Confused by those special little abbreviations on our hangtags?  Want to learn to educate like the pros in our stores?

Say hello to our crash course on lululemon product lingo. We use abbreviations in our product names and on our hangtags to tell you what kind of technology makes each garment special. Consider this your go-to education guide to knowing exactly what you’re excited about.

Click on the terms below for the full definition.

quick-jump guide

(scroll down to read the full definitions)

• I, II, III, or IV
• *Br
• DWR
• *[Fabric name]
• *Org
• *Pique
• *Ruffle
• *R
• *RVRS
• *Sparkle
• Special Edition
• SL,SS,LS
• *T

an in-depth guide

Take a read below:

Generation of garment (I, II, III, IV)
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro. No matter how you say it, these little Roman numerals are how we indicate a new version of a much loved item. Every season, we count on your feedback to figure out exactly what you love and what can be improved. Our quest never ends when it comes to fit and function and I, II, & III mark the way.

*[Fabric name]
Whenever you see the (*) followed by a fabric, it indicates that this fabric has been used to create the product. It can represent the main fabric used, or a secondary fabric used only in sections. *Tweed, *Mesh, *Rib and *Org are all examples.

Brushed (*Br or *Brushed)
Brushed promises a warm, soft layer against your skin. Specifically, the fabric's bottom layer has been agitated and brushed to create a cozy, super-soft feel.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR)
Fabric has been treated with a finish that causes water to bead off of the surface to keep you dry!

Water repellant vs waterproof: Our Waterproof products have an outer shell capable of repelling water AND taped seams to keep all water from penetrating. Water repellant garments do not have taped seams.

Organic (*Org or *Organic)
Certified Organic Cotton is an exciting addition to our amazing fabric line. Read all about this breathable natural option in Elissa's "(fall)ing into organic cotton" blog.

Pique (*Pique - pronounced "pee-KAY")
Our pique luon fabric is luon that has been woven to give a more textured look and feel. It’s like wearing your favourite knit sweater or pants with the superb 4-way stretch and sweat wicking abilities you know and love.

Ruffle (*Ruffle)
A textured detail to add originality to your athletic gear!

Sparkle *Sparkle
Subtle silver-coloured threads woven into the fabric make you shine on the outside, too.

Special Edition *Special Edition
A new detail, feature, or pattern puts a twist on a core item.

Reversible (*RVRS)
Your outfit possibilities double, thanks to our reversible options in both pants and jackets. Our flat-seam technology enables us to offer two unique looks in one.

SL, SS, LS
We love to provide our guests with all the options. You can choose between sleeveless (SL), short sleeve (SS), or long sleeve (LS) to ensure the right product for every workout.

Regular (*R)
This indicates our standard inseam. For ladies, the inseam is 31.5" (size 2/4 = 31"). Men can expect 33". Take a look at our size chart for more info.

Tall (*T)
Those with wonderfully long legs need not worry – a tall length is made just for you! Women's *T inseam is 35"  for sizes 4 & 6 and 35.5" for 8-12. Men's *T is 36".

And there you have it. Now take your new-found knowledge and shop fearlessly!

Learn more about our different fabrics plus washing and care instructions.

Shop now for all silverescent luon products >>

Forecast = rain. Merino wool = dry and cozy.

Let me start by saying that keeping warm is a high priority for me, especially during the winter months. Curling up by a roaring fire is my idea of pure bliss. So you can imagine how much I like the idea of running in the rain: www.notverymuch.com.

Don’t get me wrong, I am full of gratitude for rain; it nourishes the earth, smells divine and creates a unique and dramatic ambience; an ambience I most enjoy whilst peering through a window with a cup of tea in hand. This being said, I decided to try out our new Run: Balance Pullover to see if it could help get me outside, despite the cold, rainy weather.

what I loved about it:

• it’s surprisingly soft with a zero itch factor.
• it has great breathability
• the natural fabric has a rich and refined quality, giving it a sophisticated look
• it stays warm even in the wettest conditions - magical!

Alexis in the Run: Balance Pullover, moments before she ditched her umbrella and went for a run!

after wearing it more than once

Now that I have worn it a few times, I can honestly say that it didn’t itch at all. Without the bulk of a sweatshirt , the 100% merino wool pullover kept me perfectly heated on chilly mornings. I can’t wait to try this on the mountain, where dryness and warmth are so important. Hello après ski hangouts!

If you are like me and are cautious to try new fabrics, I dare you to try this on – it’s as cozy as a hug and as cool as James Dean. It might even make that 5:30 a.m. run downright jump-out-of-bed-worthy! Okay, that was an exaggeration. But at least you’ll be warm…and ultimately, that’s all that counts.

Look for the the Run: Balance Pullover in your local lululemon, and online very soon!

why we made this

The Run:Sun Blocker LS was designed for running in the sun without worrying about UV (Ultraviolet) rays harming your skin. It is constructed of UPF Sheer Jersey and Circle Mesh.

Lightweight UPF sheer jersey provides sun coverage and wicks moisture with an excellent UPF rating. The UPF Sheer Jersey has been strategically placed in high-exposure areas, such as the forearms and chest, to give additional sun coverage where you need it most.

Made with circle mesh panels along the sidebody, with an anti-stink Chitosan finish, which provides extra breathability. Circle Mesh has excellent wicking and anti-stink capabilities, but does not offer UPF coverage (it has holes!). The top is also flat seamed for chafe resistance & comfort in your runs.

Body skimming fit so it won't cling as you get moving.

Hidden back pocket for lightweight belongings.

Thumbholes to keep your sleeves in place, and your arms fully protected from the sun's rays.

Here is a video from our Product Trainer with more information about UPF Sheer Jersey:

Although the Sun Blocker LS was not made to be a replacement for sunscreen, it was made to give you additional sun coverage where you need it most. So go have an active, fun and safe summer! Namaste.

January is an ambassador from our La Jolla store, and she is wearing:

Run:Sun Blocker LS in Angel Blue/Coal

&

Run:Empower Crops in Coal

Day 31 learnings:

1. lululemon makes amazing black stretchy pants.

Both pairs of my Wunder Unders have stood up to this challenge beautifully. They weren't brand new to begin with but they haven't "aged" either. The color did not fade, the fabric did not stretch out and there has been minimal pilling from abrasion.

2. It IS possible to re-purpose.

Prior to this challenge, much of my closet was "categorized". I would only wear certain pieces for work, play, dressy events, and to work out in. I've started to look at all my clothes differently. Something that I would only have pulled out for "dressy" occasions are starting to see the light of day (Examples: Day 1, Day 15, Day 25) and lululemon pieces that only saw the inside of my gym bag are going with me to work and play (Day 12, Day 14, Day 19).

3. I'm already wearing my yoga/run/work out clothes. I have NO excuse not to get my yoga/run/sweat on

The response I received from this challenge has been overwhelming. To every friend, co-worker, and guest who took the time to have a conversation with me, provide encouragement and support, comment on a post, share their day with me by checking into the blog or ask me how I was doing (I loved the concern fellow co-workers expressed over my hygiene), you are WUNDERful. Your words have added more fuel to my fire at reaching my personal goals in fashion and styling.

For my CGSE updates, photos and blog posts
Facebook: Elim Canada
Twitter: @elimcgse
Foursquare: elimcgse

I would like to personally thank Alana, Shawna, and Ron for making this all happen EVERY DAY.

Thank you to lululemon Briar Hill ( @lululemonbhill) for sharing your tweets with me.

Note: Do try this at home. No Wunder Unders were hurt during the course of this challenge.

Picture the scene: you walk into a lululemon store, and something catches your eye. "How can I get to know this garment/accessory better?" you think to yourself. "How can I be sure that this is exactly what I’m looking for?"

This is where the five Fs come in.

fabric

Today I will be calling upon my trusty Admiral Jacket to illustrate this point. We have a variety of different fabrics to suit a variety of different purposes. In the case of the Admiral Jacket, it is made out of a lightweight cotton/Lycra blend, which we call Stretch French Terry. This fabric is ideal for keeping comfy and relaxed, as it is stretchy, but holds its shape very well.

fit

Different items will have different fits to suit different activities, personal styles, and body types. You can see that my trusty Admiral Jacket has a very slim fit through the torso and arms. This is different from the Fuzzy Fleece Pullover on the left, which has a more relaxed, loose fit through the torso.

function

Much of our clothing and accessories are designed with a range of ideas and activities in mind, but these are always open to interpretation. The Admiral Jacket, for example, makes a great to-and-from piece when going to yoga class, but you can also dress it up with jeans and heels for a classy, casual look.

features

lululemon clothing and accessories are chock-full of special features: some which are immediately visible, and others which might come as a pleasant discovery after you've bought the item! Always feel free to explore and see how many you can track down. Here, I illustrate how the Admiral Jacket can be customized through its features: collar n' cuffs up, or collar n' cuffs down… you decide!

fun

Where would we be without a lot of fun? This is the part where you open up your imagination and let all of the quirks run free!

So if you ever find yourself wondering about that new item of lululemon that's caught your eye, remember the five Fs! See how many you can pick out!

Curious to learn about more fun features on our product? Check it out here: http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/features

Did you know that one of the most amazing details on a brand new lululemon garment is a thin strip of ribbon located (usually) at the base of the neck? Get out your magnifying glasses and check out what you've been missing!

The reversed side of the tag is in French. For our American friends, French is one of the two official languages spoken in Canada!

And if you're ready, most of the tags are removable. Just gently pull on it and it will tear free of the seam.

Many guests have asked, and we listened. On our new garments, you should be able to find a little circle on the inside of the liner or pocket noting the size of your garment.

And if you're looking for care instructions, read this blog post: How Do I Wash My lululemon?

Above: Rideau Centre Assistant Manager Danielle Beland Models the Start it Up Jacket!

The idea of “two looks in one” is hardly a new one for lululemon athletica. Anyone that has worn a pair of Groove Pants has been enjoying double the stylish active-wear pleasure for years.

For Fall 2009 our design team created a number of options that give you full “reversibility”. This means that there is a completely different colour/fabric on the opposite side! Check out the Start it Up Jacket, Wunder Unders, Groove Pants and the newer straight leg option the Rock Out Pant all which offer fully reversible versions.

As with all our garments, when you get them home, remove the inside tag. This will ensure that you won’t experience any irritation from the tag and will make your piece completely reversible.

Besides the obvious bonus of getting two pieces for the same price, what I really like about the fully reversible bottoms is that with the double layer of fabric you get extra coverage on your backside. This means that not only will you be warmer this winter but your butt will look even better. Nice!

As you know, our design team loves feedback. Which pieces do you think we should try making into reversible options? Let us know and you may see your double-sided version in a store near you for Fall 2010!

Built in liners

The liners are moisture wicking and we sew them in backwards so the seams don’t chafe – pull one out and have a closer look!

Flat seaming

Not all running shorts/shirts out there have flat locked seaming, which stumps us because chafing is the #1 complaint from runners. Say it loud and proud: our shorts and tech tops are flat seamed to prevent chafing!

Key pockets

Runners want pockets for gels and keys, and we put them in the right places so they don’t get in the way.

Our fabrics

Runners need high performance, lightweight fabrics that feel amazing against the skin and will take a beating. Swift, Silverescent, or Power Luxtreme, anyone?

Removeable labels

This step is often missed in other running apparel. Our labels tear right out so you can focus on your run instead of tickling tags!

Mesh panels for ventilation

We have added super wicking mesh panels to the most notoriously sweaty spots on your bod for maximum breathability.

Above: Alana and Sheena (both from our ecommerce team) product test some of our new heathered charcoal pieces. Alana is wearing the Stride Jacket and Sheena is testing the Deep V Tank.

I'm very much a basic black girl at heart. I know how difficult it can be to push away from the easy comfort of black clothing. I mean let's face it, black:

- Goes with everything
- Is flattering
- Is classic!
- And doesn't get bad stains on it as easily as other colours

But we all know at the end of the day we have a wardrobe full of just black, which is no fun at all!

So this season I discovered heathered charcoal. I got it in a Game Day Jacket and a pair of Move Crops, both in cotton. All I can say is I LOVE THEM! This new colour has the same list of pros that black does with more interest to the garment as it has a textured look. Heathered charcoal in a jacket gave a new level of sophistication and class to my outfit and brought so much more than plain black would have. I feel I can wear either product with any of the colours in my wardrobe. It can be a fine line wearing pattern with it. But overall, I feel this textured colour will become a timeless piece in your wardrobe as it is mine.

Ahhhh, summer. Sun, surf and sand. Outdoor meetings, long hikes, and exercise sessions with the sun beating down on you, the warm breeze against your neck, and a cool post-workout treat to help you conquer the high temperatures.

But during these hot summer days, there's no better way to keep you cool than our Beat the Heat Dress. This casual dress is made out of vitasea fabric, making it so soft you'll want to wear it all day and night. In just one day out on the town, you can wear this dress to and from yoga class, out to run errands, at a classy outdoor café for brunch, and dressed up with a cardigan for a night out with friends.

Even better about the Beat the Heat Dress: its versatility. Wear it as a dress, a stylish top, or pull it down as a skirt. It's even reversible! So you're essentially getting more than six stylish looks for just one affordable price. I love wearing my Beat the Heat Dress as a skirt and pairing it with a spaghetti strap tank and flip flops for a day at the beach. But as many of you busy girls know… we can go hours without making it home to change clothes. So from day to night, the Beat the Heat Dress can be pulled up as a strapless top and paired with leggings, making it a sexy and sultry look once the sun sets.

Check it out in your local store, or in our online one: http://shop.lululemon.com/Beat_The_Heat_Dress/

Above: MelEesa, our Men's Designer, test drives some of our luxtreme items in the park near our office.

If you've ever gone shopping for athletic wear, you have likely come face to face with the words "technical fabric". Have you ever wondered what this means and how it can enhance your workouts?

The term "technical fabric" refers to high-performance fabrics created and marketed specifically for sportswear. These fabrics are designed to pull moisture from your skin during periods of heavy sweating, spreading it evenly throughout the fabric so that sweat evaporates quicker and ultimately, you dry faster after your workouts than in a cotton t-shirt.

Luxtreme is a lightweight, smooth-feeling technical fabric that we use in our run line. Luxtreme is what we call an "inherently wicking" fabric, which means that the wicking property is part of the yarn itself and that your shirt will be wicking away your sweat for the life of the garment. Bottom line is that you will be calm, cool and collected before, during and after your workout.

I converted to wearing technical fabrics for all of my active living about a decade ago. So when I was given the task of test-running one of our luxtreme tops for work I decided to pass it on to my colleague Jacquie, who has always worn cotton t-shirts and tanks for her daily run. On a typical day she runs for about 40 minutes -- long enough to build up a good sweat!

If you have worn or worked out in any lululemon garments using Luxtreme I would love to hear your feedback below!

I look forward to sharing more information with you on our various fabrics and how they can make your workouts more fun. In the meantime, if you want a quick read on Luxtreme and our other technical fabrics check out the link below:

http://www.lululemon.com/education/info/care

View some of our Luxtreme products:

• Run: Dash Crop
• Speed Up Tank
• Run: Ambition Tight
• All Sport Bra
• Run: Hustle Crop

Like an ice cold glass of lemonade, LUX is the answer on a hot summer day.

Can you feel it? It's starting to heat up! Even so, as I head out the door in the early morning, or the Weather Channel calls for some wind, I automatically throw on or pack one of my trusty Remix Lulu Hoodies. Out of the closet, just in time for summer, comes my Remix Hoodie Lux.

What is the difference between the regular Remix and the Remix Hoodie Lux? For one, the Lux hoodie feels like my favorite well loved t-shirt. The fabric is made of a natural yarn called Modal® which is derived from wood pulp. This material feels extremely soft against the skin. Added details: Lycra® for stretch and pre-shrunk for the perfect fit!

Whether I'm pairing it with speed shorts to the gym, lounging around in ElementaLuLu Pants or heading to the park in a pair of denim cutoffs, the Remix Hoodie Lux is the perfect addition for my summer wardrobe. LUX it up!

Why We Made This:
-A "to & from" warm layer with a longer body to provide more coverage!
-Lycra® in fabric to hold its shape
-Preshrunk so zipper will not buckle
-Chafe resistant - flat seamed
-Chin protecting zipper garage
-Longer sleeves for added warmth

Want to try one on for yourself? Please vist your nearest lululemon athletica store location or check it out online at: http://shop.lululemon.com/Remix_Hoodie_Lux/pd/np/550/p/1221.html

Check out some pics of Elim in the Remix Hoodie Lux (razzmatazz colour) below!

Above: Elim and her Yoga Journal!

Above: A quick escape from the office - and off to the park!