5 Sustainable Activewear Brands Making Sweaty Betty Look Like Fast Fashion
Published on: November 20, 2024
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While Sweaty Betty rides high on bold prints and sleek marketing, a new wave of activewear brands is quietly transforming the industry through genuine innovation in sustainability and ethical production. These five brands aren't just making workout clothes - they're reimagining how activewear impacts both our bodies and our planet.
: Trading Petroleum for Plants with the Aspen Leggings
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Most of us don't think twice about wrapping ourselves in plastic when we exercise, but Reprise Activewear founder Mary Bemis couldn't shake this uncomfortable truth. Her solution? The Aspen Leggings, crafted from wood pulp instead of synthetic materials. It's a radical departure from conventional activewear production that proves sustainable materials can deliver serious performance.
Manufacturing in New York City gives Reprise granular control over their production standards, while their commitment to water and carbon neutrality demonstrates that environmental responsibility doesn't require compromise. Their plant-based fabrics handle sweat and movement with surprising effectiveness, suggesting that nature might have better solutions for our workout wear than petrochemicals.
Why we like Reprise Activewear
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Plant-Based Innovation
Uses wood pulp instead of synthetic materials for sustainable performance wear
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Local Production
New York City manufacturing ensures high quality control and ethical standards
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Environmental Commitment
Water and carbon neutral operations demonstrate true sustainability
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These are the most comfy, stretchy, but squeezy leggings- made from plant based fabric (no microplastics please).
: Reinventing Yoga Gear with Cork Innovation
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Eco-friendly packaging
Zero plastic
Climate Neutral Certified
The humble cork oak tree might seem like an unlikely hero in the fight against plastic waste, but Ananday's Cork Yoga Mat reveals its remarkable potential. This natural material provides better grip than synthetic alternatives while supporting regenerative agriculture - each purchase helps fund the brand's forest garden initiatives.
We're particularly intrigued by Ananday's zero-waste philosophy, which eliminates unnecessary packaging and prioritizes materials that can return to the earth. Their approach to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing fair labor practices and community support. The result is workout gear that aligns with both high-performance expectations and ecological responsibility.
Why we like Ananday
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Innovative Materials
Uses cork for superior grip and sustainability
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Zero-Waste Philosophy
Eliminates unnecessary packaging and uses biodegradable materials
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Forest Conservation
Supports regenerative agriculture through forest garden initiatives
: Engineering Movement in the Orion Legging
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The Orion Legging exemplifies Live The Process's sophisticated understanding of how clothes interact with the body in motion. Their designs incorporate principles of biomechanics, resulting in pieces that work with our natural movement patterns rather than against them.
We appreciate how Live The Process bridges the gap between technical performance and elevated design. Their minimalist aesthetic serves a purpose beyond pure style - it reflects their belief that workout wear should enhance rather than distract from movement. This thoughtful approach to design creates pieces that transition seamlessly between different contexts while maintaining their functionality.
Why we like Live The Process
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Biomechanical Design
Incorporates movement science into clothing design
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Minimalist Functionality
Creates pieces that enhance rather than distract from movement
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Versatile Performance
Seamlessly transitions between different activities and contexts
: Redefining Industry Standards with the Spacedye Uplevel Midi Jumpsuit
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The Spacedye Uplevel Midi Jumpsuit embodies Beyond Yoga's refreshing challenge to activewear conventions. Founded by Jodi Guber Brufsky and Michelle Wahler, the brand conducts fit testing across diverse body types, ensuring their pieces perform consistently across their size range.
Their Culver City manufacturing facility maintains strict quality control while supporting local employment. Beyond Yoga's no-retouching policy in their photography marks a decisive break from industry norms, acknowledging that airbrushed perfection has no place in authentic fitness culture. This commitment to reality over fantasy extends throughout their business practices.
Why we like Beyond Yoga
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Inclusive Design
Conducts fit testing across diverse body types
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Authentic Marketing
Maintains a no-retouching policy in photography
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Local Manufacturing
Supports employment through Culver City facility
: From Food Waste to Fashion with High-Waist Mini-Flared Leggings
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Groceries transforms discarded produce into vibrant natural dyes for their High-Waist Mini-Flared Leggings, proving that one industry's waste can become another's innovation. Their Los Angeles factory serves as an experimental hub where food scraps from local businesses find new life as colorful activewear.
Their vertical integration model allows for rigorous quality control while fostering innovation in sustainable production techniques. By keeping their entire operation under one roof, Groceries maintains transparency throughout their manufacturing process. This hands-on approach enables continuous refinement of their unique waste-to-wear methodology.
Why we like Groceries
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Innovative Dyeing
Uses food waste to create natural, vibrant dyes
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Vertical Integration
Maintains complete control over production process
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Local Sustainability
Partners with local businesses to reduce waste
The Future of Fitness Fashion
These brands signal a significant shift in activewear production, demonstrating that performance, sustainability, and ethical manufacturing can coexist. From plant-based materials to food waste dyes, each offers a distinct vision for reducing the environmental impact of our workout wardrobes. The next generation of activewear isn't just about keeping pace with fitness trends - it's about pioneering solutions to fashion's environmental challenges.