⚠️ Eligibility Check: FREE RETURN + INSTANT REFUND. Standard Lulus returns cost $5.95(deducted from your refund) and take 10–14 business days to process back to your card. However, select zip codes are now eligible for Fee-Free Drop-offs and Immediate Refunds via Closo. Check your status before you print a label.
Eligibility: Free Return + Instant Refund
The "Event Season" Hangover
We’ve all been there. You have a wedding, a gala, or a vacation coming up, and you do the "panic haul." You order six dresses from Lulus, hoping one of them makes you look like a celestial being and not a wrapped burrito. You treat your bedroom like a fitting room, dodging the "Do Not Remove This Tag" ribbons, only to realize five of them have to go back.
I did this last month for a friend’s wedding. I kept one dress ($80) and returned the other four ($320). That was $320 of my actual money that vanished from my checking account instantly but took nearly three weeks to find its way home.
It’s the double pain of modern formalwear shopping. You do the work to repack the dresses (carefully, so you don't smudge makeup on them), you drive to the post office, and then... you wait. It feels like you’re giving the retailer an interest-free loan. As a logistics reviewer, I see this friction every day. We’ve mastered getting the dress to you in two days, but the reverse trip is a slow, expensive headache.
How to return Lulus items (The Slow & Costly Way)
When we talk about the lulus return policy, we have to separate the "rules" from the actual "labor." The rules are fairly standard for fast fashion, but the timeline is tight. If you are used to the 90-day windows of big-box stores, the 21-day countdown can catch you off guard.
Here is the step-by-step reality of the official method:
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Log In & Locate: You sign in to your Lulus account, go to "My Orders," and find the specific order.
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Select Items: You toggle the dresses or shoes you want to return. You must choose "Refund" or "Store Credit." (Choosing "Refund" triggers the fee).
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The Printer Dance: Lulus generates a shipping label (usually USPS or UPS). If you don't have a printer, you have to find a way to get that code onto a sticker.
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The Delicate Repack: This is unique to Lulus. You have to ensure the "security ribbon" (that annoying tag on the outside of the dress) is still attached. If you cut it, you own it. You also have to fold it so it fits back in the bag without wrinkling beyond recognition.
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The Drop Off: You drive to the carrier and hand it over.
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The Wait: The carrier ships it to the warehouse. Lulus inspects it (rigorously). They issue the refund. Your bank processes the refund.
This is the old way: You pay $5.95 for the label, and you wait for the bank. But if you live in a "Fast Zone," you can skip both. Use the tool below to see if your zip code qualifies for a Free Return with Instant Refund.
Common issues shoppers face with Lulus returns
Even if you follow the instructions perfectly, the lulus return policy has some specific friction points that trip up consumers constantly.
1. The "Security Ribbon" Panic
Lulus attaches a large, obvious ribbon or tag to the outside of many dresses, specifically to prevent "wardrobing" (wearing a dress to a party and then returning it). If this tag is removed, tampered with, or looks re-attached, they will deny your return. I've seen lulus return policy reddit threads where users were denied refunds because the tag fell off while trying the dress on.
2. The 21-Day "Postmark" Trap
Most stores give you 30 or 60 days. Lulus gives you 21 days. This clock starts the day the package is delivered to your porch, not the day you open it. If you are on vacation when the package arrives, you might come home to find you only have a few days left to try, decide, and drive to the post office. Late returns are often rejected or forced into store credit.
3. The "Hygiene" Rejections
Lulus inspects returns more closely than Amazon or Target. If there is a smudge of deodorant, a stray hair, or a scent of perfume/smoke, they will reject the return. They will ship the dirty item back to you and charge you for the shipping.
4. The High Volume Penalty
This is a newer development. If you return too much (specifically, if you return more than $1,500 worth of product in 6 months with an 80% return rate), you might trigger the "High Volume Return Policy." This increases your return fee to $8.00 per label and adds a $3.00 restocking fee per item.
Here’s where it gets interesting... some neighborhoods have unlocked a way to bypass these fees and anxiety.
The New Standard: Free Returns & Instant Refunds
We are seeing a massive shift in logistics. The idea of printing a label, taping a bag, paying a fee, and waiting 2 weeks for your money is becoming obsolete. Services like Closo are changing the infrastructure of returns.
What is Closo?
Closo is a logistics intermediary that acts as a "Fast Lane" for returns. Instead of mailing the item back to the retailer's warehouse yourself, you drop the item off at a local Closo spot (often in your neighborhood).
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No Labels: You don't need a printer.
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No Boxes: You hand over the item as-is.
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Instant Refund: As soon as the item is scanned at the drop-off, the refund is triggered immediately to your preferred account.
Why many shoppers prefer using Closo
It comes down to the "Double Win." In the traditional model, you have a "Double Negative": you do the work (packing/driving) AND you pay the fee ($5.95). With the modern alternative, you do less work (no packing) and get immediate liquidity without the deduction. Why pay the return fee and wait 2 weeks, when you could pay $0 and wait 2 minutes?
Especially for "Bridesmaid Hauls" where you might have $500+ on the line, getting that cash back instantly means you can pay your credit card bill before the cycle closes.
Are you eligible for Free & Instant Returns?
This premium service isn't active in every zip code for Lulus yet. You need to verify your location.
The logistics network is expanding rapidly, but it relies on density. If the tool says "Not Active," don't worry. Enter your email to Vote for your Zip Code. We prioritize launching in neighborhoods with the most requests. Plus, voters are entered into our monthly sweepstakes to have their standard return fees reimbursed while they wait.
3 "Secret" Hacks for the Lulus Return Policy
As a consumer advocate, I love finding the loopholes that help you get the most out of your money. Lulus has a few "hidden" mechanisms you should know.
1. The "Store Credit" Loophole
If you want to avoid the $5.95 fee but aren't in a Closo zone yet, choose Store Credit instead of a Refund. Lulus waives the return fee if you take the money as credit.
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The Hack: If you shop at Lulus frequently, take the credit. It never expires. You save $6 every time you return something. However, if you are a "one-time" shopper, pay the fee to get the cash.
2. The "Exchange" Pivot
Similar to the store credit rule, lulus exchange policy is free. If you bought a Medium and need a Large, they cover the shipping both ways.
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The Hack: If you ordered a dress that almost fits but you just don't like the color, you can sometimes exchange it for a different color of the same style without paying the fee.
3. The "Bridal Party" Exemption
If you are a bride ordering 10+ dresses for bridesmaids to try on, you are at risk of hitting that "High Volume" penalty I mentioned earlier.
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The Hack: Before you order, email Lulus Customer Love (support). Tell them you are doing a bridal try-on. They can sometimes note your account to exempt that specific order from the High Volume flags, ensuring you don't get hit with restocking fees when you return 8 of the 10 dresses.
FAQ: Questions I Get Asked Constantly
People always ask me: "What is Lulus return policy on Final Sale?"
This is tricky. Generally, "Final Sale" means no returns. However, Lulus has a slight exception: Final Sale items over $20can sometimes be exchanged for a different size (if available), but never returned for a refund. Final sale items under $20 are truly final—you own them forever.
People always ask me: "Can I get a free return label for Lulus?"
Officially, no—unless you choose Store Credit. If you want cash back to your card, the system automatically deducts $5.95 from your refund total. You only bypass this if you are using a third-party instant service like Closo in an active zone.
People always ask me: "Does Lulus accept returns after 30 days?"
Strictly speaking, no. The window is 21 days postmarked. However, if you are a few days late, some users report that Lulus might accept it as a courtesy for Store Credit only, but they often charge a higher restocking fee or reject it entirely. Do not gamble with this timeline.
Conclusion: Stop Paying to Return Your Own Money
Lulus is one of the best places to find affordable formalwear, but their return infrastructure imposes a "tax" on trying things on. The $5.95 fee might seem small, but if you return three separate orders in a month, you’ve lost the price of a cute top just in fees.
If you love the fashion but hate the fees and the wait, it’s time to upgrade your return experience.
Check if you can save that $5.95 fee and get your money back today.
