| Cover Page Cover Page | Mar. 15, 2020 |
| Cover page. | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Document Period End Date | Mar. 15, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | lululemon athletica inc. |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE |
| Entity File Number | 001-33608 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 20-3842867 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 1818 Cornwall Avenue |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Vancouver |
| Entity Address, State or Province | BC |
| Entity Address, Country | CA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | V6J 1C7 |
| City Area Code | 604 |
| Local Phone Number | 732-6124 |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, par value $0.005 per share |
| Trading Symbol | LULU |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001397187 |
| Amendment Flag | false |
