I’m a Former Lululemon Employee, and These Are 15 ‘We Made Too Much’ Finds I Refuse to Miss This Memorial Day

My fiancé likes to say that I’m a kid in a candy store when I’m shopping the Lululemon “We Made Too Much” section. He’s not wrong. I love Lululemon so much that when I was hired to work in one of its brick-and-mortar stores several years ago, I cried tears of joy. I also cried the day I handed in my resignation letter, even though it freed me up to pursue my career as a travel writer. Fortunately, traveling calls for a wardrobe filled with athleisure apparel, and I’ve been refreshing the Lululemon site to see what’s new for the holiday weekend (I may no longer be on the company’s internal communications list, but I know it beefed up the “We Made Too Much” section in anticipation of Memorial Day).  

If you’re a fan of the brand, too, I got you. Below are my top 15 Lululemon Memorial Day finds—most of which I either currently own or recently bought, and will be running to the mailbox to get on delivery day. From the famous Align leggings to the oh-so comfy Love Tank that goes with everything, each piece checks the travel-friendly box with its comfortable fit, high-performing technology, and packable, versatile style. Note: Sizes and colors are limited, so don’t leave them in your cart for a nanosecond longer than necessary.

Lululemon Align Tank Top 

I got my first Align Tank Top—a best-seller that boasts more than 4,700 five-star ratings— around seven years ago at a Lululemon outlet store in Sydney, Australia. To this day, it’s still my favorite purchase from the Land Down Under. Choose from 32 colors, including a gorgeous cerulean blue that would be great for a trip to the Greek Islands and a “hot heat” that looks ready for a Miami Beach rave. This versatile tank is made of Lululemon’s unbelievably soft and lightweight Nulu fabric and features a built-in shelf bra with removable cups. Pair it with low-rise shorts for a slight crop top look or with high-rise leggings to elongate your waist. 

Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short 4-inch

Lululemon Hotty Hot shorts have been in my travel rotation way before they were offered in high-rise. Nearly 10 years later, they’re still going strong. The built-in liner doesn’t even have a single hole in it (which is where my shorts usually start to show wear and tear). These shorts are designed for running, but I mostly wear them hiking here in Montana and plan on wearing them while sightseeing in Nairobi next month. Like most Lululemon shorts, they have hidden pockets big enough to stash your smallest valuables. Currently, the Hotty Hot High-Rise Lined Short has more than 3,300 five-star ratings. “Awesome travel shorts,” wrote one shopper who lives in Hawaii and wears them on “adventures around the islands.”

Swiftly Tech Long-sleeve Shirt 2.0 Hip Length

Lululemon’s Swiftly Tech collection is ideal for active travelers like me who can’t get through a day of sightseeing without sweating. This best-selling lightweight layer with nearly 2,000 five-star ratings is made of the brand’s proprietary X-Static fabric, which prevents static cling and the growth of stinky bacteria. One shopper who said it “washes and travels well” described it as “a favorite for casual or running on cooler days, layering or when you want extra coverage against the sun.” Choose from more than a dozen colors, all of which feature thumbholes and chafe-free seamless construction.  

Align High-rise Pant 

Thanks to the paparazzi, it’s no secret that A-listers (and royalty) love Lululemon’s Align collection as much as we plebeians do. With nearly 12,500 five-star ratings, these high-rise pants featuring a hidden waistband pocket are one of the brand’s top sellers. They’re made of a super breathable and stretchy nylon and Lycra elastane blend that feels like a second skin yet offers full coverage. Choose from more than 10 colors and several inseams ranging from 23 inches to 31 inches to ensure a perfect fit. 

Softstreme High-rise Straight-leg Cropped Pant

Cropped pants don’t get any more comfortable than these straight-leg pants made of Lululemon’s Softstreme fabric that the brand bills as “peach fuzz soft.” That said, they feel smooth and cool to the touch, making them ideal for summer, and despite the weighty drape, look sleek enough to pass as business casual. One of the hand pockets has a hidden sleeve that’s ideal to stash a credit card, and while these pants don’t have belt loops, the shock cord makes it easy to adjust the waist. “Stunning Pants,” exclaimed one shopper, adding that the “fit, fabric, and style are perfect.” 

Love Tank

Sure, you can find more affordable base layers out there. But I guarantee they won’t be as comfortable. For starters, Lululemon’s Love Tank—which has more than 1,300 five-star ratings—is made of ultra-breathable Pima cotton. Among fabric aficionados, pima cotton is famous for its silky fibers. This top also features a touch of Lycra, so it offers four-way stretch. Personally, I love the slightly relaxed fit and how the subtly curved hem instantly elevates the look. “They pack well, dry easily, and feel amazing,” wrote one shopper who takes these tanks on vacation. Their only complaint? They wish they came in racerback, too. 

Swift Mid-rise Wide-leg Pant

These lightweight wide-leg pants were made for summer nights when you want to be cool and comfy without having to bare your legs. They’re made of Lululemon’s ultra moisture-wicking (and flattering) four-way stretch Swift fabric. You can’t iron them without ruining them. But rest assured, they travel well, and unless you scrunch them up, you shouldn’t have to worry about wrinkles. After dubbing them a “vacation staple,” a Lululemon shopper said they’re “a must for travel,” adding that they “got so many compliments on the pants.” One of the hand pockets has a hidden card sleeve, and the drawcord waist comes in handy for that time of the month. 

Align Waist-length Racerback Tank Top

Every travel capsule wardrobe requires a racerback tank top you can wear for a workout at the hotel gym or under a cardigan for cocktails at the hotel bar. This particular tank, which hits at the waist and has more than 1,500 five-star ratings, is from Lululemon’s Align collection—i.e. it’s buttery soft but built to last. “There’s nothing like it,” a shopper said of the top-rated tank. “It lasts. I have had these tanks for years with no issues.”

Dance Studio Mid-rise Jogger

Lululemon’s Dance Studio joggers have been a huge hit ever since they debuted more than a decade ago. The best news is you don’t need to know the difference between a plié and relevé to fully appreciate them. In fact, forget ballet entirely; I think they’re great travel pants because they’re stylish, lightweight, and practical. While they don’t have belt loops or cargo pockets, they do have an adjustable drawstring waist and front hand pockets featuring a hidden card sleeve and secret zipper pocket. 

Fast and Free High-rise Short 6-inch 

If you like a longer length and tighter fit, consider these Fast and Free High-rise shorts I just purchased in the trending desert red color. Unlike other biker shorts I own, these don’t have seams on the inner thighs, so I won’t have to worry about chafing. But these shorts’ biggest selling point—for me at least—is the five pockets. The largest are big enough to fit my phone and passport, and the smaller pockets are perfect for a wallet, hotel key, and lip balm. That said, don’t expect me to get rid of my Everywhere Belt Bag any time soon. 

All Aligned Ribbed Midi Dress

I get most of my travel dresses from Amazon, and usually recommend going that route to my friends. But even I’ll admit that Amazon’s travel dresses don’t look as polished, or as luxe, as this slim-fit dress made of Lululemon’s soft-as-butter Nulu fabric. It’s basic enough to be considered casual, but the fine ribbed texture adds a subtle, elegant flair. I can easily see myself wearing it with a jean jacket and sneakers or a blazer and heels. 

Align Dress

For a sportier, shorter dress, also from the Align collection, you can’t go wrong with this versatile piece featuring a built-in shelf bra. But the best feature, in my opinion, is the breathable shorts liner with side drop-in pockets large enough to fit your phone or a couple of tennis balls. While I like the current colors in the “We Made Too Much” section, I’m almost willing to pay full price for this dress in “pool party”—a beautiful robin egg blue. 

Lightweight High-rise Tennis Skirt

Game, set, match this tennis skirt with almost any top in your suitcase. Despite being designed for tennis, it works well for an array of activities, ranging from running on the beach to souvenir shopping in the city. I love the built-in shorts and the Luxtreme liner’s drop-in pockets where you can easily stash a credit card or hotel key. Lots of shoppers who left five-star ratings also praise the silicone grippers on the hem, which keep it from riding up. 

Knit Relaxed-fit Overshirt

A relaxed-fit knit overshirt will never go out of style, making this highly-rated top (it has a 4.8-star average rating) a smart investment for the traveler who appreciates the collared look and likes to layer. It’s made of a moisture-wicking high high-quality Pima cotton blend that shoppers say “doesn’t wrinkle much,” and the length is long enough to cover your bum, which makes it perfect for pairing with biker shorts or leggings.

Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Clear

Last week, I went on a multi-generational baseball-themed family vacation where we spent almost every day in Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, and I definitely could have used this clear version of Lululemon’s best-selling Everywhere Belt Bag. This stadium-friendly bag is water-resistant, and while it comes in just one size, the belt is adjustable. Wear it around your waist or as a crossbody bag. With one liter of space, it can also double as your TSA-approved toiletry bag. Shoppers say it makes going through security “a breeze.”

City Essentials Mini Shoulder Bag 1L

If you don’t need a clear bag, consider the City Essentials Mini Shoulder Bag, which is also water-repellent, just big enough to hold your passport, phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, and hand sanitizer. The pink color and style are a throwback to the ’90s, but it’s really a classic look that will never go out of style. The internal and external pockets make it easy to keep contents organized. While this bag only has 130 ratings, it has an impressive 4.9-star average rating, and shoppers say it gets them tons of compliments. They also love that the adjustable shoulder strap can be reconfigured to turn this mini bag into the perfect wristlet. 

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