
Boody/Girlfriend Collective/Jennifer Savin/Jaime Lee
We all want to do our bit to keep the planet happy – whether it’s switching from bottled shampoo to a bar (cutting back on plastic in the process) or experimenting with eating less meat, there’s lots you can try… and taking a peek inside your gym kit is another excellent place to start. Yep, we’re talking about investing in some sustainable, ethical activewear.
Even if you’ve already curbed (or at least semi-curbed) your monthly fast fashion haul in favour of a spot of thrifting, often it’s tougher to go secondhand shopping for gym clothes. The size range may not be there, for instance, or you might struggle with the idea of wearing a pair of leggings that a stranger has already sweated in – which, in all honesty, is fair (sometimes it feel like there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect with regards to watching your eco-footprint, when it’s just not possible to do it all).
But fear not! We know how important it is to find wholesome, lovely brands you can trust to make the process of buying ethical activewear whole lot easier, so we’ve done the (literal) leg work and put a tonne of them on trial (scroll down to see our top sustainable activewear picks).
We’ve also asked two sustainability experts for their top ethical shopping tips, if you’re keen for a deeper dive:
How to shop for sustainable activewear
Unfortunately, opting for activewear made via materials that benefit the planet (and people eg. from brands who’ve committed to paying workers fairly) can sometimes come at a higher financial cost, which is why it’s always good to deploy the ’30 times test’, says slow fashion expert Abbie Morris, CEO of Compare Ethics: “If you’re looking to reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe, switch your mindset to consider whether you’ll wear something more than 30 times. If the answer is yes, then buy it. You’ll start to notice how many items you say ‘no’ to and what’s actually a solid, long-term investment piece.”
Basically, it’s all about quality over quantity – something you also need to consider when taking into account how an item washes (eg. will it fall apart after one speedy 30º cycle? Will it likely require washing after every wear?). “Focus on neutral colours and classic shapes, as this will ensure the items don’t go out of fashion,” Morris adds.
Many brands are now aware of how important it is to show off their green ‘credentials’, but sadly far too many still keep things vague, simply throwing in the right buzzwords as part of their latest advertising campaigns, something known as ‘greenwashing’. Morris’ advice on that front is simple, “If it’s hard to find credible environmental data from a brand, then it’s likely they are not actually reducing their environmental impact.” Transparency is key.
You can also check a brand’s rating on sustainability directories such as Good On You or if it’s a member of the Fair Wear Foundation as a starting point – or shop on a trusted marketplace like Wolf & Badger, which stocks independent brands and even has an ‘ethical filter’ option (allowing you to filter products by whether or not they’re vegan, or were produced by creators who were paid a fair wage etc).
What materials should you look for when buying sustainable activewear?
One easy way of buying ethical activewear is to shop pieces that are made from materials that have a positive impact on the environment, such as:
- Recycled polyester
- Bamboo
- Organic cotton
- Non-toxic dyes
Merryn Chilcott, Sustainability Manager at BAM Bamboo Clothing, says, “It’s also important to consider how a brand is actively reducing their impact on the climate and nature – for example are they lowering and offsetting CO2 emissions, and conserving natural resources? – and the garments ‘end of life’ outlook.” By that, Chilcott recommends looking at whether the brand has any take back or re-sale schemes, or if the item is biodegradable.
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