Work Up A Sweat And Feel Good In These Sustainable Activewear Labels
Eco-friendly, practical and chic
Photo: Courtesy of COS
COS Active
While we're all becoming more conscious with the fashion we're consuming, we're also paying close attention to the brands that are putting in the effort to go green. Designer labels like Stine Goya and Everlane to local players like Sans Faff and Zerrin continue to prove that you can look stylish in sustainable fashion. Now, activewear brands are jumping on the eco-bandwagon too.
So before you shop for the sports bra or performance legging you've been needing, consider these 8 activewear brands that are producing ethically-made and sustainable pieces.
Alo Yoga
Established in 2007, Alo Yoga has become a household name and is a favourite amongst both the worldwide yogi community and celebrities, including the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, for its fashionable yet functional workout apparel. The brand has always been mindful when it comes down to creating luxury garments that deliver unparalleled performance, and can be worn to the yoga studio and beyond. On top of this, Alo Yoga is 100% sweatshop free and holds a globally-accredited platinum certification from Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), which will give you peace of mind when shopping with them, knowing that your new leggings would have been manufactured ethically and created with clean materials.
COS
Known for their high-quality reinvented classics, COS has officially branched into the realms of athleisure and activewear with their new line, COS Active. Just in time for Spring 2020, the new Active collection features an array of timeless yet practical designs that incorporate new technical fibres made from renewable, raw materials and sustainable fabrics, such as recycled polyester and nylon and organic cotton. Some of our favourites include the versatile Seamless Performance Leggings that we can imagine ourselves wearing around the clock, and the Oversized Organic Cotton Sweatshirt that would be great to exercise or cosy up in on a rainy day.
Related article: 7 Trendy Loungewear Brands The Fashion Set Is Loving
Girlfriend Collective
Putting sustainability, ethical manufacturing and inclusivity at the forefront of the activewear they design, Girlfriend Collective is a frontrunner in delivering trendy, vibrant outfits for women of all shapes and sizes. The label is especially transparent about their practices and is proud to inform customers of the recycled textiles they use for their apparel (this includes recycled polyester from plastic, cupro and even, recycled fishing nets that are transformed into ECONYL® fibres) and the locations where they ethically source and manufacture the garments.
Nimble Activewear
Hailing from Bondi, Australia, Nimble Activewear was developed by two girlfriends who wanted to inspire, motivate and empower women while they workout. With this idea in mind, founders Katia Santilli and Vera Yan believed that sustainable design and production was the way forward which lead them to incorporate custom-engineered fabrics (MoveLite and COMPRESSLITE™) made of post-consumer used recycled plastics. Nimble Activewear has been able to recycle approximately 840,000 plastic bottles since 2015.
Related article: 13 Luxe Tracksuits To Wear When You're WFH
Outfyt
If you're looking for a brand that channels a Scandinavian aesthetic and carries sustainable activewear that values simplicity, minimalism and functionality, Outfyt's your answer. Founded and designed by Stephanie Colhag Yeo, the homegrown label was born out of a mission to empower women when working out, and celebrate each woman’s beautiful and natural form. If you're on a hunt to find high-quality activewear that supports local, ethically sources fabrics and is responsibly made, have a look at the longlasting pieces from Outfyt, which we can guarantee will leave you feeling confident during every workout.
Pepper And Mayne
You wouldn't normally pair elegance with exercise but London-based label Pepper And Mayne have somehow managed to nail this sought-after combination to a T. Originally designed in mind for hardy ballerinas, Pepper And Mayne seeks to create durable and sustainable ready-to-wear and fitness apparel that can not only be worn by the average person, but also withstand the regular high-intensity trainings undertaken by elite dancers at the world's most prestigious ballet companies.
Veja
If you're looking for a new pair of trusty trainers for your next run, Veja's a wonderful place to start. The vegan footwear label is not just a chic fashion statement; it places a strong emphasis in areas of transparency, fair trade and social and environmental responsibility. Veja even goes the extra mile in its eco-conscious efforts, sourcing natural rubber for the sneakers directly from the Seringueiro communities in the Amazon rainforest to save on water, energy and harmful emissions.
Related article: Five Places To Shop For Sustainable Fashion In Singapore (And Online)