Lulu is continuing their recent trend of changing and replacing a large portion of their core collection. On top of the brand new groove pants revamp, the 105F singlets have been changed, plus the dance studio jacket, dance studio crops, and pace setter skirt are all being replaced.
The 105F singlets have recently been changed again. The scalloped edges have been replaced with straight edges. This was actually how 105F’s were made previously, but the scalloping has been around for the past year or two. I’m not aware of any quality problems with the scalloping, nor am I aware of any feedback from fans who disliked the scalloping. I think this decision may instead be driven by lulu’s general reduction of feminine details–most ruffles, ruching, scalloping, and the like have gradually disappeared over the past couple of years.
Additionally, the fabric now appears almost space dyed instead of the subtle silverescent stripes in the previous version (the newest version is still silverescent, though). Some have said the fabric feels different and more delicate to the touch. Many have also said that the new version has a lower cut neckline.
Several of the scalloped 105F’s are currently on WMTM, although only in sizes 8 and up. There are still a few scalloped versions still available in the full price section as well, although again, not in all sizes.
The dance studio jacket is being phased out in favor of the in flux jacket. Many people, myself included, have remarked how similar the in flux jacket looks to the DSJ, and apparently this is no coincidence. There are still a couple DSJ colors available online before this style disappears.
Likewise, the dance studio crops were discontinued last summer. Apparently, the in flux crops are designed to be their replacement. This presumably means we’ll be seeming more colors in these crops. I never did like the look of DSC’s, so I think the new crops are an upgrade. Also, the introduction of the soft fold-down waistband on the in flux crops means no more rolling waistband issues.
Since the DSJ and DSC are both being replaced, I wouldn’t be surprised if the DSP’s also get switched out for “in flux pants” to round out the trio. I haven’t heard or seen anything about this yet, but with these other changes, it wouldn’t surprise me if the pants got the ax, too.
The (updated) pace rival skirt is another new item replacing the old. The pace setter skirt will be phased out in favor of the pace rival. There are only a couple pace setter skirt colors left online at the moment.
Actually, the original 105 singlets had scalloped edges (Fall 2012). Then lulu introduced the non-scalloped edges a year later. Last year, they brought the scalloped edges back. If I remember, the original were not silverescent-they were seriously luon light:)
Yes, you’re right, the silverescent was introduced at the same time as the scalloped edges. I tweaked the wording a bit in that part of the post to reflect your note. :)
I have only been a lulu fan since last July. Not really sure what to say. Maybe they should do away with their &go & focus on making good looking & high quality technical wear.
Yup, most people seem to feel that way. I think they are trying so hard to keep up with the competition in the “athleisure” market that they’re spreading themselves too thin, literally and metaphorically.
You’re right… and now brands like UA and Lucy that are more available to the regular customer are actually making some nice stuff too. I was at Dick’s yesterday and was quite impressed with Under Armour’s new stuff.
Erm, if they wants to compete in terms in Athleisure, they really should do something about the material used. My luon pants piled badly after 1 wear. Thank God, they damaged it out. The other one piled at the thigh area after a few wears. My CRBs piled when I carry certain bags. As I am from a tropical country, their technical wear suits our climate for casual wear since is it sunny all year round. Still will have to stick with luxtreme but so little choices. But sigh !
Agree. I wish they would keep the ruffles and feminine details as these things make them unique compared to their competitors.
I am not happy!!!! As a pacesetter skirt lover I xan believe they would discontinue them!!!! They almost All sell out. I like the new pace rival but was disappointed that they were not making the pace setter in the new prints. I don’t like the pace rival as much as the pacesetter. Just don’t feel as girly in them. Ruffle butts unite!!!! We need to change this!!!!!
I agree that pace setters are cuter than the pace rival. I think they could’ve found a middle ground–something new and fresh but still ruffled. I guess, again, this is a case of them nixing the ruffles and such.
I prefer the pacesetter to the pace rival as well but it may not be a bad move on their part. I have been buying the pacesetters for over 5 years and have 12. Lately I’ve felt like they needed to be really special to buy and ended up not buying at all. I wish they would just come out with a simply designed skirt. Now that would be a nice option, imho.
I can see their rationale, but I doubt the pace rival will have staying power. I bet they will have to go through another iteration of a fresh run skirt design before they find one people really like. To borrow your words, I think most people will think the pattern/color will have to be really special to motivate them to buy a pace rival. It’s just kind of “meh” otherwise.
Nice post. With the exception of the 105f design tweak (the scalloped edges made it stand apart from similar tanks at big box stores), I think the new designs are refreshing. At some point, designs become stale and slow to move, which was the case with the DSJ and DSC. The waistband issue was the nail in the coffin for the DSC, and I agree that the DSP is probably next to go. I never paid much attention to the Pace Setter, but I think it looks a bit dated and prefer the fresh look of the Pace Rival. I don’t mind trying out some new styles as long as the fit is good and the quality is there. And if there is a high demand for a discontinued style to return, Lululemon seems to be receptive (e.g. Define Jacket)
In the general case, I do agree that the designs can get stale and people stop buying them at the same rate. I also agree some of the older designs have started to look dated. That said, the new designs aren’t necessarily all a home run. As I mentioned below, I don’t think many people are going to get that excited over the pace rival (at most, people like it, I haven’t heard many say they LOVE it), so I’m guessing they’ll need to go through at least one more design iteration for skirts before they find a design that people really like. Also, I like the in flux jacket in theory, but in practice, in the side-by-side pic, the DSJ fits the model SO much better, so it’s a shame they seem to have lost something there.
As a Pacesetter and Pace Rival wearer (I love both) my only gripe is if they are going to switch over they better start making the pace rival in a Tall length. As of now they have only made the basic first release of the redesigned Pace Rival in Tall length. Anything new like Nighfall, the dark cherry one (released in Honk Kong I believe) and the like have only been released in Regular. Oh, they’ll give us the dark navy in a Tall I’m sure (I’m SO done with dark colors). Regular length PR’s are still available online. Talls are the first to sell out in my store. Talls sold out in pretty much everything they released online except black. It really irks me to be honest. The skirts are shorter than Pacesetters to begin with. If they don’t make talls in them they won’t get my money because I won’t be able to wear them. The Pacesetters do stand out on race courses though. I see a lot of them and they look really cute in action. The Pace Rival (see them too) don’t have the same “feel” on the course. Not as cute or sassy looking.
Funny, at my old store, the talls sat on the shelves forever! I swear in the side-by-side stock pics above the pace rival looks shorter, but the measurements on the site are the same. For that reason, they especially need to make the talls. For the sake of you tall ladies, I hope you don’t get burned. :
They are definitely shorter. I can “get away” with a regular length pacesetter if needed but I cannot wear the regular length Pace Rival. It doesn’t even fall into the “maybe” as the front skirt part ends at – shall we say – an area that shouldn’t show when walking or running. Never mind the tackiness of the undershort that then shows at least 2″ longer than the fabric. So either design or shorter regardless, regular length will not work on a LOT of people. I know the nightfall wasn’t made in a tall, the black cherry/star crush one – not tall, the all star crush print – no tall. But of course plain ole dark navy with no fun factor they make in a tall. I want to cry :(
Interesting. I wonder if how it drapes makes the length less, er, forgiving. I remember the shorts peeking out in pics of last year’s original pace rival, too. :
Tall star crushed in UK: http://www.lululemon.co.uk/products/clothes-accessories/women-skirts-and-dresses/Pace-Rival-Skirt-II-Tall-Four-Way-Stretch?cc=18297&skuId=uk_3597165&catId=women-skirts-and-dresses Maybe there’s hope…
The pacesetter skirt is WAY more flattering. I’m sure Lulu can make the pace rival skirt cheaper hence why the making it and phasing out the pacesetter. The pace rival skirt adds 5lbs to everyone. I understand Lulu is trying to keep up with other brands but you will loose LOYAL CUSTOMERS by discontinuing the pacesetter skirt.
Yeah, gotta wonder if $$ is the real answer here. They seem pretty good at pissing people off sometimes, especially their most devoted fans. :