Is Lulus fast fashion, or is it working towards sustainability?
Fast fashion is more than a $136.19 billion industry as of 2024. This number clearly shows that while many are demanding sustainability in fashion, very few are following the practice. There are solid reasons for this. Fast fashion is affordable and easily accessible, and it allows consumers to keep up with the trends.
Where does Lulus stand? Let’s find out in this article.
Understanding Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is a term used for stylish yet low-priced clothing that rapidly moves from the factory to the retail store to meet its rising demand. This fashion is designed to meet the latest trends and help people wear affordable pieces of garments.
Most of the clothes that come under fast fashion are copies or are inspired by the garments worn by celebrities or featured on runways. These clothes are perfect for mainstream consumers who wish to buy a new look but at an affordable price.
However, fast fashion also has a bad side. According to statistics, approximately 30% of clothes made by the fastest fashion brands are never sold. As a result, these clothes are quickly destroyed, creating a massive waste problem.
There are multiple fast fashion leaders in the market. Zara and H&M are the most popular ones, and they have successfully made millions on every fast fashion clothing piece they introduce in the market.
Lulus is a legit brand. Yet, many people also think that Lulus is fast fashion. Is that true?
About Lulus as a Brand
Lulus is one of the most famous American brands, and it specializes in clothing, footwear, and various accessories for women. Many people consider Lulus offerings to be trendy and stylish.
Founded by Chad and Tomima Edmark in Chico, California, in 1996, Lulus has successfully evolved as one of the most successful retail stores in the region. In fact, according to the company’s revenue report from the second quarter of 2024, Lulus has made a revenue of $92 million and aims to increase it in the holiday season.
Lulus stands out from other similar retail stores because of its diverse offerings, which cover casual wear, accessories, evening gowns, and dresses for women. It is an affordable yet luxury brand that uses great craftsmanship and high-quality fabric.
Moreover, the brand is known to invest heavily in its online shopping experience to help consumers explore various options that are available with ease.
However, there is a huge confusion when it comes to labeling this brand. Some people call it fast fashion, while others tag Lulus offerings as sustainable.
Reasons Some Don’t Consider Lulus as Fast Fashion
Here is why Lulus may not be promoting fast fashion.
Quality Focus
Lulus has always prioritized quality over price. The clothes are designed to last longer, despite following all the latest trends. Lulus uses impeccable craftsmanship and high-quality materials for your clothes so you can wear each piece proudly.
The offerings are not expensive but definitely are available for mid-range prices.
Limited Collections
You won’t find Lulus launching huge volumes of the latest styles and designs. The brand releases limited collections that focus on quality. The collections are more curated, ensuring that each design or style gets its deserved attention from the public.
Sustainability and Ethical Claims
Lulus isn’t completely a sustainable brand. However, the brand has made a few efforts to get into the league. For instance, it makes sure to reduce as much waste as possible.
Additionally, it has made sure to introduce eco-friendly packaging for its offerings.
The brand also claims to manufacture all its clothes using fair labor and ethical practices.
Pricing Model
Lulus’ pricing can sometimes be higher than that of traditional fast-fashion brands like Shein or Forever 21. While still affordable, this price range often reflects their aim to balance trendiness with better materials and longer-lasting designs.
Characteristics That Align Lulus with Fast Fashion
Despite all of the above valid points, many people consider Lulus as a fast fashion brand. Here is why.
Frequent New Arrivals
Fast fashion is known to adapt to new trends and launch new releases pretty quickly. That’s what Lulus does, too. You may not see it releasing a new top or dress as quickly as Forever 21 or Primark, but most of the collections reflect the latest styles quite clearly.
This characteristic makes Lulus appealing to consumers who wish to wear current trends at affordable rates.
Trend-Driven Focus
As shared above, Lulus is trend-driven. Every new piece that it releases is a clear reflection of current styles and designs available in the market. This is what fast fashion brands like Zara and H&M follow.
Lulus’ main focus is to meet the latest requirements of consumers and provide them with all the offerings that are currently worn by celebrities and influencers.
Affordability
We won’t call Lulus a low-priced brand. It offers some expensive pieces with luxurious styles that you may not find anywhere else. However, these are very limited.
Lulus charges mid-range prices for most of its clothing items and accessories. So, you might find Lulus more expensive than Primark and Forever 21 but cheaper than brands like Kotn or Tentree.
Cruelty-Free Policies
Lulus is not a vegan or cruelty-free brand, as it uses wool and leather in its collections.
Moreover, retail stores do not have any policies in place to ensure animal welfare or prevent animal cruelty.
Supply Chain
Unfortunately, Lulus doesn’t practice any sort of transparency when it comes to its supply chain. It doesn’t explain its labor practices or show the source of its materials used. Ethical and sustainable fashion takes transparency quite seriously.
So, brands that show a lack of transparency in various practices are often linked with fast fashion.
Fast Fashion vs. Premium Fast Fashion
Fast fashion and premium fashion are two popular approaches used in the fashion industry. They are pretty similar but also have their unique differences.
For instance, fast fashion advocates quick production procedures, affordability, and trend-followers. The main aim of fast fashion is to offer consumers the latest designs so they can quickly update their wardrobe to stay in the game. However, to achieve all of this, fast fashion brands often take quality for granted and manufacture costs without much longevity.
On the other hand, premium fast fashion supports quick production processes and trend-focused approaches. However, it ensures high quality and price point. Brands that offer the premium fast fashion model offer the latest designs but for consumers who want more quality and status.
What’s more, premium fast fashion brands make some sort of sustainability efforts and show transparency in their practices. They don’t shy away from showing their efforts towards sustainable practices and invest time and money in making this planet a better place to live.
When it comes to Lulus, it won’t be fair to completely tag it as a fast fashion brand. However, it isn’t a sustainable one, either. This makes Lulus a premium fast fashion brand that offers trendy accessories and clothes made with high-quality materials. This is why the brand has a middle price point.
Consumer Reviews
Lulus has a 2.2-star rating on Trustpilot, which is quite average.
According to Lauren Miller, Lulus has good customer service.
Jennifer has also shared how the dress she bought from Lulus was praised by many. The material was good and arrived on time.
Heather shared how Lulus has great products and customer service but the jeans lack shape and quality.
Alternatives to Lulus
There are several sustainable alternatives to Lulus that prioritize ethical labor practices and eco-friendly materials.
Some popular alternatives include ASOS. This isn’t a completely sustainable brand, but has put in efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% between 2017 and 2018. What’s more, the brand has also worked towards following circular design techniques to minimize waste.
Another alternative is Mango. This brand offers top-quality clothing and accessories for both men and women. It has also made good progress towards sustainability by using eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester and organic cotton. Mango is also much more transparent than Lulus. It shares information about its product’s design and composition.
Urban Outfitters is another well-known brand that offers good-quality clothing and apparel for both men and women. The brand has affordable prices for most of its pieces. However, it doesn’t compromise on quality and follows all the latest trends in fashion.
Conclusion: Is Lulus Fast Fashion?
So, what do you think? Is Lulus fast fashion or a premium fast fashion brand? According to us, the retail store’s clothing and accessories reflect the latest trends but at a mid-range price point and with high quality in focus. Although Lulus isn’t open about its labor or manufacturing practices, it still ensures that strong moves toward sustainability are made.
So, instead of labeling it as a complete fast fashion or sustainable brand, let’s call it a premium fast fashion company. Lulus tries to offer a good user experience and gives you pieces that you can feel proud of owning.
However, it is always wise for customers like you to demand transparency about a product’s manufacturing process and materials. This is the best way to make brands responsible for their practices and make decisions that are safe for the environment.
You can also contribute to reforestation efforts by dressing up responsibly and supporting eco-friendly clothing brands that plant trees.
