Sweating Green: Discovering the Eco-Warriors of the Active Wear Industry
The shift towards conscious living and mindful purchasing is not foreign to us consumers anymore. This demand for sustainability and ethicality from brands, and reevaluating their production processes, has expanded into the realm of active wear, where sustainability and functionality are converging to create a new wave of ethical and eco friendly choices. This article aims to highlight the various fitness brands that are combining style, performance, and a deep commitment to environmental and social consciousness, and bring awareness to the key ethical practices undertaken by them. From the studio to the trails, to the gym, to the streets, let Jejune Magazine help you embrace this new era of sustainable fitness!
Tenere is redefining the true meaning of a sustainable brand. Specialising in clothes for the modern athlete, Tenere is sustainable to the greatest extent of the brand’s power, basing its policy on the fact that sustainability is binary and must be considered from the perspective of the planet, organisations and systems. Each garment produced has a QR code embedded within it, through which the wearer can learn of the garment’s journey into its being and the sustainable practices undertaken for the same. Designed for comfort, Tenere is meant for the athlete that cares about the planet and what they wear.
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Bali born Wild About Collective is all things sporty, luxurious and ethical! The brand works hard at being conscious at every step of their supply chain — from sourcing high end recycled fabrics like econyl yarn from Italy to packaging the products in post consumer waste plastic (RPET). Another practice they actively carry out is to use post consumer waste like fishing nets and discarded nylon and repurpose them to make garments that are authentic, comfortable, and helps you connect with yourself. The Wild About Collective also undertakes and supports other projects that combat climate change, truly doing their part to make a difference!
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Indigo Luna is a family run, conscious fitness wear brand. Specialising in yogawear and swim wear made from a blend of green fabrics like organic bamboo, organic cotton, left over acrylic and more, varying in complexity of fusion, the brand’s experimentation with the indigo plant to create a variety of earthly colored dyes that are not only safe for the environment but are also beautifully pigmented. The garments at Indigo Luna have influences of Nordic simplicity and are created to make the soft luxurious fabrics feel good on your skin.
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It’s 2023 and there is a requirement for a distinction between classic athleisure and yoga wear, i.e, clothing made specifically for your yoga practice. The calming, exhilarating, and liberating nature of yoga calls for some introspection on whether your clothing is doing the most for you. Traditional athleisure and sportwear are made of plastic that produces microfibers that are harmful to the environment. Proyog, the origin of which is in India, the birthplace of Yoga, seeks to combat the problems that are associated with restrictive, tight fitting regular work out clothes, so that your yogic movement can be rooted in mindfulness and focus without worrying about your clothing. Each garment, at Proyog, is made to be neither too loose nor too tight, that is just right. Soft, natural and breathable fabrics make Proyog’s pieces sustainable and a must try for all the yogis out there!
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Fitness and fashion meet conscientiousness with Stretchery’s mindful athletic wear collection. Made from organic cotton, and produced in the most ecological manner possible, the brand produces breathable, allergy free garments of the highest quality, built for comfort and confidence. The brand also has a wholesome initiative called ‘Headbands’ wherein organic cotton headbands are made from fabric scraps and wastages produced in the factory, and sold. The proceeds of this initiative are meant to finance the families of the employees of the factory, ensuring that every aspect of sustainability is covered by the brand.
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Groceries Apparel is more than just a fun name! Recognizing the harm and destruction caused by the textile industry, their approach to sustainable production is rooted in using non toxic, natural dyes made from avocado pits, onion skins, carrot tops and more. All production practices take place in house in their factory in California, only ensuring the best for their customers.
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With the arrival of summer comes the need to switch to sustainably made fitness wear, for those summer workouts thar make you sweat a little extra hard! Be it swimming or just a basic gym workout, Wolven’s garments are made from recycled bottles and reclaimed cotton, so that every wear reminds you of the care that has gone into creating the fabric and helps you feel better, post workout, on the inside-out! Our personal favorite is the reversible swimwear line! Wolven not only follows sustainable production practices but also actively carries out initiatives that are meant to bring awareness to climate change and its impact on us.
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Nothing is more gratifying than making it through a workout knowing that you gave it your best and you made the right choice shopping from prAna. Garments made from organic materials like hemp, forest fibers and so on, designed for comfort and durability is sure to guide your decision to shop eco friendly for clothing that will not only support you during your workout, but also boost your confidence and help you give your 100% into every single move! Sustainability and fitness do go hand in hand!
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The Girlfriend Collective is all about ecological creations and size inclusivity — two things we love seeing in a fitness brand! Recycling is an ongoing theme at the brand, wherein each piece is made from recycled bottles and they also recycle garments through their ReGirlfriend Take Back programme. The fabrics used in their clothing is carefully categorized based on the type of workout you intend to do and its intensity, ranging from soft flowy fabrics that sculpt your body to fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable, so that your fitness is never compromised. Doesn’t it feel great knowing your workout is powered by one smart decision after another!
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Innovation meets sustainability with Definite Articles’ biodegradable performance wear! Created with the intention to curb the problems caused by the pollution of water bodies by plastics that exist in clothing, the brand decided to take a step further, in tandem with research scientists and ecological experts, to produce clothing that have an extra additive that is natural and will ensure the breakdown of the fabric over a course of a few years, as opposed to centuries.
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In an era where sustainability and fitness go hand in hand, sustainable active wear brands have emerged as the champions of a healthier planet. It’s time to embrace a greener workout routine and support these conscious labels to make a positive impact with every step, stretch, and stride.
