If you’re a Lululemon fan, it is important that you know how to spot fake Lululemon. With Lululemon being such a popular brand, it is attempted to be replicated by many.
Plus, a lot of Lululemon ends up at thrift and buy-sell-trade stores. While this is great for consumers, because you can end up scoring a good deal, you want to make sure you are buying the real thing.
In this post, we will go over 10 ways to identify fake Lululemon from an expert reseller and Lululemon fanatic.
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1. Size Dot
The first aspect of a Lululemon item that we will evaluate is the size dot. In this section, we will do an overview of authentic Lululemon size dots but be sure to read our post on finding a Lululemon size dot for more details!
First, it is important to know that Lululemon size dots have changed over the years. Older styles of Lululemon have blank size dots. You will see a white circle with a number inside of it, telling you the size of the item.
These size dots were later updated to add a combination of letters and numbers onto the perimeter of the size dot. These are identifying factors for the year of production and the Lululemon style number.
Once again the size dots were updated to look a little different, but still denoting the production and style number. In recent days, Lululemon has started updating some of its items and eliminating the size dot.
Crazy, I know right?! They are actually moving toward what looks like a size rectangle with rounded edges. So even if you see an item that has a rectangle, it may just be a brand-new Lululemon item.
As a general rule of thumb, you can find the size dot on the lefthand pocket of the item. For shorts and leggings with a back zip pocket, you’ll find the size dot here.
Additionally, just because the item does not have a size dot does not mean that it is fake Lululemon. Sometimes size dots fall off or are peeled off.
However, it can be a red flag, so be sure to keep a running total of red flags as we go over the other portions of identifying fake Lululemon.
2. Style Number
Using the information from the newer size dots, you can use the Lululemon style number as another confirming factor that your item is authentic. You can do this by typing the style number into Google or Lulu Fanatics.
For our full guide on this, read our full guide to finding a Lululemon style number for all of the in-depth details.
Once you have your style number, type it into a Google search and see what comes up. Hopefully it yields pictures and/or information from the Lululemon website confirming that the item was made by them.
Many times you will see the style name as a result of this. You can take the style name and type it into a Lulu Fanatics search. Lulu Fanatics is a large database that has all of the items, styles, and products that Lululemon has created.
Here, you can check your item for the details that are outlined in Lulu Fanatics to hopefully prove the authenticity of your item.
3. Pattern and Color
Many times the pattern and color go hand in hand with the Lululemon style number and looking the item up on Lulu Fanatics. This is important to know because sometimes scam artists make really good Lululemon fakes.
They may have almost everything right, but what if you can’t find where Lululemon produced that pattern or color? If you go onto Lulu Fanatics with the style number and/or name of your product, and you do not see your specific item’s pattern or color, this may mean your item is not authentic.
As with all of these tips, just keep this point in mind going forward as you are on the lookout for other signs of fake Lululemon.
4. Rip Tag
The next item we will dive into is the Lululemon rip tag.
Look and Feel
Lululemon has a signature rip tag that is decently long in length and demonstrates an ever so slight sparkle. It is white in color and feels rough to the touch.
Content
Rip tags should be closely evaluated for spelling errors, improper fonts, and misspellings.
It can be tough, at times, to utilize the rip tag to authenticate a Lululemon item because just like size dots, rip tags have changed over the years.
As a quick overview, older Lululemon items have the Lululemon logo and say “lululemon athletica” at the top of the rip tag. These tags were then updated and have the Lululemon logo and state “Lululemon” only.
More recently produced Lululemon items only have the Lululemon logo and do not state “lululemon” or “lululemon athletica” on the tag.
As you can see, all Lululemon rip tags have the Lululemon logo. Just because it does not say “lululemon” or “lululemon athletica, it does not mean it is fake. Keep reading for other identifying strategies.
Attachment
As the name implies, these Lululemon rip tags are meant to be ripped off. The item should be sewn in with a single seam that makes ripping it off of the item easy.
It will not damage the item by removing it. If you find yourself struggling or needing to cut off the rip tag, this is a sign of fake Lululemon.
5. “I Belong To” Tag
The next tag type that we will discuss is the “I belong to” tag. If you see this, you may automatically think the item is not authentic. That is because newer Lululemon items no longer have this tag.
Regardless, if you see the “I belong to” tag, there should not be a plastic film overlaying it. Real Luluemon just has the “I belong to” tag with nothing overlaying it.
The same applies to the size dot. There should never be a transparent film overlaying on top of it. Many fakes have either a rectangular or square film over either the size dot and/or the “I belong to” tag.
6. Logo
Lululemon has arguably one of the most recognizable logos. The logo is a shape inside of a circle.
You must look closely at the shape to determine whether your Lululemon item is real or fake. The most important factor is looking at the tapered tips of the shape.
As the logo tails off, you will notice sharp, pointy ends on either side of the shape. Many fake Lululemon items have rounded or soft edges.
The shape as a whole will not look squished, it will be nice and round. Look for the symbol to be located on the back waistband of leggings, or on the back left of shorts, tops, and sports bras.
7. Price Tag
Next, we will look at the price tag, also known as the hang tag. There are a few distinct areas you should look out for when examining a hang tag.
Placement
First, it is important to notice the placement of the hang tag. It will never be attached to the rip tag, or on the back seam of the clothing item next to the rip tag. This is always a sign of fake Lululemon.
For bottoms, the hang tag will be on the left side of the garment (as if you’re wearing it). It will be situated on the first seam that appears from the top of the waistband.
Lululemon hang tags on tops and sports bras are also placed on the left. They will be secured on the bottom left seam.
Content
Aside from the positioning of the hang tag, it is also important to closely evaluate the content on the tag. First, make sure the font on your Lululemon hang tag looks correct. See the picture below for an example of an authentic Lululemon tag.
On the authentic tag, also notice the spacing between the paragraphs, along with the QR code and price. Next, read over the tag to look for any spelling errors. Just like with the rip tag, spelling errors are a definite sign of fake Lululemon.
Lastly, if you are purchasing the item in person, feel the hang tag to ensure it is a thick and sturdy piece of cardboard. If it is flimsy or bendable paper or other material, this is not an authentic Lululemon item.
9. Plastic Packaging
When you purchase a brand new Lululemon clothing item, it will not come in branded plastic packaging. Instead, it will be a clear, transparent plastic package without a logo, brand name, or any other identifiers.
At times, you may see a barcode stuck onto the outer plastic packaging. If you purchase Lululemon brand new from a retailer other than Lululemon, and the item comes in a package that has branding, it is very likely a fake.
9. Stitching
Next, evaluate the stitching of your Lululemon item. Stitching on authentic Lululemon will always be pristine, straight, and without a flaw.
This is one of the reasons why Lululemon charges a premium for its items. If the stitches are coming undone, are not straight, or do not line up from one side of the garment to another, I would be suspicious of the item being inauthentic.
Additionally, touch, feel, and evaluate the item for overall quality. With Lululemon, you can truly see and feel the quality of the buttery smooth fabric.
10. Zipper
On authentic Lululemon items, the zippers will be YKK. Additionally, if there is a rubber grommet on the zipper, it will display the Lululemon logo.
Zippers will be metal while the zipper pieces will be plastic. The color of the zipper pieces will be the same as the garment. It will not be a different or contrasting color.
Now that we’ve gone over 10 identifying factors, you’ll be able to sniff out fake Lululemon in no time. Have you ever found fake Lululemon in a thrift store or online? Comment below!
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