It’s time for another burst of posts in which I try on half of the lululemon store! This is the first of 3 review posts to come. Sadly, this was one of the most dull try-on sprees in recent memory. Most things that have come out lately just haven’t thrilled me. Nonetheless, here are my fit thoughts.
Reviewed in this post:
Wild tank – black cherry/electric coral
Cool racerback – deep navy
Cool racerback – clear mint
Sea-me run singlet – clear mint
Trail bound tights – star crushed coal black
For reference, I am 5’3″, and I typically wear a size 2 in lululemon tops and bottoms. Unless otherwise noted, that’s the size I’m wearing in these pics.
Wild tank in black cherry/electric coral
The wild tanks just recently started being made in my size (2), so I was glad to finally get to try them out. I like that the bra in this tank has considerably more coverage than the FTBW, which is unwearable for me, and yet still has the same cute strappy styling. The bra fit true to size to me, and maybe just a hair less coverage than an energy bra, especially because of how it dips down in the center. The support band is slightly narrower than the energy, but thicker than the FTBW. The main problem with this tank is that while it drapes so nicely in the back, the front is shapeless and basically demolished any sign of a feminine figure in its wake. It’s almost like the tank is 1-2 sizes larger than the bra. Although it’s hard to see, you can also notice that at the bust, there’s actually quite a bit of fabric off to the sides. Considering my bust measures an inch or two larger than lulu’s suggested size chart measurement for my size, this is pretty telling of how much extra room there is in this tank. If I cinch the back like so, it’s still a somewhat relaxed fit, but more flattering:
So overall, if the shape of the tank was narrower, I would be much more inclined to buy. Before trying on, I had heard quite a few reports that the front of this tank was not the best, and I have to agree.
Cool racerback in deep navy
Out of all my try-ons, this is the one item I almost bought. Lulu very rarely comes out with a navy CRB, which is of course a pretty versatile wardrobe staple. It looked great with the inky floral speeds I was wearing that day (though they are technically inkwell, not deep navy), but if you look closely, you can see that the colors are actually a bit off:
Granted, there’s always some differences between the colors in luxtreme fabric vs luon, but you can still appreciate that deep navy =/= inkwell. The color was strike one for me: deep navy looks a little undersaturated to me, like it’s been washed quite a few times already. Strike two was the fabric: it felt slightly thinner and less soft than my other CRBs (I was wearing bumble berry that day, so I could compare side-by-side). Ultimately, I felt like I would be better off buying an inkwell CRB off the secondary market.
Cool racerback in clear mint
CRB #2 of the day was clear mint. This one was also a bit on the thin side–I’ve heard whispers that lulu is purposefully leaning toward thinner fabric for the CRB, which if true, is unfortunate. In the rear pic, you can more or less see that the straps of my energy bra show through, although I wasn’t able to capture this very well with my camera. Since my bra is white and still shows through, this would of course be much worse with bright or dark colors. Clear mint, at least in the CRB, is pretty green as far as neons go. In real life, it was a little more neon and maybe a little more yellow than it appears in these pics, but overall not quite as obnoxious or blinding as I expected. It also looked cute with inky floral. :) Overall, I prefer pinks, blues, purples, and teals for my colored tanks, so this color didn’t tempt me much.
Sea-me run singlet in clear mint
First off, it’s interesting to see this top right after the clear mint CRB, since they are the same color but appear very different on the two fabrics. This was the only piece from the sea-me run capsule that was available in my size. The fabric was nicely lightweight for hot days, and the strappy back is fun. Unfortunately, the downward curved seam across the bust makes it look like my boobs are sad. I’m not sure why that seam needs to be there, and it’s not really a direction that should ever be on boobs. Also, the high neck was a bit too high. The neckline was all up in my business and was uncomfortable for me, I kept wanting to pull it down/away. But despite the high neck and close straps, the straps are very stretchy, so it was a breeze to get on and off. Also, like the wild tank, I felt it lacked shape through the middle and was a bit flarey and “blah”, though if it was much tighter it would be very revealing, especially in this lighter color.
Trail bound 7/8 tights in star crushed coal black
The sizing on these was very strange for me. I grabbed my normal size but could not get them past my hips at all! I traded them out for a size up, which felt like how 4s normally fit on me, so I’m not sure what the deal was there. It might’ve been caused by the panels inserted in the waistband not stretching as much. It was the only pair in my size, so I couldn’t try another one to compare. Although they’re designed to be 7/8 tights, they’re of course full length on me. Because they hit lower on me than on a taller person, the 2-3″ around the ankles were baggy, which is a pet peeve of mine. The claim to fame on these tights is that they’re equipped with panels designed to be more durable up against trail running conditions. The only panels of this type are at the calves, and sides. The durable panels seemed like they wouldn’t tear easily, although they did seem like they could still snag. The front and back thighs are not protected and are just regular luxtreme. My pair was not sheer.
I think the summer crb’s are made with light luon aren’t they? If these were that would explain why they seemed so thin. It always throws me in the spring when they switch.
I thought CRBs were always made wih light luon.
All crb’s are luon light
Yup, agree with other commenters, CRBs are light luon year-round, though the amount of “lightness” seems to vary.
I love the thin and soft CRBs. I have the navy from a few years ago and it’s super silky and cozy. I rarely wear it though because it’s too dark and can appear black. The seam on that Sea Me Run is bonkers. That tank is one disaster after another, yikes. The Wild Tank is so much fabric! I have students wear them to yoga class and they just get lost, having to move the fabric and tuck it in so it stays in place. I’ve never seen a student wear it more than once to class. Thanks for posting these, you are inspiringly fit.
Thanks! :) The thinness wasn’t a huge deal on deep navy, but I didn’t find it to be all that soft. I wouldn’t so far as to say it was scratchy, it just didn’t feel like a great fabric. Oh well.
It’s a shame that the Clear Mint one feels thinner. I bought mine during the last go around, and ended up loved it. It was one of those “on a whim” purchases but ended up being one of my favorite colors. For some reason, it just seems to match most of my bottoms so its always getting some love.
I might be getting my hopes up, but I would love to see electric coral Inspire Crops….it always seems like the Luxtreme does better than luon in regards to the sheerness.
Definitely agree that luxtreme is generally less prone to sheerness than luon. I wouldn’t mind a pair of luxtreme crops in EC either. There was a similar color crops from another brand last year that I still regret passing up.
I disagree. I think the wild tank looks good on you. I also think loose tanks are a nice change of pace once in a while. I don’t find the wild tank any less flattering than other loose tanks (105 singlet, Devon tank, etc.). What does the electric coral look like in person? I am hoping not salmony. I feel like every time lulu does a ‘coral’ color it is salmon colored. But I love that black cherry wild tank, do I am hoping to like electric coral in person.
Electric Coral is definitely not salmony. It is freakin’ bright!! (in a good way, if that is what you are looking for). People have commented on some blog pics that the cameraman must be using some sort of filter to make it look that bright—no, it is actually that bright. I received my EC WUPs last night. The coral is amazing, but AA – you were right, they are sheer. They are so beautiful though, they may be worth the trouble of nude-colored underwear or a bum-covering top.
AA, did you try on the wild tank with or without the pads? The first time I tried it on with the pads and it was super unflattering. An educator suggested I remove them and holy cow, it is like a completely different top.
Yeah, I did have the pads in. That’s interesting to note, I will have to try that next time I am at a store! Sorry your EC are sheer. Typical. :(
Thanks for the info! Glad to know they aren’t salmony!!
Thanks. :) I don’t have anything against loose-fitting tops, this one just didn’t do much for me. For the money, I like my Splits59 devons, which I think just drape better. As for electric coral, I agree with the other commenter. It’s pretty vibrant, and it also has more red/orange tones than salmon, though it still retains some pink tones. I would say the pics here where you can see the bra on the wild tank are pretty true to life, at least as far as I remember.
I had the same experience with the Trail Bound tights! I couldn’t get them past my hips (not even close) and had to size up. Love your inky floral speeds here!
Glad it’s not just me! The size up went on so easily I had to wonder if it was a fluke–perhaps not.
that sea-me run singlet is not a good look at all, wow! glad you didn’t like it. it just make your bust seem droopy/lower and yes, kinda sad with that seam :(
i was able to score the deep navy CRB on MD at my store. so i had to get it! i like it!
can’t wait for your other review posts!
Nice score! I would definitely have snatched up the navy if it was on MD.
I have been loving my wild tank for workouts. There is a lot of fabric at the back but I can pull it out and up to my shoulders for when I have to lay my sweaty back on a mat, machine or the floor. At first I thought the excess fabric was silly but now it has a use!
Hehe, that’s a really clever use for it. :)