Vancouver Sun

Do I have X- ray vision, or are your pants too tight?

Lululemon fans are learning to go up a size to ensure they have the right fit

- ALEESHA HARRIS aharris@ vancouvers­un. com

When I heard that Lululemon customers could still be sporting seethrough Luon yoga pants because they’re buying the wrong size, I began to wonder: Am I wearing the right size?

Could I unknowingl­y be flashing my unmentiona­bles to strangers on the street? I decided it was time to find out.

I walked into the Lululemon store on Robson Street mostly confident I had been wearing the right size. While I could never be classified as a diehard yogi, I do think I have a good sense of reality when it comes to my clothing size. I know what fits me — and what doesn’t.

Well, as it turns out, I was a little bit wrong.

“Do I need to go up a size?” I asked an associate after glimpsing my underwear through my size 8 Luon pants in the fitting- room mirror.

“I always go a size up in those,” she replied reassuring­ly, before grabbing me another pair. And size up I did.

After trying on a few different styles of pants, I realized I was indeed wearing the wrong size in some cuts, such as the slim- cut Wonder Under — and needed in one case to go up two full sizes.

And while it was a blow to my ego, it didn’t sound like I was alone in my upsizing. In the midst of the changeroom chatter, I heard similar strains of conversati­on ending with an associate saying, “You may want to try a size up.”

So if the company’s transparen­cy troubles really do come down to sizing, how do you know what size to buy?

Here are a few fit tips to see you through the see- through snafu.

• The mannequins wear a Size 6 in every style, so for reference, they’re a good place to start.

• Whether the style is full- length, cropped, skinny or relaxed, always go true to size. Don’t be fooled by the stretchine­ss of an item and size down, because it will be see- through.

• If you’re in between sizes in regular pants, opt for the larger size.

• If you have bunching around the thighs, the pants are too big.

• If the material is pulling through the thighs, too tight in the crotch area or is visibly stretching to its maximum, size up.

• Running pants are made of Luxtreme, a thinner, more breathable fabric specifical­ly cut for compressio­n exercises, but can be too thin for the range of motion required in yoga.

• Yoga- specific cuts are made of Luon, a slightly thicker material with a denser weave in the rear for better coverage while bending and lunging.

 ?? KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/ GETTY IMAGES FILES ?? If you’re unsure about the size you should wear, the mannequins at Lululemon stores wear a size 6 in every style. Don’t be fooled by the fabric’s stretchine­ss; if you size down it may make the fabric see- through.
KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/ GETTY IMAGES FILES If you’re unsure about the size you should wear, the mannequins at Lululemon stores wear a size 6 in every style. Don’t be fooled by the fabric’s stretchine­ss; if you size down it may make the fabric see- through.

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