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There’s no denying that brands like Lululemon and Sweaty Betty have something of a cult following these days. I’m not immune – I love a good pair of yoga pants – the day I left my office job was the day that yoga pants became a part of my wardrobe on an almost daily basis, both for working out and as part of my outfits more generally.
Unfortunately, the majority of yoga clothing on the market – like the majority of clothes in general – is not ethical yoga clothing. It’s made using fabrics and processes which are harmful to the planet.
I’ve done some digging to find some of the best conscious closet options, and hey presto:
The best sustainable and ethical yoga pants available on the market.
There are some great options here, that tick some – if not all – of the boxes: Ethical Fashion, Sustainable Fashion, Vegan Fashion and Slow Fashion (check out my recent article to figure out what it all means).
Girlfriend Collective
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Girlfriend Collective are serious about transparency (their processes, not their leggings – thankfully).
The leggings feature polyester made from recycled plastic bottles, they use OEKO-certified safe dyes and ensure good working conditions in their Vietnamese manufacturing facility. They offer classic leggings in a range of beautiful colours, and have compression, lite and maternity items available.
Price Range: Leggings from $68
Mandala
Mandala is a German-based company whose range ticks all the boxes. All of their products are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified and comply with the Organic Content Standard of Textile Exchange.
Their range is made from a selection of organic cottons, polyamides (from the castor plant), lyocell (derived from wood) and polyesters made from recycled plastic bottles.
Price Range: Leggings from €65
Maikoda
Maikoda is designed and made in New York with a mission to create clothing that you can feel comfortable in both physically and mentally.
Their clothing is made from organic cotton, modal, soy and lyocell. All of their fabrics are GOTS or Control Union certified. These are all knit in factories that abide by the Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP) regulations ensuring that the workers are working in a maintained, healthy, and safe environment.
Price Range: Leggings from $88
People Tree
People Tree are well established in the sustainability circles. Founded in 1991, they pride themselves on every product being made to the highest ethical and environmental standards.
Activewear is just one of the lines offered by People Tree, whose leggings are made with certified organic cotton (Fairtrade Certified, Soil Association Organic Textile Standard) at a social enterprise which supports disadvantaged women in India.
Price Range: Leggings from $59.99
Ripple
Ripple Yoga Wear garments are made fairly in Israel, using eco-friendly dyes. All ripple yoga clothes are made from natural fabrics: soft viscose or stonewashed cotton.
Not all of their range, however, is organic so be careful to check before making any purchases – they do have a section on their site which is entirely organic cotton here.
Price Range: Leggings from $79
Prana
Prana is very vocal about their product range being Fairtrade and bluesign® Certified. They acknowledge that they do not have the perfect system, but promote a message of progress over perfection.
Much of their range of yoga clothing is made from recycled fabrics – although you should be careful to check the fabric details of each product as the selection is not well marked or easily navigated.
Price Range: Leggings from $65
Nice To Meet Me
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Designed in Austria and manufactured ethically in the Czech Republic, Nice To Meet Me works solely with organic or recycled materials.
The collection features a range of classic styles and fun prints. Whether you are looking for organic cottons or fabrics from recycled plastic bottles, these guys have you covered.
Price Range: Leggings from €56
Bhumi
Bhumi is an Australian brand which offers yoga clothing and loungewear alongside bedding and bath products. They are Fairtrade certified, use traditional textile craftsmanship methods and ensure that all employees receive a living wage, social security, pension funds, house rent, paid holiday leave, sick pay, medical insurance, subsidies, lunches and overtime. All employees’ children receive free schooling.
Bhumi creates pure, luxuriously soft and chemical free products. No toxic dyes or synthetic pesticides are used in the creation of their collection, which uses Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) approved dyes. They have a wide selection of activewear pieces to suit a range of tastes and body shapes.
Price Range: Leggings from $79
Asquith
Asquith is another brand that have been on the scene for a while now – since 2002 in fact (which is far longer ago than we all care to think). Their production is done at a small family-run facility in Turkey which ensures good working conditions, 9-5 working hours and good holiday pay.
Their collection is GOTS organic certified, and only uses the best quality, eco-friendly, organic cotton and bamboo fabrics.
Price Range: Leggings from £55
KiraGrace
Fashion, quality, and ethical manufacturing is central to what KiraGrace stands for. All KiraGrace apparel is handcrafted in the USA. Their collection features a range of plain and printed leggings styles as well as some yoga tops that would work great from workout to going out.
Whilst it is not their full range, a portion of their products are made using sustainable “green” fabrics – made from organic and/or recycled materials.
Price Range: Leggings from $98
Carrot Banana Peach
FUN FACT: this is my good friend Gabbi modelling for a recent Carrot Banana Peach collection.
Carrot Banana Peach is British organic plant-based yoga clothing and activewear brand, founded in back 2000.
Their range has a young and fun vibe and features items made from organic cotton, bamboo, soybean, banana and aloe vera.
Price Range: Leggings from £35
Satva
Satva works in partnership with an organisation in India to ensure that its impact on their workers and environment are a positive one. This is achieved through not only ethical practices in the workplace, but also reinvesting into education and livestock in the communities it works with.
Their range is crafted from organic cottons and recycled polyesters, and free from chemicals: including bleaches, toxic waxes, sulphur and heavy metals commonly used in the production of clothing. Only natural, non-toxic plant based dyes are used.
Price Range: Leggings from £35
Green Apple
Green Apple Active has a great range of basic yoga pants styles. All of their factories are WRAP certified and approved for fair labour conditions. Green Apple’s organic, vegan, and biodegradable bamboo product line is ECOCERT® and Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified.
All of their products feature Ultra Support™, a patented antimicrobial and antibacterial technology that is supportive, UVA/UVB protecting, moisture wicking, quick dry, odour-inhibiting, and biodegradable material that won’t harm you or the planet.
Price Range: Leggings from $65.99
Have you bought anything from any of these great brands? What purchases are you thinking about?
We’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below…
