Drawstrings Gone Rogue: How Lululemon Turned Fashion into a Face-Slapping Fiasco
written by a member of the WCB
Y’all won’t believe the wild ride Lululemon took its customers on back in 2015. What started as a seemingly innocent athletic wear design turned into a full-blown safety nightmare that’d make even the most dedicated fitness enthusiast think twice about their workout gear.
The Whip-Lash Incident
Picture this: You’re heading to yoga, feeling like a million bucks in your trendy Lululemon top, when suddenly—SNAP! The drawstring decides to give you an unexpected facial. And we’re not talking about a gentle caress.
In June 2015, Lululemon was forced to recall a whopping 318,000 tops across the U.S. and Canada. Why? Because their elastic drawstrings with hard metal or plastic tips were essentially turning into face-whipping weapons.
The Damage Report
Seven reported injuries might not sound like much, but when it comes to your face, even one is too many. The Consumer Product Safety Commission wasn’t playing around. Their warning was crystal clear: these drawstrings could “snap back, impact the face area and result in injury.”
Crisis Management, Lululemon Style
The company’s response was a masterclass in corporate damage control:
Voluntarily contacted safety regulators
Promised to replace drawstrings for free
Claimed no “serious injuries” had occurred
Offered to help customers replace the problematic drawstrings
The Recalled Lineup
If you owned any of these tops between 2008 and 2014, you might want to check your closet:
Carry and Go Hoodie
Dance Studio Jacket
Cozy Up Jacket
Varsity Hoodie
And 18 other potential face-slapping culprits
A Pattern of Controversy?
This wasn’t Lululemon’s first rodeo with product mishaps. Just two years earlier, they’d dealt with the infamous “see-through yoga pants” scandal. Seems like the company had a knack for turning clothing into conversation pieces—and not always in a good way.
The Takeaway
Sometimes, the most dangerous thing in your workout wardrobe isn’t the intensity of your exercise, but the tiny details manufacturers overlook. Lululemon learned the hard way that when it comes to clothing design, safety isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a necessity.
Stay safe. Stay stylish. And maybe check your drawstrings.