Lululemon 'We Made Too Much' calendar 2025: The complete guide to WMTM shopping

• Thursday mornings reveal new WMTM markdowns every week at around 8 AM Eastern, with popular sizes often selling out within hours

• Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) feature expanded WMTM sections with significantly more items than regular weekly drops

• End-of-Year/Boxing Day Sale (December 26-31) offers the deepest discounts of the year with markdowns reaching 50-70% off on seasonal items

• Sports bras and accessories consistently see the steepest discounts (40-55% off), while core leggings in black rarely appear in WMTM

• Seasonal colors and prints are much more likely to be marked down than neutral basics, typically hitting WMTM 4-8 weeks after release

• Special discounts for fitness professionals (25% off) and military/first responders (15% off) can be combined with WMTM prices for maximum savings

• Outlet stores offer deeper discounts (40-60% off) on previous-season merchandise compared to regular WMTM (20-40% off)

Lululemon has cultivated a reputation for premium athletic apparel with prices to match, rarely offering traditional sales or promo codes. Instead, Lululemon operates primarily through their "We Made Too Much" (WMTM) section – their sophisticated markdown system that follows predictable patterns savvy shoppers can leverage for significant savings.

This guide analyzes Lululemon's WMTM discount patterns to reveal exactly when and where to find the best deals in 2025. Whether you're seeking the perfect pair of Align leggings or versatile ABC pants, understanding these WMTM patterns can save you hundreds on your athletic wardrobe this year.

When to shop: Weekly WMTM rhythm and drop patterns

The cornerstone of Lululemon's discount strategy is their consistent Thursday markdown day. Every week, Lululemon refreshes their WMTM section with new products, both online and in physical stores.

Thursday markdown schedule

• Online drop time: New WMTM items typically go live on the website around 5 AM Pacific / 8 AM Eastern every Thursday

• In-store updates: Physical store markdown racks are refreshed by late Thursday morning

• Optimal shopping window: The sweet spot for online shopping is between 11:00 AM and noon Eastern Time, when all new markdowns have been fully uploaded but inventory remains intact

This predictable Thursday pattern allows dedicated shoppers to set weekly reminders and be first in line for fresh markdowns before popular sizes disappear.

WMTM inventory patterns

• Quick sellouts: Popular sizes (women's 4-8, men's M/L) often sell out within hours of Thursday drops

• Secondary markdowns: Items that linger in WMTM for several weeks may receive additional price cuts, though this is unpredictable

• Inventory duration: Most items don't remain in WMTM for more than 2-3 weeks

The key takeaway for maximizing WMTM savings: if you spot something you love in your size on Thursday, act quickly. Unlike other retailers who maintain steady inventory of sale items, Lululemon's markdown strategy operates on a "here today, gone tomorrow" model for the most desirable pieces and sizes.

The 2025 WMTM calendar: Major markdown events to plan for

While WMTM receives weekly updates, certain key periods feature significantly expanded selection and occasionally deeper discounts. Here's a breakdown of when to expect the most substantial WMTM opportunities in 2025:

Black Friday (Late November)

Black Friday represents Lululemon's most significant WMTM expansion of the year:

• Format: Dramatically expanded WMTM selection rather than storewide percentage discounts

• Timing: Often begins online Wednesday night/Thanksgiving Day with multiple "waves" of new markdowns

• Discount depth: Standard 20-40% off for most items, with select pieces reaching up to 70% off

• Special features: Even core products in basic colors (like black Align leggings) may appear in WMTM

What makes Black Friday unique isn't necessarily deeper discounts but rather the sheer volume of products added to WMTM simultaneously. The 2023 event was record-breaking for Lululemon, marking their single biggest sales day in company history.

Boxing Day/End-of-Year Sale (December 26-31)

Lululemon's Boxing Day tradition has evolved into their "End-of-Year Sale" in the U.S. market and represents their deepest WMTM markdown event:

• Timing: Begins December 24-25 online, December 26 in stores

• Format: Massive clearance of current-season inventory with hundreds of new markdowns

• Discount depth: Average 30-50% off, with select items reaching 60-70% off

• Duration: Typically runs 4-6 days (through approximately December 29-31)

• Return policy: Loyalty members can return/exchange sale items, unlike historical "final sale" policies

This post-holiday clearance offers the year's best opportunity for deep discounts on winter gear, gift-worthy accessories, and seasonal colors as Lululemon clears inventory before spring arrivals.

Seasonal transition markdown cycles

Lululemon's inventory turnover follows predictable seasonal transitions, creating windows for deeper discounts:

This seasonal progression means you'll find the best deals on items at the end of their seasonal relevance. For example, winter coats see their deepest discounts in February/March, while summer shorts reach their lowest prices in August/September.

Insider strategies to maximize your savings

These insider strategies – compiled from industry analysis, former employees, and dedicated Lululemon enthusiasts – will help you maximize WMTM savings and secure the items you want before they're gone.

Timing strategies for maximum success

Perfect your Thursday morning routine

• Set an alert for 7-8 AM Eastern Time on Thursdays when new WMTM items typically appear

• Browse immediately for best selection, as popular sizes often sell out by mid-day

• During holiday weekends, watch for special Friday drops that supplement the regular Thursday WMTM update

Navigate seasonal transitions strategically

• Shop end-of-season for deepest WMTM discounts (February for winter gear, August for summer items)

• Visit stores or check online immediately following holiday weekends for potential inventory refreshes

• Monitor quarter-end periods (March, June, September, December) for larger markdown events

Leverage special discounts and programs

Maximize membership and group discount opportunities

• Sweat Collective (25% off): Fitness professionals and community leaders can apply for this program, which offers 25% off all purchases – including WMTM items

• Military & First Responder (15% off): Active/retired military, police, firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare workers receive 15% off in-store purchases with valid ID, including WMTM items

• Team purchases (25% off): Groups ordering 6-12+ units of the same style may qualify for 25-30% discounts through store arrangements

Understand the return flexibility

• Sign up for free membership to gain the ability to exchange or receive store credit for WMTM purchases

• Take advantage of the 14-day window to return WMTM items to physical stores

Inventory and shopping hacks

Master the "Find in Store" technique

• Use the website's store inventory lookup feature when your size sells out online in WMTM

• Call stores with inventory for "charge-sends" where they'll ship items directly to you

• Try this approach early in the day for best results, especially with popular markdowns

Create your wishlist notification system

• Add desired items to your online wishlist to potentially receive price drop alerts when they hit WMTM

• Follow dedicated Lululemon trackers on social media and Reddit for real-time WMTM updates

• Use the app's "notify me" function for restock alerts on popular items

Develop outlet shopping expertise

• Visit outlets shortly after season changes when they receive major inventory shipments

• Check outlets during holiday weekends when additional markdowns often occur

• Look for previously sold-out popular items that sometimes reappear at outlets months later

Hidden value opportunities

Utilize complimentary services

• Take advantage of free hemming services on all purchases, including WMTM items

• Request minor repairs at no cost, even for older items

Follow local stores on social media

• Monitor store-specific Facebook and Instagram accounts for exclusive local events

• Watch for store opening events, which occasionally feature one-time discounts

What gets discounted and by how much

Not all Lululemon products have equal likelihood of being marked down. Understanding which categories and styles typically appear in WMTM – and which rarely do – helps set realistic expectations and target your shopping efforts more effectively.

Markdown patterns by product category

Analysis of recent WMTM data reveals clear patterns in how deeply and frequently different product types are discounted:

Most frequently discounted categories

Sports bras and underwear These consistently see the deepest discounts (often 40-55% off) because:

• Lululemon releases numerous bra styles each season

• They have high initial profit margins

• Size-specific nature creates surplus inventory

Tank tops and tees Basic workout tops appear frequently in WMTM as Lululemon refreshes colors constantly:

• Discounts average around 30% off

• Graphic or slogan designs hit WMTM more often than basics

• Seasonal colors almost always end up marked down

Bags and accessories Accessories often see the deepest percentage discounts across all categories:

• Belt Bags in seasonal colors frequently reach 50% off

• Larger bags (backpacks, duffels) can see 40-50% markdowns

• Seasonal accessories (hats, gloves) hit steepest discounts during end-of-season sales

Rarely discounted categories

Core leggings in standard colors Lululemon's most coveted products rarely need markdown incentives:

• Align pants in black/navy rarely appear in WMTM

• When core leggings do get marked down, discounts are modest (15-25%)

• Black Friday and Boxing Day offer rare opportunities for core legging discounts

Men's signature pants The ABC and Commission pants follow similar patterns to women's core leggings:

• Standard colors rarely require markdowns

• Seasonal colors may appear at 20-25% off

The color factor

Across all categories, color plays a decisive role in what gets marked down:

• Basic neutrals (black, navy, white): Rarely need discounting

• Seasonal neutrals (olive, burgundy): Moderate discount likelihood

• Bright/trending colors: Higher likelihood of markdown if they don't sell through

• Prints and patterns: Most likely to hit WMTM and at deepest discounts

During major sales, the most dramatic savings (50%+) almost always appear on bold colors and patterns rather than core neutrals.

Where to shop: Comparing WMTM channels

While Lululemon maintains consistent pricing across channels, each shopping avenue offers unique advantages for finding WMTM discounts.

Online shopping (website and app)

The digital WMTM section offers several distinct advantages:

• Comprehensive inventory: The widest selection of sale items, aggregating stock from across the country

• Universal access: Available to everyone regardless of location

• Real-time inventory updates: Returns and restocks appear immediately, creating unexpected opportunities

• Return flexibility: Loyalty members can return online WMTM purchases in-store for merchandise credit, reducing risk

The primary challenge with online WMTM shopping is competition – popular items and sizes often sell out within hours of markdown, especially during major sales events.

Regular retail stores

Physical Lululemon locations offer their own unique WMTM opportunities:

• In-person inspection: Ability to try on sale items before purchasing

• Price matching: Stores will match lower online WMTM prices when shown the website listing

• Store-exclusive markdowns: Some items may be marked down in-store that aren't available online

• Community event perks: Occasional special discounts for event participants

• Localized promotions: Individual stores sometimes offer specific markdowns to clear local inventory

"In Lululemon brick and mortar stores, it's up to the managers to markdown specific items. Usually these items will be online or in-store returns. These markdowns are called one-offs," explains Kendra Fisher, a former Brand Ambassador at Lululemon.

Like online, in-store markdown sections refresh primarily on Thursday mornings. However, weekend shoppers may still find deals, albeit with more limited selection. Strategic in-store shopping during holiday weekends or immediately following major sales events can sometimes yield surprising finds not available online.

Outlet stores

Lululemon's approximately 30 outlet locations across North America represent a distinctly different markdown strategy:

• Deeper discounts: Prices typically 40% off or more, compared to ~30% in regular WMTM

• Bonus promotions: Outlets frequently offer additional percentage discounts during holiday weekends

• Last-season inventory: Mix of prior season's unsold merchandise and outlet-specific styles

• Limited availability: In-person shopping only, no online access or ship-to-store options

• Variable selection: Highly unpredictable inventory with limited size availability

Outlets have become Lululemon's primary channel for clearing older inventory, replacing the warehouse sales of years past. While quality remains authentic Lululemon, the trade-off is seasonality – most items are from previous collections or seasons, with some styles specifically manufactured for outlet distribution.

Read here to find out if outlet stores are better than regular stores for your Lululemon needs

Strategic comparison

Each channel offers specific advantages for different WMTM shopping goals:

The optimal strategy often involves a hybrid approach – monitoring online WMTM for Thursday drops while periodically visiting physical locations to uncover store-specific opportunities.

Understanding WMTM pricing patterns

Lululemon maintains a consistent approach to discount depth that preserves their premium brand positioning:

Typical discount percentages

• Average markdown: ~30% off is the standard discount sweet spot across most WMTM categories

• Typical examples: $128 leggings marked to $89, $58 tanks reduced to $39, $68 men's shorts for $49

• Markdown philosophy: Lululemon deliberately avoids deep discounting for most items

This consistent 20-40% discount range forms the backbone of Lululemon's WMTM strategy. When shopping WMTM, using 30% as your mental benchmark helps evaluate whether a particular markdown represents a typical deal or an exceptional opportunity.

Maximum discount potential

While standard WMTM discounts hover around 30%, certain scenarios can lead to substantially deeper markdowns:

• End-of-Year/Boxing Day: The deepest discounts of the year appear during this post-Christmas clearance, with select items reaching 50-70% off

• Outlet clearance: Dated seasonal items at outlets may eventually receive progressive markdowns reaching 60-70% off

• Black Friday specials: The 2023 Black Friday event featured some items at "up to 70% off," representing an unusually aggressive markdown strategy

• Persistent inventory: Items that don't sell through after multiple weeks in WMTM occasionally receive secondary price cuts

Markdown progression patterns

Unlike retailers who gradually reduce prices over time, Lululemon typically follows a more decisive approach with WMTM items:

• Single markdown approach: Most WMTM items receive one markdown and remain at that price until sold out

• Limited secondary markdowns: Further price reductions are uncommon in the online WMTM section

• Inventory movement: Rather than continuing to drop prices online, unsold WMTM items are often pulled and redirected to outlets

This approach means waiting for further price drops is a risky strategy – items are more likely to disappear from WMTM entirely than receive additional discounts online.

Monthly and seasonal markdown cycles

Beyond the predictable weekly rhythm, Lululemon follows broader monthly and seasonal patterns that create strategic windows for deeper WMTM discounts.

Monthly markdown patterns

Lululemon's markdown strategy aligns with standard retail inventory and sales cycles:

• End-of-month clearance: The final Thursday of each month typically features larger WMTM updates as Lululemon clears inventory before the next month's new product drops

• Quarter-end pushes: Especially noticeable at the close of financial quarters (March, June, September, December), when inventory targets drive more aggressive markdowns

• New arrivals impact: Tuesday product launches at full price often trigger markdowns on previous, similar items the following Thursday

Progressive markdown strategy

Items that don't sell quickly follow a predictable markdown progression:

1. Initial WMTM placement: First markdown typically offers 20-30% off original price

2. Mid-season adjustment: Items that linger may receive an additional 5-10% discount

3. End-of-season clearance: Remaining inventory can reach 40-50% off during seasonal transitions

4. Final clearance: During major events like Boxing Day, persistent inventory may hit 50-70% off

Smart shoppers leverage this pattern by watching items across multiple weeks. An item that first appears in WMTM at 25% off might eventually reach 40-50% off if you're willing to wait – though popular sizes often sell out before reaching deeper discount stages.

Know when to shop Lululemon

Lululemon's approach to discounting through their "We Made Too Much" system follows clear, predictable patterns that savvy shoppers can leverage for substantial savings. By understanding the brand's weekly WMTM rhythm, seasonal markdown cycles, and major annual expansion events, you can make strategic decisions about when to purchase and when to wait.

The key insights from our analysis reveal:

• Thursday is WMTM day: The weekly Thursday morning refresh represents your consistent opportunity to find fresh markdowns, with early shopping essential for securing popular items

• WMTM follows seasonal transitions: End-of-season periods bring the most substantial WMTM expansions, with winter items hitting markdown in February/March and summer apparel in August/September

• Two major WMTM events dominate: Black Friday and Boxing Day/End-of-Year Sale feature the largest WMTM expansions and occasionally the deepest discounts of the year

• Product categories matter: Sports bras and seasonal-colored items are frequently discounted in WMTM, while core black leggings and signature pieces rarely reach markdown

• Channel strategies differ: Online offers the widest WMTM selection, retail stores provide unique local opportunities, and outlets deliver the deepest discounts on previous-season merchandise

For those willing to master these WMTM patterns, Lululemon's renowned quality and enduring style become significantly more accessible. By planning your purchases around the calendar cycles we've identified and implementing these insider strategies, you can build a premium athletic wardrobe that balances quality with value throughout 2025.

Ready to start saving? Find Lululemon promo codes here or check out the Lululemon WMTM site.