Lululemon dress sparks online controversy

Lululemon's 2-in-1 Maxi Dress Sparks Mixed Reactions Online

The internet is abuzz with discussions about Lululemon's new 2-in-1 Maxi Dress, a multi-functional athleisure maxi skirt-dress duo. The basic one-color dress can be worn as an ankle-length maxi skirt or strapless dress, garnering mixed emotions from social media users.

Cost and Availability

The 2-in-1 Maxi Dress costs $148 on the Lululemon website, before shipping. As of June 3, the dress was sold out in every size and color but Light Ivory in extra large. However, shoppers can sign up to be notified if and when the dress will be restocked on the Lululemon website.

Reactions from Social Media Users

Content creator Chantalissa models the dress in a TikTok video with 83,000 views as of June 3, saying:
"It takes a lot for me to buy something that I see on TikTok, but the second I saw this 2-in-1 dress from Lululemon, I literally went to the store instantly and tried it on. I actually feel like a princess in it. It's so beautiful, so flowy. I'm obsessed."

On the other hand, content creator Dasie expressed her confusion about the dress's popularity in a TikTok video with about 4,800 views as of June 3, saying:
"Is this just for the label? Who walks into Lululemon and they're like, 'Oh my gosh, that's the cutest summer dress I've ever seen?' I'm not trying to be mean. No hate. You could walk into Walmart and get a cuter dress than that."

The 'Thneed' Debate

Lululemon's 2-in-1 Maxi Dress has been deemed a "thneed" on social media, a term that refers to a garment that can be worn multiple ways, originating from Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax." However, TikTok user Rachael, commonly known as "the Thneed Girl," disagrees, saying in a TikTok video:
"The garment really isn't transforming at all. It's just going from being worn down at the hip to up at like the chest. It's really not transforming like a thneed really needs to do. You can love this dress. You can hate this dress. You can make whatever arguments you want about the ethics of this dress, Lululemon as a company, I really don't care, but it's not a thneed."

For more information, visit the Lululemon website or check out the TikTok videos discussing the dress. Story ideas can be emailed to gcross@usatoday.com.