Here’s the deal: going out in workout wear, whether or not you’re actually working out, is not only incredibly comfortable — it also lends the impression that you take care of yourself. You eat well, you close your Apple Watch rings, hey, you even meditate sometimes. You even take care of the earth with your attempts at recycling and bringing your own metal straws and Keepcups. The irony is the usual leggings that you have on are made from a cocktail of synthetic fibres, and if you decide to throw out a ratty polyester sports bra, it could end up in a landfill where it will decompose for decades.
Instead, check out the five athleisure brands above with sustainable and eco-conscious practices; they’ll kit you out in stylish workout ‘fits plus, a green conscience.
Main image: Instagram (@girlfriend)
Launched by husband-and-wife duo Quang and Ellie Dinh in 2016, Girlfriend Collective started out with two simple brand ethos: to make women’s workout apparel with recycled, post-consumer materials, and to create a brand that didn’t feel unnecessarily extreme. The result? Sleek, simple workout wear in a variety of colours that change seasonally, worn by women of diverse sizing and skin tones. How refreshing it is to see inclusivity without preaching it so hard.
Image: Instagram (@girlfriend)
Outdoor Voices clothes are incredibly well-made and comfortable — and it helps that they’re pretty. The brand hails from Austin, Texas and makes pieces that span gym-life and life-life without sweating the small stuff. They seek out textiles with sustainability top of mind, including their merino wool and recycled polyester made from water bottles.
Image: Instagram (@outdoorvoices)
Teeki is for anybody who loves prints, unique colour combos and anything but the basic black leggings. The brand believes in repurposing that plastic into fibres for their athletic wear. Every pound of Teeki product conserves the equivalent of half a gallon of gasoline! We love that their leggings are all elastic free so it won’t cut into you no matter what pose you decide to pretzel yourself into during yoga practice.
Image: Instagram (@teekigram)
ADAY wants you to keep their clothes forever, taking a different path on sustainability. Not only are they made of recycled materials, their clothes are literally those of the future, fusing natural fabrics and performance synthetics. ADAY’s leggings, tanks, and sweatshirts are intended for the gym, but even the button-downs and jumpsuits come in technical performance fabrics, so it all falls under the ‘athleisure’ umbrella.
Image: Instagram (@thisisaday)
Made sustainably and ethically from natural, non-GMO cotton or recycled materials, Satva’s printed leggings and super soft tees are perfect for yoga, hiking, and well, let’s face it — weekend brunches. Styles are more basic, but effortless.
Image: Instagram (@satvaliving)