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Lululemon vs Lululemon Outlet: Best Spot For Activewear

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lululemon vs lululemon outlet

Lululemon started in 1998 in Vancouver as a brand inspired by yoga for women. Over time, it has become a worldwide leader in athletic wear, with more than 660 full-price stores expected by 2024. Its main stores focus on high-quality fabrics, innovative designs, and a boutique shopping experience with friendly, knowledgeable staff.

As the prices of leggings, bras, jackets, and men’s clothing increased to keep a luxury image, Lululemon created outlets to attract budget-conscious shoppers. These outlets sell authentic past-season items, overstock styles, and rare finds at special discounts, all without sacrificing quality.

What Defines a Mainline Lululemon Store?

Mainline stores focus on new releases, popular colors, a full range of sizes, and the latest fabrics like Nulu, Luon, and Everlux. Their products are carefully tested to ensure they stretch well, wick away sweat, and last through tough athletic activities.

Prices stay in the premium range. Most leggings cost between $59 and $138, sports bras range from $29 to $178, and jackets can cost from $59 to over $1,200. Stores also offer hem adjustments, host community events, and provide access to the newest products and innovations.

Why Lululemon Created Outlets

Lululemon set up special stores around 2014–2015 to handle excess inventory, sell out-of-season products, and offer options for shoppers who don’t want to pay full price. These stores help manage inventory while keeping the brand’s luxury image intact.

Unlike other brands’ factory outlets, Lululemon outlets don’t sell fake or lower-quality products. They sell the same genuine items made for main stores, ensuring the same quality and durability.

Lululemon Outlet vs Lululemon Retail: What’s the Real Difference?

The main difference lies in selection, seasonality, and price, not in quality. Outlets sell older prints, discontinued colors, rare patterns, and surplus stock, while Lululemon’s main stores focus on current styles, seasonal collections, and consistent inventory. 

Outlets don’t always carry basic items like black Align leggings or core jackets. Their stock changes daily, making shopping feel like a treasure hunt. Retail stores keep a steady selection of sizes, making it easier for shoppers to find specific colors or fits.

The table below compares the mainline Lululemon and the outlet for a quick overview.

FeatureMainline LululemonLululemon Outlet
Store FocusLatest releases, popular colors, full range of sizesPast-season items, overstock, rare finds
Product QualityHigh-quality fabrics, tested for durabilitySame fabric and quality as mainline, minor imperfections marked with a black diamond
Price RangeLeggings $59–$138, Bras $29–$178, Jackets $59–$1,200+Leggings $39–$79, Tops $19–$39, Jackets $79–$99
Fabric TypesLatest fabrics like Nulu, Luon, EverluxSame fabrics as mainline for past-season items
SeasonalityCurrent season productPrevious seasons, discontinued prints/colors
DiscountsRare, mostly full-price20–50% off, sometimes 50–70% during high inventory periods
Locations660+ stores worldwide20–30 US outlets, 70–80 worldwide, mostly in premium outlet malls
Online PresenceOfficial website with a full collectionNo official online outlet; only “We Made Too Much” section for deals

|| Also Read: Lululemon: Story Behind Its $22 Global Empire

Are Lululemon Outlet Items the Same Quality?

Outlet items are made with the same fabrics and build quality as those sold in main stores. For example, Nulu Align leggings use the same fabric blends whether you buy them at an outlet or a full-price store. The color or dye batch might be different, but the durability stays the same.

Some items have small imperfections marked with a black diamond on the tag. These flaws usually don’t affect how the item works, its stretch, or how long it lasts.

Lululemon Outlet Pricing and Cost Differences

Outlet prices usually range from 20% to 50% off regular retail prices, and during times of high inventory, many stores offer discounts of 50% to 70%. Leggings are often priced between $39 and $79, jackets around $79 to $99, and tops between $19 and $39.

Mainline versions of leggings tend to cost closer to $90 to $130 because they are considered more premium. This price difference attracts shoppers who want to save money on genuine Lululemon clothing.

What You Can Expect at a Lululemon Outlet

Inventory at outlets changes every day. Sizes 4 to 8 sell out quickly, but sizes 0 to 2 and 10 and up are usually available. Many stores organize some items, like leggings, by size to make shopping easier.

Shoppers often find Align Tanks for $19 to $29, discounted Wunder Train leggings, and basic T-shirts for around $29. Sometimes, there are jackets, travel bags, backpacks, or seasonal accessories in stock.

Shopping Strategy to Get the Best Deals

Visiting during the week, especially on Wednesdays, helps you find new stock. End-of-season sales also offer good shipments, and unsold Black Friday items often go to outlets. Resellers tend to clear shelves quickly, so visiting early is often better.

Sometimes, Sweat Collective members can stack discounts at certain stores. Military and first responder discounts of about 15% may also be available, but they vary by location.

Popular Lululemon Outlet Locations in the US

Lululemon outlets are mostly found in premium outlet malls. There are about 20–30 stores in North America and 70–80 around the world. In the U.S., busy locations include Castle Rock (Colorado), San Marcos (Texas), Woodbury Common (New York), Cabazon (California), Sunrise (Florida), and several stores in California.

In Florida, many shoppers visit Lululemon Outlet Orlando (Vineland) and Sunrise. These stores have a lot of inventory and are popular with travelers looking for vacation deals.

Some of the nearby outlets include:

1. Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets — Orlando, Florida

This outlet is located at 8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821. It gets a lot of visitors because of Florida’s busy tourism. The inventory is updated often, and there are regular seasonal deals due to the high turnover.

2. Sunrise Premium Outlets — Sunrise, Florida

This store at 12901 W Sunrise Blvd in Sunrise, FL 33323 is known for often having discounts and new stock every week. Its location in South Florida helps items sell quickly.

3. Castle Rock Premium Outlets — Castle Rock, Colorado

This outlet is at 505 Outlets Dr, Castle Rock, CO 80108. In 2022, it expanded to add more space, staff, and dressing rooms. It always has a variety of sizes and special deals.

4. Woodbury Common Premium Outlets — Central Valley, New York

This store is at 498 Red Apple Ct, Central Valley, NY 10917, inside a busy luxury outlet center. It’s a large store with many racks of discounted tops, bottoms, and accessories.

5. San Marcos Premium Outlets — San Marcos, Texas

This store at 3939 S I-35 in San Marcos, TX 78666, welcomes shoppers from Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Because Texas is so large, the store often updates its inventory.

6. Cabazon Outlets — Cabazon, California

This place at 47600 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230 is popular with travelers driving along I-10 in Southern California. During busy seasons, you can often find discounts of more than 50%.

7. Tanger Outlets – Commerce, California

Located at 6550 Outlet Center Dr, Commerce, CA 90040, near Los Angeles, it gets shipments regularly. Visiting early in the morning can help you find tops, leggings, and other items.

8. Pigeon Forge Pop-Up Outlet — Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

This pop-up store is located near 2330 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN, at a seasonal outlet. It offers very low prices, sometimes under $15, and has rare seasonal leftover items. The store is only open during specific seasonal times.

9. Albertville Premium Outlets — Albertville, Minnesota

Located at 19200 Albertville Premium Outlets Blvd NW in Albertville, MN 55301, this Midwest outlet often has rare and interesting items, with fewer shoppers than coastal stores.

10. North Georgia Premium Outlets — Dawsonville, Georgia

Located at 8000 Heritage Ct, Dawsonville, GA 30534, this outlet serves Atlanta’s wider region. Inventory rotates quickly, and staff restock frequently, especially on weekday mornings.

Is There an Online Lululemon Outlet?

There is no official online Lululemon outlet. The only official online discounts are found in the “We Made Too Much” section, which offers limited-time deals on genuine products.

Fake websites claiming to be Lululemon outlets often promote unrealistic discounts, use suspicious web addresses, and send counterfeit products. The safest places to buy authentic Lululemon items are from physical stores or the official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between outlet and original stores?

Original stores offer new releases, full-size options, the latest fabrics, and premium services. Outlet stores sell previous-season items, overstock, and discontinued styles at significant discounts.

Are outlet stores the same quality?

Yes, outlets sell genuine Lululemon products made for the main stores. The fabrics, fit, testing, and durability are the same in both places.

What is the difference between a factory store and an outlet?

Many brands, like Gap, make lower-quality products for factory stores, but Lululemon does not. Its outlet only sells mainline inventory, not factory-made exclusive pieces.