Lululemon wasn't the store I was thinking of when I put this on my list, but it certainly qualifies. I've walked into the store once before. My eyes sort of glazed over, and I walked straight out. But this time I went in on a mission. Justin gave me a gift certificate for Christmas, and with my Nia blue belt training starting this Saturday I thought this was the perfect time to make the attempt.As I walked through the store, my eyes started glazing over once again. Very friendly, pretty and perky staff stepped in and asked if I needed help. They explained the mysterious ways of the store, how tops are organized by level of support and bottoms by tightness to looseness, that they hem pants on-site and how the clothing is designed perfectly for comfort and function. Everyone was nice and helpful. The quality is obvious, and the styling is wonderful. And look at the bag. One of the things they say they stand for is "Love." How can that be intimidating? And look at the quote, "To rise out of mediocrity, you must not be afraid to fail." I'm a coach, for goodness sake. That's got "Jamie is my target market" written all over it. So why did I still feel ill at ease? Where's the disconnect?
One obvious reason is that this price point is certainly higher than I have ever spent for workout wear, perhaps with the exception of a weight belt I bought years ago when I was seriously working out. I bought this tank in white ($48) and these pants ($89). Seriously. There's a part of me that's going, "What? You spent that to sweat in?" And there's another part of me saying, "Yes, and they're beautiful and feel luxurious on my body. I love them." Which voice is stronger? I'll let you know. The receipt's still in my wallet.
And one thing that really bothered me, and they'll get a letter from me about it, is that their sizes only go up to 10*. Size 10 is their largest size. 10! And there was something there that just sent a ripple through me. It was like this world of quality, beauty, fitness, health and vitality is only for those who have already attained it. I understand that it's meant to be aspirational. But in some ways it feels like beautiful things for beautiful people with a big budget.
I guess it highlights for me that one of my big values is inclusion. One of the reasons that Nia touches my heart is that everyone is welcome to come and dance. You can be young or old, thin or not, experienced or a complete newb. You can just enjoy the pleasure of your body and the joy of movement. And that is priceless.
Note: Online apparently their sizes go up to 12, but in the store I went to the largest pant was a 10.
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9 comments:
Brave you Jamie for going in! I hope you end up enjoying and loving your fashion!
I'm completely and utterly shocked at the sizing, moreso that the prices (which is unusual for me, hehe). Size 10. I think the current average right now is more like a 14. Unbelieveable.
I applaud you for conquering something on your list. As one who struggles and struggles with my weight and is trying now to finally end and make peace with this once and for all and be the healthiest I possibly can be, it still is so disheartening to read of sizes stopping at a 10 or a 12, esp when so much of the country is bigger. I also read somewhere that sizes are getting smaller, meaning that a Gap size 10 5 years ago is now a Gap size 8. and now they are making Size 00's even to make you feel even tinier or to think one should be. Ugh! We are on this earth such a short time and this takes up so much of our mental space being so preoccupied with it, and yet, almost impossible to break free of caring about what size one is.
Yes, it´s the story of my life - or it used to be anyway. I have finally stopped putting my life on hold until I reach a particular size but quite often I find it difficult to find the kind of clothing that I´d like to wear because many stores don´t carry my size. I walked into a newly opened fashion store a while back because they had a lovely window display and the skinny saleswomen yelled over from the other end of the store "You´re quite welcome to look around dear but we don´t carry anything in your size!". That stopped me in my tracks. I sat down at a nearby café afterwards and looked at the women passing by and more than 50% were my size and larger so where´s the sense in that?
you go grrrlllll!!!!
inclusion rocks. i'm a fabulous size 14 (fabulous after lots of times wrestling with negative words...like pudgy, fat, beefy).
i guess i could never shop there, were I to visit Toronto.
can't wait to see what you do next....
I am just sick that their sizes only go up to 12. That really upsets me. I've been wanting to try out that store for the longest time and now I know it's a "beautiful people only" store. Grr...
Way to go for going Jamie and investing in something that makes you feel luxurious, I can see how that would be hard to do for workout wear. I do think it's important to feel good about your body all the time, especially when you're trying to nurture it with yoga. I hope I can find a place around here that will have sizes that are right for me.
Way to go Jamie!
Way to go Jaime! I don't think I could have convinced myself to actually buy something at those prices though. I can't believe the sizing, including online, since it seems like size 12-14 are the norm these days.
i'm glad you went into a store that you were "afraid" of and i'm glad that you found something wonderful and luxurious with which to celebrate the health of your body. there's nothing better than finding something that can actually make you feel GOOD about yourself. and i DO love the bag.
er-um...i wouldn't actually be able to shop there though. maybe online, but...
damn. i need to find a store that knows how to compliment my fat, beautiful ass!! lol! ;)
How refreshing to read this! I once made a shirt that said, "LuLu Suck My Lemon!" for this very reason.
I too, struggle with wanting their beautiful garments but my conscience just rails against it.
Hi Jamie,
I'm back from my lotus walking. I really missed reading your blog!
Your entry about gingerbread men was so .....well, here's an old-fashioned word...heartwarming. It made me want to be back with my siblings and their children immediately.
Your shopping trip was really interesting and well told. I am a minimalist in so many areas of my life. I cannot even step foot into a shopping mall, so depressing and decadent is the atmosphere.
Yet, like you, I am a sucker for high quality products like Mephisto Shoes or Eileen Fischer clothing. I bought a Ralph Lauren skirt last month, and I'm sorry, it's just such an experience to wear it.
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