There aren’t many things worse than finding out that your recent Lululemon haul was inauthentic. Here we attempt to provide a comprehensive guide to some red flags to look out for when spotting fake Lululemon. Disclaimer: this list is not exhaustive

1. Hangtag Position

The hangtag refers to the cardboard tag. This is commonly attached to the left of the piece of clothing. For tops, hangtags are attached at the left lower end of the top (near the hip). For bottoms, hangtags are located at or slightly below the waistband seam (on the left side). For sports bras, hangtags are usually located on the left side of the bra as well (slightly below the left underarm).

2. Hangtag content

Here we pay attention to three aspects: (i) font, (ii) typos and (iii) QR code.

• Wrong font
• Wrong color code (color code is “PKTP”, which is short for “Pink Taupe”)
• Hangtag position: attached to riptag (HUGE redflag!)

• Sooooo many typos!!
• Wrong color code (color code is “BLACK”, but should be “BLK”
• Hangtag position: attached to riptag (HUGE redflag!)
• Dodgy “QR code”

• Point 7 is a huge giveaway
• Color does not match color code “MSRS” either

• Typos galore: “Tulu” instead of “Nulu”, “Mycra” instead of “Lycra”, “waistband lies flat against your sin”
• Wrong color code (color code is “PKTP”, which is short for “Pink Taupe”)

• Wrong product name, BIG pass.
• This obviously isn’t a tank
• Hangtag not positioned at left side of leggings

• Hangtag attached to riptag
• No size?
• Dodgy “luon” tag

3. Rip tag sewn on

Rip tags are, as the name suggests, intended to be ripped off your gear easily. If you see your rip tag sewn onto the fabric of your gear, this is a potential red flag. Forulu, however, acknowledges that there were batches of gear that Lululemon decided to switch to sewing the rip tags onto the fabric of the gear. Those rip tags were hence not “rippable”. We would hence like to put a word of caution that this point is not an all-or-nothing judgement of product authenticity.

4. Rip tag content

Typos such as “lululemon athleticá” or a similar typo

Rip tag sewn on, typo at “athleticà”. Dead giveaway.

5. Rip tag texture

Riptags should have a ribbed texture on both sides, with the front being slightly shimmery. Upon folding, they should be slightly creased.

6. Size dot (*not applicable to certain tops)

Size dots are usually located in the inner pockets of your gear. For bras, that’s in the left bra pad pocket, for jackets inside the left zip pocket. For leggings, you’ll usually find it in the inner pocket either on the left front waistband, or at the back of the waistband’s inner lining (i.e. Fast and Frees). For shorts, size dots may be located either in the left zip pocket (such as in the Track That’s), or back zip pocket (for Speed Up Short).

We’ve never come across a faded size dot, although size dots do vary in “design” depending on the release date of your gear. For older gear, size dots may come in just a small white dot with a singular size number printed on it, while recent ones have more information on them, such as the release date.

7. Stitching

Here we want to look at the quality of the seam. The distance between the stitches can give an indication as to whether your gear may be authentic or not.

8. Plastic packaging

While we recognize that the plastic packaging that your gear comes in may differ slightly from country to country, here is an example of an obvious fake to look out for:

9. Price

Managed to find a listing for brand new Lululemon gear at dirt-cheap prices? Sounds dodgy. Proceed with caution! Better yet, don’t move ahead with the deal at all.

Still unsure if your gear is real or fake after reading this page? We’d recommend playing it safe if you still have your doubts on the authenticity of your gear.