A Guide to Sustainable Activewear Brands for Your Workout Routine
Image: Girlfriend
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the best sustainable activewear brands
While we could probably get away with wearing a t-shirt and leggings, which we already have in the closet for our daily workouts, there is something about putting on a designated activewear outfit that makes our fitness much more comfortable... and bearable?
What to Look for When Shopping Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Activewear
When shopping for activewear, there are a few things I ask myself.
1) Was it made ethically?
2) What material is it made from?
The brands we list on Sustainably Chic always have a high standard of ethics when manufacturing, and if you need clarification on an unlisted brand, ask them! Most should have the info on their website, but a quick email should tell you if you can’t find it. Material-wise - this is a tough one. I prefer organic cotton for my workout clothing because it is a natural fiber (although usually mixed with spandex for stretch). These fibers don’t shed microplastics as recycled polyester does. Since many ethically-made workout clothing is made from recycled polys, you must wash it correctly to avoid the many microplastics entering the water systems. You can read more about this topic here. Whatever your preference, recycled and natural organic fibers are more sustainable choices.
Here are 8 sustainable activewear brands you will love wearing during your workouts:
1. Wild About Collective
Material | ECONYL
Price | $109-179
Wild About Collective is a sustainable luxury athleisure brand that empowers you to be you. Featuring a collection of beautifully handmade pieces made from ECONYL (regenerated nylon), each piece inspires one to live a life they are wild about. On a mission to save the oceans, their activewear is plastic-neutral, accounting for all plastic consumption by removing the equivalent weight of plastic from the oceans. The packaging is made from RPET with FSC Certified tags & OEKO-TEX 100-certified threading.
2. tentree
Material | Recycled Polyester
Price | $24-98
A sustainable brand that makes conscious clothing and plants trees! So far, tentree has planted over 43 MILLION trees! Not only that, but they try to make their clothing as accessible as possible regarding pricing.
They created YouWear to give you the most sustainable activewear without sacrificing stretchy comfort.
3. Pact
Material | Organic Cotton
Price | $25-45
I own a few pairs of their leggings and tanks, which are great for working out. But, especially if you don’t like ‘athletic’ wear, this organic cotton clothing is a wonderful alternative. It looks more like everyday loungewear and is incredibly affordable. After owning one pair of their leggings for six years, I can tell you the quality is excellent wash after wash!
code: SustainablyChic for 15% off
4. Girlfriend
Materials | ECONYL®, Recycled PET, Recycled Nylon, Cupro
Price | $38-78
This brand is one of the best when it comes to size inclusivity. Girlfriend goes up to a size 6X and has so many different colors and styles to choose from. They use a lot of different fabrics, but all are made from post-consumer waste. Their facility in Taiwan specializes in eco-friendly and high-quality textiles, and their ethical cut-and-sew SA8000-certified factory is in Hanoi, Vietnam.
5. Silverwind
Materials: RPET, Recycled Plastic Bottles
Price: $27-68
Sizes: XS-6XL
We love finding more ethically-minded brands with larger size runs, and the prints at Silverwind (a UK-based brand) are absolutely beautiful! From butterflies to floral prints, there is something for every susty girlie! Each piece is made from recycled waste, helping keep plastic out of landfills. Plus, they use 100% compostable mailers for shipping!
6. Organic Basics
Materials | Tencel, Organic Cotton, Recycled Nylon
Price | $42-98
If you want to buy basics by the packs, this is an excellent brand. Besides their comfortable underwear, Organic Basics is home to basic crew necks, socks, and a superb activewear line made with Polygiene® Stay Fresh technology which helps keeps the laundry loads to a minimum. I have one of their sets from the Silvertech collection, & it is one of my favorites!!
use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off
7. RECOSIVITY
Materials | REPREVE® Recycled Polyester
Price | $89
RECOSIVITY’s buttery soft leggings are made from the number one recycled, certified, and traceable performance fiber, and they plant a tree for every order. In addition, all products are made in the USA, meaning they are one of the first activewear brands to combat the planet-killing CO2 emissions from overseas manufacturing. They also use innovations that reduce the amount of water and energy used in the dyeing process, and their sustainability promise extends to their packaging, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.
8. Wolven
Material | OEKO-TEX certified Recycled P.E.T fabric (RPET)
Price | $36-108
Do you need a little extra pep in your step when working out? Well, look no further than Wolven. Their vibrant prints are everything you need to make working out fun. I love that you can even wear a lot of their pieces every day - not just at the gym. They have many different styles, prints, colors, and even some solid pieces (which would be awesome for mixing and matching with all of their prints!).
9. Made Trade
Materials | Organic Cotton, Modal, Bamboo
Price | $38-110
Seriously one of the best sustainable fashion & home-curated places online, Made Trade is home to several different athleisure brands! From joggers to soft tees, they have much to choose from for your workout routine. I love this brand pictured here. Their name is Mary Young, and they have a lot of beautiful colors. They also have options if you are looking for plus size!
code: SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150
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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!
Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.
