Sustainable is Sexy: 3 Nontoxic Activewear Brands You'll Actually Want to Wear
Most activewear is loaded with hormone disruptors and microplastics that leach into your body when you sweat—linked to fertility issues, PCOS, and worse. Here are 3 sustainable brands proving you don't have to sacrifice style for health.
We need to talk about activewear, because what you put on your body matters just as much as what you’re putting in your body.
Most activewear is made of synthetic materials that contain hormone disruptors like microplastics and BPA, skin-sensitizing AZO-benzene disperse dyes, and a variety of other toxins that can impact pretty much every aspect of our health.
What's worse is that when you sweat, your pores open up and the heat from your body encourages the chemicals in the clothes to leech into your body. In other words, sweating in polyester is a quick way to get microplastics into your blood stream. No thank you!
Why choose nontoxic?
Not only is fast fashion horrible for the earth, the people who make the clothes, and the countries saddled with all the waste – it's also horrible for your health.
The chemicals, pesticides, & heavy metals used in the textile industry can cause serious menstrual, fertility, and autoimmune issues.
This is especially relevant for women — who, ironically, are the ones being sold the majority of harmful fast fashion. Emerging research literally shows a direct link between toxic clothing as things like breast cancer, infertility (which is an issue regardless of whether we want children, because fertility = health), and PCOS. This affects both the people wearing the clothing and the people making it.
But until recently, the world of nontoxic activewear has left much to be desired. It felt like you had to choose between plastic and something that made you look like a frumpy camp counselor. Thankfully, that’s starting to change.
So with all of that being said, here are 3 of our favorite brands who use natural materials, employ ethical production practices, and look good.
Studio K
At the top of the list is Studio K, a small brand based in Bali, Indonesia. Their motto is “Woman/Body/Earth” which is reflected in their chic-meets-earth designs.
All of their “movement wear” is made from certified organic fibers, dyed with non-toxic reactive dyes, and made ethically in a female owned factory. Their main fabric is LENZING™ ECOVERO™, a closed-loop viscose (wood pulp) fiber.
The pieces feel high quality, and importantly are very versatile. They can easily be mixed and matched, and many of the tops also work paired with skirts or jeans.
Our favorite pieces: the rib neck halter top (which works on and off the mat) paired with the rib 4” shorts for lounging, pilates or other lower-impact movement & the move cami (built in bra 🙏) paired with the poise shortsfor more compression and higher-intensity workouts
Indigo Luna
You know how you can just tell how a designer feels about women based on how the clothes fit? Well, Indigo Luna loves women. Which makes sense, given they’re a woman-led brand.
They’re based in Australia and Bali, and use plant-based dyes and natural fabrics like organic cotton, LENZING™ viscose, and bamboo. Importantly, they’re made by hand in-studio with safe, respectful working conditions and fair wages.
Their pieces are incredibly soft, comfortable, and feminine. And they’re explicitly designed to accommodate the ebbs and flows of womanhood, like menstruation and pregnancy.
They’re best for lower-impact movement like pilates or yoga, as well as for lounging and just generally living.
Our favorite pieces: the agni flares paired with the agni twist crop & the bella shorts paired with the bella bamboo crop & the earth angel skort
MATE the Label
MATE the Label is a California-based brand dedicated to natural, safe materials and transparent supply chains.
Their activewear is all made from organic cotton, and their pieces can easily be mixed-and-matched. We especially like their sweatpants and sweatshirts for lounging or for throwing on over a tighter set before or after a workout.
Our favorite pieces: the organic fleece relaxed crewneck sweatshirt paired with the organic fleece relaxed pocket sweatpant & the organic stretch scoop bra paired with the organic stretch midi legging
A note on cost
Yes, ethically made, nontoxic clothes are more expensive. But when you’re paying less money for an item of clothing, it's because you (and the people who make it, and the planet) are paying in other, more insidious ways. Paying with our health, our clean air and drinkable water, our ethical standards.
Plus sustainable quality clothing lasts longer, feels better, and is way more chic – so you can buy less of it. If buying a whole new activewear wardrobe is out of reach right now, don’t sweat it (pun intended).
Remember that although instagram may lead you to believe otherwise, it’s not normal to wear a different outfit every time you work out. Invest in 1-2 quality sets (bonus is they can mix-and-match) and take good care of them.
Slowly swap things out as you’re able, starting with the things that are closest to your body (think sports bras) and that you wear most often (like black bike shorts). Plus, you can find really good, affordable natural fiber pieces on thredup, depop, and in thrift stores.
Materials cheat-sheet
Look for these materials:
⟡ Organic* Cotton - Breathable, affordable, works for most climates (*most conventionally grown cotton is heavily sprayed with pesticides)
⟡Linen - Gets softer with washing, excellent for heat
⟡Wool - Regulates temperature, naturally antimicrobial
⟡Silk - Gentle on hair and skin while you sleep
⟡Tencel/Lyocell - Sustainable wood-based fiber, smooth texture
⟡Bamboo and hemp - Sustainable alternatives with natural softness
Avoid these materials:
◗ Polyester, nylon, acrylic - Petroleum-based synthetics
◗ "Moisture-wicking" blends - Usually plastic
◗ "Performance fabrics" - Marketing term for synthetic materials
◗ Microfiber - Sheds plastic particles with every wash
