cushioning. And they’ll become your go-to shoe when you know you’ll be on a plane long enough for your feet to swell.
Women’s Blissful 2 Running Shoes
Designing this shoe was a very expensive labor of love. Lululemon invested four years of research, including 3-D scanning the feet of one million women. The result is a shoe that’s equal parts comfortable, breathable, and flexible. While it’s designed for running, it’s also a pretty decent walking shoe. “I never got any blisters, any pain, or had any issues,” wrote one shopper, who wore theirs on a European vacation where they logged around 20,000 steps a day.
Smooth Fit Pull-on High-rise Pants
This sleek pant may look like a trouser, but it feels more like a lounger. That’s because it’s made of Lululemon’s cool-to-the-touch, super-soft Luxtreme fabric. There’s also a touch of lycra, so they’re stretchy enough to wear on travel days when bloating is inevitable. Normally, I’m not a fan of the high-rise feel, but the “smooth fit waistband technology” on these pants wins me over. Plus, did I mention they’re versatile? According to a shopper, “I can wear them at work with a blazer, or casual with a T-shirt.”
Swiftly Tech Short-sleeve Shirt 2.0
While I used to cringe at the idea of paying more than $30 for a shirt, this Swiftly Tech top is 100 percent worth it, in my opinion. The difference is in the high-tech material designed to be ultra-lightweight and breathable. It’s also treated to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause odor. I wore my Swiftly Tech last week on safari at Tswalu in the Kalahari desert, and despite sweating under the hot African sun, I stayed dry and smelled pretty fresh.
Lightweight Mid-rise Barrel-leg Cropped Pants
Water-repellent and windproof, this cropped pant is made for the outdoors. That said, with its barrel leg, which Elle UK calls “the official shape of denim in 2024,” it also works well everywhere from the office to happy hour. The mid-rise, elastic waist makes them suitable for lounging. And there’s a hidden card sleeve in one of the two zippered hand pockets.
Diamond-shaped Hotel Keychain
Feeling nostalgic about travel’s good old days? Treat yourself to this throwback keychain that takes its inspiration from pre-1970s (when key cards were invented) hotel keys. It’s cute, classy, and even inspirational. One side of this carpe diem keychain reads, “Live in the Moment.” It’s also durable and helps you find your keys at the bottom of your bag.
Close-fit Cotton-blend Ribbed Beanie
Currently, I’m in South Africa, but I was recently in New Zealand, where it’s also winter. For adventures in cooler climates, consider this ribbed beanie. Of course, it’s also a lifesaver on bad hair days and when you find yourself feeling colder than Elsa from “Frozen” in a frosty airplane cabin. The cotton blend this beanie is made of is lightweight, yet it’s also cozy enough that one satisfied Alaska-based shopper wrote, “It keeps my head warm when walking my dogs in negative 2-degree Fahrenheit temperatures.”
Everywhere Belt Bag 1L
One Travel + Leisure staffer said this best-selling belt bag is the ultimate travel hack, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s also aptly named. Since January, it’s allowed me to sightsee, hands-free, on five continents. Because it’s made of a water-repellent fabric, I even used it while cruising around on a jetski with Via Croatia. It fits my phone, sunglasses, wallet, lip balm, and keys. Meanwhile, my passport is safe in the exterior zippered pocket that only I can access. It can also be worn crossbody. One Lululemon fan shared, “Every woman of any age will appreciate the portability and design.”
Align High-rise Pants 25-inches
It’s no secret that celebrities love Lululemon’s Align leggings. Kristen Bell, Meghan Markle, and Olivia Wilde have all been photographed in them. But did you know travelers are also smitten? Many of the nearly 10,000 five-star ratings were left by shoppers who wore them on vacation and benefited from the “buttery soft” fabric’s four-way stretch and breathability, as well as the hidden pocket in the waistband. “They’re so comfortable and stay right where they’re supposed to,” wrote one traveler, who wore them on a trip that involved a lot of hiking.
Hotty Hot High-rise Lined Shorts 4-inches
For hiking in shorts, I highly recommend this popular pair with more than 2,200 five-star ratings. They feature extra ventilation for maximum breathability, something I definitely appreciated earlier this week at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, where the humidity level is just shy of 100 percent. The two semi-hidden pockets are perfect for stashing my room key and credit card, and the built-in liner means I have one less pair of panties to pack and wash.
Multi-pocket Cargo High-rise Hiking Shorts 5-inches
If your style of hiking calls for cargo pockets and/or a loop for your carabiner, consider this water-resistant pair, which debuted in Lululemon’s first hiking collection. The zippered pockets are big enough for your phone, keys, sunscreen, etc. so you don’t even need to bring a bag. “The pockets were roomy enough to stash my wet bikini in,” five-star reviewer wrote, noting that they wore them for an entire day of “subtropical hiking and waterfall dipping.” And because they’re made of an abrasion-resistant fabric, you don’t need to worry about bushwhacking if you get lost.
Nulu Slim-fit High-rise Skirt
When it comes to vacation-worthy dresses for cruises and any destination with “Riviera” in its name, I’m obsessed with Alicia Bell’s delicate designs. But when I need something more casual or neutral, I reach for this slim-fit skirt made with the same super soft, four-way stretch fabric Lululemon uses in its leggings. Similarly, its waistband has a hidden pocket. Shoppers say it’s “perfect for travel” because it’s comfortable to sit and stand in and can easily go from day to night with the right accessories.
Relaxed-fit Cotton-blend Poplin Button-down Shirt
Whether you call it a button-down or a button-up, there’s no denying that this style of shirt is a wardrobe staple. Layer it under a sweater, over a sleeveless dress, or wear it on its own with basically any bottoms. Naturally, Lululemon’s version is made of a lightweight cotton blend with sweat-wicking properties. And because the back covers the bum, you can even wear it as a bathing suit cover-up.
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