Honestly, walking into a lululemon store and seeing the wall of fleece can be a bit overwhelming. You see the colors—Pipe Dream Blue, Strawberry Milkshake, Espresso—and you wonder if a sweatshirt can really be worth over a hundred bucks. It's just a hoodie, right? Well, not exactly. The lululemon scuba zip up has basically become the unofficial uniform of the "clean girl" aesthetic, the post-Pilates coffee run, and the grueling 6:00 AM airport trek. It’s a cult classic for a reason. But here’s the thing: not every Scuba is created equal, and if you buy the wrong one, you’re going to be annoyed by the fit within twenty minutes of putting it on.
I’ve spent way too much time tracking the evolution of this specific piece of gear. It started years ago with the "OG" Scuba—that long, tight, almost scuba-suit-fitting jacket that hit below the hip. If you were in high school in 2012, you probably had one with a massive logo on the hood. Today, the conversation is almost entirely dominated by the Oversized version. It’s boxy. It’s cropped. It’s got that signature "I just threw this on" vibe that actually takes a lot of design intention to pull off.
The weird physics of the lululemon scuba zip up fit
Most people make the mistake of thinking "oversized" means they should size down. Don't do that. The lululemon scuba zip up in the oversized cut is designed to hang off the shoulders. If you size down to get a "slimmer" look, the sleeves end up being too short, and the hem sits at an awkward spot on your ribs that makes it look like you’re wearing a child’s garment.
The sizing is split into three main buckets: XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL. It’s a bit imprecise. That’s intentional. The M/L is the sweet spot for a lot of people, providing enough room to layer a Swiftly Tech long sleeve underneath without feeling like a stuffed sausage.
Let's talk about the weight. This isn't a lightweight summer breeze kind of jacket. It’s thick cotton-blend fleece. It’s heavy. When you zip it up, the hood—which is notoriously oversized—tends to pull the front of the jacket toward your throat. It’s a common complaint on Reddit forums and among gear reviewers. Some people hate it. Others see it as the "Scuba tax" you pay for having a hood that actually covers your head and keeps your ears warm during a windy walk.
Full zip versus half zip: the great debate
You’d think the only difference is the length of the zipper. Wrong. The vibe is totally different. The lululemon scuba zip up (the full zip) is much more versatile for layering. You can leave it open over a sports bra. It feels like a real jacket. The half-zip version, however, is arguably more popular on social media because the kangaroo pocket is continuous, which some people think looks cleaner.
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But practical people usually end up leaning toward the full zip. Why? Because taking a heavy, cropped hoodie over your head when you have a fresh blowout or a face full of makeup is a recipe for disaster. The full zip solves the "messy hair" problem. Plus, it has those discrete front pockets that are actually deep enough to hold an iPhone 15 Pro Max without it falling out every time you lean over to tie your shoes.
Why the fabric stays soft (and how you’re probably ruining it)
We need to talk about the "pills." You know, those tiny little balls of fuzz that show up under the arms? It happens to the best of us. The Scuba is mostly cotton and polyester, with a dash of elastane for stretch. It feels like a cloud when you first buy it.
If you're tossing your lululemon scuba zip up in the dryer on high heat, you are effectively killing it. Heat is the enemy of the Scuba. It fries the fibers, makes the fleece feel scratchy, and shrinks the hem. If you want it to last five years—and it absolutely can—you have to wash it on cold and hang it to dry. Yes, it takes forever to dry because the fabric is so dense. Be patient. Your wallet will thank you when you don't have to replace a $120 hoodie because it turned into a cardboard box in the dryer.
One thing lululemon gets right that cheap knockoffs miss is the zipper. It’s a chunky, high-quality YKK zipper. It doesn’t snag. It has an elastic hair tie as the zipper pull. That’s not just a gimmick; it’s actually saved me more than once when I’ve forgotten a hair tie for a workout. It’s these small, "if you know, you know" details that keep the brand at the top of the luxury athleisure pyramid.
Is the "funnel neck" actually better than the hood?
Recently, lululemon released the Funnel Neck version of the Scuba. It’s basically the same jacket but without the heavy hood. This was a direct response to the "hood pull" issue I mentioned earlier. Without the weight of the hood, the jacket sits much more evenly on your shoulders.
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It looks a bit more polished. A bit more "rich mom" and a bit less "college student." If you’re someone who wears your lululemon scuba zip up under a trench coat or a leather jacket, the funnel neck is a game-changer. There’s no bulky hood bunching up at the back of your neck. However, you lose that iconic embroidered logo on the top of the hood, which, let's be honest, is half the reason people buy it in the first place.
The resale market and the "color drops"
Lululemon has mastered the art of artificial scarcity. They drop new colors every Tuesday. Some colors, like "Belgian Blue" or the various forest greens, sell out in hours. This has created a massive secondary market on sites like Poshmark and Depop.
Surprisingly, a used lululemon scuba zip up in a rare color can sometimes sell for more than its original retail price. It’s wild. But it also speaks to the durability. If the garment wasn't built to last, the resale market wouldn't exist. People aren't buying raggedy, falling-apart sweatshirts. They’re buying pieces that still have structural integrity after fifty washes.
If you're hunting for a deal, look for "WMTM" (We Made Too Much). That’s lululemon’s clearance section. You can usually find the Scuba in more experimental colors—think neon yellows or bright oranges—for about $89 or $99. It’s the best way to get into the brand without paying the full "new arrival" tax.
Real talk: the limitations
I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s a perfect garment. It’s not.
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- The cropped length isn’t for everyone. If you have a long torso, it might feel more like a bra than a sweater.
- The sleeves on the oversized version are very wide (batwing style), which makes it nearly impossible to fit under a tight-fitting coat.
- It’s not waterproof. At all. If you get caught in a rainstorm, it will soak up water like a sponge and become incredibly heavy.
But for a day of running errands or a long flight? It’s hard to beat. The thumbholes keep your hands warm. The fleece keeps your core cozy. And it just looks put together in a way that your old college sweatshirt from 2005 simply doesn't.
How to style it without looking like you’re going to the gym
You can absolutely dress up a lululemon scuba zip up. Try pairing the black or espresso version with high-waisted trousers and a pair of clean white sneakers. It balances the line between professional and "I value my comfort."
Another solid look is the Scuba over a midi-length slip dress. It dresses the silk down and makes the outfit work for a casual brunch. The key is the high-waisted bottom. Since the jacket is cropped, you need that high rise to meet the hem of the jacket, or you’re going to be showing a lot of midriff, which might not be the vibe for a 2:00 PM grocery run in January.
Actionable steps for your first (or next) purchase
If you're ready to pull the trigger, follow this checklist to make sure you don't end up with buyer's remorse.
- Check the hem height. Measure from your shoulder to where you want the jacket to hit. If that measurement is more than 22 inches, the "Oversized" version will be a crop on you. Look for the "Long" version if you want butt coverage.
- Choose your zipper. If you wear makeup daily, get the full zip. If you want the most popular look for photos, get the half zip.
- Inspect the "Garage." Every real lululemon scuba zip up has a little fabric "garage" at the top of the zipper so it doesn't chafe your chin. If it doesn't have that, it's a fake.
- Wash it inside out. This protects the outer finish from friction and pilling in the wash. Always use cold water. Always air dry.
- Join the community. Check the "lululemon" subreddit on Tuesdays around 2:00 PM EST. That’s when the new colors drop. If you see a color you love, buy it immediately. It might be gone by Wednesday morning.
There's a certain comfort in owning something that you know works. The Scuba isn't trying to be a high-fashion statement piece that will be out of style next month. It’s a functional, well-built piece of athletic wear that happened to become a fashion icon. Whether you're a hardcore collector with twenty colors or someone just looking for one solid hoodie to wear on the weekends, the Scuba generally lives up to the hype. Just keep it away from the dryer. Seriously.