LuLa Who? Welcome to the Whimsical World of LuLaRoe Clothing

Happy Wednesday, lovelies!

Today, I will be sharing my thoughts on one of my newest loves, LuLaRoe clothing (LLR) with y’all.  If you had asked me last year if I had heard of this company, I would have said “LuLa who?! Who is SHE?”  At the time, I had no idea that this newish fashion company would take Facebook by storm and later become a part of my regular shopping experience. LuLaRoe (named after founder DeAnne Stidham’s first three granddaughters Lucy, Lola and Monroe) is one of America’s fastest growing companies, poised to become a $1 billion company in the near future.  (For more about the beginning of LLR, click here.)

Known for their buttery soft leggings (yes, they are really that soft), LuLaRoe has exploded across all lines of social media, and is quickly becoming a household name.  From children’s clothes to women’s dresses, men’s shirts, and even fitness wear, LLR has something for everyone.  Since attending my first popup (in- home party) just a few months ago, it’s safe to say I am a LLR convert for life!  I currently wear some sort of LLR at least 3-5 times a week and each piece is beautiful and totally different from the last.  So what is it about this brand that sets itself apart from the pack?  Read on to see why it really is all rainbows and unicorns at LLR. 🙂

If you’ve never heard of LLR, or not very familiar, I encourage you to attend a local party or shop via Facebook.   If you don’t know any consultants personally, check out the end of the post for my Top 5 favorite consultants and join their pages for future sales and information.  If you’re a LLR addict already, I hope you enjoy some of my fab finds and recommended accessories!  Also, please note that I am not a LLR consultant and I did not receive any items or compensation for my post.

Enjoy!

XO,

I Dream of Pretty Things

P.S. I want to see how you “Roe” and what you love about LLR.  Share your feedback with me in the comments section!

How it Works and Why I Love It

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  Adorable girls in the new Adeline dress Photo: LuLaRoe

  Consultants: LLR ONLY sells clothes through their 25,000+ consultants across the country.  These hardworking small business owners maintain their own inventory, host online and in-home parties on their own time and share the beautiful and vibrant clothing with their customers through social media.  Essentially, this means that you cannot buy online from a central website, purchase through a catalog or buy from a TV shopping network.  I think the consultants rock and I love knowing that this sales model means I am supporting someone’s small/family business!  You can feel good about your purchase and the love and care you receive from each consultant.

• Unique Inventory: LLR limits the number of pieces they make with each pattern, so you don’t have to worry about buying the same thing as everybody else.  (I believe they make less than 3,000 pieces with each pattern, though this number may have changed.)  When the consultants order their inventory, they can only request the style and size, not specific patterns. The limited nature of the patterns is part of the novelty and LLR’s genius business structure.  Aside from you feeling unique, it also creates a sense of urgency for the customer to buy something they like on the spot, because they may not be able to find the exact one they want again later on. This model also encourages a friendly market across the board as customers can shop with multiple consultants since no one gets the same inventory.  At first, this kind of annoyed me because there were many things I found but not in my size and I wasn’t able to buy it.  However, after a bit of searching, I have usually been able to find what I need in a few days’ time.  I sort of view it now as treasure hunting. 🙂
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  The Randy is a popular baseball style tee for both men and women! Photo: LuLaRoe.com

  Price and Quality: Most of the items I purchase are reasonable to me considering the quality and that I can find multiple items/outfits that mix and match with each other to create multiple looks. One thing to note about pricing is that the consultants set their own pricing for each item.  They do have to stay within a $ range set by LLR, but they have flexibility within the range.  I find that most consultants are pretty consistent with the same pricing across the board to stay competitive.  Sales tax and shipping costs are added when applicable and most consultants will run promotions, raffles or giveaways each week.  As for quality, I find that the majority of my pieces have held up quite well to weekly wear and washing.  (LLR recommends only hand or gentle cycle washing and hang dry!)  However, I do have 3-4 items that have quite a bit of pilling.  I’m disappointed with that, but have been able to minimize it with a sweater saver/fabric pill remover like this one.

• Stylish clothes made for EVERYONE: Sizing goes from wee tiny kiddos all the way to women’s 3X! Note: Sizing is pretty generous so pay attention to the sizing charts for each style.  And, let’s not forget about the guys!  The men’s Patrick and (recently released) Mark tee are very attractive and the Randy Tee (baseball tee) is also a great unisex option!   LLR is very committed to making every customer look fabulous in each and every piece.  You’ll see this reflected in everything they do, including their marketing pieces which feature beautiful men and women of different ethnic backgrounds and different sizes.  I LOVE seeing models who look like ME and are shaped like ME!  If you’re into matching your kiddo, there is also a Mommy and Me matching leggings series and I’ve seen lots of cute Mom and Child duos sporting some ridiculously cute leggings.

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  THE leggings that have a true cult following. Check out the fun prints! Photo: LuLaRoe

  Ethically made across the globe: LLR clothes are made in America and overseas.  If owning ethically-made clothes is important to you, then you will really appreciate that LLR pays their employees fair wages and that they are not made with slave labor!  Some customers have found that there are sizing differences for the same style of item depending on the country it was made in and ask for the country of origin information from the consultant before they purchase.  I hear that LLR is addressing this issue, but if you’re very particular about exact sizing, you may want to consider only buying from a local consultant so that you can try everything on first.

• Not just a brand, it’s a community:   You know how Jeep people are really loyal to the Jeep brand and they have that camaraderie when they pass other Jeeps on the road?  Well, it’s the same kind of camaraderie and loyalty in the LLR community.  When you start joining different Facebook LLR groups, VIP pages, B/S/T groups, etc. you’ll soon witness this for yourself.  Customers become friends with each other and the consultants and sooner than later, it starts feeling like family.  I love when I can spot someone wearing LLR around town and we can “talk about it” and our favorite pieces.  It’s a small way to connect with someone, but totally fun!

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  Gorgeous popup shopping party setup by Burque Style’s Amanda and Tracy in Alberquerque, Photo: Burque Style.com

  Getting out of your comfort zone: At first glance, some people may be overwhelmed with the rich colors, textures and patterns in LLR clothing.  I know I was when I attended my first popup party!  But here’s the thing…really get in there and look at the pieces individually.  If you gravitate towards something, but you don’t “think it’s you,” go try it on and keep an open mind.  Things look very different on an actual person.  I’ve really branched out of my comfort zone and found some fun and funky prints that the “old me” probably wouldn’t have worn just a few months ago.

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  Who else can relate?! Photo: Whyatt.com

  Shop with your best girlfriends or shop from home: Having a toddler who likes to run everywhere and touch #allthethings, I rarely have the opportunity to shop by myself in peace.  With the online Facebook parties, I am able to shop from the comfort of my own home during my daughter’s naptimes or after bedtime.  Now that I know what styles look good on me, shopping is really too easy.  Just ask my husband. #nodontaskhim #itstooeasy 🙂  If you’re more of a hands-on shopper, consider hosting a party at your home with a local consultant.  It’s really the best way to get an idea of the different fabrics they use and the fit of each style.

My Favorite Styles

As I mentioned before, there are a ton of LLR styles, but I’ve found the ones that I love the most and feel confident in and I’m excited to share them with y’all!  To see all of the styles they have to offer, click here.

Amelia Dress, (usually priced at $65)- The Amelia was the first LLR piece I bought and remains my favorite style.  I now have four of them now and they are really perfect for all of my “dress” needs including weddings, showers, church, JL, date nights, and other fun events.  I love that the Amelia has pockets, boxed pleats, a full skirt, an exposed zipper in the back, can be worn regularly or backwards for a more edgy look (click here for demo from LLR consultant, Carissa Clarke).  <–This is perfect for nursing moms or times where you want to show a little more skin.  The waistline is flattering for all sizes and it’s fancy but fun!  I’ve seen people style them up or down and they always look cute.

 

 

Azure Skirt, (usually priced at $35) – I don’t usually wear skirts because I have a hard time consistently finding tops for each skirt.  However, I make an exception for the Azure. They are very flowy and soft and the majority of the patterns are very work appropriate.  Out of all of the skirts LLR carries, I think the Azure is the most universally flattering. I have two now and I pair them with these soft and ridiculously inexpensive scoop neck tops from Target.  <–Love you, Merona brand! Many people choose to pair other LLR tops with Azures, but I know a lot of customers choose their own tops or tanks from Amazon, Target, Old Navy, and other retailers.  Remember, you don’t always have to be LLR head to toe!  LLR consultant Anna Matos demonstrates the versatility of the Azure skirt right here.

 

Classic Tee, (usually priced at $35)- As a stay at home mom, I find myself asking the same question every day: “Should I wear Nike shorts and a T-shirt or am I going to ‘try’ today?” 🙂  After months and months of the Nike shorts, I finally said enough is enough.  I needed to make myself more presentable as I headed out the door and, honestly, LLR has helped me achieve this and I am forever grateful.  The Classic Tee is my answer to daily wear when I’m out with my daughter doing all of her activities.  It’s short sleeved, is slightly longer in the back (perfect for leggings) and is SO soft.  Yes, there are many Classic Tees with the wild and crazy patterns, but I tend to gravitate to the solid prints or color blocked prints so that they will coordinate more with various jeans, leggings or shorts.  The Classic Tee is versatile and you can style it many different ways if you go up in size.  See this fabulous shirt in action with LLR consultant, Kate from Lonestar LuLaRoe.

 

 

Julia Dress, (usually priced at $45)- I will admit it.  I was intimidated by the Julia for a VERY LONG time.  This form fitting knit dress scared me and my postpartum belly.  One day I got brave and tried it on and the rest was history.  I went up two sizes (as many people do) and now find myself rocking one of my Southwestern print Julias about once a week. It’s comfortable, it’s cute and it’s easy to move around in, which is a must when you have a little one to chase around. I love seeing the way women of all different sizes style this phenomenal dress.  Some people rock the fitted look and others like going over-sized with all kinds of accessories and shirts tied around the waist.  LLR consultant, Cheri Skaggs, has an awesome video that demonstrates 8 different ways to wear the Julia in different sizes!

 

 

Nicole Dress, (usually priced at $48)- The Nicole is easy to wear, always appropriate and has major swing in the skirt. #twirlgirltwirl  This style is feminine, comfortable, lightweight, can be dressed up or down, and is great for travel.  I took mine on a family trip this summer and it survived the long trip in a suitcase with no wrinkles!  Most of the time, I see the Nicole style priced at or around $48 which is so reasonable for a dress that you can throw on and rock day in and day out!  I love the way LLR consultant Amy Cara has styled the Nicole!

Perfect Tee, (usually priced at $35)- The Perfect Tee is very similar to the Classic Tee and is my other favorite top by LLR.  I love the “swinginess” of the material and that it is nice and long.  It’s very flattering for all body types and sizes and perfect for camouflaging your midsection. Like the Classic Tee, it also has a longer hemline in the back which lends itself well for pairing with leggings or skinny pants.  I find that the sleeves are a tad bit longer on the Perfect T (vs. Classic), so great if you like more coverage for your upper arms.  To see different ways to style the Perfect Tee, check out this video from Susan of Lula Ladies Rock.

Standout Accessories for your LuLaRoe

I love accessorizing my LLR pieces with fun jewelry, and I’m really loving gold tones for summer.  Here are my Top 5 “go to” pieces this season.  Go get you some!

 

 

 

 

~*My Favorite Consultants*~

(in Alphabetical Order)

No shame here.  I belong to an obscene amount of LLR Facebook group pages, but the folks below are my absolute favorite consultants!  If you’re new to LLR or looking for more people to follow, please check them out.  They are all personable, helpful, passionate about what they do, and so FUN!

I also want to give a shout out to my local Houston friend, Christy Jackson, who will be opening her shop in August or September!  Christy has great style and is so personable.   You’ll definitely want to join her Facebook page and stay tuned for her business launch party(link above). Can’t wait to see your business grow, Christy! <3

LuLaRoe by Rachel Brown, I recently started following Rachel on Facebook and, I have to say, I really adore her style.  She is one of the consultants who consistently puts together and sells RTS (ready to sell) complete outfits that are total perfection every. single.time.  Seriously, I wish Rachel could pick out my outfits everyday.  Sometimes it overwhelms people to buy random tops or bottoms separately, especially when there are really intricate patterns involved.  Rachel is great at showing the possibilities of complete LLR outfits with pattern mixing, color blocks, etc.  Located in Alabama, she is always wearing things that would work for me here in Texas and it definitely inspires me to find similar pieces.  Her family is a military family and she proudly ships to U.S. territories and APO boxes!

LuLaRoe by Courtney Esquivel, Courtney is one of the most loving and kind individuals I’ve ever met.  I was first introduced to LLR through a friend’s popup party and Courtney was the consultant.  She is so upbeat, friendly and always welcomes me to her shop when I need some in-person shopping.  It’s a joy to go and visit her at her house, catch up, try things on, and feel the LLR love.  Courtney is wonderful with her customers and goes great lengths to make sure each one is happy with their purchases!  If you’re in the Houston area and you want to host a popup party or shop locally, please contact Courtney.

LuLaRoe by Esther & Todd Frost, Aloha!  This ADORABLE husband and wife duo are so fun to watch when they do their weekly live Facebook sales on Friday from HAWAII!  My friend, SJ, and I watch them religiously every week.  🙂 Their adorable son, Kenyon, makes cameo appearances and you can tell that they have a lot of fun doing what they love.  Esther and Todd have such great chemistry and I truly love their positive energy, enthusiasm, fun promotions, and the genuine care they have for their customers and friends.  When I see couples in this business like Esther and Todd, it makes me so happy that they are able to do this together to support their family while spending quality time together.  It must be Hawaiian good luck or something because they get some really great prints and I’ve seen a lot of LLR “unicorn” or hard to find prints come through their shop!   Please check them out and support my favorite Hawaiian LLR consultants.  They are just the best!

LuLaRoe by Audrey Harte, Audrey just opened her shop this month and it is fabulous!  I think her creativity, attention to detail and presentation sets her apart from the pack.  She is very quick to answer questions, is creative with her promotions and always so cheerful to work with.  She has beautiful packaging, gorgeous backdrops for her photos and has an extensive album of the different LLR outfits she (and her clients have worn).  I love seeing the fun and unique items she has in her “Unicorn Vault” each week.  When you visit her Facebook page, be sure to check out her “This is How I Roe” album. It’s full of many of Audrey’s chic #ootd and those of her customers!

LuLaRoe by Erica Neuschafer, When I first discovered LuLaRoe, I did a TON of internet research for reviews, LLR consultant testimonials and feedback, etc.  I found myself on YouTube quite a bit and kept coming back to Erica Neuschafer’s channel and her awesome product unboxing videos.  I’ve since joined her Facebook group and I  am so giddy when I see her videos and posts. You know how there are just some people you know you would be friends with “in real life” if you met them?  That’s how I feel about Erica! She is so full of positive energy, she radiates joy and she makes each customer feel important and special.  Her live sales and live Facebook announcements are so much fun to watch and I love seeing her full outfit combos.  It’s so easy to see how much LLR has changed her/family’s life and how much she enjoys sharing the Lula Love with her customers.  I don’t know how she does it.  She’s a mom to 5, running a business and doing anything and everything, but she makes it look so easy!