First of all, despite the blog postings I’ve read to the contrary, Lululemon does not carry a maternity line. And, according to the store saleswoman, they never have. That said, Lululemon does offer a few pieces that are a good fit for expectant mothers: one is the Relaxed Fit Pant and another is the Mudra Wrap. Both look really great and are very comfortable.
The Relaxed Fit Pant was the first item I ever purchased from Lululemon and it looks great on me. Plus, it is one of the most comfortable pair of pants I own. They’re perfect when I need something a little dessier and with a little more body than my other yoga pants. Something that can go from home to the grocery store or to the mall without looking like I left straight from the gym or yoga studio. I am 5 feet 7 in tall. I used to wear a size 12 before my pregnancy and, at 34 weeks, I’ve gained the average amount of weight for my size.
I do not do yoga but as an expectant mom and mother of two toddler boys I am constantly on the floor playing with my kids, and that demands very comfortable pants that allow freedom of movement. The all black relaxed feet pant fit the bill because of the thicker fabric; the zipper pocket in the back make them look dressier. More importantly, the waistband rolls down for a lower rise, which makes it very comfortable and it doesn’t not look saggy in the crouch area. I like a tighter look on the hips, so I went for the size 10 and it was even more comfortable than the size 12, which was too loose. There is a drawcord at the waist for adjustability. After my baby is born I plan to wear them with the waistband higher as they shape my body well.
However, my initial satisfaction faded after only one washing. I flipped the pants inside out and washed them with dark colors, some of which contained cotton. Afterward, I dried all items in a clothes dryer using medium heat. The pants now look like they are a year old, with a lot of pilling and fuzz balls in between the legs. And since the fabric is black the pilling is very noticeable.
I went back to the store and the salesperson told me the pants may have pilled because I mixed them with cotton items when washing them. That alone, or a combination of friction when walking - could have caused the damage. She said that a fabric shaver – which you may own to remove fuzz balls from sweaters - would help solve the problem and repair it to a nicer look. She offered to help me right away. In fact, she had a fabric shaver and showed me how use it on my pants. It made them look a little better, but they still look like a very worn pair of pants. Besides, am I expected to shave them constantly to make them look nice? Since I am not currently thin and fit like a yoga person, I will, of course, get some friction between my legs. I Just did not expect to have all this trouble for a $98 yoga pant. I do own a pair of $30 pants from the Gap and a pair of $35 pants from Adidas, both of which have been through other pregnancies and a lot more over three years. I throw them in and out of the wash without any special care and they still look brand new.
The good news is the salesperson is willing to exchange my pants for a new pair. They did not have the black in stock so I ended up with a coal pair, which I think may be better in case the fuzziness comes back. I’ll try to wash and dry them only with like items. But as every mom, and maybe every woman, knows it will not take long before a cotton item gets mixed in again while washing. It’s bound to happen when you’re too busy or when someone (like your husband) helps you by doing your laundry and washes your delicate items with other clothes. I sure hope this pair holds up a little longer.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Looks good, fits good
- Good customer service
Cons
- Not sure about the quality of the fabric
- Caution when washing/drying
