I’m a plus size and couldn’t find clothes that fit me at Lululemon – the staff told me I had to travel 20 miles to find the right bra
A plus-size influencer has criticized Lululemon for the lack of size diversity in their US stores.
Samyra Miller from New Orleans is known for her focus on the issues faced by people with a fuller figure. She has over 400,000 followers on her Instagram page.
Last year, she made headlines when she caused a heated argument after saying that larger people should not be afraid to ask for a seat belt extender on a plane.
In her recent clipSamyra said: ‘Lululemon said their top priority is to create an inclusive shopping experience for all of their guests, even though their bras stop at a size 14 and their leggings stop at a size 20.
“Given all the goals they’ve set, I should be able to find my size by now, right?”
Known for shedding light on the issues faced by fuller-figured people, New Orleans-based Samyra Miller has over 400,000 followers on her Instagram page
In the message, which was reportedly sent via Instagram, the sportswear brand said that while they haven’t introduced sizes larger than US 14 (UK 18) for all of their products, they are ‘continuously looking at ways to make it more inclusive’.
The company said it is considering adding more sizes to its stores, such as US sizes 16-20, and wants to ensure her “feedback is heard by the appropriate team.”
The online store currently stocks women’s sizes from US size 0 (UK 4) through to US size 20 (UK 24).
Samyra then went to a Lululemon store and spoke to a saleswoman who asked her if she needed help finding an item of clothing.
‘I was looking for a new bra for Pilates. I really like this purple one [one]. I thought your bras went up to size 20, do they all go up to size 14?’
The employee then said, “They do. We have very limited space, so most of them are on our website.
“So we should just order it and it will ship to you within a couple of days. But you’re interested in this if it comes within 20, right?”
The shop assistant was then heard to say, “Oh no, it only goes to 12, what do you mean? That’s awful.”
Samyra said the assistant “seemed genuinely shocked” by the sportswear store’s lack of size diversity.
She then filmed one of the legging racks to show her followers that the leggings are available up to size US 14, which is the equivalent of a UK 18.
But the saleswoman pointed her to another department, where the pants were available up to size 24 (US).
Samyra said the assistant “seemed genuinely shocked” by the lack of size diversity at the gym
Then she said to Samyra, ‘Yes, it seems we don’t have any larger sizes anymore, they’re sold out here.’
The curvy content creator then asked her which store sold the leggings in size 20 so she could try them on without having to buy them online.
“Oops, Santa Anita, it’s 20 miles,” she said after doing some research.
“Let’s see if there’s an 18 nearby, oh no, that’s even further away, sorry.”
Samyra left the store empty-handed after being told she would have to drive further away or order online to get her size.
She concluded the video by saying, “Some might say I get mad because I don’t fit into their clothes, but I think Lululemon gets mad even more.”
The video has received 13,000 likes on Instagram and people have left many comments about the situation.
The video has received 13,000 likes on Instagram, along with comments from people about the situation
Someone wrote: ‘I don’t want to be rude, but why don’t you just exercise and lose a few pounds?’
Another wrote: ‘If you’re bigger than a size 18, who’s to blame?’
A third said: ‘I really love how you expose how preformative these brands are. Did they think we wouldn’t notice?’
A fourth commented: ‘Lululemon and inclusive in the same sentence seems just plain wrong to me.’
Lululemon founder and former CEO Chip Wilson has previously said that larger people are to blame for pilling in the company’s yoga pants.
Mr. Wilson made the comments along with his co-founder and wife Shannon Wilson when their company launched the Full-On Luon pants in 2013, a style they say offers “great support and coverage.”
When Mr Wilson said some customers were complaining about pilling in the fabric of the trousers, he continued: ‘It’s mainly about the friction on the thighs, how much pressure is applied over a period of time and how often they use the trousers.’
At the time, he also gave an interview with Bloomberg about Lululemon’s flawed yoga pants, saying, “Honestly, some women’s bodies just don’t work.”
He later apologized for his comments, saying in a video: “I’m sad for the people at Lululemon… who really suffered because of my actions. I take responsibility for everything that happened and the impact it had on you. I’m sorry I put you all through this.”
Mr Wilson is believed to now own an 8 per cent stake in the company, having sold most of his shares.
MailOnline has contacted Lululemon for comment.
