A few years ago, I was chatting with my bestie, when she dropped the bomb, “You know Lululemon isn’t made in Canada anymore?“

This simple statement changed my relationship with Lulu forever. I felt cheated, lied to, betrayed. It was over. And so began the seven stages of grief:

Shock: “What? Are you sure?” She assured me that a Yogini friend of hers had just been in the store and the tags now read, “Designed in Canada. Made In China.”

Denial: No, it can’t be true. This Yogini doesn’t know what she’s talking about. So a couple of days later, when the shock had worn off, I had to see for myself. I marched into my local Lululemon to prove her wrong, or so I thought.

Anger: OMG it is true! While walking around looking at the tags, I found “Designed in Canada, made in China.” Made in China!  As someone who is trying be socially responsible, I had been doing my best to avoid buying things made in China. The thought of some eight year old child in a sweatshop making my yoga clothes was breaking my heart.

Bargaining: Okay, but I have this gift card I was given for my birthday… I’ll just spend that, then I’ll never set foot in here again. It was a gift, after all. I can’t be rude and let it go to waste.

Depression: It had taken me forever to find cute, well-made yoga clothes that lasted. I was comfortable in my Lululemon. The store was just down the street. I even got a discount. Was I going to have to settle for ill-fitting yoga pants that don’t last? Was I going to have to wear unitards or learn to sew?

Testing: Okay, so if I wasn’t going to shop at Lululemon, where could I get my yoga clothes? I poured myself a mug of tea and pulled out the laptop. Ahhh, the power of Google. I started to search, “Yoga clothing made in Canada” and “Yoga clothing made in the USA.” Well, whaddaya know? There’s actually a lot out there.

Acceptance: After the break up, I could see things more clearly. Although I had grown comfortable and secure with Lululemon, the truth was it never really was a good match. I realized the signs were there from the beginning.

I never really jived with their message or values.

There was also a lack of larger sizes, which always bothered me, as a girl gifted in the bootie. They really only had one style of pants I could wear.

Truth be told, I was more punk rock than sporty anyway. In the long run, it was a good thing. Lulu and I were never really meant to be after all. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.

Once I broke up with Lululemon, I was free to try all kinds of cute, sustainable, sweatshop-free yoga threads.

I now wear yoga clothing I can teach in guilt-free. I said goodbye to LuLulemon and never looked back.

Where to find Made in USA and Made in Canada yoga clothes

Relephant:

> Why I Don’t Hate Lululemon.

> Yoga Doesn’t Care: A Disclaimer that should be Posted in every Studio.

> Spray on Pants: Lululemon’s Latest Trend? {Jimmy Kimmel}

> 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Clothes.

Love elephant and want to go steady?

Sign up for our (curated) daily and weekly newsletters!

~

~

Author: Nyk Danu

Apprentice Editor: Megan Ridge Morris/ Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: courtesy of author