LuLaRoe Vs Lululemon: Why LuLaRoe Is Not Worth It?

If you love trying leggings from different brands, you've probably heard of LuLaRoe. But have you ever stopped to consider how good and trustworthy the brand actually is?

Today we're comparing LuLaRoe with one of the most reputable activewear brands out there, Lululemon, to see how they really stack up.

"LuLaRoe runs on an MLM model, selling loudly printed, low-quality clothes that tear easily. Lululemon offers higher-quality, more durable activewear, though at a noticeably higher price."

Tabular Comparison Between LuLaRoe vs Lululemon

Here is a side-by-side look at how the two brands compare across the categories that matter most.

Also read: Halara vs Lululemon: The Best Activewear For Women.

Who Started These Companies?

So the first question is, who started these companies and when?

LuLaRoe was started by a couple, DeAnne Brady and Mark Stidham, in 2012, headquartered in California. Lululemon was started by Chip Wilson in 1998 in Vancouver, Canada.

How Do These Companies Work?

Lululemon runs as a regular retail business, while LuLaRoe uses the MLM method.

Lululemon: A Regular Retail Business

Lululemon runs regular retail and online stores. They have opened more than 500 stores worldwide, plus you can purchase from their online store. They pay employees regularly, unlike the MLM commission method, and sell directly to consumers without involving any third party.

LuLaRoe: The MLM Way

LuLaRoe uses the MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) technique to sell its products. A regular person who buys their clothes recommends them to others - if that recommendation leads to a sale, the recommender gets 5% from the direct sale and 3% if the recommended person goes on to recommend others.

If you want to pursue any business or earning opportunity through LuLaRoe, you need to spend around $5,000 to $6,000 and have direct influence, with no guarantee you'll make a penny. To make it more appealing, they rank people as "Trainer," "Coach," and "Mentor" to increase the number of MLM recruiters.

MLM is a pyramid scheme, where the people at the top make money and the people at the bottom tend to lose it. If you love a LuLaRoe product, buy it and use it - just don't get pulled into the business side.

What's in a Name?

There is a specific story and meaning behind the names LuLaRoe and Lululemon, which is interesting to know.

Lululemon is named after the letter L, chosen to sound more North American to Japanese consumers for better sales appeal. LuLaRoe got its name from co-founder DeAnne's three granddaughters - Lucy, Lola, and Monroe - whose names were blended together.

Because the names sound similar, many people assume LuLaRoe is part of Lululemon. That isn't true - both are separate, independent brands.

What Kind of Clothes Do They Sell?

LuLaRoe sells products like leggings, tunics, dresses, tops, and other casual wear. Lululemon mainly focuses on aligned leggings, hoodies, and bras. While some product categories overlap, the quality differs a lot.

LuLaRoe

LuLaRoe is popular for its "buttery-soft" leggings. Other products include tunics, tops, and casual wear. The prints on their products are famously wild - some love them, but many find them tacky, with patterns like "stacks of eyelashes" and "pink big noses." A common complaint is that LuLaRoe leggings rip easily, even during light activity like jogging.

Lululemon: A Premium Workout Brand

Lululemon is a premium brand focused on quality, high-performance athletic wear made for yoga, running, and training.

Lululemon uses Luon fabric, which is breathable, stretchable, and built for workouts. It's pricier - leggings can run over $100 - but that price reflects the quality.

Who Buys From Each Brand?

LuLaRoe tends to attract buyers mostly because of its cheap prices - largely moms and stay-at-home professionals who aren't necessarily buying for workouts. Lululemon, on the other hand, is purchased by fitness and athletic enthusiasts of all kinds, both men and women.

Returns & Refunds Policies

For returns on LuLaRoe, you have to go through the consultant (MLM officer), who often won't respond promptly, and there's a real chance you won't get a refund at all - there's no central return system, so it can feel like a gamble.

Lululemon has a solid return policy, letting you easily return defective or faulty items. It's not as generous as brands like Athleta, but it's far better than LuLaRoe.

Controversies and Problems

When it comes to controversy, LuLaRoe has a long list of issues - multiple lawsuits and a government investigation among them. Lululemon, by comparison, has had no major scandals and is generally regarded as an ethical business with good quality and customer service.

Amazon Prime released a documentary called "LuLaRich" that dives into the company's history and controversies - worth watching if you want the full picture.

How Much Did Lululemon Pay Me For This Review?

Not a single penny - they probably don't even know this review exists. The only way Lululemon earns anything from this piece is through affiliate links, and interestingly, a LuLaRoe purchase through our link would actually earn a higher commission. Everything above is independent and unbiased opinion; a quick search will turn up plenty of similar takes.

If you're still not convinced, check out our Athleta vs Lululemon comparison, where Lululemon comes under even more scrutiny.

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