Lululemon slammed the brakes on its hyped Get Low leggings after customers proved the fabric turns sheer during squats, spotlighting a rare quality misstep from the $60 billion brand.
Lululemon quietly removed every colorway of its newly-launched Get Low collection from North American e-commerce shelves on January 20, less than a week after the seamless leggings dropped. The move follows a torrent of social-media videos showing the pants failing the industry-standard “squat test,” revealing visible skin in daylight and under gym lighting.
The company confirmed the pause to People, framing the decision as a temporary measure “to better understand some initial guest feedback and support with product education.” Inventory remains on sale in Europe while U.S. and Canadian shoppers see only an error page.
Why the Squat Test Matters
Leggings that pass the squat test maintain opacity when the wearer bends to 90 degrees or lower. It’s the gold-standard stress check for athleisure because opaque fabric equals confidence in yoga, HIIT, and everyday errands. When Reddit’s r/lululemon thread filled with side-by-side photos of bare skin shining through Get Low pairs—even in deep black and navy colorways—the brand’s reputation for technical superiority took an immediate hit.
- One top post: “Absolutely see-through in every colorway. Bring them to any store for an instant swap.”
- TikTok clips tagged #LululemonGetLow accumulated 1.4 million views in 48 hours, amplifying the defect beyond the core fanbase.
Speed of the Pull Signals Corporate Alarm
Lululemon’s average product lifecycle is 12–18 months; yanking an item inside five days is virtually unprecedented. The rapid response suggests:
- Internal quality-control data mirrored consumer complaints.
- Management feared a snowball effect on Q4 earnings, historically 35 % of annual revenue.
- The brand wants to protect next month’s Valentine’s Day campaign centered on “naked sensation” fabrics.
Bloomberg notes the company’s stock slipped 1.8 % in after-hours trading once the pullback hit headlines, erasing roughly $1.1 billion in market cap.
What Happens Next for Shoppers
Lululemon stores are honoring no-questions-asked exchanges for any Get Low purchase, worn or unworn, through March 31. Online buyers will receive email alerts when the revised collection returns, expected “soon,” though no hard date was given. Industry insiders predict the relaunch will include an updated knit density and thicker gusset lining—changes that usually take 90–120 days to implement.
Bigger Picture: A Rare Chink in Lulu’s Armor
The recall arrives as Lululemon battles escalating competition from Alo Yoga, Vuori, and Gymshark, all of which have closed the technical gap while undercutting price. A visible quality blunder gives rivals fresh ammunition and could push loyalists to experiment elsewhere. Conversely, the brand’s swift mea culpa reinforces its customer-first image—provided the fix is fast and flawless.
Keep checking onlytrustedinfo.com for the fastest, most authoritative breakdown of what’s next in entertainment, fashion, and culture.
