These 4 Lululemon Buys Are a Total Waste of Money, Retail Expert Says

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When you think of athleisure , Lululemon is probably one of the first brands that comes to mind—and with good reason. The company has built a multibillion-dollar empire on comfortable, flattering, high-quality pieces that make you look cute and put-together both at the gym and outside of it. But many of those pieces come with a hefty price tag—so before you go spending your hard-earned cash here, retail experts say it’s important to know the worst things to buy at Lululemon. Here’s what they say to avoid.
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Lululemon’s hoodies tend to be pretty pricey— between $118 and $128 . Even when they’re on sale, they often cost around $89.
According to Katie Roberts , a consumer analyst with DealNews.com , you can get hoodies from plenty of other high-quality athletic brands for a much lower price.

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Items like leggings and sports bras need to fit perfectly and be made with the right moisture-wicking material for adequate support, comfort, and mobility during your workouts—so it makes sense to splurge on these items.
With T-shirts, on the other hand, these factors are slightly less important—meaning it’s typically unnecessary to spend a lot on them.
“The cheapest full-price women’s T-shirt at Lululemon is $48 . At Adidas, on the other hand, I found full-price women’s tees starting at just $28 ,” shares Roberts.
If you’re dead set on having a specific Lululemon tee, she recommends waiting until it goes on sale.
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Looking for a cozy hat, scarf, or pair of gloves to keep you warm during the chillier months? Lululemon sells an array of winter accessories, but Alvarado says you may want to take your wallet elsewhere. A basic beanie from Lulu can set you back $48 , while a pair of gloves or mittens can cost up to $78 .

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A trusty water bottle is a must-have for ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the day—but if you buy one at Lululemon, it’ll set you back between $44 and $72 . According to Alvarado, that’s a major waste of money.
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Outside of these four items, there are plenty of Lululemon pieces that are worth the splurge, perhaps none more so than their beloved leggings.
“Some of the best Lululemon items to invest in would be their core products—such as the leggings, which often feature proprietary materials like Luon or Luxtreme that provide comfort, support, and moisture-wicking properties, thereby justifying their higher price point,” explains Alvarado.