You’re in the middle of a heavy set of squats. The gym is packed. You feel great until that nagging thought hits: Are these pants betraying me right now? It’s the nightmare scenario for anyone spending $100 on activewear. Honestly, the whole "lululemon see through leggings" saga is one of those brand ghost stories that just won't die, mostly because it actually happened. Back in 2013, the company had to recall about 17% of its black Luon yoga pants because they were, well, basically transparent when you bent over. It was a PR disaster. Chip Wilson, the founder at the time, didn't exactly help things by suggesting some women's bodies "just actually don't work" for the pants. Yeah, he really said that. He stepped down not long after.
But that was over a decade ago.
Today, the "sheer" problem is usually less about a manufacturing defect and more about a misunderstanding of fabric technology. Or sometimes, it's just physics. If you stretch a knit fabric beyond its intended capacity, the loops of yarn pull apart. Light gets through. That’s not a defect; it’s a warning sign that you’ve sized down too far to get that "compressed" feeling.
Why Your Lululemon Leggings Might Look Sheer
It’s rarely a "bad batch" anymore. Lululemon uses incredibly sophisticated proprietary fabrics like Nulu, Luxtreme, and Everlux. Each one has a specific "stretch threshold."
Take the Align Pant. It’s made of Nulu. This fabric is designed to feel like nothing. It’s "buttery soft" because the fibers are brushed and the knit is meant for low-impact movement like yoga. If you try to wear Aligns for a powerlifting meet or a high-intensity CrossFit WOD, you’re asking for trouble. When Nulu is overstretched, the delicate fibers thin out. It’s not just about seeing your skin; it’s about the fact that the fabric is literally screaming for help.
Then there’s the sizing issue.
We all want to fit into a smaller size. It feels good. But Lululemon’s Luon fabric—the original culprit of the 2013 recall—is a nylon/Lycra blend that relies on a specific density of loops per inch. If you are a true size 8 but squeeze into a 4, those loops are being pulled to their absolute limit. Suddenly, your black leggings look like a dark grey mist over your skin. It's a mechanical failure of the knit, not necessarily a flaw in the garment's quality.
🔗 Read more: Back To School Party Ideas That Won't Make Your Kids Cringe
The White Legging Dilemma
Let’s be real: white leggings are the final boss of gym wear. Even with Lululemon’s dual-layer technology, white is risky. To combat the transparency, Lululemon often double-lines their lighter-colored Aligns. You can tell if they’re double-lined because they’ll have a seam running down the outside of the leg, whereas standard Aligns are seamless on the outer thigh.
Does it work? Mostly.
The double lining makes them thicker and more "squat proof," but it also makes them hotter. You lose some of that "naked sensation" the brand is famous for. If you’re buying white, lavender, or any pale pastel, you have to accept that under harsh fluorescent gym lighting, almost nothing is 100% opaque if the fit is too tight.
The Science of the "Squat Proof" Seal
If you’re worried about lululemon see through leggings, you need to understand the GSM (grams per square meter) of the fabric. While Lululemon doesn't publicly list GSM for every pair, their Everlux fabric—found in the Wunder Train line—is specifically engineered for high-sweat, high-intensity workouts. It’s got a tighter, more dense knit structure than Nulu.
Everlux is essentially a "shield."
It’s double-knit, meaning there’s an outer layer to handle the brunt of the movement and an inner layer that wicks sweat and keeps things opaque. If you’ve had sheering issues in the past, switching from Aligns to Wunder Trains is usually the instant fix. It’s a completely different tactile experience. It feels cool to the touch and much more "locked in."
👉 See also: Why Tung Hoi Chinese Restaurant Still Dominates the Local Takeout Scene
Don't Ignore the "Gusset"
Look at the crotch of your leggings. Seriously. A high-quality legging uses a diamond-shaped or triangular gusset. This piece of fabric disperses tension away from the main seams. Cheap leggings often have a simple "four-way" intersection where all the seams meet in the middle. That’s a recipe for a blowout or massive sheering. Lululemon’s gusset design is actually quite good, which is why they usually pass the squat test even when the fabric is thin—provided you’re in the right size.
How to Test Before You Buy
Don’t just stand in front of the fitting room mirror and look at your butt. That tells you nothing. You need to simulate the worst-case scenario.
- The Deep Squat: Go as low as you can. Reach your arms forward. This pulls the fabric across the glutes and hips, which is where the sheering happens first.
- The Light Check: Most fitting rooms have flattering, soft light. Try to catch a glimpse of the fabric in the brighter, more "clinical" light of the main store floor if possible.
- The Phone Flashlight: It sounds crazy, but some people swear by putting their phone on the floor, setting a timer, and taking a video with the flash on while they squat. If the flash doesn't reveal your underwear pattern, you're golden.
- Check the Tag: Look for the "Designed for" section. If it says "Designed for Yoga" and you plan on doing deadlifts, expect some transparency. Look for "Designed for Training" for maximum opacity.
The Underwear Factor
Sometimes the leggings aren't see-through, but your underwear is just... aggressive. High-contrast colors or heavy lace will show through almost anything. If you’re wearing black leggings, wear black or nude seamless thongs. Avoid white underwear under black leggings—the contrast makes it easier for the eye to pick up the shape through the knit of the fabric. Brands like Under Armour or Lululemon’s own "UnderEase" line are laser-cut to minimize the "ridge" that catches the light and makes people think they can see through your pants.
Caring for the Fibers
You might have bought a pair that was perfectly opaque, but six months later, they’re looking a bit thin. Heat is the enemy.
If you’re throwing your leggings in a hot dryer, you’re melting the Lycra. Once those elastic fibers snap, they lose their "rebound." The fabric stays stretched out, the knit becomes gappy, and suddenly you’ve got lululemon see through leggings that used to be fine. Always wash cold and hang dry. It’s a pain, but it keeps the "denier" (the thickness of the fibers) intact.
What to Do If Yours Are Sheer
Lululemon has a pretty famous "Quality Promise." If your leggings are actually failing—meaning the seams are coming apart or the fabric is thinning unnaturally fast—you can often take them back. However, they've tightened up the rules on this. They can tell the difference between a manufacturing flaw and "pilling" caused by your thighs rubbing together or "sheering" caused by buying a size too small.
If you find a pair is sheer right off the rack, just take them back. Don't try to "make it work." The fabric isn't going to get thicker over time.
Quick Fixes and Real Talk
Honestly, if you love a pair and they’re just slightly sheer in a deep squat, wear a long shirt. Or, just don't worry about it. Most people at the gym are too busy looking at their own form to notice a slight bit of skin through your fabric. But for $118, you deserve total coverage.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Next Purchase:
- Check the Fabric Composition: Look for high Nylon content (80%+) for better opacity and durability compared to Polyester blends.
- Size Up for "V" Shapes: If you have a significant difference between your waist and hip measurements, size for your hips. If the waist is loose, use the internal drawcord (available in the Wunder Train and Base Pace models).
- Perform the "Hand Test": Put your hand inside the leg of the legging while in the store and stretch it out. If you can see your skin tone or the details of your knuckles clearly, it will be see-through on your glutes.
- Audit Your Laundry: Stop using fabric softener. It coats the fibers and can actually make them appear more shiny and "slick," which increases the appearance of transparency under bright lights.
The reality is that Lululemon has mostly fixed the 2013 "Luon-gate" issues. Most transparency problems today come down to picking the wrong "engine" (fabric type) for the job. Match your activity to the fabric, get the size right, and you'll stay covered.