Lululemon Founder Blames Women For Yoga Pants Problems

In a move that will probably lose the company even more customers, Lululemon founder Dennis “Chip” Wilson blamed the latest issues with the company’s yoga pants on the women wearing them.

Wilson explained in an interview with Bloomberg TV’s Street Smart program, “Frankly, some women’s bodies just don’t actually work [for the pants].” He went on to reiterate that “they don’t work for some women’s bodies.”

Lululemon’s issues began earlier this year when it was forced to pull its black Luon yoga pants from shelves after customers reported the fabric was too sheer.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Chief Product Officer Sheree Waterson stepped down just weeks later and was replaced last month with Tara Poseley. The pants accounted for 17 percent of the company’s sales. After undergoing testing, the product returned in June.

However, customers in recent days took to the company’s new forum and Facebook to complain about other flaws, including pilling, bad seams, holes, and continuing thinness. The Lululemon founder’s wife, Shannon Wilson, didn’t look too thrilled with her husband’s comments, notes The Huffington Post.

Shannon shot her husband a look during the interview, then attempted to explain, “[What people need to consider is] what’s the use and what’s it being up against. Are you sitting on a cement ground?”

Bloomberg’s Trish Ragan sought to hear more about Wilson’s reasoning. She asked him, “Interesting, not every woman can wear a Lululemon yoga pant?” Chip clarified, going with his wife’s answer instead. He replied, “No, I think they can. I just think it’s how you use it.”

ABC News notes that the Lululemon founder is no stranger to making bad comments. He said in previous interviews that the yoga pants, which cost around $100 a pair, become see-through if women buy the wrong size. Analyst Sam Poser of Stern Agree commented that several posts on the company’s website deal with different kinds of pants. He added that the company could face new challenges if the new quality accusations are true.

Lululemon didn’t comment on founder Chip Wilson’s not so sensitive comments.