Lululemon’s latest leggings launch has reignited a familiar controversy, with customers decrying see-through fabric during basic movements like squats, prompting a swift sales pause in North America just days after its debut.
On January 21, 2026, the Vancouver-based company halted online sales of its new Get Low line across the U.S. and Canada. The seamless, fast-drying leggings, marketed for training support, drew immediate backlash on platforms like Reddit, where users posted photos showing transparency when stretched. This incident echoes the 2013 recall of see-through Luon pants, which cost the company $67 million and remains its most damaging product crisis.
Fabric Flaws Under Scrutiny
Shoppers expected the Get Low collection to meet industry standards for opacity, especially given Lululemon’s reputation for technical excellence. Reports highlighted the material turning sheer during bends and squats, undermining promises of performance gear.
The company attributed the pause to guest feedback, emphasizing efforts to educate on proper fit. Production teams faced renewed pressure to address these quality lapses, reminiscent of past factory testing shortcomings.
Consumer Revolt and Store Strain
North American customers expressed betrayal over premium-priced items that failed in real-world use. Social media erupted with demands for refunds, review bombs, and boycotts, eroding trust in physical stores still carrying the product.
Staff fielded daily complaints, amplifying internal tensions amid CEO Calvin McDonald’s planned exit on January 31. Online forums became hubs for evidence of sheerness, accelerating a shift away from the brand.
Company Response and Market Divide
Lululemon removed Get Low from its North American website but kept it available in stores and international markets like Europe.
A spokesperson noted the line was designed to aid training, with plans for updated warnings on sizing up and layering skin-tone underwear upon relaunch. Shares plunged 6.5% initially, contributing to a nearly 50% drop over the prior 12 months and a 10% decline in five days. U.S. sales had already softened by 2-5%, heightening economic concerns in retail.
Competitor Gains and Industry Ripples
Rivals such as Nike and Alo Yoga reported spikes in interest as disillusioned buyers sought truly squat-proof alternatives. Gym chains paused Lululemon partnerships, opting for reliable demos, while seamless underwear sales climbed. Suppliers of fabrics, dyes, and elastics reviewed protocols under scrutiny. Globally, consumers in over 30 markets questioned premium activewear standards, though international revenue grew 33%. Fitness routines adapted, with influencers advocating layered opacity for yoga and HIIT.
Activist investor Elliott Management, with a $1 billion stake, intensified calls for board changes, nominating former Ralph Lauren executive Jane Nielsen as a CEO candidate. Founder Chip Wilson publicly criticized the board’s inexperience and labeled the launch an operational failure.
Wall Street speculated on recovery, with shares rebounding 3.5-10% after the pause. Interim co-CEOs Meghan Frank and André Maestrini, alongside executive chair Marti Morfitt, took helm from February 1, tasked with reversing Americas declines, countering investor pressure, and rebuilding quality controls. This episode underscores the athleisure sector’s vulnerability, where one fabric misstep can cascade through supply chains, consumer habits, and leadership stability, pressing the industry toward stricter testing and transparency.
Sources:
- “Lululemon Faces a See-Through Yoga Pant Fiasco… Again” – Bloomberg News
- “Lululemon puts Get Low leggings back online — with caveats” – Retail Dive
- “Lululemon pulls new ‘Get Low’ leggings from website after …” – USA Today
- “Lululemon pulls ‘Get Low’ leggings from website after …” – CBS News
- “Lululemon Advises Wearing Skin-Toned Undies With Its …” – Business Insider
- “Lululemon Now Asks Leggings Buyers to Wear Skin-Toned …” – The Business of Fashion