ETHICAL ACTIVEWEAR
Sports Philosophy sports bra and leggings
Hello January! Who can believe that we’re in 2019 already?! Along with the sales, January sees an influx of sportswear tempting you to invest in new activewear to kick off the New Year. Thankfully, the increasing number of consumers demanding ethical fashion has meant a rise in the number of brands putting better practices into place. Result - a much wider selection to choose from across all manner of items including activewear.
As someone who often works from home I love the easy comfort of wearing some sort of gym kit (even though I don’t actually go to a gym!) - allowing me to move easily, sit cross legged and even squat while I work on my laptop. Not only is this better for my back, this freedom of movement prevents stagnation in the body and keeps the energy flowing. Workout wise, I’m a fan of yoga both at home and in classes wherever and whenever I can get to them. I particularly love hatha and “yin”-style yoga as an opportunity to tune in and connect with my body through movement with breath or simply to make time to ground down and relax. Otherwise I’m hiking, walking my dogs or doing lots of natural movement work like squats and strengthening exercises using just my body weight.
Now more stylish than ever, read on for my edit of activewear brands that are as ethical and cool as they are functional.
This made-in-the-U.S. brand recycle plastic bottles to make their funky printed yoga leggings, available from Rêve en Vert. I’m a big fan of printed leggings and this brand offers countless options.
Picture create organic, recycled and bio-sourced outdoor sports gear, using only factories that treat their workers fairly to produce their weatherproof jackets, snow suits and accessories.
Adrenna make trendy, sleek activewear right here in London using eco and non-toxic dyes. The brand is committed to extending their range and investing in new eco-materials as they develop and grow.
Silou sports bra and leggings and FORM yoga mat
STARSEEDS are on a mission to bring you comfortable, breathable fitness clothing made from organic fabrics and bagged-and-tagged with recyclable materials, all designed and made in Europe.
VYAYAMA’s natural yoga wear uses their signature material, TENCEL®, made from sustainably farmed eucalyptus, to support you in your practice. They are committed to sustainable practices throughout the production process and create lovely, understated pieces you can feel good about.
Bella Kinesis make brightly coloured, patterned sportswear in Britain. For each piece sold, they fund one month of business education for a woman in rural India, so that women can be strong in every way.
Picture Organic Clothing jumper and top, STARSEEDS leggings and NAK trainers
Sports Philosophy’s unique, bold and stylish activewear is intended to look good, feel good and do good. The company are committed to fighting child labour through their own charity, the Freedom for Children Foundation, and throughout their production chain.
You will adore Silou for their retro activewear that looks straight out of Palm Springs in the ‘70s, but that’s not all the label — founded by a former Victoria’s Secret model — has going for it. Every piece is made in Europe using non-toxic fabrics.
Form is a carbon-negative fitness brand based in England, they aim to make sustainable thinking the standard, not the exception and are the manufactures of the most amazing round (yes round!) yoga mats.
Milochie’s proudly patterned leggings and other yoga and running clothes are made from sustainably harvested beechwood, and every worker (in Portugal and Germany) is paid a fair, EU-regulated wage.
