An interview at Lululemon presents a unique dressing challenge, blurring the lines between high-performance athletic wear and premium casual style. The goal is to project an image that is professional, highly polished, and aligns with the company’s focus on health, movement, and quality apparel. Your attire must demonstrate an understanding of the Lululemon brand identity while showing respect for the interview setting. Successfully navigating this balance ensures you present yourself as a cultural fit and a serious candidate.
Understanding the Lululemon Aesthetic and Culture
The Lululemon brand identity is built upon technical innovation, active living, and aspirational quality. The aesthetic is often described as “sweatlife chic,” emphasizing comfort and function without sacrificing a refined appearance. Attire should reflect this focus on movement and high-quality fabrication, suggesting a polished look that could transition from a yoga studio to an urban setting.
This culture prioritizes an appearance of health and activity, aligning with the company’s core values of wellness and personal development. Candidates must understand the difference between simple casual wear and elevated athleisure, where garments are clean, well-fitting, and made with superior materials. Presenting yourself in this manner demonstrates that you are already an ambassador for the lifestyle the company promotes.
Attire Guidelines for Retail and Store Roles
Candidates interviewing for store positions, such as Educator or Assistant Manager, should embrace a refined version of the athleisure style. This approach is preferred, as it demonstrates product familiarity and an authentic connection to the brand’s retail environment. The look should be more polished than what a current employee might wear on a typical shift.
Focus on wearing clean, wrinkle-free, high-quality athletic apparel, ideally featuring Lululemon products or comparable premium brands. Polished leggings or technical joggers, such as the Align or ABC pants, paired with a simple, structured technical top or a sleek knit sweater, are appropriate choices. A light layer, like a Defined Jacket or a high-quality zip-up, adds structure and professionalism. Footwear should consist of clean, neat athletic shoes or stylish, minimalist sneakers, ensuring they are free of scuffs and dirt.
Attire Guidelines for Corporate and Headquarters Roles
For roles in corporate settings, such as Marketing, Finance, or Technology, the dress code shifts toward business casual, infused with a subtle athletic influence. This requires more structured garments while still reflecting the brand’s relaxed, modern sensibility. The overall presentation should be tailored and professional, moving away from performance-specific wear.
Tailored trousers or dark-wash, premium denim without rips or distressing serve as an appropriate foundation. These should be paired with a sophisticated blouse, a well-pressed collared shirt, or a high-gauge knit sweater. Incorporating a blazer, especially one made from a modern, structured technical fabric, instantly elevates the ensemble and adds formality. Shoes should be professional, such as loafers, modern dress sneakers, or ankle boots, maintaining a high level of polish and quality.
The Importance of Grooming and Accessories
A clean, healthy appearance is significant, reinforcing the company’s focus on wellness. Hair should be neatly styled and clean; if long, it should be pulled back tidily to maintain a polished look. This attention to detail suggests a candidate who is organized and takes personal responsibility for their presentation.
Makeup should be minimal and natural, aiming for a fresh, “post-workout glow” without being heavy or distracting. Nails must be clean and well-maintained, with polish kept chip-free. Accessories and jewelry should be subtle, avoiding anything large or flashy. It is recommended to avoid heavy perfumes or colognes, maintaining a fresh and discreet approach to hygiene.
What to Avoid Wearing
Regardless of the role, certain items undermine professionalism and should be avoided entirely. Any clothing that is stained, heavily wrinkled, or shows visible signs of wear and tear, such as pilling or stretched-out fabric, is inappropriate. The emphasis on quality means worn-out apparel is counterproductive to the brand image.
Explicitly avoid wearing attire featuring heavy or prominent logos, particularly those of competitor athletic brands. Overly revealing clothing, including midriff-baring tops or extremely short shorts, should be replaced with more modest options. Footwear such as flip-flops, worn-out running shoes, or open-toed sandals is too casual for an interview setting. A full, traditional business suit is generally considered overdressing and out of step with the company’s culture.
Final Tips for Interview Day Success
Preparing for the interview requires adopting a mindset aligned with the company’s core values. Arrive a few minutes early to demonstrate punctuality and respect for the interviewer’s time. Researching Lululemon’s “Why” and history, often referred to as the “Sweatlife” philosophy, allows you to speak authentically about your connection to the brand.
Show enthusiasm for fitness and wellness throughout your conversation, linking your personal interests to the company’s mission. Prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewers that reflect your understanding of the role and the company’s future direction. Ultimately, a polished and brand-appropriate appearance maximizes your chances of success.
Attire Guidelines for Retail and Store Roles
Candidates interviewing for store positions, such as Educator or Assistant Manager, should embrace a refined version of the athleisure style. This approach is accepted and often preferred, as it demonstrates product familiarity and an authentic connection to the brand’s retail environment. The look should be a half-step more polished than what a current employee might wear on a typical shift.
Focus on wearing clean, wrinkle-free, high-quality athletic apparel, ideally featuring Lululemon products or comparable premium brands. Polished leggings or technical joggers, such as the Align or ABC pants, paired with a simple, structured technical top or a sleek knit sweater, are appropriate choices. A light layer, like a Defined Jacket or a high-quality zip-up, adds structure and professionalism to the look. Footwear should consist of clean, neat athletic shoes or stylish, minimalist sneakers, ensuring they are free of scuffs and dirt.
Attire Guidelines for Corporate and Headquarters Roles
For roles in corporate settings, such as Marketing, Finance, or Technology, the dress code shifts toward business casual, infused with a subtle athletic influence. This distinction requires more structured garments while still reflecting the brand’s relaxed, modern sensibility. The overall presentation should be tailored and professional, moving away from performance-specific wear.
Tailored trousers or dark-wash, premium denim without rips or distressing serve as an appropriate foundation. These should be paired with a sophisticated blouse, a well-pressed collared shirt, or a high-gauge knit sweater. Incorporating a blazer, especially one made from a modern, structured technical fabric, instantly elevates the ensemble and adds the necessary formality for a headquarters interview. Shoes should be professional, such as loafers, modern dress sneakers, or ankle boots, maintaining a high level of polish and quality.
The Importance of Grooming and Accessories
A clean, healthy appearance is just as significant as the clothing itself, reinforcing the company’s focus on wellness. Hair should be neatly styled and clean; if long, it should be pulled back in a tidy manner to maintain a polished look. This attention to detail suggests a candidate who is organized and takes personal responsibility for their presentation.
Makeup should be minimal and natural, aiming for a fresh, “post-workout glow” without being heavy or distracting. Nails must be clean and well-maintained, with polish if worn, kept chip-free. Accessories and jewelry should be subtle, avoiding anything large, flashy, or overly distracting from the overall professional appearance. It is also recommended to avoid heavy perfumes or colognes, maintaining a fresh and discreet approach to hygiene.
What to Avoid Wearing
Regardless of the role, certain items undermine the required level of professionalism and should be avoided entirely. Any clothing that is stained, heavily wrinkled, or shows visible signs of wear and tear, such as pilling or stretched-out fabric, is inappropriate. The emphasis on quality means worn-out apparel is counterproductive to the brand image.
Explicitly avoid wearing attire featuring heavy or prominent logos, particularly those of competitor athletic brands. Overly revealing clothing, including midriff-baring tops or extremely short shorts, should be replaced with more modest options. Footwear such as flip-flops, worn-out running shoes, or open-toed sandals is too casual for an interview setting. Finally, unless specifically instructed for a high-level executive role, a full, traditional business suit is generally considered overdressing and out of step with the company’s culture.
Final Tips for Interview Day Success
Preparing for the interview extends beyond selecting the correct outfit; it requires adopting a mindset aligned with the company’s core values. Arrive a few minutes early to compose yourself and demonstrate punctuality and respect for the interviewer’s time. Researching Lululemon’s “Why” and history, often referred to as the “Sweatlife” philosophy, allows you to speak authentically about your connection to the brand.
Show enthusiasm for fitness and wellness throughout your conversation, linking your personal interests to the company’s mission. Prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewers that reflect your understanding of the role and the company’s future direction. Ultimately, showing up as your authentic self, combined with a polished and brand-appropriate appearance, maximizes your chances of success.