Have millennials lived long enough to see trends that they grew up with fall out of fashion, and then come back into style again? Lululemon’s latest viral product offers strong evidence in support of this claim: A 2-in-1 maxi dress has been flying off shelves, driven by social media influencers who compliment its comfort and versatility and present styling concepts for the different ways the dress can be worn. Even as we remind Gen Z shoppers that bandeau dresses and convertible styles are nothing new though, it is worth acknowledging how and why the current iteration is a bit different. For example, the lower waistline and sleek silhouette of this dress is explicitly designed to appeal to and complement a broad range of body types. Its color palette, highlighting black, ivory, and a jewel-toned green, is meant to help wearers transition the piece, from day to night. The light, breathable fabric adds comfort, even as temperatures around the world rise. Along with all these appealing novelties though, something else sets the 2-in-1 dress of today apart from its predecessors, and that’s the price at which Lululemon has listed it. The casual dress boasts a retail price of $148, a level that parallels and resonates with Lululemon’s general range of high-end athleisure clothing. Still, consumers unwilling to pay such prices can find copycats; ASOS and Zara already have released similar designs at about one-third Lululemon’s price.

Sources: Laura Tarafa, “Lululemon’s Viral Dress Is Taking Over Summer—Here’s Why Everyone’s Obsessed,” Elle, May 28, 2025; Nicole Stock, “This Dress Is Dividing the Internet,” The New York Times, May 23, 2025; Sofia Esparza, “12 Dupes of Lululemon’s Viral 2-In-1 Maxi Dress to Add to Cart ASAP,” Her Campus, May 16, 2025.